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Neighbors

Lee Kotwicki, the director of Workforce Training for SCF Manatee-Sarasota in Lakewood Ranch, hopes more local residents take advantage of the various computer classes. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 1, 2022
State College of Florida enhances computer learning in Lakewood Ranch

SCF of Lakewood Ranch wants people to know that they are not along when it comes to struggling with computers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Sick Leave team brought in a 103.2 pound black grouper. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 1, 2022
Sarasota fishers win big at Sarasota Slam

The crew of the Sick Leave reeled in a 103.2-pound grouper during the annual tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Waves is ready to get back into the gulf after having surgery to remove tumors. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 30, 2022
Injured green sea turtle treated and released back to the Gulf

Mote rescued the sea turtle found tangled in fishing wire near Cortez in May and took it to its rehab hospital for treatment.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Fiddler crabs skitter across the boardwalk on City Island regularly. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 30, 2022
Tour a hidden gem on a City Island trail

Learn about estuaries on City Island, one of the 40 stops along a watershed audio tour through Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Instructors Ilee Finocchiaro, Lisa Morningstar and Terri Arnold are equine specialists in mental health and learning. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 29, 2022
Equine therapy nonprofit adds more horsepower to its Myakka facility

With news horses on the way, Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy can make a greater impact providing equine therapy to the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
As president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch since 2005, Rex Jensen heads up one of the most recognizable and sought-after land management, agricultural and development companies in the nation. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 28, 2022
Lakewood Ranch pioneer shares insights on building a community

After 20 years at the helm, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO Rex Jensen sounds off on what makes a community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A sampling of books written by Scribes’ members (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 27, 2022
Scribes club prides itself on giving writers good feedback — the kind way

A Lakewood Ranch writers’ club meets twice monthly to critique each other’s work and build lifetime bonds.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 26, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 25

John Uwins captured this cloudless photo of a calm day at the beach at Bay Isles.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 26, 2022
East County weather page photo: August 25

Laura Beck took a photo of this hibiscus in bloom in The Isles in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 26, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: August 25

Dale Hayes captured this mother and baby owl in Myakka River State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joe Jennings has been an enduring tennis fan, to the point of designing his own racket. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 25, 2022
Sarasota resident celebrates a lifetime of achievements with 100th birthday

Joe Jennings' near-century of life has been full of adventures and activity.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pumpkin has beautiful eyes among other qualities. Ava Biasini is trying to find a home for Pumpkin. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 25, 2022
Bradenton 18-year-old spends summer finding homes for stray cats

Chemical engineering will have to wait for the cat-loving University of Florida student.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 24, 2022
Bingo brings out the chamber's competitive side

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members got to know each other better with networking bingo.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
(Photo courtesy of Samantha Ponzillo)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 24, 2022
JFCS of the Suncoast and food truck vendors raise funds for family

A food truck rally raised $10,000 for the Mendoza family on Aug. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Steph Ouellette owns and operates SUP Yoga SRQ. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 24, 2022
Paddleboard enthusiast balances yoga with water sports

Steph Ouellette owns and operates her own enterprise that teaches yoga from stand-up paddleboards both on Longboat Key and City Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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