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Your Observer | All

Ute Vela competes in the Observer Challenge held Feb. 3-5, 2023. She and her husband, Enrique, have won the tournament four times.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 8, 2025
Observer Challenge hopes different format will attract more players

The beloved Longboat Key tennis tournament is back for its 25th year with a new format and surprise criteria for its grand prize.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Arhaus, a furniture store, is expected to open at Center Point in March.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 8, 2025
Center Point at Waterside construction will finish in 2025

Brett Hutchens, president of commercial real estate firm CASTO, anticipates the development will have its final grand openings in March.

  • East County
  • News
SafeHaven AI helps people aged 65+ better understand their fall risks and how to manage them using doctor-approved questions and image recognition of potential hazards.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 8, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy student wins Congressional App Challenge

Manav Pulluru's app, SafeHaven AI, helps the elderly avoid falls

  • East County
  • Schools
Temple Beth Israel Music Director and Organist Ann Stephenson-Moe and Choir Soloist Kei Sulhi
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 8, 2025
Temple Beth Israel plans to honor its music director and soloist

At its annual gala on Jan. 26, Temple Beth Israel Music Director and Organist Ann Stephenson-Moe and Choir Soloist Kei Sulhi will be honored after almost 30 years of dedication.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High student Yulia Morales hosted her first-ever 'Science Stars' lesson on Friday, Jan. 3 at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High student creates 'Science Stars' to inspire tweens

Yulia Morales hopes to show kids how science can be fun with monthly experiments.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee County is gearing up for the RUN Manatee 5K Series in 2025. Three races will be held across the county at different locations from April through November.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 8, 2025
Manatee County gears up for new 5K series

The races will take place at Tom Bennett Park, Coquina Beach and Rye Preserve from April through November.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Andejla Radojicic takes part in tennis lessons at Lakewood Ranch Park to help improve her game.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 8, 2025
Manatee County serves its youth with parks upgrades

Pickleball, sand volleyball and youth travel leagues are among the hot trends for Manatee County in 2025.

  • East County
  • News
A beachfront house badly damaged by Hurricane Helene's storm surge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 8, 2025
Extra staff help with Longboat permit surge

The state is supplying Longboat Key’s Planning, Zoning and Building Department with additional staff to help with an influx in storm-related permitting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Don’t fret; growth slowing
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 8, 2025
Don’t fret; growth slowing

For those who chafe at the so-called ‘out of control’ growth, take a breath. Florida’s and the local growth rates are slowing for good.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Members of Flanigan's family with the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department when the family delivered the beach wheelchairs in honor of Jean Flanigan.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 7, 2025
Longboat Fire Department adds two accessible beach wheelchairs

In honor of Jean Flanigan, her family donated the accessible beach wheelchairs to the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department for the public to use.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
People wait outside the Salvation Army shelter on 10th Street in Sarasota. Cold temperatures have prompted the county to arrange for shelters to open Jan. 7-8.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2025
Cold weather shelter to open Tuesday night as temperatures plummet

A shelter will be open 5 p.m. Jan. 7 until 6 a.m. Jan. 8 at the Salvation Army on 10th Street in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner Robert McCann says moratoriums are needed in District 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 7, 2025
50-foot wetland buffers restored in Manatee County

Commissioner Robert McCann made a motion to restore the original language before the buffers were cut.

  • East County
  • News
Windjammers Unlimited, more formally known as the Circus Music Historical Society, will perform with the Sailor Circus on Jan. 11 after their weeklong convention in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 9-15

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
On Jan. 1 residents of Seaplace Condominiums take part in the annual Polar Plunge.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 7, 2025
Seaplace Condominiums hosts its annual polar plunge for new year

On Jan. 1,residents jumped in the Gulf of Mexico to start the new year off fresh.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 15315 Anchorage Place sold for $6,295,000. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,997 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 7, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 16-27 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Anchorage Place tops the week's sales at $6.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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