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Your Observer | All

Ship gets stuck on sand bar in the Gulf
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
Ship gets stuck on sand bar in the Gulf

Marine patrol responds to a couple running aground off Longboat Key. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Amy Blair, the manager at the Old Salty Dog on City Island, said visitors often enjoy seeing dolphins, sharks, seabirds and other wildlife from the waterfront seating.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 12, 2025
Old Salty Dog celebrates post-recovery recognition

Not long after reopening from a five-month closure caused by hurricane damage, the longstanding Sarasota bar is celebrating a new national commendation.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
City undergoes billing system change for water customers

Beginning in October, the city of Sarasota will implement electronic payment system InvoiceCloud for water bills, shift convenience fees to customers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An aerial rendering of the planned Sarasota Memorial Hospital-North Port.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
SMH expands plans for full-service North Port hospital

Before ground is broken on the new Sarasota Memorial Hospital in south county, the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board has approved plans for a four-floor expansion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch volleyball seniors Julia Vendramini, Kora Yanes and Ava Collins are aiming for a district title in their final season together.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 12, 2025
Senior-led Mustangs volleyball team expects to vie for regional title

It's now or never for Lakewood Ranch High's top senior players in the 2025 season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ventura’s Italian Kitchen's menu ranges from a Margherita Pizza to Chicken Piccata.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 12, 2025
Longboat Italian eatery to open second Manatee County location

The owner says Ventura’s Italian Kitchen "promises a warm, welcoming atmosphere."

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ricardo Vasquez and Monica Rodriguez wish their daughter Kiali Vasquez good luck on her first day with a kiss. Kiali is determined to get straight A's.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 opens to students for the first time in Lakewood Ranch

On the first day of school, Principal Todd Richardson was eager to finally have students on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Andre Evans, 11, his mother Heather Abling, and cousin Nyomii Knight, 9, left with backpacks for the school year.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2025
Church of the Redeemer prepares Alta Vista students with Back-to-School Bash

The event offered supplies and services before the start of school including shoes and clothing items, backpacks and vision and dental exams.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Martina Kandrachoff sees off her older sister, Guillermina, for her first day of school at Alta Vista Elementary School on Aug. 11.
    By
  • Dana Kampa, Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2025
Recess is over as school begins in Sarasota

Southside Elementary and Alta Vista Elementary kids make their return for the 2025-26 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Peter and Athena Hotaling enjoy using their phones to connect with friends and family, play games, use social media and more. With the new phone restrictions, they will have to save those things for after school hours.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
New phone policy will be 'learning curve' for Manatee students

Per House Bill 1105, elementary and middle school students will be required to turn off and stow away electronic devices during school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch setter Julia Vendramini is embracing the expectations of being a senior leader this fall.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Julia Vendramini

The Lakewood Ranch volleyball player has become a key player for the Mustangs.

  • East County
  • Sports
An aerial perspective of the 777 Palm Avenue Condos planned to be built across Mound Street from the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens parking structure.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 11, 2025
Mound Street condo project sailing through staff review

On its second submittal to the city's Development Review Committee, the 66-unit 777 Palm Avenue Condos project, with few staff comments remaining, has received partial sign-off.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Demolition began last week on the home at 634 Buttonwood Drive, which was badly damaged by hurricane-related flooding.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • August 11, 2025
Buttonwood Harbour residents on Longboat remain mixed toward rebuild

Some homeowners have homes finished, some are starting from scratch, and others are getting out.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
No positive ID on body found in SR 70 pond near I-75
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 10, 2025
No positive ID on body found in SR 70 pond near I-75

Detectives believe the body to be 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier, who was reported missing from Charlotte County last week.

  • East County
  • News
Evelyn Lucas, 5, and her friends Kevin McGuckin, 3, and his sister Kinsley McGuckin, 5 (front row) pose with Flight Nurse Pamela Young.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 10, 2025
Fire department open house showcases Bayflite medical helicopter

The open house events allow community members to visit fire stations and meet local firefighters and community partners.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Osprey play an important role in local ecosystems, and they seek out high perches on either designated nesting perches or, as in this case, power poles.
  • December 18, 2025
Ospreys get a home renovation
2
Renovations and construction of new concessions in Concourse B at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport are nearly complete.
  • December 18, 2025
Airport's growth in 2025 sets the stage for 2026 planning
3
St. Armands Circle was several feet underwater following hurricanes Helene and Milton.
  • December 17, 2025
St. Armands receives $13.5 million to address flooding concerns
4
Lakewood Ranch senior forward Gabriel Lara (11) chases after the ball during a Dec. 15 game against Braden River.
  • December 17, 2025
LRHS's boys soccer team races to an unbeaten start through 10 games
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  • December 17, 2025
Animal interactions and private experiences at Sarasota Jungle Gardens

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