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Your Observer | All

Officer Jorge Castro had his badge pinned onto his uniform by his wife, Melissa Castro, after he was sworn in as the newest Longboat Key Police Department officer Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 11, 2026
New Longboat Key police officer brings force to 19

Officer Jorge Castro most recently served as a police officer with the Bradenton Beach Police Department.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Michael Garey, owner of the Lazy Lobster restaurant, greets a table full of attendees on their second stop for the first Longboat Key Turtle Crawl fundraiser on May 7. The foodie fundraiser benefits sea turtle research being done this nesting season by Longboat Key Turtle Watch and Mote Marine.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 11, 2026
Debut Turtle Crawl fundraiser sees strong turnout

Centered around a trio of Longboat restaurants, the fundraiser will support sea turtle research heading into a new nesting season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Spring break helped bring an year-over-year increase in tourism to Sarasota County in March.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 11, 2026
Tourism sees increase of visitors in March

March 2026 brought an increase in tourists, but not spending, to Sarasota County compared to the year prior.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bonnie Schneider, a longtime member of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, bestows a flower crown upon the statue of Mary as this year's honoree for the Mother's Day ceremony.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 10, 2026
May crowning honoree celebrated for generosity

The Mother's Day ceremony at St. Mary church recognized longtime member Bonnie Schneider.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
William Gensmer and Zaeta, of The Tilt, perform on stage.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 10, 2026
Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest held at Selby Five Points Park

The event hosted by the Fabulous Arts Foundation showcased LGBTQ+ artists and connected community members downtown after making its return there last year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joseph Sprouse created costumes based on "Tron" that he and his sister Isabel Sprouse wore to the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 10, 2026
SiestaCon continues to bring a comic con experience to Sarasota

The event, held at Robarts Arena, returned for its third year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Waterside’s Victoria Ortiz, 24, said her 7-month-old son, Flynn, has changed her life for the better.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 10, 2026
Mothers discuss their journeys before their special day

Lakewood Ranch mothers share how motherhood has helped them grow through both happy moments and hardship.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Parker Hippich, 12 months, gets a lift from mom, Tessa Hippich, during Petals and Poses on Saturday at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 10, 2026
All about the mothers at special event in Lakewood Ranch

Petals and Poses honored the area's moms while raising funds for the Mothers Helping Mothers nonprofit.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The update of the Sarasota City Plan includes the Recreation and Open Space chapter.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2026
May 11 city plan update open house canceled

Three chapters of the Sarasota City Plan were to be discussed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Il Panificio is now open at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 9, 2026
Il Panificio opens new downtown Sarasota restaurant

The pizza restaurant now has two locations on Main Street and one on Siesta Key.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
School district demands repayment of tax fees
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 8, 2026
School district demands repayment of tax fees

The Sarasota County Commission votes to resume paying the tax collector's 2% commission fee and questions the fee itself.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mason Hull has more than 300,000 followers on TikTok.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2026
Sarasota TikTok influencer arrested on child-pornography charges

Because of the 18-year-old suspect's digital presence, the Sheriff's Office is reaching out to the public for additional information.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Wendy Feinstein now divides her time between Longboat Key and Carbondale, Colorado.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2026
American Jewish Committee names new regional president

Wendy Feinstein, a Longboat Key resident, previously served the AJC as regional vice president.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch

As the name of the KFC spinoff suggests, dipping sauces are front and center in the restaurant on Lena Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Work will soon begin on replacing anbd raising 1,500 linear feet of seawall at the Bayfront Park marina.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 7, 2026
Bayfront Park marina seawall to be rebuilt

The Sarasota City Commission has approved a nearly $5.6 million contract to rebuild the seawall at the marina section of Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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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