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Your Observer

Upgrades to the pickleball courts at Lakewood Ranch Park cost approximately $250,000.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 13, 2024
Pickleball courts upgraded at Lakewood Ranch Park

Upgrades include a hitting wall, shade structure and lighting.

  • East County
  • News
Third graders Ryan Burchett, Addison Delazzer and Eliana Gabriel show the progress of an oyster rag pot. It starts as a spike with a wooden square covered by a white rag. Then it is covered in cement and placed at the bottom of a river. Oysters attach to the pot and begin filtering water.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2024
Braden River Elementary students celebrate Everglades Week

Students make oyster rag pots for Oyster River Ecology Inc to help the environment.

  • East County
  • Schools
A rendering of one of two buildings planned for affordable and workforce rental housing in Sarasota Station.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 12, 2024
Sarasota Station appears finally to be on track

The attainable housing project has faced 18 years of roadblocks but now will provide 202 workforce housing units and 72 single-family townhomes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Glenn Pearson
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2024
Manatee County Commission District 1: Glenn Pearson

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Jennifer Hamey
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2024
Manatee County Commission District 1: Jennifer Hamey

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Real estate experts say Lakewood Ranch's lifestyle aspect have kept it more of a sellers market as compared to the rest of Sarasota and Manatee counties.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
Sunset Volleyball keeps sand between their toes at Waterside Place

MVP Sports organizes pickup league games every Wednesday night at Waterside in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alan Sprintz
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2024
Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, at-large Seat 1: Alan Sprintz

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Chip Bennett, lead pastor of Grace Community Church in Lakewood Ranch, says his church sees 4,000 worshippers on a typical Sunday during season.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 12, 2024
Churches mirror huge growth in Lakewood Ranch

Faith communities say rapid expansion is a blessing and a challenge

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Britta Rhode, Jimmy Rhode, Karissa Rhode and Ellerie Rhode believe Lakewood Ranch is their forever home.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2024
Families grow with Lakewood Ranch: The Rhodes

Jimmy and Karisa Rhode moved to the area from snowy Minnesota and never looked back.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Derek and Stephanie Schmitt, Kirsten (Schmitt) and Trevor Lovett, and Bob and Charleen Schmitt stand in front of Bob and Charleen's Summerfield home.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
Families grow with Lakewood Ranch: The Schmitts

From first baby to larger families, the Schmitt family has grown on the Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Karen and Malcolm Ronney have operated The Granary since August 2015.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2024
The Granary remains a Lakewood Ranch breakfast and lunch staple

Karen and Malcolm Ronney found Lakewood Ranch to be the perfect place to host their business ventures.

  • East County
  • Business
Chief Nursing Officer Judy Young, surgeon Samuel Yelverton, CEO Andy Guz and Director of Quality and Accreditation Malou Kaseta enjoy working at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
LWR Medical Center maintains small-town feel, offers advanced care

The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center opened 10 years after Schroeder-Manatee Ranch started building Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Division Chief Bob Mikulski, Administrative Officer Stephen Beecher and Chief Lee Whitehurst work out of Station 1 on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
SMR ignited trust for fire district growth

In 1994, there was only one fire station. Now, East Manatee Fire Rescue has 10 stations and a training tower.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Olivia Escorcia, 7, and Marco Escorcia, 5, meet the Easter Bunny at Eggstravaganza.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2024
Community Activities makes connections by focusing on smaller gatherings

Quality and intentional connections are key to the nonprofit's successful growth.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Faculty and staff spell out "ODA" to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Out-of-Door Academy's upper school in 1995 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2024
The Out-of-Door Academy expands with Lakewood Ranch

From dirt roads to school expansion, ODA's "crazy" idea to open its upper school in Lakewood Ranch continues to pay off 28 years later.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lifestyle investments by SMR brought entertainers such as Sheri Nadelman to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch to make life just a little brighter.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
SMR takes harder path toward Lakewood Ranch success

Investments in lifestyle and conservation pay off in the long run for SMR.

  • East County
  • Opinion
SMR Senior Vice President Laura Cole talks about Lakewood Ranch's accomplishments over 30 years.
  • By Laura Cole
  • September 12, 2024
Celebrating 30 years

Lakewood Ranch represents our legacy of vision and community building.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The runners sprint away at the start of the Run for the Beads 5K at Waterside Place. Funds for the race support area nonprofits through the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
Nonprofits play key role in Lakewood Ranch's growth

A small-town feel prompts newcomers to immerse themselves in the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Construction is underway for fixed-base operator Sheltair. The grass area between the sign and the construction is the future location of Swiss-based aircraft manufacturer Pilatus.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 12, 2024
SRQ systematically develops an aviation ecosystem

Aircraft builder Pilatus is the latest addition to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport's strategic business diversification plan.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney indoor volleyball senior Zoe Kirby, senior Izzy Russell and junior Layla Larrick are confident in the team's ability to make a deep postseason run.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2024
Cardinal Mooney High indoor volleyball uses speed to its advantage

Under first-year Head Coach Allan Knight, the Cougars are winning with quickness.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Unit 701 at 128 Golden Gate Point has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,000 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 12, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 26-30 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A condominium at 128 Golden Gate Point tops the week's sales at $3.1 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The Sarasota City Commission will decide on a final resolution to create an ad-hoc downtown master plan update committee in an upcoming meeting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 12, 2024
Sarasota downtown plan update committee starting to take shape

Categories were selected for the composition of an ad-hoc committee to advise the city on updating its two-decade-plus-old downtown master plan.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Children First
  • September 12, 2024
Children First Fall Events

Join Children First at Flip Flops & Fashion on October 30 and Rockin’ Lobster on November 2.

  • Arts + Entertainment
Sponsored Content
Incumbent tax collector addresses budget claims
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 11, 2024
Incumbent tax collector addresses budget claims

Barbara Ford-Coates writes to debunk claims about her budget and operations as Sarasota County tax collector.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Riverview High indoor volleyball senior Gabrielle Meese.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 11, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Gabrielle Meese

The Riverview High indoor volleyball senior leads the Rams in kills.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Longboat Key swans Chuck and Lydia
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 11, 2024
Beloved swan dies on Longboat Key

Longboat Key Swan Keeper David Novak reported that Chuck, the father of the most recent swan cygnets, died Sept. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The color guard, including Cpl. Christopher Short and Cpl. Antonio Martinez (pictured) march in the ceremony.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2024
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee remembers Sept. 11, 2001

The country's unity following the events of 9/11 was the theme of the ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key's water and wastewater utilities are operated through Manatee County.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 11, 2024
Commissioners approve utility rate increases to pay for upcoming projects

Longboat Key town commissioners unanimously supported a new five-year utility rate increase schedule.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sari Lindroos-Valimaki
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2024
Manatee County Commission District 7: Sari Lindroos-Valimaki

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Amy and Dave Sessions traveled throughout the world together during their 40 years of marriage.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2024
Heartbreaking loss for Lakewood Ranch community

Amy Sessions cherished her family and helped others from behind the scenes.

  • East County
  • News
Joseph Di Bartolomeo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2024
Manatee County Commission District 5: Joseph Di Bartolomeo

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Sara Mackey and Sheila Monaghan at Le Macron French Pastries on the St. Armands Breakfast Tour.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 11, 2024
Walking tour company provides tasteful experience at St. Armands Circle

Key Culinary Tours educates patrons about Sarasota's cuisine and rich history.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lake Club residents rally together to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in 2023.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2024
LWR-area communities unite to raise money for breast cancer research

Residents in University Park, Lake Club, Rosedale and others strive to raise thousands for cancer research.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lucy Tobias walks in her garden.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2024
Author Lucy Tobias describes the joys of exploring nature at a slow pace

Tobias just released "Floating in Florida," which takes her enjoyment of Florida into its waters.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unit 244 condominium at 3040 Grand Bay Blvd. has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,369 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 11, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 26-30 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Grand Bay tops the week's sales at $1.45 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch High School senior Addison Shea is vying for a $250,000 scholarship with her STEM video.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High senior vying for $250,000 scholarship

Addison Shea created a STEM-focused video to land herself in the top 30 of an international scholarship competition.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest News

1
'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key
  • June 2, 2026
'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key
2
As a junior last season, Jayla Griffin led the Cougars in points, rebounds and assists per game en route to the FHSAA Class 3A-Region 2 semifinals.
  • June 2, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Jayla Griffin
3
This Country Club Village home at 13318 Palmers Creek Terrace sold for $3.2 million. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 5,874 square feet of living area.
  • June 2, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for May 18-22 in Lakewood Ranch
4
Several residents report checks mailed from the post office in Lakewood Ranch have been stolen and washed.
  • June 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Post Office mail theft investigation continues
5
Lido Shores Property Owners Association board members, including President Michelle Swartz, Vice President Jon Tilkemeier, Tom Fitzgerald and Jan Farber, joined team members from New Pass Dock & Seawall, including Co-Owner Jonathon Sisler, President and Co-Owner Todd Wagner and Sales Manager Matt Billib, to break ground on a new beachside pavilion to replace one destroyed by the 2024 hurricanes.
  • June 2, 2026
Lido Shores breaks ground rebuilding meeting space

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