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Your Observer | All

Sarasota resident Kelly Franklin has filed an amended complaint alleging defamation against City Commissioner Kyle Battie.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 8, 2024
Amended city commissioner complaint shifts focus from slander to libel

A Sarasota resident challenges the prior ruling that Kyle Battie was acting as an elected official when he made racial allegations during a public meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Braden River High baseball player Ryan Waldschmidt had a breakout junior season at the University of Kentucky, earning All-American Third Team honors from Baseball America.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 8, 2024
Former Pirates baseball star makes national waves at Kentucky

After an All-American season, Ryan Waldschmidt hopes to be a first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Braden River Soccer Club practices at Lakewood Ranch Park. County staff wants to add two new turf fields to the park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 8, 2024
Synthetic soccer fields are coming to East County

Constant use has staff looking toward synthetic turf over grass.

  • East County
  • News
Florida Studio Theatre Arts Plaza will be built next door to the current building on First Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 8, 2024
FST challenge match brings $2 million donation for Arts Plaza

Florida Studio Theatre has raised $41 million of its $57 million goal to build a new downtown Arts Plaza.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bar Italia is preparing to open on July 13 in the Center Point plaza on the corner of University Parkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 8, 2024
New Italian restaurant set to open in Lakewood Ranch

Bar Italia is scheduled to open on July 13 in the Center Point plaza.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Robert Romanski, Alexa Lowrey, Julia Piermont and Chris Westfall
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 7, 2024
Christ Church of Longboat Key honors America through worship music

The Rev. Julia Piermont curated a music program of American hymns for the Sunday service after July 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Scott Matthews pulls the lever for the cars to go while JJ Johnson races his potato car.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 7, 2024
Bird Key Yacht Club races potatoes for July 4

A decade-old tradition has club members building and racing potato cars while waiting for the fireworks show on Independence Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Drone adds another layer to emergency services in Manatee County
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 7, 2024
Drone adds another layer to emergency services in Manatee County

Archer First Response Systems launched a pilot program at the EMS station in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Complete Streets Improvement study underway on Anna Maria Island
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2024
Complete Streets Improvement study underway on Anna Maria Island

The study will examine cyclist and pedestrian safety. Longboat eyes a similar project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key residents gather at the Broadway Beach Access on Sept. 25, 2022, to fill sandbags ahead of Hurricane Ian.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 6, 2024
Pre-storm sandbag operations continue monthly through September

On Aug. 1 and Sept. 3, Longboat Key households can collect up to 10 sandbags through the town's pre-storm sandbag operations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Passenger traffic at SRQ increased by 3 million passengers from 2018 to 2023.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • July 6, 2024
Food service vendor loses contract at SRQ airport, cuts nearly 100 jobs

New concessions and shops, with several local brands among them, are coming to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Save Our Seabirds
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 6, 2024
Save Our Seabirds receives grant for drainage improvements on campus

The rescue and rehabilitation nonprofit on City Island was forced to evacuate some birds during June 11 storm.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mike Ziebell and Bobbie Larsen
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 5, 2024
Sarasota residents clean up Siesta Beach after July 4 celebrations

Volunteers picked up firework remnants and other leftovers from the Fourth of July holiday.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Dogs Bisou and Tinkerbell got married at the Longboat Key Chamber's Freedom Fest
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 5, 2024
Longboat dogs 'married' at Freedom Fest

The annual Fourth of July event had a litter of firsts this year: new leadership, new children's games and a dog wedding.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The finale of the show arrives.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 5, 2024
Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular sets sky alight

The annual tradition once again brought a dazzling July 4 show to Sarasota's Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Yvette Brown poses for a photo on Dec. 11 next to the trophy case by Booker's gym. Through the first six games of the Tornadoes' season, she led in points, rebounds and steals.
  • December 23, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Yvette Brown
2
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
3
Chef Drew Adams recently took the helm as the new head chef at CW Prime, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort's signature steakhouse. He brings his experience working on the Sarasota food scene.
  • December 23, 2025
Sarasota chef celebrates local ingredients at CW Prime
4
Longboaters share their treasured holiday traditions, large and small
  • December 23, 2025
Longboaters share their treasured holiday traditions, large and small
5
Todd Mathes of Benderson Development explains the company's plans for reimagining of the former Sarasota County Administration Center site.
  • December 23, 2025
Laurel Park residents question plans for Sarasota County's former base

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