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Your Observer

David Green served on the Planning and Zoning Board for six years.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 28, 2024
Planning & Zoning chair to move from Longboat and board position

David Green spent six years on Longboat Key's Planning and Zoning Board. His resignation, effective in May, was a decision to move closer to family.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota City Hall.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 28, 2024
Learn the basics of Sarasota’s budget process at town hall session

City of Sarasota officials will explain the process of setting the fiscal year 2025 budget.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Higel Marine Park has one of Sarasota County's 13 motorized boat launches.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 27, 2024
Task force formed to address Sarasota's boat dock dilemma

A task force will recommend a solution to the long-standing dilemma of commercial charter boat operators illegally using Sarasota County boat launches and docks to operate fishing and sight-seeing tours.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Scott Kuykendall, Dmitry Polishuk and Tony Shiva
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 26, 2024
Longboat Key Chamber gathers for sold-out Networking at Noon

The monthly networking event, held at Zota Beach Resort, was the first networking opportunity for more than 30 new members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Up to 1,479 new homes coming to the Newtown area
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 26, 2024
Up to 1,479 new homes coming to the Newtown area

The Sarasota County Commission approval paves the way for a major mixed-use development with 25% affordable housing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kathie Williams, Alan Williams, Sheila Loccisano and Barry Levine pose with The Golden Paddle after the Bayfront Park team won the challenge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 26, 2024
Two pickleball groups go head-to-head in first Island Challenge

Players from Bayfront Park and the Longboat Key Club faced off in the first Island Challenge, which both groups hope to continue annually.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 8217 Midnight Pass Road sold for $3.88 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 25, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for April 8-12 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Casey Key home tops the week's sales at $5.6 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Another record collection for Stillpoint Appeal
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 25, 2024
Another record collection for Stillpoint Appeal

Observer article didn't cover adverse effects of growth: Get involved and vote.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Renderings of four general concepts of the new city logo. The one on the bottom has emerged as the favorite among commissioners.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 25, 2024
Commissioners split over whether to ditch David

Although consensus was reached on a concept for a new city of Sarasota logo, whether David is included in the final design remains undecided.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dolores Engelke
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 25, 2024
Longboater knits 2,500 stuffed bears to give away to charity

Dolores Engelke spends about five hours every day knitting to provide stuffed bears stitched with love and comfort.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former Booker High and Central Michigan University defensive lineman Jacques Bristol had 44 total tackles (18 solo), eight tackles for loss, four sacks and five quarterback hits in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 25, 2024
Booker High alum hopes to hear his name called in NFL Draft

Defensive lineman Jacques Bristol believes he can bring run-stopping and leadership to a franchise.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Wind ensemble blows through Peace Presbyterian in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 25, 2024
Wind ensemble blows through Peace Presbyterian in Lakewood Ranch

A talented saxophone musician says the group has exceptionally high standards.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Avenue of Art expands mission of bringing color to the city
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 25, 2024
Avenue of Art expands mission of bringing color to the city

The project in Burns Square now enters its third phase, with 100 sidewalk paintings set to be added to the existing 210 by the end of the month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Safely dispose of prescription drugs Saturday on National Take Back Day
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 25, 2024
Safely dispose of prescription drugs Saturday on National Take Back Day

The Sarasota Police Department partners with the DEA to provide opportunity for residents to rid their homes of unwanted or expired drugs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City budget season begins with fiscal year 2023 recap
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 25, 2024
City budget season begins with fiscal year 2023 recap

Revenue exceeded expenses by $4 million, but the city of Sarasota's 2025 budget must absorb a $3.4 million hike in pension contribution.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By JL Bainbridge Family Wealth Advisors
  • April 25, 2024
What’s Your Personal Inflation Rate?

Inflation is not a one-size-fits-all number.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Construction of a new roundabout at Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place is expected to take nine months to complete.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 24, 2024
Roundabout road closure to begin this weekend

The intersection of Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place will be closed until January 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michael Garey, Cynthia Craig, Svetlana Ivashchenko and Chris Sachs
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 24, 2024
Longboat Kiwanis raise over $100,000 for Children's Guardian Fund

Cynthia Craig and Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko share the impacts that the Lawn Party will have on kids.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Residents line up to get into The Fresh Market on April 24.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 24, 2024
The Fresh Market opens in Lakewood Ranch

More than 100 residents lined up to be the first shoppers in The Green's new store on State Road 70.

  • East County
  • Business
Former Booker High and University of South Florida running back Marlon Mack (25) was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2017.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 24, 2024
A look back on some Sarasota-area NFL stars

Combined, Sarasota's high schools have had 25 players record stats in the NFL.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
  • By Stacy Haas, Michael Saunders & Company, (941) 587-4359
  • April 24, 2024
Just Listed: 16905 Clearlake Ave, Lakewood Ranch

Listed by: Stacy Haas, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist | Contact: (941) 587-4359 | [email protected] | Brokerage: Michael Saunders & Company

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Every space in La Chic Bohème is artistically designed, such as the tile.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 24, 2024
Spa retreat featuring salt room, infrared sauna opens in Waterside Place

La Chic Bohème perseveres through construction delays to offer a unique experience.

  • East County
  • Business
Ianna Guedes and Lucia Moretta add a treatment to their bacteria. The Giving Challenge has helped meet the needs of students at Sarasota High School's MaST Research Institute.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 24, 2024
Giving Challenge lends helping hand to Sarasota County nonprofits

The fundraising event, which spans four counties, helped once again to strengthen nonprofits in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The St. Armands Garage, one of four city-owned parking garages, opened in April 2019.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 24, 2024
Free parking in Sarasota garages reduced to one hour

City commissioners codified final items of Sarasota's paid parking plan update, including shortening the two-hour grace period in city-owned parking decks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Unit 1A1 condominium in Vizcaya sold for $5 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 24, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for April 8-12 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Vizcaya tops the week's sales at $5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Capt. Josh Dillard (Officer of the Year) and firefighter Jason Morrow (Firefighter of the Year) were honored by East Manatee Fire Rescue April 15.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 24, 2024
East Manatee Fire Rescue presents top awards

Longtime friends and co-workers Josh Dillard and Jason Morrow were honored for their service.

  • East County
  • News
Neighbor shines a light on a nearby party
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 24, 2024
Neighbor shines a light on a nearby party

A man shining his headlights in an attempt to disrupt a nuisance outdoor party ends up with a dent from a beer bottle. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Gardeners Out East members Carolyn Lowry-Nation, Nancy Schneider and Melodie Friedebach stand by the Gold Star Memorial installed by the club at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 24, 2024
Gold Star Memorial to be dedicated at Lakewood Ranch Library

Gardeners Out East will hold the dedication ceremony on May 4.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A site map of the proposed expansion of Payne Park Auditorium shows the existing building in gray and the new structure in yellow surrounded by 59 parking spaces.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 24, 2024
Second suitor emerges to lease Payne Park Auditorium

Hispanic/Latino organization UnidosNow pitches the city on a proposal to occupy the city-owned building as The Sarasota Players' plan works its way through staff scrutiny.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Back: Commissioner Penny Gold, Commissioner Gary Coffin, Commissioner B.J. Bishop, Commissioner Debra Williams, Commissioner Sarah Karon. Front: Vice Mayor Mike Haycock, Mayor Ken Schneier
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 24, 2024
Potential Longboat projects include flooding fixes, new rec center

At the latest strategic planning retreat, Longboat Key town commissioners talked about future major projects and reviewed the town’s initiatives for 2025-2026.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The purple line running from the Key to the orange dot represents the town-owned wastewater pipeline.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 24, 2024
Cost increase for sewer main project presents challenge for Longboat

The project rose in cost by about $8 million and would replace the subaqueous line underneath Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Crews drop a deep-cover reef module into Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 24, 2024
Artificial reefs create habitat in Sarasota Bay for juvenile fish

During the week of April 22, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program deployed 24 concrete artificial reefs as a part of a $150,000 program aimed at providing habitat for fish.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Riverview High baseball sophomore Caiden Cabral.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 24, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Caiden Cabral

The Riverview High baseball sophomore had two big games April 18-19.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
An attack on religion?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 24, 2024
An attack on religion?

A new Biden rule on immigration is forcing thousands of foreign-born clergy to leave their churches, temples and synagogues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Crooked River Ranch sits along the Manatee River and is the first property that was recommended by ELMAC and also purchased by the county.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 23, 2024
Manatee County awarded $5 million for conservation purchase

Commissioners approved the purchase of Crooked River Ranch in December 2023.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High senior Corin Mohammadbhoy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 23, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Corin Mohammadbhoy

The Braden River High girls track and field senior won the triple jump at the Palmetto Invitational.

  • East County
  • Sports
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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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