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Your Observer | All

  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • July 14, 2026
The Last Romance

At Florida Studio Theatre from July 22 - August 16, 2026.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Jon Mongeau and Lita and John Brannan accept the award for Emerging Business of the Year on Oct. 23 at the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce 2025 membership awards banquet at Lido Beach Resort. Following the shop's recent closure announcement, John Brannan explained their team is proud of everything it did, but knew this was a tough decision they had to make.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 14, 2026
Le Gardenia Bleu thanks community for support

The founders of the Longboat Key flower and gift shop announced earlier this month their shop was closed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The Governor's Award recognizes the work of the Rotary Club of Longboat Key on community projects, like the installation of monofilament recycling receptacles at local parks.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 14, 2026
Longboat Rotary earns Governor's Award recognition

The district-level commendation recognizes Longboat Key's local branch for all-around success.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Margi Nanney is running for the District 2 school board seat for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2026
'Champion for academic excellence' decides to run for Manatee school board

Margi Nanney says she can provide a seasoned perspective of the school system as a mother, a volunteer, a teacher. and an administrator.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota Contemporary Dance presents an In-The-Round performance at its home studio.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2026
The best things to do this week in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events July 16-22 around Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Elijah George had the second-most yards of any running back for Sarasota Christian last season. The Blazers finished 5-6 and reached the first round of the SSAA Class 3A state tournament.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 14, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Elijah George

The rising senior will be a key returner for Sarasota Christian football this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Manasota League of Cities met on July 9 at Longboat Key Town Hall. Brian Williams from Palmetto and Debbie Scaccianoce from Bradenton Beach were absent.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 14, 2026
Local leaders updated on property tax referendum

Elected representatives from North Port to Anna Maria Island gathered in Longboat Key for a Manasota League of Cities meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The share of spending on public safety infrastructure, such as new fire stations, from Surtax IV is $79.7 million. The money also pays for other projects, and at least 50% of all spending must be on transportation and congestion relief.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 14, 2026
Surtax project list headed for evaluation

Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight won the support from his fellow commissioners to review the Surtax IV spending priorities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
When she isn't overseas, Sky Commissar spends most of her time with Southwest Florida Premier FC at the club level. With them, she competes in the girls' regional league of the Elite Clubs National League.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 14, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High soccer player gets international exposure

Sky Commissar made the Mustangs' varsity as a freshman and also has competed in international competitions twice.

  • East County
  • Sports
Coastwise student development team members Charles Mesia, Justin Kim (back), Colton McGill, Gabi Otera (back) and John Onesti gather to utilize a NASA STELLA Q-2 VNIR spectrometer, a handheld device that measures light intensity and plant health.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2026
Free Coastwise summer camp seeks more Manatee student sign-ups

A $4,500 grant from the Manatee Community Foundation will make the program free for students who participate.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Frank Kelleher stands with former Rotary Club of Sarasota president Lee-En Chung and president Bob Stobaugh.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 14, 2026
Daytona International Speedway president visits Sarasota Rotary Club

Frank Kelleher shared what the Daytona International Speedway offers with club members and also responded to their questions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Children and teenagers are often seen riding electric bikes and scooters around the Lakewood Ranch area.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 14, 2026
Manatee County responds to growing number of e-bikes, e-scooters

County officials are exploring options to keep kids safe and to inform parents immediately when accidents occur with micromobility devices.

  • East County
  • News
This Lake Club home at 17238 Salerno Drive sold for $3 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,754 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 14, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for June 29-July 3 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Ganton Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.5 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Intoxicated man barks at nesting sea turtles
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 14, 2026
Intoxicated man barks at nesting sea turtles

A man who smelled of alcohol had the police called on him after shining a flashlight and barking at sea turtles. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Former Sarasota Opera maestro Victor DeRenzi and Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 13, 2026
Selby Gardens announces collaboration with former Sarasota Opera maestro

Victor De Renzi will bring his creative vision to the living museum for the spring 2027 season.

  • Arts + Culture
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 »
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Latest News

1
Melinda Zarzycki-Harris, founder and executive director of Bring on the Ministry, and Pastor Julia Wharriff Piermont of Christ Church of Longboat Key are all smiles with their new ministry partnership.
  • July 21, 2026
Christ Church gets new charitable partner
2
Tom Bleakley's "The Preacher" follows a young Detroit lawyer who takes on the defense of a woman charged with the killing of her husband. It is co-authored by Marcia Krajewski, another Lakewood Ranch resident.
  • July 21, 2026
Lakewood Ranch author uses 50-year law career to write fiction novels
3
Natalia Lesniewska raked in a meet-high 11 medals — 10 gold, one bronze — among all girls at the Florida Summer Age Group Championships.
  • July 21, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Natalia Lesniewska
4
The playground is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
  • July 21, 2026
Manatee County moves forward with Mixon Farms makeover
5
Shirtless, shoeless teenager walking in bike lane visited by police
  • July 21, 2026
Shirtless, shoeless teenager walking in bike lane visited by police

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