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Your Observer | All

Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service

When Tyler LaPlaca realized there wasn't a Leo Club to encourage young people to be involved in community service, he took matters into his own hands.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Panther Ridge mom hopes to make connections in District 5 school board seat

Chantal Wilford is attempting for the second time to be a member of School Board of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maddie Baehr was hesitant to join Braden River flag football as a freshman. Now, she's a member of the Ireland Flag Football Women's National Team with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics just over two years away.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • June 3, 2026
Braden River High graduate takes her dual athleticism overseas

Although she is headed toward Division I soccer, Maddie Baehr played in May for the Ireland Flag Football Women's National Team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Collin Purcell, Katie Blackwell and Brian Ott bring back the feel-good era of folk music in "Leaving on a Jet Plane."
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 3, 2026
Cool off this summer with Florida Studio Theatre's cabaret shows

FST music shows provide a welcome respite from summer in the city.

  • Arts + Culture
The home at 6161 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $8 million. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,224 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 3, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for May 18-22 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Sleepy Lagoon home on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week's sales at $8 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Plastic bottles have been separated from other recyclables as they travel along a conveyor line at the Circular Services materials recovery facility in Sarasota.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 3, 2026
From shelf to floor: A plastic bottle's journey

After your recycling is picked up from the curb, what happens to it? One potential landing spot may be right under your feet.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The title-winning U16 Women's Eight for Sarasota Crew at the 2025 USRowing Youth National Championships. From left to right: Addison Wilson, Brooke Wilson, Gabrielle Davis, Maya Jewell, Lillian Teague, Megan Murdock, Isabella De Liz, Sydney Soboleski and Rose Ottaviano.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • June 3, 2026
Sarasota Crew's success started with a change in culture

The youth rowing club has become a household name nationally thanks to its focus on individual development above all else.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A proposal that could eliminate property taxes in the state of Florida, would damage the funding of Longboat Key police and fire departments.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 3, 2026
Longboat Key pushes against Gov. DeSantis property tax reform proposal

A letter from the town to the state delegation described the governor's method of introducing property tax reform as political theater.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An American flag flies on Gulf of Mexico Drive, the town’s main thoroughfare that will soon see much more red, white and blue as the town prepares to install 56 light pole banners.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 3, 2026
Town works to unveil patriotic banners ahead of July 4

A banner depicting the American flag that can be reused was picked for Longboat Key’s Gulf of Mexico Drive over one that featured recognition of the country’s 250th birthday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Beach chair bandits shocked at police response
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 3, 2026
Beach chair bandits shocked at police response

Four users of rental beach chairs refused to pay for the afternoon's use or vacate the seaside seats, until the cops arrived. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Longboat Key Tennis Center members and friends of Dolores Levy honored her memory with the unveiling of a new plaque at the center last weekend.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 2, 2026
LBK Tennis Center honors Rombo founder

Community members shared stories about Dolorers Levy at a May 30 unveiling of a plaque in her memory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Municipalities across the region limit fertilizer use during the summer to protect local waterways.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 2, 2026
Fertilizer restrictions in place on Longboat Key

Residents are prohibited from using certain types of fertilizers during the rainy summer seasons to protect the waterways.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Squeaky Wheel Fringe runs June 2-7.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for June 4-10

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
This is not how to 'cut' taxes
  • By Jeff Brandes
  • June 2, 2026
This is not how to 'cut' taxes

The governor’s property tax plan won’t eliminate taxes. It will just shift them. Your city will become increasingly dependent on the state.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 2, 2026
'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key

Backup was called to help free a large lizard from a fence. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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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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