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Your Observer

Richard and Caitlin Green say his goal for years has been to run for office.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2024
District 72 candidate Richard Green hopes to mix things up

Richard Green says he will bring new ideas to serve his constituents.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High senior running back CJ McRae II.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 28, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: CJ McRae II

The Lakewood Ranch High senior running back is set for a big 2024.

  • East County
  • Sports
A proposed cross-section of 10th Street between Central and Lemon avenues.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 28, 2024
Complete streets projects await federal grant approval

At 60% design, the city of Sarasota is ready to move forward to the design-built stage of 10th Street and Boulevard of the Arts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 14810 Secret Harbor Place has three bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 3,987 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 28, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for May 13-17 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Foremast Place tops the week's sales at $2.55 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Commodore Steve Horton, Vice Commodore Michael Landis and Rear Commodore Tony Britt
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 28, 2024
Bird Key Yacht Club honors the fallen on Memorial Day

Commodore Steve Horton led a solemn presentation with a local singer, bagpiper and the Navy Junior ROTC.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man calls police about workers possibly using the wrong saw
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 28, 2024
Man calls police about workers possibly using the wrong saw

A resident reported the workers, whose saw was spewing dust into the wind. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Amy Steinhauser will ring the gong to center everyone during a sound bath.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 28, 2024
Paradise Center director leads sound bath for stress release

Amy Steinhauser plays varied sound frequencies to help Longboaters let go of tension and pain in their lives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Waterfront at Main Street has six and seven story buildings.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 28, 2024
Skyward development trend won't stop Manatee's eastern sprawl

As the Comprehensive Plan is updated, building higher is likely, but the market will continue to demand single-family homes.

  • East County
  • News
Liliana William and Miguel Gomez participate by motorcycle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 27, 2024
Memorial Day Parade marches in honor of fallen service members

Bringing together veterans and local organizations, Sarasota's parade remembered those who gave all.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nancy Rozance congratulating Captain Robert Bourque on being Manatee County Hundred Club’s 2023 Officer of the Year.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 27, 2024
Rotary Club of Longboat Key provides free lunch for first responders

The Big Blue Grilled Cheese Co. food truck provided gourmet grilled cheeses for first responders to enjoy after a morning of keeping Longboat safe.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High junior Sam Obine-Galvin (middle) will row at his first USRowing Youth Nationals at Nathan Benderson Park June 6-9 in the Sarasota Crew first varsity boys 8+ boat.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 27, 2024
Sarasota Crew rowers set for Youth Nationals

The USRowing event will descend onto Nathan Benderson Park on June 6-9.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jean Myers, Ralph Pusheck, Barbara DiPalma and Susan O'Brien are most concered with the traffic impacts a residential complex would have on the intersection of Tara Boulevard and State Road 70.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 27, 2024
Tara residential development proposal doesn't pass commission

Residents opposed a residential project proposed for the intersection of Tara Boulevard and State Road 70.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota 4-year-old Alona Hymel is in fashion, sporting the beads she collected at the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 26, 2024
Lakewood Ranch salutes veterans with annual parade

Thousands attended the Tribute to Heroes at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Art by John Grammer
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 26, 2024
Artists showcase varied media at St. Armands Fine Art Festival

From stainless steel to international jewelry, the fest hosted artisans from around the world to share their unique work and stories.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
In July 2023, Program Coordinator Lindsey May holds a pair of sneakers that were donated during the summer sneaker drive.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 26, 2024
East County nonprofit provides clothes, connections to foster children

Local children in foster care can shop for free every month at The Twig.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Boaters anchor near Jewfish Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 26, 2024
If Jewfish Key separated from Longboat Key, what then?

A feasibility study details the challenges that de-annexation of Jewfish Key would present ahead of Town Commission meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Carly Weakland of Veterans Affairs Law walks with Anthony Kuhn and his longtime friend from the U.S. Army, Wayne Robinson.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 25, 2024
Veterans and community members hike in honor of Memorial Day

The ninth annual Memorial Day Hike by SRQ Vets remembered the fallen.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Charles Shortridge, Rosemary McMullen, Caroline Lawrence, Char Young, Jonathan Evans and April Glasco accept grants from the Palm Aire Women's Club on behalf of their respective nonprofits.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 25, 2024
Palm Aire Women's Club donates $9,000 in grants to local nonprofits

Seven nonprofits in Manatee and Sarasota counties receive grants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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
  • May 25, 2024
Repurposing questions remain as Van Wezel panel takes summer break

When the committee reconvenes, it will have additional data to determine the viability of using the building as convention/events space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ryan Abernathy is the first to accept a diploma for the Class of 2024 from Head of School Deb Otey.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 24, 2024
The Out-of-Door Academy students say farewell to high school

The school's largest graduating class looks forward to their next chapter.

  • East County
  • Schools
Firefighter Paramedic Trey Bowlin watches as the Aeromed helicopter lands at Ken Thompson Parkway.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 24, 2024
Inside Longboat Key Fire Rescue's airlift training day

Firefighters sharpen skills in support of the helicopter crews that handle trauma victim transports.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Members of Sarasota County's award-winning Fleet Services team at the NAFA 100 Best Fleets in the Americas awards.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 24, 2024
Sarasota fleet services team ranked among the Americas' best

National Association of Fleet Administrators rates Sarasota County's maintenance team 13th among its top 100 Best Public Fleets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Unit 708 condo in the Bayso Sarasota (left) recently sold for $1,435,000. Built in 2023, the condo has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,589 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 23, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for May 6-10 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

An Oyster Bay Estates home on Camino Real tops the week's sales at $9.3 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Zoning keeps greedy developers in check
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • May 23, 2024
Zoning keeps greedy developers in check

A reader writes that zoning laws ensure equal property rights for all.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Changes in the Sarasota city noise ordinance will prohibit audible amplified sound from inside motor vehicles from traveling more than 25 feet.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 23, 2024
Sarasota tightens restrictions on car music volume

Vehicles' speakers audible from more than 25 feet away would be subject to enforcement under revised ordinance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's Kristi Dorman, 55, was drafted by the Indy Drivers of the National Pickleball League.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 23, 2024
Sarasota pickleball player drafted by National Pickleball League

Kristi Dorman, 55, plays on professional tour for the Indianapolis Drivers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
District 72 candidate Alyssa Gay tells the Lakewood Ranch Republican Club why she is a solid candidate for the Florida House.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 23, 2024
District 72 Republican candidates launch campaigns

Lakewood Ranch Republican Club provides a forum to meet its party's candidates.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Aerial view of Gulfside Road in September 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 23, 2024
Fiscal year kicks off several infrastructure projects for Longboat

Preliminary capital expenses include items like interim beach nourishment, subaqueous force main and wrapping up utilities undergrounding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A conceptional drawing of The Bay shows a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center located on the southwest corner of the what is now the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall parking lot.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 23, 2024
Sarasota inks arts center design pact with architect Renzo Piano

The design agreement tops out at $36.9 million with "off-ramps" along the way. A design concept is due Nov. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brigade Inspector Dan Kennedy and Brigade Commander Rebecca Morgan
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 23, 2024
Sarasota residents gather descendants of Washington's Army

Society of the Descendants of Washington's Army helps people trace their lineage to the patriots who camped at Valley Forge.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's single-family home market has stayed strong despite pressure from increasing mortgage rates.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 23, 2024
Economist calls Sarasota County recession resistant

Any near-term economic downtown should have little effect on tax revenues as the County Commission embarks on budget planning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Arrest made in shooting death of former Sarasota High football player
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2024
Arrest made in shooting death of former Sarasota High football player

Darryl Bernard Brookins, 28, was arrested May 22 in connection with the May 18 fatal shooting of Tommie L. Battie IV.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota School Board advances revised public comment policy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 22, 2024
Sarasota School Board advances revised public comment policy

The policy, which the board plans to discuss at a future meeting, would move general comments to the end of board meetings.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 22, 2024
Longboat homeowners oppose Jewfish Key de-annexation

North-end residents cite environmental and noise concerns as reasons to prevent Jewfish Key from joining unincorporated Manatee County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The School District of Manatee County is making progress on its new K-8 school being built in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 22, 2024
More additions, renovations planned for East County schools

The future of a new high school in Lakewood Ranch is uncertain.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kids and some parents take off from the start line of the 1-mile run on June 5, 2018, at Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2024
Kids' summer runs return to Siesta Key, North Brohard beaches

One-mile runs will be held at Siesta and North Brohard beaches.

  • Siesta 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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