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Your Observer | All

The Sourdough Society of Lakewood Ranch members Camille Piccininni, Erica Calka and David Wiegand each created a loaf of sourdough with different ingredients to make each unique.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 5, 2026
Sourdough Society of Lakewood Ranch rises by sharing ideas

These members don't loaf around when it comes to making delicious bread.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The original 1957 Longboat Key Town Charter is printed on rice paper and stored at Town Hall, along with copies of the original document printed in 1959.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 5, 2026
Charter review presents opportunity for change for Longboat Key

The town is due for its once-a-decade review of its charter, which means a chance to look at bigger policy and governance matters on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
John Dunn is a former U.S. Air Force medic. He's also a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 5, 2026
'Dunn' with special interests, Duette resident enters District 1 race

John Dunn wants the people to run Manatee County, not special interests or even commissioners.

  • East County
  • News
This Lake Club home at 8556 Pavia Way sold for $2.6 million. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,734 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 5, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 20-24 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Pavia Way tops the week's sales at $2.6 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Bicyclist killed crossing US 301 in Sarasota
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 4, 2026
Bicyclist killed crossing US 301 in Sarasota

The 51-year-old was not wearing a helmet and wasn't in a crosswalk, police say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Samantha Esposito celebrates her graduation with grandparents Mabel and Anthony.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 4, 2026
Help celebrate new grads

Send information about graduates living on Longboat, Lido, St. Armands or Bird keys who deserve celebration this season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Shoreline damage at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is among the nearly $40 million in city recovery expenses left behind by the 2024 hurricane season.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 4, 2026
City staff to hold budget steady for next fiscal year

A fund balance shortfall of $4.3 million has prompted Sarasota officials to instruct departments to trim operating costs and suspend capital purchases.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A beaming Dick Vitale with his All-Courageous Kids at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala held on May 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 4, 2026
Dick Vitale Gala raises $21 million for pediatric cancer research

In its 21st year, the gala nearly doubled last year's $12 million total, with Vitale currently battling cancer for the fifth time.

  • East County
  • Sports
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase

The annual exhibition of new and classic cars supports honor flights for veterans in Southwest Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Commissioners George Kruse and Mike Rahn supported the project from the start.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 4, 2026
Compromise gives Lakewood Ranch-area development another shot

After an initial denial, Manatee County commissioners approved a 195,000-square-foot commercial project near Uihlein Road.

  • East County
  • News
Kelly Kirschner is the son of the late Kerry Kirschner, who led the Argus Foundation and also was mayor of Sarasota.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 3, 2026
Former Sarasota mayor joins race to fill Buchanan's Congressional seat

Kelly Kirschner, 51, was elected to the City Commission in 2007.

  • Sarasota
  • News
My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County
  • By Mike Moran
  • May 3, 2026
My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County

While waiting for the attorney general to rule on a disagreement over how to implement state law, costly litigation could have been avoided.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Joelson Krulewitz, Dick Vitale, Josh Krulewitz and Mike Soltys
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • May 3, 2026
Dick Vitale Gala draws the stars to raise money for pediatric cancer

Celebrities Geno Auriemma, Tom Izzo, Katie Couric and Kelvin Sampson attended Dick Vitale's 21st gala to benefit the V Foundation's pediatric cancer research fund.

  • Black Tie
An overflow parking lot with 10 spots is open during the day at Bayfront Park accessible via Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 3, 2026
Bayfront Park neighbors express frustrations over parking, litter and more

Residents near Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park have raised the issue with town leaders, who have urged residents to report code violations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Casey Gonzmart Jr. explains a PowerPoint slide to the club.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 3, 2026
Fifth-generation Columbia owner discusses restaurant's endurance

The Rotary Club of Sarasota, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary, learned about the roots of the centenarian restaurant business.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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