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Your Observer | All

    By
  • Eric Snider
  • January 30, 2025
Take a trip back to Longboat Key's humble beginnings

From pirates to luxury resorts, discover the fascinating facts behind Longboat Key's unique history as it approaches its 70th anniversary.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rod Hershberger says his success in life and business can be traced to faith, family and work.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 30, 2025
Friends and co-workers of Rod Hershberger shed light on his wisdom

When Rod Hershberger, founder and former CEO of PGT Innovations, speaks, people listen. With a genuine pay-it-forward philosophy, his north star is helping others — a testament to his reputation as a truly nice guy.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • January 30, 2025
Local restaurants dish up an assortment of international cuisine

Skip the hassle of airports and long flights. A culinary odyssey awaits in our area’s islands in the sun.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
This Longboat Key estate provides a ready escape to the water.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • January 30, 2025
Longboat Key estate boasts features that make it a boater's dream come true

Set on two acres overlooking peaceful Bishop’s Bayou, this waterfront masterpiece is both eye-catching and private.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Larry G. Bedsole, Sr. (1941-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • January 29, 2025
Larry G. Bedole, Sr.

Larry G Bedsole, Sr., passed away on January 22, 2025, at the age of 83, following an acute illness.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Kindergarteners Milan Brown and Calem Smith pose with their new shoes.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 29, 2025
Holiday House holds shoe drive at Alta Vista Elementary School

The nonprofit's shoe drive supplied every student in the school with a new pair of shoes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ava Horne, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate, dances her way across the field.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 29, 2025
East County high schools finish above state average in graduation rate

Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish high schools excel through individual attention and identifying at-risk students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Payton Mangay-Ayam helped propel the Braden River High girls varsity weightlifting team to its third straight title with individual wins in the 154-pound weight class at the Class 2A District 12 meet on Jan. 23.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 29, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Payton Mangay-Ayam

Braden River junior helps weightlifting team win its third consecutive Class 3A District 12 title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Stock Development Sales Associate Dominick Giallombardo stands in front of the final new home to sell in the Lake Club at 15315 Anchorage Place. It sold for $6,295,000.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 29, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's elite home market continues to grow

Stock Development closes out Lake Club with a $6.3 million sale.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sara and Danny Abercrombie show support for their daughter Allyson by wearing marching band T-shirts and volunteering for the Boosters.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 29, 2025
Braden River High band boosters do more than fundraise

The high school's band director says the parent-led nonprofit is "crucial" to the program's success.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Meals on Wheels Plus-Manatee's Maribeth Phillips and Daybreak Adult Day Center's Stefanie Guido hope the community continues to support the programs in 2025.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 29, 2025
Challenges remain imposing for Meals on Wheels Plus-Manatee

COVID, inflation and hurricanes leave more residents than ever in need of food and support.

  • East County
  • News
The unit at 3030 Grand Bay Blvd has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,369 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 29, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 13-17 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Grand Bay condominium tops the week's sales at $2.2 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Kei Sulhi and Dr. Ann Stephenson-Moe receive recognition for their musical contributions to the community.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 29, 2025
Temple's 46th gala celebrates the arts

Temple Beth Israel celebrated musical talents of Kei Sulhi and Dr. Ann Stephenson-Moe at its annual gala.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bogdan Godlevskyi, a sophomore forward at Lakewood Ranch, drives to the basket against Braden River's Charlie Wilson on Jan. 21. Godlevskyi scored a season high 11 points in the game, which Lakewood Ranch lost 65-45.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 29, 2025
Playoffs look like tough prospect for high school basketball teams

The Braden River High Pirates' win over the Lakewood Ranch High Mustangs on Jan. 21 shows they are on an upward trajectory.

  • East County
  • Sports
Columbia Restaurant is known for its authentic Cuban sandwiches, vibrant paella and signature sangria.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 29, 2025
Columbia Restaurant preserves family tradition while evolving with the times

A staple for visitors and locals alike, the Columbia Restaurant shares the legacy behind its tasty traditions.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
« 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 »
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Latest News

1
Cardinal Mooney football was stocked with star athletes in 2025 en route to the FHSAA Class 2A state title. The Cougars, though, were far from the only local high school athletic program to achieve big things.
  • June 10, 2026
Best of the Best: Sarasota's top high school athletes of 2025-26
2
Madison McKay is in her second and final season with Sarasota Crew. With the club's Youth Women's Eight boat, she'll have a chance at ending her high school rowing career as a junior national champion.
  • June 10, 2026
Team change lifts local rower into the junior national championships
3
Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group of Memphis will be representing Latin culture at AACTWorldFest, which runs from June 15-20 at the Venice Theatre.
  • June 10, 2026
Venice Theatre hosts global theater showcase WorldFest
4
Resort guest annoyed by sunset bagpipe serenade
  • June 10, 2026
Resort guest annoyed by sunset bagpipe serenade
5
Longboat Key Fire Rescue has two ladder trucks that can reach 75 feet, including this Sutphen engine built in 2020, which serves as the primary engine at Fire Station 92.
  • June 10, 2026
Cost to replace fire trucks continues to rise

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