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Neighbors

Mary Jo Hansen leads the models for the final walk.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 16, 2024
Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch hosts Divas and Dogs

The annual fundraiser is on track to net $90,000, which will go toward operating costs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Meat sits ready to be served at Alday's BBQ.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 14, 2024
Barbecue food trucks in Sarasota thrive on roads less traveled

A short drive from the bustling streets of downtown, you can find the smoky flavors of fresh barbecue.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Read Learn Dream Co-chair Patty Casey reading to A New Beginnings' pre-kindergarten Class.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 14, 2024
Siesta Kiwanis Club nurtures early reading

The Read Learn Dream program places books and other literacy-enhancing materials in the hands of preschoolers in select city schools.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Delaney Riggins and Andrew Shackleford say it's crazy how life comes full circle. The couple "dated" in elementary school but grew apart in middle and high school. They reconnected in 2020 and married March 9.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 14, 2024
LRHS teachers tie the knot years after 'dating' in elementary school

Delaney Riggins says fate brought her back together with Andrew Shackleford in 2020 after they dated in elementary school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Barbara Thurston, Barbara Pressman and Barbara Stanton
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 13, 2024
Sarasota, Longboat women bond over shared name: Barbara

Barbaras from around Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and the Keys meet up every month to network and help the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Robyn Bell, Lynne Lash, Linda Jacobs and Christine Captain say the Suncoast Food & Wine Fest is their favorite event of the year.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2024
Rotary Club raises $140,000 from Suncoast Food & Wine Fest

The Lakewood Ranch nonprofit has now granted $2.3 million over the years.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
After heart surgery, David Paliotta completely changed his diet and exercise patterns.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2024
Lakewood Ranch senior gives peak performance

After a quadruple bypass surgery, Summerfield's David Paliotta works toward an unlikely goal: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Robin Zerola and Claudia Brown search through deals on women's clothes.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 12, 2024
Royal Rummage Sale draws crowd of bargain hunters

The annual event at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church sold 800 tickets for the early-bird sale.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
St. Armands Market provides all types of products from food, drinks, cleaning supplies, skin care and more.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 12, 2024
St. Armands Market offers accessible groceries and essentials

Residents and tourists can grab on-the-go meals and stock their pantries without fighting traffic to leave St. Armands Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Oats McGoats is adjusting to his new home at the Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary in Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 12, 2024
Stray goat finds home in Myakka City

A stray goat that was found wandering the streets of Jacksonville was taken in by the Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Service dog and owner forge special friendship
    By
  • James Peter
  • March 12, 2024
Service dog and owner forge special friendship

Beth Usher endured brain surgery, befriended Mr. Rogers, spreads humor and now spends time on Siesta Key with her best friend and service dog, Gromit.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Rev. David Marshall blesses Spike the bearded dragon.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 12, 2024
Open house connects town staff, organizations and residents

The 2024 community open house was held on the Town Center Green, allowing it to be bigger than in previous years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cookbook by Longboat resident makes recipes easy to read
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 10, 2024
Cookbook by Longboat resident makes recipes easy to read

Kathleen Greig shares her love for diverse cuisines and recipes through her blog and debut cookbook, "Inspired Cuisine."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Liam Middleton, 6, does a backflip on the bungee trampoline.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 9, 2024
Irish Celtic Festival draws hundreds to Lakewood Ranch

The Irish Celtic Festival featured Irish food and music, along with games and a dog parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Waiters Gordon Govalet, Tom Giannico and Steven Thomas
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 8, 2024
Fashion show raises money for Longboat Island Chapel

The chapel held its annual Lord's Warehouse fashion show with raffles, fascinator hats and secret models.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Fire Department Chief Jason Hackley and one of the agency's three trucks with onboard tanks that hold 400 gallons of firefighting foam.
  • August 7, 2026
SRQ airport gets out ahead of PFAS foam mandate
2
Lt. Clay Huber was cheered by about 100 first responders and hospital personnel on Thursday.
  • August 6, 2026
Hospitalized Sarasota firefighter cheered upon his release from care
3
Shane Catts, who started Happy Paddler Kayak Tours & Ecoventures with his wife, Holly Rolls, said the Longboat Key-based business has been proud to be part of so many families' favorite times vacationing and living on the island in the nearly 10 years it has been open on the north end.
  • August 6, 2026
Happy Paddler celebrates family legacy on Longboat Key waters
4
  • August 6, 2026
Voter organization to hold election information sessions
5
Workers install boat slips behind the vacant lot where the Buccaneer Restaurant is planned. Additional slips will be installed behind the Harbor Square office building pictured left.
  • August 6, 2026
Boat slip addition underway behind future Buccaneer Restaurant site

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