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Your Observer

The dust coming off the Lennar Homes construction site on C.R. 675 is causing health and safety concerns for residents.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 1, 2024
Residents fed up with construction dust

Manatee County considers additional requirements for developers clearing land to control dust from their construction sites.

  • East County
  • News
Man claims he was served spiked drinks
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2024
Man claims he was served spiked drinks

A regular patron says a bartender siding with his estranged wife served drinks that made him sick. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch's Grayson Yost and Logan Koehler love participating in the Pinewood Derby. They came up with the theme and design of their cars.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 1, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Cub Scouts prepare for annual Pinewood Derby

The top three winners from six dens will participate in the Manatee District Pinewood Derby.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Unit M-908 L’Ambiance condominium has three bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths and 3,220 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 1, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for April 15-19 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in L’Ambiance tops the week's sales at $5.7 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Cardinal Mooney junior Chris McCorkle (8) sprints downfield against Riverview.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 1, 2024
What to watch as spring football begins in Sarasota

Each of the area's teams has intriguing storylines to follow before summer arrives.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Town of Longboat Key operating hours change permanently
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 1, 2024
Town of Longboat Key operating hours change permanently

The town implemented a pilot program with earlier operating hours. That schedule will remain permanent after the successful test run.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Support Services Director Carolyn Brown will retire from the town of Longboat Key in July.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 1, 2024
Support Services Director Carolyn Brown to retire from town in July

After almost six years with Longboat Key, Brown is ready to move on to one more venture before retiring.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The proposed site of a city-owned attainable housing development across First Street from City Hall. The red X marks the location of the city's credit union office, which will remain.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 1, 2024
Trailblazing city housing plan enters uncharted legal waters

Sarasota Deputy City Attorney Michael Connelly warns of potential legal hurdles as no Florida city has yet to build its own workforce housing development.

  • Sarasota
  • News
That’s one heckuva wrap!
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • May 1, 2024
That’s one heckuva wrap!

Of course, there was fashion, food and fun, but the amount of money donated this year tops the charts as a season standout.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Florida Studio Theatre's Arts Plaza project will be on its five-theater campus in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2024
Florida Studio Theatre receives $4 million gift for Arts Plaza

The grant puts FST's $57 million downtown arts center project on track for a December 2024 groundbreaking.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota High girls track and field sophomore Aubri Antczak.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 30, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Aubri Antczak

The Sarasota High girls track and field sophomore holds the school record in the 3,200-meter run (11:04.22)

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Flynn Berman, 11, breaks the matzah.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 30, 2024
Families celebrate Passover at Temple Emanu-El feast

The event taught the traditions of Passover in an evening featuring costumes, songs, games and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Braden River High sophomore Benecio Claudino and junior Grant Hicks are undefeated as a doubles pair in 2024. This is their first season together as a full-time pair.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 30, 2024
Braden River High boys tennis duo is a pair of aces

Sophomore Benecio Claudino and junior Grant Hicks complement each other's strengths.

  • East County
  • Sports
John H. Marble Park is undergoing major renovations.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 30, 2024
Manatee County funds community initiatives

The Manatee County Commission has approved funding for various initiatives for community organizations, public safety, transportation and more.

  • East County
  • News
New HR director confirmed for Manatee County
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 30, 2024
New HR director confirmed for Manatee County

The Manatee County Commission unanimously confirmed Kate Barnett as human resources director after serving as the department's interim director since June 2023.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 16543 Kendleshire Terrace has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,580 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 30, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for April 15-19 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Kendleshire Terrace tops the week's sales at $2.55 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Braden River High sophomore flag football player Natalie Davis.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 30, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Natalie Davis

The Braden River High flag football sophomore had two TDs and two INTs April 23 against Keswick Christian

  • East County
  • Sports
Joan Elder packing meals
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 30, 2024
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church packs 30,000 meals for Kids Against Hunger

People from all over the area volunteered with the church to provide meals for local food pantries and nonprofits.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's CJ Bannister says her eight years in the Air Force are some of the best years of her life. It instilled in her a heart for service not only to the military but the community.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 30, 2024
Lakewood Ranch veteran honored for service to the military and community

Tidewell Foundation honors U.S. Air Force veteran C.J. Bannister.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The site plan of the new Sarasota County Regional Fire Training Academy, color-coded in phases under current funding.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 30, 2024
Sarasota County fire training academy receives funding approval

The County Commission allocates $43 million to build the first phase of a regional facility.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Elyssa Ackerman, Saleeah Kofar-Naisa and Naomi Flores
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 30, 2024
Christ Church sponsors reading of new children's book

The Sarasota-based authors of "Jamani's Lucky Day" entertained students in the Reading Buddies program at 13th Avenue Dream Center in Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Resident calls for police assistance for ducklings in pool
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 30, 2024
Resident calls for police assistance for ducklings in pool

An officer decided it was best to wait for a trained professional to take care of the small ducks. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The Ringling College Visual Arts Center was designed by Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors of Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 30, 2024
SPAC architect selects Sarasota-based firm as architect of record

Italy-based Renzo Piano Building Workshop has named Sweet Sparkman as its local partner to design a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 30, 2024
Sarasota-Bradenton leads nation in slashing home prices

The rising cost of insurance has pushed some buyers to look outside Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A 10,887-square-foot condominium on Longboat Key has sold for $21.24 million at St. Regis Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 30, 2024
See inside St. Regis Longboat Key ahead of summer opening

General Manager Winfred van Workum details the resort's amenities, and muralist William Savarese outlines how he created the key art piece.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Barbara Jendrysik has participated in every Longboat Key town hall art reception.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 29, 2024
Town of Longboat Key celebrates local artists

The eighth annual town hall exhibit on April 23 gave residents a chance to support 10 Longboat artists whose art hangs in town hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kudos to the St. Regis developers
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 29, 2024
Kudos to the St. Regis developers

A Longboat resident writes that the St. Regis project has been exemplary from start to (almost) finish.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
David Bonci and Commander Ron Evans of Veterans of Foreign Wars Sunshine Post 3233 greet the crowds lining Main Street on May 29, 2023, during the Memorial Day parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 29, 2024
Memorial Day parade set for May 27 in downtown Sarasota

The parade will march down Main Street from Osprey Avenue to J.D. Hamel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota real estate broker pleads guilty to benefits fraud
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • April 29, 2024
Sarasota real estate broker pleads guilty to benefits fraud

Prosecutors say he collected nearly $300K in disability payments while continuing to work.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Garden Club awarded $59,200 to different nonprofit organizations that help to promote environmental conservation.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 29, 2024
LBK Garden Club awards $89,200 in local scholarships and grants

The club hosted its scholarship and grant recipients for an end-of-season picnic on Arbor Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This rendering shows the club's golf course running alongside the Myakka River.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 29, 2024
Exclusive golf course breaks ground in Myakka City

The Miakka Golf Club is being built next to the TerraNova Equestrian Center on Clay Gully Road.

  • East County
  • News
Club Leaf & Bean in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 29, 2024
Cigar club on Longboat Key is now open for its inaugural members

Club Leaf & Bean co-owners Mark Zini and Matt Kaltenberger are close to reaching their max for membership for the new members-only social cigar lounge on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch senior Lucas Anthony lets out a scream after scoring a goal against Venice High on April 27. Anthony had eight goals in the regional quarterfinal win against the Indians.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 29, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse uses internal fortitude to stay alive

The Mustangs have reached the FHSAA Class 2A regional semifinals for the first time.

  • East County
  • Sports
The playground at Tom Bennett park is open. A splash pad will follow in the fall.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 28, 2024
Playground opens at Tom Bennett Park

The playground is accessible to all children, including those with disabilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kindergartners Selah Ortiz and Erick Gonzales-Dimas put their culinary skills to the test as the chefs at the Banana Leaf Restaurant.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2024
Tara Elementary kindergartners serve up smiles at their own restaurant

For one night only, Tara Elementary opened the Banana Leaf Restaurant to give students real-world experiences.

  • East County
  • Schools
Alexander Simon, 1, makes his way across the floor in the Diaper Derby.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 28, 2024
Community Baby Shower helps provide for essential needs

The 2024 Community Baby Shower highlighted services for families while keeping kids entertained with events like the “Diaper Derby.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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