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News

Travel + Leisure has ranked Siesta Beach as No. 42 in the world and the best beach in the U.S.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 13, 2025
Siesta Beach again ranked among the world's best

Travel + Leisure has named Siesta Beach on its list of the world's top 50 and the best in the U.S.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The house at 845 Longboat Club Road spans nearly 20,000 square feet.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 12, 2025
Longboat Key mansion listed for $35 million

The Serenissima property spans nearly 20,000 square feet and has 145 feet of beach frontage.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Susan Phillips and Town Manager Howard Tipton.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 12, 2025
Town of Longboat Key receives communication excellence awards

The Florida Municipal Communicators Association recognized the town of Longboat Key and Susan Phillips, assistant to the town manager and public information officer, for exemplary work in local government communications.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mary Bensel will mark her 18th season as executive director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in the 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 12, 2025
Study committee leans toward no reuse for Van Wezel

Repurposing of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall appearing less of an option as the Purple Ribbon Committee works through a preliminary draft of its report to the City Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A customer hauls in a catch aboard Capt. AJ Grande's charter boat.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 12, 2025
Sarasota County pauses commercial boat licensing plan

Hurricane damage to both water access Sarasota County parks and the charter fishing and sightseeing industry prompts a delay in implementing a permit program for use of public docks and launches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
New CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, Sarah Firstenberger, comes over from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County where she was director of marketing and events.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 11, 2025
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce names CEO

Sarah Firstenberger has been named CEO of the nonprofit that promotes businesses and organizations on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Nate Jacobs and members of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will host the third annual Juneteenth Arts Festival on June 22.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 11, 2025
Saturday celebration kicks off Juneteenth observance

Most government offices in the region will close.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jeff Toale took over as president of the board of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation June 1.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 11, 2025
New leader takes over at Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation

Jeff Toale becomes president of the board June 1.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Director of Community and Intergovernmental Relations of Government Rob Lewis addresses the County Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 11, 2025
EDC contract with Sarasota County 'due' for an extension

The Sarasota County Commission has granted an extension of its agreement with the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County so it can clear up some language in the contract for the coming year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key commissioners continue to meet about a fair canal maintenance tax for town residents.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 11, 2025
Commission finds consensus on canal maintenance tax method

Although it's still not finalized, the method would combine ad valorem and non-ad valorem assessments to fund Longboat Key's canal dredging program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee school board fires teacher accused of sexting student
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 10, 2025
Manatee school board fires teacher accused of sexting student

Oliver Fell was charged with lewd conduct against a student by an authority figure and transmission of harmful material to a minor.

  • East County
  • News
The Ness House, on Sanderling Road on Siesta Key, is considered a landmark example of the design style referred to as the Sarasota School.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 10, 2025
Landmark Siesta Key property on the market for $5.3 million

The Ness House on Sanderling Road was designed and updated by renowned architect Seibert.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Heather Kasten is President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 10, 2025
Sarasota Chamber named finalist for national award

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is among the finalists for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives' Chamber of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 10, 2025
To reconfigure or build more space will be an important question for Longboat staff

Longboat Key officials plan to embark on a facility study to see what space is available, and what may be needed, to accommodate town staff.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Vehicle operations training is underway at the new training center in Myakka City June 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 10, 2025
Law enforcement training center offers everything in one place: Myakka City

Cadets and officers no longer need to travel outside of Manatee County to train.

  • East County
  • News
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1
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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