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Your Observer | All

Carol Erker and Terri and Jeff Driver, board members with the Rotary Club of Longboat Key, gave an overview of the leadership positions they hope to fill next year at the May 5 meeting.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 12, 2026
Longboat Rotary welcomes new board members

The community service organization is welcoming back its president and hopes to involve new board members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Contemporary Dance founder and artistic director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe founder and artistic director join forces for SCD + WBTT May 15-16 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for May 14-20

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Rick Farmer carries plenty of experience calling plays on defense, but his new role leading the Pirates represents his first head-coaching appointment in high school football.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 12, 2026
No time to waste for new Braden River High football coach

Rick Farmer, the team's former defensive coordinator, was hired on the first day of spring practice.

  • East County
  • Sports
Marina and Vladislav Yeliseyev pose in front of one of Vlad's paintings in their home in The Landings.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • May 12, 2026
Sarasota artist travels the globe painting outdoors

With his studio in The Landings, Vladislav Yeliseyev's world knows no boundaries.

  • Arts + Culture
This Country Club Village home at 6963 Westchester Circle sold for $3,025,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,897 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 12, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 27-May 1 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue home on Blue Shell Loop tops the week's sales at $3.68 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Costello’s Neighborhood Pizza owner Kenny Palin takes a pie out of the oven at the Longboat Key branch of Costello’s.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 12, 2026
Owner rebrands Longboat, Gulf Gate pizza joints to Costello's Neighborhood Pizza

As the franchise contract reached expiration, owner Kenny Palin decided to personalize his two pizzerias with a family name.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Team members at Longboat Harbour Condominiums and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program are working together to show how residents and researchers can all contribute to building a stronger ecosystem. Coordinators recently put up new signs recognizing the work volunteers are doing to remove invasive plants and add Florida-friendly flora. Pictured are Mary and Rob Dice, Kakali Banerjee and Ken Stewart.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 12, 2026
Sarasota Bay Estuary works with residents on native planting projects

Longboat Harbour Condominiums residents and volunteers celebrated receiving a grant to remove invasive plants on the property.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is the only Gulf-facing property on Longboat Key with a private beach groin, constructed decades ago by Colony Beach & Tennis Resort owner Murf Klauber to fight beach erosion.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 12, 2026
St. Regis, town headed to court as Whittall defies order

The developer and owner of the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort says he will fight in court "to whatever extent necessary" to leave the arch that town code enforcement has ordered taken down.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ed Hill (left) receives the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals Professional of the Year Award from Noel Martinez of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2026
Chamber executive wins top statewide professional award

Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ed Hill was honored with the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals Professional of the Year Award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Triple Oak Preserve in Myakka City is one of the purchases Manatee County made using funds collected from the 2020 referendum.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 12, 2026
Environmental lands referendum one step closer to 2026 ballot

Manatee County commissioners were presented with four funding options to acquire additional lands and development rights.

  • East County
  • News
VRBO owner calls cops on guests after reading calendar wrong
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 12, 2026
VRBO owner calls cops on guests after reading calendar wrong

A short term rental owner panicked and called Longboat Key police after checking surveillance cameras. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Bradenton's Trey Johnson finishes his swing during the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Golf Tournament, which raises funds for local nonprofits.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch rallies to support golf tournament fundraiser

Eighty-three golfers entered the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Golf Tournament at Colusa Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pastitsio ($25) made with Greek macaroni with ground beef, fresh herbs topped with a creamy béchamel sauce.
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • May 11, 2026
Make it a Mediterranean (meal) May

These local dishes remind us that eating well doesn’t have to feel restrictive.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 11, 2026
Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75

No one else was hurt in the Sarasota County incident, FHP says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brooks Bartram improved his fastball velocity from 84 miles per hour in September 2025 to 94 mph by February. Now, he'll play NCAA Division II baseball in the fall.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 11, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooks Bartram

After one season with Braden River, the senior right-hander has signed with Eckerd College.

  • East County
  • Sports
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1
Steven High is retiring as executive director of The Ringling, a position he has held since 2011.
  • June 5, 2026
Steven High to retire as executive director of The Ringling
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2
  • June 5, 2026
33rd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival
3
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is meant to pay for immediate relief and long-term resilience efforts in the four-county area.
  • June 5, 2026
Patterson Foundation donates $500,000 for storm relief
4
A giant American flag has flown above Sarasota Ford since the 1970s.
  • June 4, 2026
American flag will fly high again over Sarasota Ford
5
Mike and Jenny Schenk have closed their Pineapple Kitchen location on Lena Road and are now marketing their products on Amazon.
  • June 4, 2026
Pineapple Kitchen owners close store, move to Amazon

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