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Your Observer

After a fun filled night at Boo Fest on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Bradenton's Lennox Craig, 3, is all smiles dressed as one of the 101 dalmations.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 25, 2025
Plenty of Boo for you in Lakewood Ranch

BooFest brings princesses, animals, minions and more to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gene Witt Elementary School pre-K student Daniel Gordon was joined by his mother Christina Gordon for the field trip to the Soar Lab on Oct. 21. The manatee sensory wall provides children an opportunity to feel different textures.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 25, 2025
Manatee County students can soar at new early-learning skills lab

The Soar Lab is geared for children in Pre-K to third grade and offers an abundance of learning activities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Flooding in the area of Celery Fields caused by Tropical Storm Debby in 2024.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 25, 2025
Housing development near Celery Fields returns to mediation

The Sarasota County Commission rejected a settlement that would have required a new look at slimmed-down proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jon Mongeau and Lita and John Brannan accept the award for Emerging Business of the Year on Oct. 23 at the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce 2025 membership awards banquet at Lido Beach Resort.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 24, 2025
Longboat chamber awards highlight business recovery

Business leaders celebrated their ability to rebound and recover from the 2024 hurricanes as the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce handed out 13 awards Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cutting care at home: A looming crisis in Florida
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • October 24, 2025
Cutting care at home: A looming crisis in Florida

Since 2019, over 173,000 patients have lost access to home health across the state of Florida, with 37% in the area losing care promised to them.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is rated sixth best in Florida by Newsweek's Best-in-State 2025 rankings.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2025
Sarasota Memorial Hospital ranked among best in Florida

SMH-Sarasota is ranked the No. 6 hospital in Florida among Newsweek's Best-in-State 2025 list.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carved Crafted Sandwiches, located at Waterside Place, will serve hot and cold sandwiches, salads, bowls, soups, beer and wine. They will also have grab and go items.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 24, 2025
Gourmet sandwich shop to open in Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch

Owned and operated by Mark and Carrie Botros, Carved Crafted Sandwiches makes its debut early in November.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Overhead utility lines behind commercial buildings on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 24, 2025
Sarasota advances plan to bury utility lines on St. Armands, Lido keys

With strong support demonstrated to bury utilities on the barrier islands and enhance lighting in a mainland neighborhood, the City Commission directs staff to proceed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Michael Saunders & Company
  • October 23, 2025
For Sale: 16416 Clearlake Ave, Lakewood Ranch

This custom Todd Johnston home is on a prime 0.67-acre lot with southern lake views from the lanai and Linear Park right outside your front door.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Ann Lord Weber (1938-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • October 23, 2025
Ann Lord Weber

Ann Lord Weber, (nee Lugg), from Bird Key Sarasota, Florida, passed peacefully from this world into the arms of her Savior, Jesus, on Monday, October 6, 2025 at her Sarasota Bay Club residence.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Commissioner Bob McCann has looked into the possibility of a hiring freeze in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 23, 2025
DOGE witch-hunt haunts Manatee County

Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia's press conference smacks of a political ploy.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 23, 2025
Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires

Jay Romine served 33 years in law enforcement and over 12 years as a director at MTC in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Schools
Constitutional open carry ruling brings confusion, extra security
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 23, 2025
Constitutional open carry ruling brings confusion, extra security

The presence of officers armed with long guns in Sarasota City Hall meetings is just one of the changes of the overturned Florida ban on open carry of guns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The first property at 1714 Irving St. was built in 2012 and has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,718 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 2012 and has one bedroom, one bath and 797 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 23, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 6-10 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A two-property sale on Irving Street tops the week's sales at $3.8 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Elijah Golden poses for a photo on Oct. 17 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. After seasons with King George (VA) and IMG Academy, he's found a home with Cardinal Mooney, and has helped the squad to the state's No. 1 overall ranking.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 23, 2025
4-star recruit buoys a power defense for Cardinal Mooney football

Senior defensive end Elijah Golden is bound for Notre Dame in the spring following his second season with the Cougars.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
MJ Price competed in the Face of Halloween contest, which involves fans of the holiday from across North America.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 23, 2025
Laurel Park resident places in national Halloween contest

MJ Price competed in the Face of Halloween contest, which involves fans of the holiday from across North America.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
There were pumpkins aplenty at the festival.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 23, 2025
Get ready to trick or treat on the Circle

St. Armands Circle will soon be making a haunting transformation into a family-friendly Halloween venue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The campus of the Hermitage Artist Retreat on Oct. 10, 2024, the day after Hurricane Milton made landfall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 23, 2025
Arts organization declines county's damage restoration ultimatum

Hermitage Artist Retreat opts to have Sarasota County repair the campus it leases rather than take a lump sum to make repairs and assume liability.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jim Stanard
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 23, 2025
Bird Key resident finds post-retirement success as folk musician

Trading in numbers for notes, Sarasota's Jim Stanard released his album "Magical" in January of this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By World Class Dentistry
  • October 23, 2025
World Class Dentistry: Four Decades of Innovation. One Family. One Mission.

In a world of corporate dentistry, World Class Dentistry stands apart as a family-owned, patient-focused practice guided by decades of excellence. Discover how one Sarasota family is redefining what it means to care for a smile.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Flooding in Pinecraft during 2024's Hurricane Debby prompted an emergency response.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 22, 2025
Phillippi Creek dredging will begin soon to alleviate flood threats

With permits and contracts finalized, work smoothing the flow of drainage is soon to start.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paige Hernandez leads students.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 22, 2025
Tuttle Elementary gets moving with hip-hop educational theater

Performing artists and educator Paige Hernandez, the current artist in residence with Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, visited the school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Children will have two free Halloween-themed events they can attend this week hosted by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and East Manatee Fire Rescue.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 22, 2025
Sheriff's Office, East Manatee Fire Rescue to host Halloween events

The two free events, at the Sheriff's Operations Center in Bradenton and Station 1 in Lakewood Ranch, will have goodies and activities for kids.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Recently completed at The Bay is the pedestrian promenade along North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 22, 2025
The Bay moves ahead with Phase 3 of park developments

The Bay Park Conservancy has secured a funding plan with the Sarasota City Commission and County Commission to proceed with design and construction on the third phase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Despite choppy conditions, the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees finished last Sunday's show with a grand finale three-tier pyramid.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 22, 2025
Catch the Ski-A-Rees before winter break

The family tradition continues with third-generation performers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Solid dosage medications, (prescription and over the counter) such as tablets and capsules, are accepted. Liquids and needles will not qualify.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 22, 2025
Medication drop-off set Saturday at Sarasota Sheriff's Office, Police Department

The events are aimed at raising awareness of properly disposing of unwanted medications.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Junior Max Taken and sophomore Carter Atwood of Berkeley Prep are on the tail of senior Tyren Wortham of Booker High School.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 22, 2025
More than just talent has produced winning Booker football

The Tornadoes have hit their stride at 7-1 entering Week 10 by embodying "mutuality."

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Darian Sanders uses his passion and experience of performing to inspire students at Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 22, 2025
'Lion King' star inspires Lakewood Ranch High students

Darian Sanders spent five years traveling on the Broadway tour of "The Lion King" and uses his experience to inspire students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Woman wants HOA to leave her bamboo alone
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 22, 2025
Woman wants HOA to leave her bamboo alone

Calling them emotional support plants a woman says her HOA is damaging bamboo. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Dave Tomasko, outgoing executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, has always appreciated maintaining a close connection with the area's waterways. Now, he is returning to the private sector.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 22, 2025
Outgoing estuary program director proud of work on waterways

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko is proud of how he's helped improve local waterways and now looks to make broader systemic changes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A car carrier sits in the median of Gulf of Mexico Drive Tuesday, Oct. 14. Many seasonal residents fly down and have their cars shipped on carriers to Longboat Key, and the return of the car transporters has become known as one of the first signs of the more busy winter season.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 22, 2025
Longboat businesses optimistic for better season from visitors

The snowbirds are returning, and their dollars extend a lifeline for businesses that rely on the season to make up for a summer lull.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Brooke Pavek (left) and Xochitl Napoles (right) skate down the path at Nathan Benderson Park on Oct. 18. Both will be active in this year's marathon.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 22, 2025
Florida Inline Skating Marathon celebrates fifth anniversary in Sarasota

The Nov. 8 event at Nathan Benderson Park will be the largest marathon of its kind in the state.

  • East County
  • Sports
The new pavilion and restrooms at Greenbrook Adventure Park are open to the public.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 22, 2025
Pavilion, restrooms open at Greenbrook Adventure Park

More than two years after smoldering fireworks caused the original structure to burn, the replacement is complete.

  • East County
  • News
Mallory Park embraces all things eerie in October.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 22, 2025
Mallory Park of Lakewood Ranch turns creepy — in a good way

The normally quaint neighborhood turns haunted for Halloween.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
District 5 Commissioner Bob McCann votes against approving Manatee County's FY2026 budget.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 22, 2025
Manatee County commissioner calls DOGE audit 'accurate'

Commissioner Bob McCann said it's time to "tighten the belt and cut some people loose."

  • East County
  • News
Two properties at 601 Tyler Drive sold for a combined $3.5 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 22, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 6-10 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Residences at Longboat Key on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week’s sales at $6 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
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Latest News

1
The World of Chucko photo-bombs Dana Dalpra, Lauren Hersh and Tami and Phillip Lanham.
  • December 14, 2025
Sarasota Art Museum steps into Style Moderne for annual Art Bash
2
Joni Hill, Cate Douglas and Gaby Hayashi make their way across the beach.
  • December 14, 2025
Holiday spirit gets moving at Sandy Claws Beach Run
3
  • December 14, 2025
Eat, drink and be merry like you're in a 'Home Alone' movie
4
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
5
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire

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