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Your Observer | All

Al Van Iten helps out shopper Jenny Phillips with her purchase of a teak shower set at the Royal Rummage Sale. Van Iten said he appreciates helping out the charitable effort while getting to meet interesting people.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 9, 2026
Crowds come out en force for Royal Rummage Sale

The fundraiser sale at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church saw pre-opening lines extending to Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan, Meals on Wheels Plus President and CEO Maribeth Phillips, and Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation President Jeffrey Toale gather together after Phillips accepted a $25,000 grant to beautify Daybreak.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 9, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation honors 2025 grant recipients

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation gave $90,000 worth of grants to 22 nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mark Daunt from The Resort at Longboat Key Club doles out a sweet pick-me-up from the organization’s booth at the 3rd annual Town of Longboat Key Open House on March 7 at the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 9, 2026
Longboat town open house features nearly 40 reps

Organizations from local departments, businesses, nonprofits and more connected with community members at the March 7 open house.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A Sleepy Lagoon resident takes a look at engineering plans at a public meeting at Bayfront Park Wednesday, March 4.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 9, 2026
Engineering firm presents Longboat road-raising, drainage plans

Water bubbling up from storm drains during high tide has prompted the town to spend on stormwater improvements and road raising in the Sleepy Lagoon neighborhood.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Leighton Paul holds team-high marks for batting average, runs and hits through the first six games of the Pirates' 2026 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 9, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Leighton Paul

With red-hot hitting, the junior has been an offensive force for Braden River High softball.

  • East County
  • Sports
Alderman Oaks currently has 60 assisted living units. It is seeking to add kitchens to convert them to independent living.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 9, 2026
Retirement center zoning change will allow business model shift

The Sarasota City Commission was divided in its approval to rezone Alderman Oaks Retirement Center, allowing a shift from assisted to independent living.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation held its annual gala March 6. The gala, which was followed by a performance by Idina Menzel, featured themes from her shows, including "Wicked."
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 8, 2026
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation gala defies expectations with Idina Menzel

The gala, featuring themes from Menzel's roles in 'Frozen' and 'Wicked,' raised funds to benefit performing arts education programs.

  • Black Tie
18 of the 30 Citizens Academy graduates pose for a photo at Town Hall after being recognized by town leaders at the March 2 Town Commission meeting for completing the seven-week program.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 8, 2026
Longboat Citizens Academy graduates celebrated

Citizens Academy participants completed a seven-week program to learn how the town of Longboat Key operates and the services it provides to residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Olivier Latry takes a bow.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 8, 2026
Notre-Dame organist offers concert dedicating pipe organ at SAKLC

Olivier Latry visited Sarasota to provide the concert that dedicated the St. Armands Lutheran Church's Schantz pipe organ installed in 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Madison Hokanson, 5, and Jaxson Hokanson, 2, came dressed for the occasion to the Irish Celtic Festival at Greenbrook Adventure Park on March 7.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 8, 2026
Irish Celtic Festival paints the park green in Lakewood Ranch

The Irish Celtic Festival featured Irish music, dance, food and more at the Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This map shows the potential routes considered to replace the aging metal subaqueous wastewater pipeline which connects Longboat Key's wastewater to a Manatee County treatment center across Sarasota Bay. The line in solid light green is the route that was chosen, and the solid red and purple lines show where the existing pipe is located.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 8, 2026
Town to apply for loan for subaqueous project

Longboat Key is making moves in preparation for the beginning of the subaqueous wastewater pipeline replacement, expected to break ground this summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Event co-Chairs are Julie Delaney and Kathy Martella
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 7, 2026
Joe Theismann inspires at Tidewell Foundation's Signature Luncheon

The Super Bowl Champion shared his story of perseverance with attendees at Empath's annual fundraiser.

  • Black Tie
Bill Buckingham and Laurel Stevens
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 7, 2026
Selby Gardens hosts Garden to Plate Wine Dinner

A multicourse meal paired with wine staged in the picturesque gardens highlighted this annual fundraiser for the organization.

  • Black Tie
Scholarship recipients CJ Conaway and Amaury Castillo-Acevedo
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 7, 2026
Teen Court of Sarasota gives out record scholarship dollar amount

The organization issued $40,000 worth of scholarships to 20 students at its annual dinner March 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kiana Nahale, 3, meets a hawksbill turtle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 7, 2026
Attendees discover the 'wonders of water' at Bay Fest

Now in its third year, the event brought together various conservation organizations to showcase the life found in Sarasota's local waterways.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

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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3
  • June 5, 2026
33rd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival
4
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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