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Your Observer | All

Beverly Sutton, director of the outgoing Reading Buddies program that paired Christ Church of Longboat Key volunteers with students from Bradenton schools, speaks to the impact the after-school program had on everyone involved. Volunteers shared their appreciation for teachers and students at the April 12 service and reception.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 13, 2026
Longboaters show teacher appreciation as they bid farewell to Reading Buddies

As Christ Church parts ways with its after-school reading program, volunteers took time to thank teachers and supporters who helped it succeed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Boat lifts flank each side of the canal in a Country Club Shores neighborhood. The town of Longboat Key is preparing to enact a continuous canal maintenance program that would include flat fees and ad-valorem assessments for residents.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 13, 2026
Canal maintenance program up for a vote this summer

After years of discussions and changes, the Longboat Key Town Commission will consider a funding formula to assess homeowners to care for canals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Outside weightlifting and wrestling, Freedom McDaniel also plays defensive end/defensive tackle for Braden River football. His 43 solo tackles in 2025 were second-most on the team.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 13, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Freedom McDaniel

The junior pushed Braden River High boys weightlifting to a district championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Centennial Celebration of 100 years of the Sarasota Opera co-chairs are Sue Neumann and Lynn Blackledge.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 12, 2026
Sarasota Opera House centennial celebration ends an era

In addition to celebrating the Opera House's 100th anniversary, it was Victor DeRenzi's last performance as Sarasota Opera maestro after 44 years.

  • Black Tie
Julia Groom, Elizabeth Moore and Jennifer Masters
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 12, 2026
Gymnast Emily Meinke shares message of hope at Blue Ties & Butterflies

The Child Protection Center's annual gala featured the former elite gymnast, who shared her journey of survival and empowerment in the Larry Nassar case.

  • Black Tie
Alisa Pettingell, Eileen Curd and Graci McGillicuddy
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 12, 2026
Moffitt's Mission Possible luncheon supports new treatments in cancer

The annual event at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens raises funds for Moffitt Cancer Center research.

  • Black Tie
Chloe Jarvis, Vice President Donna Quilici-Smith and Sara Sweetnich socialize before the scholarships are given out at Palm Aire Country Club April 10.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 12, 2026
Palm Aire Women's Club awards scholarships to local students

Scholarship recipients from State College of Florida and Manatee Technical College joined the Palm Aire Women's Club for a luncheon April 10.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key firefighter paramedics used the Hurst Jaws of Life ram to push the dashboard of a Ford Focus away from the passenger seat.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 12, 2026
Fire Department turns Ford Focus into convertible for training

Longboat Key Fire Rescue brought out the heavy equipment for a training exercise to pull a dummy from the back seat of an overturned vehicle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
County Administrator Charlie Bishop is typically seated at the dais with commissioners during meetings, but he was absent during the discussion about his contract April 7.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 12, 2026
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract up for renewal

Commissioners reviewed Bishop's contract but opted to make changes before renewing it.

  • East County
  • News
Overall female winner Vicky Romocki poses with Shelley.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 11, 2026
Over 1,000 turn out to Siesta Key Beach for Run for the Turtles

Held by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, the 40th annual event raises funds for its Sea Turtle Conservation and Research program.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Luke and Ashley Gustafson moved from Texas 6 months ago They say events like the Lakewood Ranch Block Party put them in "magical awe."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Block Party features 70 local businesses, builders and clubs

The Lakewood Ranch Block Party, which was a collaboration between Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Lakewood Ranch Communities, took place April 10.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Ikea franchise system includes 58 retail locations in the United States. There are 412 Ikea stores worldwide in 32 countries.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 11, 2026
Ikea to open at UTC in Sarasota

The store will span 48,000 square feet off Cattlemen Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
    By
  • Elizabeth King, Lesley Dwyer
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC

Commissioners chose to partner with the EDC and approved a $292,450 annual contract.

  • East County
  • News
Drugs, cash and a rifle bullet were among the items found by Sarasota Police in a search of a 31st Way home, resulting in the arrest of Demarius R. Jones, of Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 10, 2026
Sarasota man on probation arrested on drug, other charges

A parole officer supplied information to Sarasota Police, prompting a search of a property in the city, police say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rod Brogan and Rachel Moulton star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Birthday Candles."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • April 10, 2026
Today and tomorrow take the stage in Florida Studio Theatre's 'Birthday Candles'

FST blows out the candles on a lifetime of birthdays during a single play.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
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1
Cynthia Keough is one of several Manatee County residents to step up to the podium June 4 and ask commissioners for more time to review the updated comprehensive plan.
  • June 6, 2026
Residents have 60 more days to review Manatee County comp plan
2
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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  • June 5, 2026
33rd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival
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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
5
A giant American flag has flown above Sarasota Ford since the 1970s.
  • June 4, 2026
American flag will fly high again over Sarasota Ford

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