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Your Observer | All

The Elton John tribute concert, "The Rocket Man Show," starring Rus Anderson comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Wednesday, April 16.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 10-16

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Electric dirtbikes have become a popular mode of transportation for Lakewood Ranch teenagers and a nuisance to Lakewood Ranch adults.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2025
Teens on electric bikes 'taunt' Lakewood Ranch residents

Residents in neighborhoods along White Eagle Boulevard are fed up.

  • East County
  • News
Sylvia Abdelsalam, vice president of the Lakewood Ranch Garden Club and Garden Fest Committee Chair with Penny Kress, a Garden Fest committee member.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Library to host Garden Fest

The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club's Garden Fest will have 50 vendors, educational speakers and crafts for kids.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John Woodman, a division manager for Homes by Towne, sits on a swing at the new Midway Park. A grand opening is being held April 12 at the park that connects the Wild Blue and Shellstone communities.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 8, 2025
Two Waterside communities unveil a park at their midway point

Wild Blue and Shellstone combine to build an exceptional athlete and social facility.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
10309 Riverbank Terrace, built in 2003, was sold for $2.55 million. It has 6,136 square feet of living area, including four bedrooms. Photo courtesy of Steve Slocum.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 8, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 24-28 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Lindrick Lane topped the week’s sales at $2.85 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Man unable to find car calls for emergency backup
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 8, 2025
Man unable to find car calls for emergency backup

The man first presumed the car was stolen, and officers showed up to search for the missing vehicle. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Children wait to dive for eggs during a previous Aqua Egg Hunt at Arlington Park pool.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2025
Aqua Egg Hunt set for April 12

The annual event will be held at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
An aerial picture of the beach near Bayfront Park in October 2024 shows how storm surge washed over the beach and impacted dune height and vegetation.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 8, 2025
Major progress toward rebuilding Longboat's beaches still far out

Longboat Key’s flatter beaches — thanks to hurricanes Helene and Milton — will need federal funding to assist the town in rebuilding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Andrew Jensen is the fourth head coach of Lakewood Ranch softball in the past four seasons.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch softball team chases a return to its glory days

The Mustangs struggled after losing Coach T.J. Goelz but are showing signs of contending again.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota County has approved funding to widen a 1.5-mile stretch of Legacy Trail with a bifurcated path.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 8, 2025
Legacy Trail bridges, widening projects advance

Overpasses at Clark Road and Bee Ridge Road expected to wrap up in June.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 7, 2025
Manatee County launches water meter replacement project

Work begins this month on installing remotely read devices.

  • East County
  • News
Frank Folsom Smith (1931-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • April 7, 2025
Frank Folsom Smith

Frank Folsom Smith was an influential member of the Sarasota School of Architecture and the lead architect for Sarasota’s landmark Plymouth Harbor retirement community.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the Sarasota Police Department will take part in the 2026 Torch Run.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 7, 2025
Special Olympics Torch Run hits Sarasota streets on Friday

County and city law enforcement officers will carry the flame in support of the May event.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Scott Keys plays the Narrator in Sarasota Players' production of Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • April 7, 2025
The Sarasota Players takes audiences 'Into the Woods'

This spellbinding musical by Sondheim and Lapine asks what happens after "happily ever after."

  • Arts + Culture
Artist Erica Ferguson incorporates preserved mosses into her work, which she shared with visitors at the debut "Artists in the Garden."
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 7, 2025
Arts in April officially kicks off with garden party

Community members had the opportunity to connect directly with local artists at this weekend's Artists in the Garden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
All four wheels of the Ford F-150 penetrated the inside of the Palm Aire home.
  • June 9, 2026
Truck crashes into Palm Aire home
2
Evan Rowe (right), pictured here at the FHSAA Class 2A wrestling individual state championships from March 5-7, turned in an exceptional senior season for Braden River.
  • June 9, 2026
Best of the Best: East County's top high school athletes of 2025-26
3
Bridgewater's Jonathan Mullis, a local dad and business owner, wants to bring his experience and connections to benefit the School District of Manatee County school board.
  • June 9, 2026
Bridgewater dad says his connections make him a valuable candidate
4
Taxable property values at the Gulf Shore and Twin Shores communities on Longboat Key are an anomaly for Longboat Key, with properties valued from $100,000 to $300,000.
  • June 9, 2026
Longboat mobile home owner files appeal against canal assessment
5
Voters stream in and out of Lakewood Ranch Town Hall during the 2024 general election. However, many Manatee County races are won or lost during the primary election.
  • June 9, 2026
Forums introduce Manatee candidates ahead of primary elections

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