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Your Observer | All

A rendering of BayCare HealthHub on Moccasin Wallow Road.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 14, 2026
Health care expands in the area in a big way

Health care systems are expanding in and around Lakewood Ranch — for both the short- and long-term.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Sertoma Club of Sarasota
  • May 14, 2026
The Moments We Take for Granted—Until They’re Out of Reach

Helping children and families overcome speech, language, and hearing challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Trouble begins when new girlfriend contacts his ex
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2026
Trouble begins when new girlfriend contacts his ex

Angry man wisely keeps his distance when his beach day date admits to asking his ex about a protective order against him. This and other tales from the files of the SPD in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 13, 2026
Monopoly to make special Sarasota County edition

Monopoly: Sarasota County Edition is tipping its top hat to favorite county locations by seeking nominations of established businesses, nonprofits and landmarks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Daryl Cherry (left) and Jamar Byrd (right) battle with a medicine ball during practice. Byrd, at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, was an offensive/defensive lineman as a sophomore in 2025.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 13, 2026
Uphill climb coming for Booker football

After graduating the most talented class in program history, the Tornadoes will have to build back this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kananga and Dominic spend time in Kananga's pool.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 13, 2026
Sarasota Jungle Gardens has big hopes for its cohabitating crocodiles

Dominic and Kananga, the resident American crocodiles at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, have the potential to produce offspring, according to staff.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Retired Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo's name is now emblazoned on the airport loop road at SRQ.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 13, 2026
Airport roadway named for former SRQ president and CEO

Airport Circle at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has been officially renamed Rick Piccolo Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Seniors Eliana Yeboah, Suzan Ikele, Jeffrey Crabtree and Sara Johnson are among the first class of graduating seniors to complete all four years at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 13, 2026
East Manatee seniors prepare for final assignment: A graduation speech

The chosen speakers for the various Manatee County commencement ceremonies are eager to connect with their peers.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gary Hagen, owner of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor, recently published his first book, "Romancing Hollywood."
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 13, 2026
Longboat sweets shop owner pens Hollywood-centric book

Gary Hagen, owner of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor, has brought his love for Hollywood from the shop to the written page with his first book.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Witness breaks up a fight in a rolling vehicle
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2026
Witness breaks up a fight in a rolling vehicle

A man who says another driver robbed him of cash in a store parking light jumped in and fought as he tried to drive away. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Longboat Key has 88 canals according to a report by the town’s costal engineering consultant firm First Line Coastal. The canals have not been dredged since 2003.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 13, 2026
Canal payment plan gets first approval by Longboat commission

The first of two votes passed unanimously to establish flat fees and ad-valorem assessments to dredge and maintain Longboat Key's canals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Samantha Bennett and George Nickson are the co-founders and co-artistic directors of ensembleNewSRQ.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • May 13, 2026
Two Sarasota arts groups team up to present an opera for our times

Artist Series Concerts and ensembleNewSRQ join forces for Matthew Aucoin's "Music for New Bodies."

  • Arts + Culture
Sophie Bell had never rowed until middle school. From May 16-17, she'll return to the place where her career started, now a sophomore competing at the NCAA Division I level.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 13, 2026
Local rower-turned-Division I athlete returns to area for Big 12 Championships

Old Dominion's Sophie Bell, a Lakewood Ranch High graduate, will be competing at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
The home at 6841 Longboat Drive S. sold for $900,000. Built in 1935, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,180 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 13, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 27-May 1 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Regents Place condominium on Longboat Club Road tops the week’s sales at $4.95 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A great egret perches on a mangrove that fronts Longboat Pass. Mangroves are an important habitat for birds and juvenile sport fish while providing erosion protection.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 13, 2026
30 years after mangrove law passed, enforcement still relies on citizen reporting, education

Mangrove health statewide has slightly increased since the law was passed, but violations are going unpunished, advocates say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
The Lakewood Ranch Library will open an hour later starting Aug. 1 due to a hiring freeze that was implemented in February. Commissioner George Kruse says hours could be further reduced if the property tax referendum passes in November.
  • July 22, 2026
Property tax cuts will cause 'new normal' in Manatee County
2
Front porch rug drying sparks a boarding house fight
  • July 22, 2026
Front porch rug drying sparks a boarding house fight
3
Defender Declan Watters (left) is one of several Sarasota Paradise players learning from lead assistant Trevor Sinclair (right). The Paradise are 5-10-3 in USL League One and 6-13-3 overall, as of July 16.
  • July 22, 2026
Assistant coach brings wealth of experience to Sarasota Paradise
4
"Reflection-Venice, 1894," a photogravure print taken by Alfred Stieglitz, and Clarence Hudson White's photogravure print, "Edge of Woods-Evening, (1900)," were gifts of Warren J. and Margot Coville to The Ringling.
  • July 22, 2026
The Ringling goes back to black-and-white photography
5
A Flock camera takes pictures of vehicles that drive on Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key.
  • July 22, 2026
Flock cameras photograph every car that enters Longboat Key

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