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Your Observer

Junior guard Anthony Bailey (center) was one of several players who couldn't find their offensive groove in Braden River's season-ending loss Feb. 20 to St. Petersburg.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 25, 2026
Season ends for Braden River boys basketball in regional semifinals

With 23 victories, the Pirates had their winningest season since 2011-12.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County Day is celebrated in Tallahassee Feb. 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 25, 2026
Local legislators and businesses come together on Manatee County Day

The inaugural event welcomed over 80 attendees and 24 businesses and nonprofits.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 5919 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $9.5 million. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 5,596 square feet of living area. It sold for $4.29 million in 2002.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 25, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 9-13 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Longboat Key home on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week's sales at $9.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Conceptual rendering by Renzo Piano Building Workshop of the north elevation of a new performing arts center as viewed across the 10th Street boat basin.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 25, 2026
Performing Arts Center 'Concept 2.0' set for public debut

The Sarasota City Commission will receive the reimagined vision for a new performing arts center at its March 2 meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Man climbs to the roof of a bar in search of his friend
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 25, 2026
Man climbs to the roof of a bar in search of his friend

A patron of a downtown bar, who was trespassed after being spotted on the roof, said that's the last place he saw his friend. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier holds Harriett (left) and Lizzie while posing for a picture in his Sabal Cove home Thursday, Feb. 19. After six years as mayor and eight on the Town Commission, Schneier has reached his term limit and will step down from the dais in March.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 25, 2026
Longboat's mayor reflects on big decisions, gives advice to commission

With term limits changing just before he began on the Longboat Key Town Commission, Ken Schneier leaves as the longest-serving mayor in the town’s history.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst says future chief Paul Wren has proven his leadership through his years of service with the department.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 25, 2026
East Manatee Board of Fire Commissioners approves new chief

Commissioners select in-house, choosing Deputy Chief Paul Wren to replace Lee Whitehurst in January 2027.

  • East County
  • News
The $21 million, 2-acre park
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 25, 2026
The $21 million, 2-acre park

Sarasota County is paying twice as much for property than the seller paid two years ago. It's another sign of a concerning spending trend.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Myakka City's Carol Felts gets emotional as she's sworn in as the District 1 commissioner on Nov. 19.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2026
Manatee County Commissioner Carol Felts dies at 68

The commissioner was found at her Myakka City home Tuesday afternoon by her aide.

  • East County
  • News
SPD Chief Rex Troche (left) and Deputy Chief Scott Mayforth (right) with (from left) Lt. Andrew Combs, Officer Nate Lynn, Officer Nick Bruno, Officer Ridge Collins, Officer Brenton Bieker, Det. Laura Bobitz and Officer Tim Dederick. They and others were involved in stopping a suicide threat on the Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 24, 2026
Sarasota police officers receive Life Saver Awards

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche has honored several officers for their actions in two lifesaving incidents that occurred in 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Caitlynn Beausoleil is headed to the FHSAA Class 1A girls wrestling state championship March 5-7 to complete her junior season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 24, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Caitlynn Beausoleil

The Booker High junior went from unranked to champion at the FHSAA Class 1A-District 11 championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Joe Thayer, Bob Moffitt and Al Garcia play at Remy's on Main in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch's Bob Moffitt let his music do the talking

Friends say Bob Moffitt, who died at age 78, had two loves: music and family.

  • East County
  • News
Fruitville Road crash scene cleared
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 24, 2026
Fruitville Road crash scene cleared

Earlier incident involved two cars at Central Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Negotiations continue between Manatee County and its two garbage haulers — Waste Management and Waste Pro.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 24, 2026
Plan for Community Cleanup Day on Longboat Key

Get ready to safely dispose of household hazardous materials, electronics, papers for shredding and bulk items.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Grants Coordinator Kalee Shaberts has helped the town secure tens of millions of dollars in grants since starting her position in 2023.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 24, 2026
Grants continue to roll in for Longboat Key

Grants are used to help ease the cost burden for high-dollar improvements like the subaqueous wastewater pipeline.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Logan Pike was crowned the FHSAA Class 2A-District 9 champion Feb. 19 in the 190-pound weight class, marking a major milestone in his injury-riddled career.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 24, 2026
Braden River High junior embodies the will to wrestle

The Braden River High junior has endured multiple major injuries, but he just keeps going.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key hitchhiker gets visit from police
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 24, 2026
Longboat Key hitchhiker gets visit from police

A man trying to catch a ride back to downtown Sarasota prompted a call to police. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 508 Blue Shell Loop sold for $2.4 million. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,028 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 24, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 9-13 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue at Waterside home on Blue Shell Loop tops the week's sales at $2.4 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sanddy Marchena owns Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch with his wife Melodie Marchena (not pictured). Michelle Frease is the academy's director.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place gains a Kiddie Academy

Kiddie Academy of Sarasota opens its child care and preschool business March 2.

  • East County
  • Business
Senior forward/defender Rheanne Fleming looks for a pass during the FHSAA Class 6A-Region 3 championship Feb. 17 between Lakewood Ranch and East Lake. It proved to be the Mustangs' final win of 2025-26.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 23, 2026
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer falls short of state final

Facing the nation's No. 5-ranked team, the Mustangs were shut out for the first time all season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Firefighters break a hole in the roof of a building minutes after first responders extinguished the flames that engulfed a three-story residence devastated by what is reported as a potential electrical fire Monday, Feb. 23.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 23, 2026
3-alarm fire guts north-end Longboat residence

Units from Longboat Key and neighboring jurisdictions fought the fire after it was reported Monday morning. The blaze was extinguished by noon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
After allowing four goals in regulation, Avary Shirley held her own in penalty kicks, helping the Mustangs become back-to-back regional champions.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Avary Shirley

The junior goalkeeper made the save that sent Lakewood Ranch girls soccer to the state semifinals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rabbi Howard Simon, master of ceremonies at Temple Beth Israel's 47th annual gala, welcomes attendees to the event on Feb. 22 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 23, 2026
47th Temple Beth Israel gala centers on community

The annual gala celebrated the contributions of Suzan and Barry Friedman and family over the years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Artist Kathleen Murphy Willer, based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, said she has fun incorporating elements evocative of childhood in her acrylic paintings. She was one of the artists to brave the sun and rain at last weekend's fine art festival on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 23, 2026
Specialized artists turn out for fifth Longboat Fine Art Fest

From glass molding to close-up photography, artists showcased works in a variety of media at the weekend festival.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lobbyists for the town of Longboat Key video called in to update Longboat Key Town Commission on state and federal legislation at a workshop meeting Tuesday, Feb. 17.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 23, 2026
Longboat leaders receive updates on property tax reform

Lobbyists updated the Longboat Key Town Commission on potential property tax reform in Tallahassee and appropriations in Washington.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Two dead in Lakewood Ranch shooting
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2026
Two dead in Lakewood Ranch shooting

A second person has died in what the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office described as a domestic incident.

  • East County
  • News
A body-worn camera image shows a Sarasota police officer carrying a female victim from the burning home on North Osprey Avenue.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2026
Police officers rescue two from burning home

Sarasota Police Department officers braved flames and a sparking transformer to remove two from a North Osprey Avenue house fire.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The winners of an essay contest had the chance to read out their essays during the event, and they included fourth grader Lorelei Martin, second grader Olivia Batista, kindergartener Logan Hernandez, third grader Petronius Boles, first grader Jade Rivers and fifth grader Amara Berry, pictured here with Assistant Principal Jennifer Kahler.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2026
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus celebrates centennial anniversary

The school, founded in 1926, hosted a celebration on with speeches and performances honoring its history.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Executive directors Brian Walton, Jessica Ryherd and Amy Steinhauser respectively from Save Our Seabirds, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Inc. and The Paradise Center, pitched their future development ideas to attendees at the inaugural Longboat Key 100 fundraiser Feb. 17 at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 22, 2026
Inaugural fundraiser awards $100K to combat childhood hunger

Attendees at the first Longboat Key 100 fundraiser heard from Save Our Seabirds, The Paradise Center and Feeding Empty Little Tummies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ryley Hoaglin, 10, looks at birds from the gazebo.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2026
Sarasota Audubon welcomes the public to its nature center with Fly Wild

The community event, held at the Sarasota Audubon Society, raised awareness of the organization's activities, offering free exhibitions, presentations and tours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nicholas Quintero, Conner King, Greyson Alexander and Lucas Matallana are campout ready with snacks, a lantern and even a headlamp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 22, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Campout lights a fire for families and friends

Approximately 150 people attended the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
University Park Women’s Club members Kristy Schubert and Fifi Queen co-chaired the “An Evening at SEA” fundraiser that raised $22,300. The funds will benefit two nonprofits — Women's Resource Center and Feeding Empty Little Tummies.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 21, 2026
University Park Women's Club raises $22,300 for local nonprofits

The two nonprofits, Women’s Resource Center and Feeding Empty Little Tummies, will each receive $11,150.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Three arrested, two of them juveniles, for armed robbery of a convenience store
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2026
Three arrested, two of them juveniles, for armed robbery of a convenience store

The Sarasota Police Department has made arrests in connection with a robbery at gunpoint on Fruitville Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
St. Barbara's Hellenic Folk Dance Group member Harrison Barakos gives a wave, while being cheered on by fellow dancers Maria Stylianoudakis and Gianni Cappelluti, as his name is called at the St. Barbara 42nd annual Greek Festival.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 20, 2026
St. Barbara hosts 42nd annual Greek Festival all weekend

Members of the church come together to celebrate their faith and their Greek culture.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Golfers competing in "Pittsburgh vs. The World" may be rivals out on the green, but at the celebration afterward, they have nothing but smiles for one another. Jan Van Iten and Carol Westwood are the original captains in the friendly tournament, which marked 25 years on Feb. 16.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 20, 2026
Longboat golfers celebrate 25 years of friendly competition

Dubbed "Pittsburgh vs. The World," this annual golf competition started as a friendly feud and has become a beloved tradition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Terry Creighton lines up a shot at a Feb. 15 tennis session at The Sanctuary.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 20, 2026
The Sanctuary kicks off season's activity with tennis pro

Claudiu Retean, a Sports Professionals Association-certified tennis pro, offered technique tips and motivation at the Feb. 15 session.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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