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Your Observer

Mote staff and interns carry Lil' Dougie to the water.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 13, 2024
Sea turtle rescued by county employee released on Siesta Beach

Named after the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office employee who rescued her, Lil’ Dougie was released after receiving care at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the St. Regis Longboat Key, set to open this summer.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 13, 2024
St. Regis Longboat Key to be unveiled Aug. 16 for soft opening

The resort will hold an unveiling ceremony for the local community on Friday, followed by a soft opening ahead of its official opening in late September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Concession home at 19424 Ganton Ave. sold for $2.5 million. 19424 Ganton Ave. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,346 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 13, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for July 29-Aug. 2 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Ganton Avenue tops Lakewood Ranch sales at $2.5 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Don't let mistruths spread about SMH distract from hospital board's real issues
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 13, 2024
Don't let mistruths spread about SMH distract from hospital board's real issues

The chair of the Sarasota County Hospital Board debunks claims made about SMH during election season.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Ryan Reid said The Sports Farm is for athletes dedicated to getting to the highest levels of their sport.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 13, 2024
The Sports Farm wants to be a one-stop shop for elite athletes

The facility in Lakewood Ranch is co-founded by former MLB relief pitcher Ryan Reid.

  • East County
  • Sports
Police investigate truck that drove away with gas pump hose
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 13, 2024
Police investigate truck that drove away with gas pump hose

A gas station employee reported a truck caused property damage after driving away with the hose and nozzle still in the truck. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Joan Leonard, the community liaison for Suncoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch, hopes the shelves can be fully stocked with blood for the next hurricane.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 13, 2024
SunCoast Blood Centers looks for donations

Hurricane Debby further depleted the nonprofit's inventory, which already has yet to return to pre-COVID-19 donations.

  • East County
  • News
Alejandra Cintron Rivera (left) and Ella Satterfield (right) help film the short documentary about Sister Keys featuring Rusty Chinnis (center).
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 13, 2024
Ringling College to release documentaries about Longboat nonprofits

As part of a growing program, students with the college created a series of short films highlighting local environmental stewardship efforts.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Nathan Russell is working to develop a partnership to have his coffee cart, Traveling Bard Coffee, weekly at Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 13, 2024
Traveling Bard Coffee serves Lakewood Ranch and surrounding areas

Owner Nathan Russell makes dream of being a barista a reality with a traveling coffee cart.

  • East County
  • Business
This bridge over Sand Branch Creek was one of two private bridges that were destroyed by flooding on Jason and Summer Thurber's property on Waterline Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 13, 2024
Swollen Sand Branch Creek batters east Bradenton residents

The water surge from Hurricane Debby caused over $125,000 in damages and left sinkholes in its path.

  • East County
  • News
Debbie Murphy and Dr. Mindy Ward
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 13, 2024
New Longboat doctor provides personalized care for all aspects of life

Dr. Mindy Ward joined Reed Medical Group to make women’s health care more accessible and encourage healthy aging through lifestyle changes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota City Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 13, 2024
Commissioners mull how to replace city attorney

Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier and Deputy City Attorney Michael Connolly are retiring next spring; likely replacements are current law firm partners.

  • Sarasota
  • News
New Pilates club opens in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2024
New Pilates club opens in Lakewood Ranch

Club Pilates opened on Aug. 12 in the Center Point Plaza at the corner of University Parkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

  • East County
  • Business
Sarasota's iconic "Mermaid Fountain" has been included in the Smithsonian Institution's collection of public artworks.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2024
Smithsonian adds Sarasota's 'Mermaid Fountain' to its public art collection

The iconic downtown fountain will be honored by the city of Sarasota at a Sept. 13 ceremony.

  • Arts + Culture
Fifth graders Miranda Morales Briceno and Janyl Alvarado Hernandez wear special back-to-school glasses in fifth grade science teacher Justine Holcomb's class at Tuttle Elementary.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Petra Rivera
  • August 12, 2024
Sarasota students return to school

The first day of school around Sarasota was Aug. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ringling College of Art and Design.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2024
Symposium kicks off Ringling College AI program

The new certificate program at Ringling College of Art and Design will help students employ artificial intelligence in a variety of disciplines.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Cristina Campbell and Kevin Campbell have mixed feelings about sending their daughter Charlotte Campbell to kindergarten, but they're comforted that her brother, Bryson Campbell, is across the hall in first grade.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2024
5 things to know as Manatee County students return to school

There are some new initiatives and programs starting this school year after students returned Aug. 12.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota Yacht Club built a playhouse for a Harvest House campus.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 12, 2024
Sarasota Yacht Club builds a playhouse for Harvest House

Club members teamed up to fund and build a playhouse for children who live at Harvest House campuses.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High running back Cullen McRae (23) and quarterback Liam Fernandez (28) will both get chances to shine in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 12, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High football wants to see growth in 2024

Head Coach Scott Paravicini said the Mustangs can succeed despite their inexperience.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jing Wu, Savana Byrne and Mei-Li Thompson
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 12, 2024
Collectibles and characters abound at SarasotaCon

Attendees showcased their love of pop culture at the event, which also featured vendors and special offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Audit machines won't be used, but voting will carry on as usual for the primary election on Aug. 20.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 12, 2024
Manatee County's new vote audit machines stalled until November election

The primary election will follow the old protocol and be audited by a hand count.

  • East County
  • News
Regarding the Longboat Key library proposal
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 12, 2024
Regarding the Longboat Key library proposal

A reader writes that Sarasota County library on Longboat Key is a mistake.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Michael Bodnyk, Monica Sirocchi, Kenneth Bowermeister, Andrii and Yurii Padkovskyi
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 11, 2024
St. Armands Lutheran host Strings Con Brio to kickstart free concert series

The Midsummer Music on the Circle series aims to make arts and culture more accessible to the public.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Aquatic exercise offers a host of benefits for "vintage bodies," including low-impact resistance training, stress relief and cardiovascular fitness.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • August 11, 2024
The way of water: How aquatic exercise can benefit seniors

Aqua workouts are easy on joints, relief stress and can improve strength and cardiovascular fitness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Siesta Key legal arguments based on longstanding laws
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 11, 2024
Siesta Key legal arguments based on longstanding laws

A reader weighs in on the upcoming Sarasota County Commission election and development on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
In addition to benefiting native flora and fauna, wetlands within and upstream of urban areas are particularly valuable for flood protection.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • August 11, 2024
Myakka wetlands reduce downstream flooding

By containing waters, flooding in the park supports natural and human communities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch resident Willow Reilly shows off her athleticism at the Toddler Olympics at Lakewood Ranch Library on Aug. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 10, 2024
Competition heats up at the Lakewood Ranch Library Toddler Olympics

About 15 area toddlers ran an obstacle course to earn medals.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
City Furniture will open a 120,000-square-foot showroom in UTC's East District by summer 2025.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 10, 2024
Furniture store going big and green at University Town Center

City Furniture will open a 120,000-square-foot showroom in UTC's East District by summer 2025.

  • East County
  • Business
The Humane Society of Sarasota County wants to purchase a 1.6-acre city-owned site to create a dog walking path. The bottom portion of the site is a Sarasota County stormwater retention easement.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 10, 2024
Humane Society moves closer to buying city lot for dog-walking path

More than half of a 1.6-acre city-owned site adjacent to the Humane Society of Sarasota County is under a stormwater retention easement. The rest would be a walking path.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Flooding near the dock on Linley Street.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 10, 2024
Full scope of Debby’s damage still to be determined, Longboat officials say

A preliminary assessment estimates that 35-40 structures were damaged by flooding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Island Chapel members bring lunch to the Longboat Key Fire Department.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 9, 2024
Longboat Island Chapel treats Longboat firefighters to lunch

Every summer, the chapel shows its appreciation to first responders by bringing them food throughout their busy days.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tweaks made to Longboat’s final recommended budget for FY25
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 9, 2024
Tweaks made to Longboat’s final recommended budget for FY25

The final recommended budget for fiscal year 2025 included changes in revenue and some expenditures ahead of the next budget meetings on Sept. 9.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Christine Monachos celebrates her hole-in-one.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 8, 2024
MVP Sports and Social brings big fun to mini golf in Sarasota

Participants meet new people while working on their mini golf game.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 2157 Wisteria St. has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,237 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 8, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for July 22-26 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey

A Grovelawn home on Wisteria Street tops the week's sales at $1.84 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
10-year-old Kylie Ung, 12-year-old Isaiah Edwards, 11-year-old Isariah Edwards and 13-year-old Isaialyah Edwards at the 2023 Sarasota County Fair.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 8, 2024
Fairgrounds operator calls aging site a valuable community asset

Despite failed efforts to redevelop and improve the site, Rory Martin says county should appreciate its value "instead of poking fun at us."

  • Sarasota
  • News
On the left, the canopy of the worst-scoring site in Suncoast Waterkeeper's new mangrove survey. On the right, healthy mangroves at the survey's reference site.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 8, 2024
Mangroves are healthier when allowed to grow naturally, research shows

Suncoast Waterkeeper’s pilot study will help advocate for stricter enforcement of mangrove protection regulations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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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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