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Your Observer

Olivia Escorcia, 7, and Marco Escorcia, 5, meet the Easter Bunny at Eggstravaganza.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2024
Community Activities makes connections by focusing on smaller gatherings

Quality and intentional connections are key to the nonprofit's successful growth.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Faculty and staff spell out "ODA" to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Out-of-Door Academy's upper school in 1995 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2024
The Out-of-Door Academy expands with Lakewood Ranch

From dirt roads to school expansion, ODA's "crazy" idea to open its upper school in Lakewood Ranch continues to pay off 28 years later.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lifestyle investments by SMR brought entertainers such as Sheri Nadelman to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch to make life just a little brighter.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
SMR takes harder path toward Lakewood Ranch success

Investments in lifestyle and conservation pay off in the long run for SMR.

  • East County
  • Opinion
SMR Senior Vice President Laura Cole talks about Lakewood Ranch's accomplishments over 30 years.
  • By Laura Cole
  • September 12, 2024
Celebrating 30 years

Lakewood Ranch represents our legacy of vision and community building.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The runners sprint away at the start of the Run for the Beads 5K at Waterside Place. Funds for the race support area nonprofits through the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
Nonprofits play key role in Lakewood Ranch's growth

A small-town feel prompts newcomers to immerse themselves in the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Construction is underway for fixed-base operator Sheltair. The grass area between the sign and the construction is the future location of Swiss-based aircraft manufacturer Pilatus.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 12, 2024
SRQ systematically develops an aviation ecosystem

Aircraft builder Pilatus is the latest addition to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport's strategic business diversification plan.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney indoor volleyball senior Zoe Kirby, senior Izzy Russell and junior Layla Larrick are confident in the team's ability to make a deep postseason run.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2024
Cardinal Mooney High indoor volleyball uses speed to its advantage

Under first-year Head Coach Allan Knight, the Cougars are winning with quickness.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Unit 701 at 128 Golden Gate Point has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,000 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 12, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 26-30 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A condominium at 128 Golden Gate Point tops the week's sales at $3.1 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The Sarasota City Commission will decide on a final resolution to create an ad-hoc downtown master plan update committee in an upcoming meeting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 12, 2024
Sarasota downtown plan update committee starting to take shape

Categories were selected for the composition of an ad-hoc committee to advise the city on updating its two-decade-plus-old downtown master plan.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Children First
  • September 12, 2024
Children First Fall Events

Join Children First at Flip Flops & Fashion on October 30 and Rockin’ Lobster on November 2.

  • Arts + Entertainment
Sponsored Content
Incumbent tax collector addresses budget claims
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 11, 2024
Incumbent tax collector addresses budget claims

Barbara Ford-Coates writes to debunk claims about her budget and operations as Sarasota County tax collector.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Riverview High indoor volleyball senior Gabrielle Meese.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 11, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Gabrielle Meese

The Riverview High indoor volleyball senior leads the Rams in kills.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Longboat Key swans Chuck and Lydia
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 11, 2024
Beloved swan dies on Longboat Key

Longboat Key Swan Keeper David Novak reported that Chuck, the father of the most recent swan cygnets, died Sept. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The color guard, including Cpl. Christopher Short and Cpl. Antonio Martinez (pictured) march in the ceremony.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2024
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee remembers Sept. 11, 2001

The country's unity following the events of 9/11 was the theme of the ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key's water and wastewater utilities are operated through Manatee County.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 11, 2024
Commissioners approve utility rate increases to pay for upcoming projects

Longboat Key town commissioners unanimously supported a new five-year utility rate increase schedule.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Amy and Dave Sessions traveled throughout the world together during their 40 years of marriage.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2024
Heartbreaking loss for Lakewood Ranch community

Amy Sessions cherished her family and helped others from behind the scenes.

  • East County
  • News
Sara Mackey and Sheila Monaghan at Le Macron French Pastries on the St. Armands Breakfast Tour.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 11, 2024
Walking tour company provides tasteful experience at St. Armands Circle

Key Culinary Tours educates patrons about Sarasota's cuisine and rich history.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lake Club residents rally together to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in 2023.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2024
LWR-area communities unite to raise money for breast cancer research

Residents in University Park, Lake Club, Rosedale and others strive to raise thousands for cancer research.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lucy Tobias walks in her garden.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2024
Author Lucy Tobias describes the joys of exploring nature at a slow pace

Tobias just released "Floating in Florida," which takes her enjoyment of Florida into its waters.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unit 244 condominium at 3040 Grand Bay Blvd. has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,369 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 11, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 26-30 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Grand Bay tops the week's sales at $1.45 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch High School senior Addison Shea is vying for a $250,000 scholarship with her STEM video.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High senior vying for $250,000 scholarship

Addison Shea created a STEM-focused video to land herself in the top 30 of an international scholarship competition.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dan Creek and Lin Harvard stand on the corner of Lorraine Road and Rangeland Parkway on Sept. 3 to protest a possible Home Depot.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 11, 2024
Home Depot decides against Lorraine Road store

The big-box retailer was considering a store on the corner of Lorraine Road and Rangeland Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
In the summer of 2021, the Volt Power Co. workers removed several light poles in the Country Club Shores neighborhood.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 11, 2024
Longboat’s underground utilities project nears completion

The nearly 10-year process required two town referendums, complicated construction and collaboration.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson (right) has removed himself from consideration to replace the retiring City Manager Marlon Brown (left).
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 11, 2024
Search begins for new Sarasota city manager

With Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson eliminating himself from consideration, city commission hears options.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High indoor volleyball junior Kora Yanes.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 11, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Kora Yanes

The Lakewood Ranch High junior indoor volleyball player leads the Mustangs in kills.

  • East County
  • Sports
Man avenges social media slur the old-fashioned way
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2024
Man avenges social media slur the old-fashioned way

After a woman called him "gay" online, an ex-friend posts fliers around a residential complex suggesting she is an STD superspreader. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Cardinal Mooney's RJay Mosley catches a deep ball from Devin Mignery against Booker High. Mosley would score on the play.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 11, 2024
Early season takeaways for Sarasota football programs

Two area teams appear to be postseason contenders, while the other three have work to do.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Extraordinary content
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • September 11, 2024
Extraordinary content

Winning awards is one thing, but making a difference in our readers’ lives and helping our partners grow is our mission.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Commissioner Jason Bearden makes a motion on Sept. 10 to reinstate 50-foot wetland buffers within Manatee County's Comprehensive Plan.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 10, 2024
Manatee County commissioners give back former wetland buffers

Commissioners voted 6-0 to return the buffers to at least 50 feet.

  • East County
  • News
Eight employees of the Longboat Key Public Works Department lined up American flags along Gulf of Mexico Drive in honor of Sept. 11.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 10, 2024
Longboat Key lines up flags along Gulf of Mexico Drive for Sept. 11

In preparation for Sept. 11, Longboat Key Public Works employees plant American flags along Gulf of Mexico Drive to remember the lives lost.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key commissioners give first approval to FY25 budget
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 10, 2024
Longboat Key commissioners give first approval to FY25 budget

Town Manager Howard Tipton presented a budget with $132,769,796 in total governmental expenditures.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch junior Tommy Bowdre fights through Braden River tackles after losing his helmet.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 10, 2024
LRHS football program showcases growth with romp in rivalry

The Lakewood Ranch High Mustangs are trending upward under Head Coach Scott Paravicini.

  • East County
  • Sports
This River Club South home at 7646 Tralee Way to Bryan sold for $1.35 million. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,730 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 10, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 26-30 in Lakewood Ranch

A Riverdale Revised home on Regatta Way tops the week's sales at $2.53 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Construction vehicle whacked traffic cones
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 10, 2024
Construction vehicle whacked traffic cones

Residents call police to report a crush-cones-and-run case. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
There are eight massage tables in the 2,200-square-foot studio.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 10, 2024
Elements Massage opens at the Shoppes at UTC

The massage studio offers monthly memberships and online booking.

  • East County
  • Business
Braden River Middle School students, custodians and Principal Kimberlain Zenon-Richardson (right) sing the new school song.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 10, 2024
Braden River Middle custodians create school song

The custodians hope the school song can inspire Panthers to believe and achieve.

  • East County
  • Schools
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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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