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Your Observer

Yana Kevlin and her children Lenny Kevlin, 3, and Ava Kevlin, 2, decided to step inside the photo booth under the "Shana Tova" sign.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 17, 2024
Young members prepare for Rosh Hashanah at Temple Emanu-El

Kids learned about Rosh Hashanah during Sweet New Year Tot Shabbat.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Local high school volunteers helped lead the 2024 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 17, 2024
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium inspires youth leaders

The annual Youth Ocean Conservation Summit hosted students from around the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Incumbent's rhetoric lacks accuracy
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 17, 2024
Incumbent's rhetoric lacks accuracy

Candidate Mike Moran responds to Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates' letter to the editor.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota man charged with smuggling electronics into Russia
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 17, 2024
Sarasota man charged with smuggling electronics into Russia

The microelectronics had military applications, prosecutors say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Christian Retreat welcomes all denominations to stay and worship.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 17, 2024
The Family Church at Christian Retreat welcomes all denominations

The retreat was founded in 1968 and sits on 110 acres overlooking the Manatee River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch High boys cross country team is aiming for its first state meet appearance since 2016. Back row: Derek Robinson, Jonathan Leatt, Joe Barr, Dylan Johnson, Colton Prater, Kenny DeStefano and Vayle Johnson. Front row: Michael Wagner, Vicente Rivera, Zachariah Kersey, Jacob Gomez and Jacob Smith.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 17, 2024
Lakewood Ranch cross country runners say seniority will rule

The experienced Mustangs looks like a state meet contender for the first time since 2016.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 17, 2024
SPD offers Painting With Police program

Monthly sessions are held the third Wednesday through the end of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hotel staff concerned about man who left suddenly with 2 'call girls' still in room
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 17, 2024
Hotel staff concerned about man who left suddenly with 2 'call girls' still in room

The staff said the man appeared intoxicated and left all of his belongings in his room with the two women. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Resident Shawn Leven started Friends of Pickleball to make pickleball more accessible on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 17, 2024
Shawn Leven creates Friends of Pickleball on Longboat Key

The Longboater is pursuing nonprofit status for the group with the goal of making the sport more accessible on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Country Club home at 12523 Highfield Circle sold for $3.7 million. It has three bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,111 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 17, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 2-6 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Highfield Circle tops the week's sales at $3.7 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Officer Keith Ericsson, Officer Andrew Vandyke and Officer Dallas Troyer were all sworn in by Chief of Police George Turner on Sept. 9.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 17, 2024
Longboat Key Police Department fills three vacancies

The department swore in the three officers, which brought the force back to 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
YabbaDabbaDoo of Reddick, Florida, with JD Ivines and Steve Adams, makes a leap from the water.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 16, 2024
Powerboats go full-throttle in the waters off Lido Beach

The 40th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix continued the tradition of high-performance racing.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The town's appointed magistrate Milan Brkich oversees code enforcement hearings like the one on Sept. 11 for the St. Regis.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 16, 2024
Magistrate grants St. Regis more time to correct lighting violations

The hearing is pushed to Oct. 9, with St. Regis management required to meet with town officials to work toward compliance.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rob Oglesby, the development director for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue, shows the apartment above the welcome and adoption center where veterinary externs will be staying.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2024
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue on a roll with its expansion

After nearly five years, the nonprofit is nearing the finish line with expected completion in January.

  • East County
  • News
Among the topics of discussion by the Purple Ribbon Committee is converting the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall into convention and event space.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 16, 2024
Multipurpose convention space is one possibility for Van Wezel

Visit Sarasota County's Erin Duggan tells Purple Ribbon Committee a hybrid convention center/performance space is an option.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Customers can enjoy the poke bowls atop tables made from the colorful skimboards at Zap Skimboards in Venice.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 16, 2024
Siesta Pokè brings its specialty to Siesta Key

The restaurant, opened Aug. 30, differentiates itself with a range of house-made sauces.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch seniors Jamarrion Roden (19) and Cullen McRae II (2) celebrate after McRae's second touchdown of the game against Braden River.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 16, 2024
High school football takeaways for East County teams

As the season nears the halfway point, here's how the area's teams stand.

  • East County
  • Sports
Wetlands provide essential wildlife habitat, buffers for excess rain and filter impurities that would otherwise degrade our waterways.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • September 16, 2024
Myakka wetlands showcase a filtration system at work

By removing impurities, filtration by wetlands improves downstream water quality.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nancy Goodheart Matthews was able to establish the plaque at the fountain with the help of City of Sarasota public art lead Mary Davis Wallace.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 15, 2024
Sarasota celebrates its Mermaid Fountain

The fountain was honored by the Smithsonian Institution’s inventory of public art sculptures in 1995.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Planning Board does an about-face on Fruitville Road development
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 15, 2024
Planning Board does an about-face on Fruitville Road development

Sent back to the board by the Sarasota City Commission after changes, a previously rejected residential project between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street wins approval.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sallie West joined her close friend Donna Powell in making suncatchers at the Paradise Center.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 14, 2024
The Paradise Center in Longboat Key hosts 'Do-It-Yourself' art class

Debbie Lemieux repurposed old jewelry and trinkets to make sun catchers with Paradise Center regulars.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Penler is proposing 125-foot setbacks on the western and southern boundaries of the property where it abuts Eagle Trace.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 14, 2024
Eagle Trace residents say flood risk should be considered for SR 64 proposal

The proposed project in East County will be a mixed-use development.

  • East County
  • News
High school football roundup.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 14, 2024
High school football roundup: Sept. 13

Six Sarasota and East County teams were victorious Friday night.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Booker junior wide receiver Tyren Wortham celebrates catching a 60-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Joel Morris against Carrollwood Day.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 13, 2024
Booker High football recovers from blown lead, beats Carrollwood Day

The Tornadoes almost let a 37-7 first-half lead slip away, but recovered in the second half to win 70-43.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
CFO Sheila McLean presents the tentative budget and millage to commissioners on Sept. 12.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 13, 2024
Commissioners propose tax cut for Manatee County residents

If the proposal is approved at the Sept. 24 Commission meeting, the millage will be reduced by .15 mills.

  • East County
  • News
Ninth grader arrested after Manatee schools shooting threat
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 13, 2024
Ninth grader arrested after Manatee schools shooting threat

Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports threats were found on social media.

  • East County
  • News
Upgrades to the pickleball courts at Lakewood Ranch Park cost approximately $250,000.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 13, 2024
Pickleball courts upgraded at Lakewood Ranch Park

Upgrades include a hitting wall, shade structure and lighting.

  • East County
  • News
Third graders Ryan Burchett, Addison Delazzer and Eliana Gabriel show the progress of an oyster rag pot. It starts as a spike with a wooden square covered by a white rag. Then it is covered in cement and placed at the bottom of a river. Oysters attach to the pot and begin filtering water.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2024
Braden River Elementary students celebrate Everglades Week

Students make oyster rag pots for Oyster River Ecology Inc to help the environment.

  • East County
  • Schools
A rendering of one of two buildings planned for affordable and workforce rental housing in Sarasota Station.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 12, 2024
Sarasota Station appears finally to be on track

The attainable housing project has faced 18 years of roadblocks but now will provide 202 workforce housing units and 72 single-family townhomes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Real estate experts say Lakewood Ranch's lifestyle aspect have kept it more of a sellers market as compared to the rest of Sarasota and Manatee counties.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
Sunset Volleyball keeps sand between their toes at Waterside Place

MVP Sports organizes pickup league games every Wednesday night at Waterside in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chip Bennett, lead pastor of Grace Community Church in Lakewood Ranch, says his church sees 4,000 worshippers on a typical Sunday during season.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 12, 2024
Churches mirror huge growth in Lakewood Ranch

Faith communities say rapid expansion is a blessing and a challenge

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Britta Rhode, Jimmy Rhode, Karissa Rhode and Ellerie Rhode believe Lakewood Ranch is their forever home.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2024
Families grow with Lakewood Ranch: The Rhodes

Jimmy and Karisa Rhode moved to the area from snowy Minnesota and never looked back.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Derek and Stephanie Schmitt, Kirsten (Schmitt) and Trevor Lovett, and Bob and Charleen Schmitt stand in front of Bob and Charleen's Summerfield home.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
Families grow with Lakewood Ranch: The Schmitts

From first baby to larger families, the Schmitt family has grown on the Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Karen and Malcolm Ronney have operated The Granary since August 2015.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2024
The Granary remains a Lakewood Ranch breakfast and lunch staple

Karen and Malcolm Ronney found Lakewood Ranch to be the perfect place to host their business ventures.

  • East County
  • Business
Chief Nursing Officer Judy Young, surgeon Samuel Yelverton, CEO Andy Guz and Director of Quality and Accreditation Malou Kaseta enjoy working at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
LWR Medical Center maintains small-town feel, offers advanced care

The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center opened 10 years after Schroeder-Manatee Ranch started building Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Division Chief Bob Mikulski, Administrative Officer Stephen Beecher and Chief Lee Whitehurst work out of Station 1 on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
SMR ignited trust for fire district growth

In 1994, there was only one fire station. Now, East Manatee Fire Rescue has 10 stations and a training tower.

  • East County
  • 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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