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Your Observer

Manatee County Area Transit bus stops are unused on Longboat Key as on demand service using vehicles like the white Ford Explorer pictured are now the only public transportation options on the barrier island.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 15, 2026
On-demand public transit sees steady use on Longboat

When bus service stopped on Longboat Key, on-demand ride-hailing with public subsidies took its place.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Junior Jackson Zackery (left) celebrates with senior Peyton Hens (right) after a goal against Sarasota High on April 9 in the FHSAA Class 2A-District 12 quarterfinals. Lakewood Ranch advanced with a 13-4 victory.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 15, 2026
'Unfinished business' for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse

Guided by a strong senior class, the Mustangs have sought redemption for past shortcomings.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Unit A801 condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive sold for $6.7 million. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,220 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 15, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 30 to April 3 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

An Aria condominium on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week's sales at $7.65 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
There are many pieces to the healthy brain puzzle, including proper diet, exercise and sleep.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • April 15, 2026
Yes, sleeping, eating right and working out can improve and preserve your memory

Healthy habits, including exercise, a good diet and getting enough sleep, can pay big dividends on improving memory function and preventing memory diseases.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
A record number of guests attend Longboat Key Garden Club's Dinner and a Movie.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 15, 2026
Check out these Longboat Key events celebrating local creatives

This month, the Longboat Key Foundation, town of Longboat Key and Longboat Key Garden Club are organizing events spotlighting some of the area's best painters, performers, sculptors and more.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Facilitator David Brain presents findings of the first St. Armands visioning session to the audience.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 15, 2026
St. Armands visioning wraps up, but more work remains

Following two public workshop sessions, Sarasota city staff now has its list of priorities as planning and projects for a more resilient St. Armands Circle continue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An osprey parent feeds one of the recently hatched chicks on a signpost at the intersection of Gulf of Mexico Drive and Longboat Club Road.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 14, 2026
Osprey chicks hatch off Longboat Club Road

Spring brings new life to Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Club Road is the first signaled intersection when entering Longboat Key from the south from City Island.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 14, 2026
Roundabout planned for southern gateway to Longboat Key

A roundabout on Longboat Club Road, at the foot of New Pass Bridge, pops up in planning documents but is still a long ways off.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Steve Herrig, the owner of the Miakka Golf Club, which is expected to open in November, stands in front of a fairway and one of the many wetland areas formed by his course's construction.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 14, 2026
Miakka Golf Club's commitment to nature isn't enough for some neighbors

Steve Herrig says he has done everything possible to assure his Myakka City land is in better shape than when he brought it.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Top rankings among the U.S. and the world's best beaches is not new to Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 14, 2026
Siesta Beach ranked No. 1 beach in the US

U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings rates Siesta Beach as best in the country ahead of notable destinations in Hawaii, California and Florida.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Bayfront Park Recreation Center was moved to its current location in 1984.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 14, 2026
Budget planning kicks off with Longboat organization updates

The goals and objectives workshop gave community organizations a platform to discuss issues and suggest policies to the Longboat Key Town Commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chris Schrum was one of seven different Sailors to place first in their respective weight classes for either Traditional or Olympic style at the district meet.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 14, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Chris Schrum

The senior helped Sarasota boys weightlifting to both FHSAA Class 3A-District 12 team titles.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dick Vitale, 86, has been with ESPN since the 1979-80 season and has called over 1,000 games for the network. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2026
Vitale reveals a new cancer diagnosis

The 86-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident and sports announcer says treatment begins next week.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Phil Orapallo and Sarasota's Kendra Simpkins Walsh are eager to welcome veterans and golfers alike to the Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club on April 27.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 14, 2026
Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic to benefit local veterans

The second annual Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic was founded by a Lakewood Ranch resident who knows the kind of trauma veterans can go through.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Calusa Country Club's Gene Bohland will be performing as a member of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble for the April 19 concert “The Magic of Music."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 14, 2026
Music speaks to retired educator through his heart

Calusa Country Club's Gene Bohland's whole career has been playing and teaching music and he's not stopping now.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A Riverdale home at 4003 Hawk Island Drive sold for $3.25 million. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,815 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 14, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 30 to April 3 in Lakewood Ranch

A Riverdale home on Hawk Island Drive tops the week's sales at $3.25 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
'Topless' sunbathers get visit from Longboat police
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 14, 2026
'Topless' sunbathers get visit from Longboat police

Two women in their 20s had the police called on them on Longboat Key. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Bernhard Langer hits a drive on the third hole during the first round of the 2025 Charles Schwab Cup Championship. He's won an all-time record 12 senior majors in his storied career.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 13, 2026
Who to root for at the Senior PGA Championship

Plenty of major champions will be at The Concession, but which golfers should you get behind?

  • East County
  • Sports
Government protections remain important in keeping the Myakka River healthy and pristine.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 13, 2026
Some residents say Manatee pulled 'bait and switch' on Myakka River monitoring

Two technicians were supposed to monitor the Myakka River, but they were hired to cover all of Manatee County instead.

  • East County
  • News
The team aboard the "Triple Threat," captained by John Novak, rounds the first marker of the Bird Key Yacht Club's annual Sarasota Bay Cup regatta on April 11.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 13, 2026
Seasoned sailors take advantage of smooth seas at Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta

Teams raced under sunny skies and light winds as they vied for the top spot in Bird Key Yacht Club's 2026 sailing competition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Artist Ena Jasmin Carroll credited her friend and fellow artist Pat Lundy with bringing her in for the second annual Artists in the Garden last weekend at Longboat Island Chapel. A dozen local artists showcased and sold their works at the two-day event.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 13, 2026
Local creatives participate in return of Artists in the Garden

Artists working in innovative styles brought their talents to the second annual Artists in the Garden, part of a month-long celebration.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Conductor Glen Olsen introduces trumpet soloist Ricardo Chinchilla, who accompanied members of the Sarasota Bay Chamber Orchestra on April 10 for an end-of-season performance at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 13, 2026
Sarasota chamber group closes out season at St. Armands church

Musicians with the Sarasota Bay Chamber Orchestra serenaded residents of St. Armands Key with a special selection of string-based classics.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Beverly Sutton, director of the outgoing Reading Buddies program that paired Christ Church of Longboat Key volunteers with students from Bradenton schools, speaks to the impact the after-school program had on everyone involved. Volunteers shared their appreciation for teachers and students at the April 12 service and reception.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 13, 2026
Longboaters show teacher appreciation as they bid farewell to Reading Buddies

As Christ Church parts ways with its after-school reading program, volunteers took time to thank teachers and supporters who helped it succeed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Boat lifts flank each side of the canal in a Country Club Shores neighborhood. The town of Longboat Key is preparing to enact a continuous canal maintenance program that would include flat fees and ad-valorem assessments for residents.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 13, 2026
Canal maintenance program up for a vote this summer

After years of discussions and changes, the Longboat Key Town Commission will consider a funding formula to assess homeowners to care for canals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Outside weightlifting and wrestling, Freedom McDaniel also plays defensive end/defensive tackle for Braden River football. His 43 solo tackles in 2025 were second-most on the team.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 13, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Freedom McDaniel

The junior pushed Braden River High boys weightlifting to a district championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Chloe Jarvis, Vice President Donna Quilici-Smith and Sara Sweetnich socialize before the scholarships are given out at Palm Aire Country Club April 10.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 12, 2026
Palm Aire Women's Club awards scholarships to local students

Scholarship recipients from State College of Florida and Manatee Technical College joined the Palm Aire Women's Club for a luncheon April 10.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key firefighter paramedics used the Hurst Jaws of Life ram to push the dashboard of a Ford Focus away from the passenger seat.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 12, 2026
Fire Department turns Ford Focus into convertible for training

Longboat Key Fire Rescue brought out the heavy equipment for a training exercise to pull a dummy from the back seat of an overturned vehicle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
County Administrator Charlie Bishop is typically seated at the dais with commissioners during meetings, but he was absent during the discussion about his contract April 7.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 12, 2026
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract up for renewal

Commissioners reviewed Bishop's contract but opted to make changes before renewing it.

  • East County
  • News
Overall female winner Vicky Romocki poses with Shelley.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 11, 2026
Over 1,000 turn out to Siesta Key Beach for Run for the Turtles

Held by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, the 40th annual event raises funds for its Sea Turtle Conservation and Research program.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Luke and Ashley Gustafson moved from Texas 6 months ago They say events like the Lakewood Ranch Block Party put them in "magical awe."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Block Party features 70 local businesses, builders and clubs

The Lakewood Ranch Block Party, which was a collaboration between Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Lakewood Ranch Communities, took place April 10.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Ikea franchise system includes 58 retail locations in the United States. There are 412 Ikea stores worldwide in 32 countries.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 11, 2026
Ikea to open at UTC in Sarasota

The store will span 48,000 square feet off Cattlemen Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
    By
  • Elizabeth King, Lesley Dwyer
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC

Commissioners chose to partner with the EDC and approved a $292,450 annual contract.

  • East County
  • News
Drugs, cash and a rifle bullet were among the items found by Sarasota Police in a search of a 31st Way home, resulting in the arrest of Demarius R. Jones, of Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 10, 2026
Sarasota man on probation arrested on drug, other charges

A parole officer supplied information to Sarasota Police, prompting a search of a property in the city, police say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District

Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill will open April 10 on Fourth Street.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Helga Williams
    In Memoriam |
  • April 9, 2026
Helga Williams

Helga Williams, 84, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2026, in Siesta Key, Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Thomas H Wentz
    In Memoriam |
  • April 9, 2026
Thomas H Wentz

Thomas H Wentz, III, 82, passed away on February 6, 2026. Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on May 31, 1943, to Thomas H Wentz and Mary Jane Miller Wentz.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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No good deed goes unpunished
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3
Benderson Development is wrapping up its latest phase of construction at the business and industrial park off Toledo Blade Boulevard.
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4
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  • May 28, 2026
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