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Your Observer | All

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter at the East County Observer.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 18, 2025
Letter from your education reporter: There's a lot to look forward to in the 2025-26 school year

Manatee County schools provides a much larger district to cover than she grew up with in Iowa.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jessica Bank and Laura Murphy stand in front of the library.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2025
The Out-of-Door Academy holds on to a historic legacy as it moves forward

While a former dormitory building will have to be demolished due to last year’s hurricanes, the campus works out new plans for the space.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Colton Dempsey, now a Sarasota Sailor, scored 13 of Lakewood Ranch's 29 offensive touchdowns last season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 18, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Colton Dempsey

Dempsey, now at Sarasota High, rushed for 1,000 yards at Lakewood Ranch in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Linda Berman, board member at Stillpoint Mission, fills her car with donated toilet paper from members of Longboat Island Chapel on July 15.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 18, 2025
Toilet paper drive at Longboat fills two cars

Longboat Island Chapel supported Stillpoint Mission's mission to serve those in need with a fundraiser focused on hygiene products.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Michael and Gina Bohn try out a mattress at City Furniture's grand opening July 17 at the new UTC east district store.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 17, 2025
City Furniture makes grand entrance into Sarasota market

The chain furniture store holds grand opening ceremonies at its new store in UTC's east district.

  • East County
  • Business
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2025
Airport fire department upgrades emergency medical services

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Fire Department now offers enhanced medical emergency treatment

  • Sarasota
  • News
Saliva skirmish ends the night out at a downtown club
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2025
Saliva skirmish ends the night out at a downtown club

A woman claiming to be a victim turns out to be the spitter in an after-midnight skirmish of sputum. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Angelica Collado, Fernanda Collado, Brigette Kubin and Patricia Collado showcase some of the knitted and crocheted pieces the three sisters hand crafted for Three Island Monkeys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 17, 2025
Longboat boutique features crafts by sister trio

From sweaters to doll clothes, the Collado sisters are sharing their love of knitted works through Three Island Monkeys.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Zaylie Ellis of Sailor Circus, walks the tightrope.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen, Ian Swaby
  • July 17, 2025
Unusual educational opportunities abound in Sarasota

From circus skills to hands-on marine biology experience, here are some of the unusual experiences that can enhance education in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Valeria Torres, Brian Guzman-Orozco, Yesica Mojena and Angelinna Lopez Ferrales practice letter sounds with Deb Petti.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 17, 2025
Classrooms are the highest priority as school district prepares 2025-26 budget

At a time when the Sarasota school district is facing financial difficulties, its CFO said the focus will be on the learning experience.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Grace Community Church is expanding its Lakewood Ranch campus to include a student center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch megachurch still growing

Grace Community Church bought a new building for its staff and is constructing an overflow parking lot and student center.

  • East County
  • News
The Out-of-Door Academy rising senior Dylan Walker plays wide receiver, kicker, punter and defensive back for the Thunder.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 17, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Dylan Walker

The ODA football player has ramped up his recruitment this summer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Community Activities' Paige Venuto, Keith Pandeloglou, and Danielle Bugel look forward to the first Communi-tee Golf Classic at Calusa Golf and Country Club Sept. 17.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Community Activities launches its first golf tournament

Calusa Golf and Country Club in Lakewood Ranch will host the inaugural event Sept. 17.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The home at 1378 Harbor Drive was built in 2003 and has four bedrooms, five-and-three-half baths, a pool and 6,235 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 16, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for June 30-July 4 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home in Harbor Acres on Harbor Drive tops the week’s sales at $9.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Breeze OnDemand operates in three zones of Sarasota County much like private ride-sharing services and delivers riders door to door, though not necessarily solo or non-stop.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 16, 2025
Breeze OnDemand reports to riders it's back to capacity

A segment of the ride system's minivans had been sidelined by a recall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
DragonBoot Quartet performs the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Gamma” for string quartet for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota on April 12.
  • April 6, 2026
Pine View grad solves for 'Gamma' in his latest music composition
2
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
  • April 6, 2026
Benderson begins trek through rezoning of 1660 Ringling Boulevard
3
Emi Frydman checks out the basket of Easter eggs her family members found at the April 4 egg hunt at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. The Easter activities, open to the public, made their return for the first time since the early 2020s through the efforts of church members.
  • April 6, 2026
Back from pre-COVID hiatus, St. Armands hosts Easter bash
4
Lydia Lardner, 3, makes an impressive start filling up her Easter basket with Kelly Lardner and family at the April 3 Sand Cay Condominiums Beach Resort's Easter egg hunt, a beloved tradition at the resort for more than a decade.
  • April 6, 2026
Families return for Easter egg hunt tradition at Sand Cay
5
Sarasota's Harlyn Voyles, 7, holds on for dear life during the mutton busting at Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash April 4.
  • April 5, 2026
Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash attracts 2,000 fans on Easter weekend

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