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Your Observer | All

The Purple Ribbon Committee will tour the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at its next meeting on Aug. 28.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 16, 2023
Van Wezel repurposing panel begins study of performing arts hall

Sworn in on Tuesday, the Purple Ribbon Committee will soon tour the building it is tasked with assessing for a possible second life.

  • Sarasota
  • News
St. Armands Circle has enjoyed an enhanced level of service via revenues raised from the special tax district.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 16, 2023
As St. Armands BID dissolves, funding uncertain for trolley, holiday tree

All approved purchases of goods and services must be delivered by the business improvement district's Sept. 30 sunset.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High alumna Taylor Gould will take over the Lakewood Ranch High softball program from Todd Lee.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High softball makes Gould-en hire

Former Mustangs star Taylor Gould, formerly Taylor Newton, will take over the program from Todd Lee.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tennis Coach Dickie Herbst and Cornell Professor Emeritus Joe Novak formed a friendship after Herbst read a story about Novak in the East County Observer. Novak died in September.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2023
Former Cornell professor lends education theories to sports training

Lakewood Ranch's Joe Novak, 92, works as a consultant for NXT Athletics Institute for Learning and finds that his learning theories are still in demand.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Seminole artist Wilson Bowers used a digital design on board to create his 2020 work, "MMIW," which draws attention to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 16, 2023
Ringling Museum exhibit underscores resilience of Seminole people

"Reclaiming Home" bears witness to the trials and triumphs of the Seminole tribe.

  • Arts + Culture
Matt Ballew prefers getting the trash run done before the sun rises and other cars at the access points get in the way.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 16, 2023
Dawn patrol: The town workers who take out the beach trash

Public Works staff battle overflowing garbage cans, discarded furniture and lazy litterers to keep Longboat beach access points tidy.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
About time they give back
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 16, 2023
About time they give back

Sarasota County officials say they’ll use county money to build a public library on Longboat. They also should fund a community center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Alexia, Suzanne and Juliana Mattes perform together for the first time at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 16, 2023
'Something Rotten' a family affair for Lakewood Ranch mom, daughters

Suzanne Mattes and her two daughters, Juliana and Alexia, appear in the ensemble cast at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Breaking and exiting apparent at medical office
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 16, 2023
Breaking and exiting apparent at medical office

An investigation into a damaged door reveals someone may have broken out of a locked building. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Captains Bill Brooker and Charlie Schmitz
    By
  • James Peter
  • August 16, 2023
Sailing lessons you won’t soon forget

The instructors of Sara-Bay Sailing School have loads of experience and plenty of punchlines.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Richard and Martha Barone, of Lyndhurst, Ohio, sold their Unit J603 condominium at 435 L’Ambiance Drive to David Rayner and Wendy O’Neill, of Longboat Key, for $3.85 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 16, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for July 31 to Aug. 4 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in L’Ambiance at Longboat Key Club tops the week's sales at $3.85 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A new home at 3515 Gulf of Mexico Drive is one of the properties listed as new construction for 2023, valued at $6.5 million.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 16, 2023
New residential construction on Longboat increases in quantity, value

According to new permit data, the residential units being built on Longboat Key have been increasingly expensive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
John Breiner's Peculiar Pub on Lakewood Main Street will offer a large selection of draft beers.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2023
Peculiar Pub set to open on Lakewood Main Street

Former Ed's Tavern owner John Breiner returns to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch with another restaurant/pub.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
As executive director of Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, Rhonda Leiberick has found work that is deeply meaningful.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 16, 2023
Get-it-done attitude put to work for Meals on Wheels of Sarasota

Rhonda Leiberick, a Lakewood Ranch resident and the executive director of Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, finds her calling creating meaningful connections.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Morgan Barton.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 15, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Morgan Barton

The Lakewood Ranch High girls lacrosse player is committed to Berry College.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest News

1
Longboat Key Police Department.
  • December 26, 2025
Show off your cars, enjoy coffee at LKPD community event
2
The pool in Taylor Morrison's Esplanade at Azario development in Sarasota's Lakewood Ranch community.
  • December 26, 2025
Builder to bring 1,200-home community to Lakewood Ranch
3
Riverview High baseball player-mentors pose for a photo on Dec. 9 with their kindergarten mentees at Southside Elementary School. Danielle Sobolewski, a kindergarten teacher at Southside, asked for some silly faces.
  • December 25, 2025
Riverview High baseball mentors next generation
4
Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2 Learning Pavilion Interior rendering.
  • December 25, 2025
Selby Gardens' renovations add to appeal while keeping mission in mind
5
The Unit 111 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail was built in 2000 and has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,186 square feet of living area.
  • December 25, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 8-12 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

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