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Your Observer

The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club will host the free event Feb. 7 and will feature butterfly enthusiasts Gilbert Daigneau and Joyce Samsel.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chamber launches summertime internship program
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is connecting students with businesses through InternConnect, a paid summer internship.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork

The Pirates recorded 20 wins in the regular season and hope to continue that success in the postseason.

  • East County
  • Sports
Soccer fight leaves victim's car damaged
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2026
Soccer fight leaves victim's car damaged

A pickup soccer game dispute spilled into a parking lot as one combatant's vehicle was damaged, presumably by an opposing player. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The dredging machine “Clearwater” digs a 13 foot, 180-foot-wide ditch on the bottom of New Pass, using pumps to carry the dredged sediment through miles-long pipes onto the northern end of Lido Key for a renourishment project.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 4, 2026
New Pass dredge clears way for more boat traffic

The Lido Key Beach renourishment project will have another beneficial effect: opening up New Pass to boaters, who will see navigational markers return for the first time in eight years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Local artist Joan Love points out "Tiny Door" installation hidden in plain sight outside the former Apricot Lane Boutique on St. Armands Circle. Her most recent installation can be found outside Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 4, 2026
St. Armands Circle gets new element of whimsy with Tiny Door installation

Local artist Joan Love, creator of Sarasota's iconic Tiny Doors, added her latest creation to a St. Armands salon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah

Sisterhood for Good's Tropical Escape presents the ultimate luau at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 148 Coolidge Drive sold for $4,175,000. Built in 2025, it has six bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,982 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 4, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A John Ringling Estates home on Coolidge Drive tops the week's sales at $4.18 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 4, 2026
Town’s investment portfolio logs solid performance in 2025

In all, the town of Longboat Key has $83.4 million in investments and cash, much from debt issued to the town that it reinvests while large capital projects are planned and executed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres

Conservation easements will protect two Manatee County ranches from future development.

  • East County
  • News
Commisisoner Liz Alpert (right) questions Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle during the hearing about the Bobby Jones clubhouse design as Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch looks on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 4, 2026
Contentious meeting results in pared down golf course clubhouse

Ideologies clashed as a divided Sarasota City Commission votes to pursue a smaller clubhouse at Bobby Jones Golf Club.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 4, 2026
Building safer roads for cyclists worth a discussion in Manatee County

The death of a Village Idiots Cycling Club member leaves the community in shock.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Legislature tackles housing affordability again
  • By Adrian Moore, Christina Mojica, Eliza Terziev
  • February 4, 2026
Legislature tackles housing affordability again

With the introduction of two bills, the state attempts to address underlying issues that increase the costs of developing new homes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm

Homegrown CEO Sarah Firstenberger brings fresh ideas and steady leadership to the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mirabai Holland says “taking charge of your health doesn’t have to feel like getting your teeth drilled.”
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 4, 2026
Longboater knows just how to help others get on the path to wellness

Mirabai Holland's dynamic backstory has many twists and turns. It all leads to one central theme: Just keep moving.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Suspect caught after shooting near Palmer Ranch
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2026
Suspect caught after shooting near Palmer Ranch

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office says the domestic incident sent one person to the hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the new Sarasota Memorial Hospital-North Port.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2026
Solid bond ratings fuel further health care system expansion

Thanks to favorable ratings that cut the cost of borrowing, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is funding more than $1 billion in expansion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 3, 2026
Sarasota veteran helps Marines, Sailors honor those who fought in Operation Swift

Capt. George Phillips told his story to a group of young Marines and Sailors as they visited the site of the military engagement in the Vietnam War.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Temple Beth Israel named Suzan and Barry Friedman as this year's honorees for its 47th annual gala happening this month.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 3, 2026
Longboat Key temple celebrates multigenerational family

Temple Beth Israel named Barry and Suzan Friedman as this year's honorees of its 47th annual gala.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 3, 2026
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters

If the elimination of property taxes is being discussed, school taxes must also be considered for communities such as Longboat Key, a reader says.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Officer Michael Skinner (representing honoree Ron Dixon) of the Sarasota Police Department; Rotary Club president Pam Akins; Lieutenant Bruce King of the Sarasota Police Department; and honoree Gabe Gadah of Sarasota County Fire Department gather together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 3, 2026
Rotary Club of Sarasota hosts first awards ceremony for first responders

The club honored two individuals from the Sarasota Police Department and one from the Sarasota County Fire Department for their service to the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County administrators Corey Stutte, Bryan Parnell, Courtney De Pol and Charlie Bishop speak at a Manatee Chamber of Commerce meeting in December. On Jan. 28, all four spoke to commissioners about a temporary hiring freeze.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 3, 2026
Hiring freeze begins as Manatee County researches effects of tax cuts

County Administrator Charlie Bishop is preparing for possible revenue cuts from the millage and property taxes.

  • East County
  • News
Sutton Odegard is the 2026 FHSAA Class 3A-Region 6 champion in Olympic style for the 119-pound weight class.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 3, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Sutton Odegard

For the first time, the senior for Riverview girls weightlifting is headed to states.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Mary Glass and Zoe Lander have been chosen as the honorees for the “Leadership Spirit Award” and “Young Spirit Award” from the Manatee Community Foundation.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 3, 2026
Two Lakewood Ranch residents honored with Spirit of Manatee awards

Zoe Lander and Mary Glass will be honored at the Spirit of Manatee — The Celebration of Philanthropy event on March 25.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Susan Benjamin, The Education Center's biographical historian who is praised for her engaging presentations about the lives of some of the industry's most famous musicians, turns her attention to Billy Joel, Gene Kelly and Bob Fosse this season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 3, 2026
Education Center dives into the stories and music of Billy Joel

Biographical historian Susan Benjamin teams up with singer Jay O'Brien to celebrate the life and times of the Piano Man at their latest presentation with The Education Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
There was a time when Megan Nugent played internationally for the Republic of Ireland. Now, she's taken to the high school sidelines as a girls soccer coach.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 3, 2026
New coach aims for lofty heights with ODA girls soccer

Dublin, Ireland native Megan Nugent has sustained success for the Thunder in her first year.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Tides of Longboat is one of several condo complexes in Manatee County where the first floor units saw a significantly reduced property tax assessment despite being undamaged by the 2024 hurricanes due to the first floor units’ elevations.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 3, 2026
Manatee County Appraiser promises to fix costly mistake in this year's tax rolls

The town of Longboat Key doesn't know how much an error by the Manatee County Property Appraiser cost it in 2025 tax revenue, estimating it to be at least $500,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Vivienne Pietrunti's porch is a dropoff location for The Lake Club Giving Circle's donation drive.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 3, 2026
Lakewood Ranch neighborhood recycles old items into community grants

The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle partnered with a nonprofit consignment store to fundraise.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 1122 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3.35 million.Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,290 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 3, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue at Waterside home on Blue Shell Loop topped the week’s sales at $3.35 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Woman tried to pay for groceries with a fake $100 bill
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 3, 2026
Woman tried to pay for groceries with a fake $100 bill

Police were called on a woman who tried to use a counterfeit bill who then made an angry phone call to whomever gave her the bill. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Cinthia Peña is the new managing director of CreArte Latino.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2026
CreArte Latino names new full-time managing director

The new role for Cinthia Peña is made possible by a Barancik Foundation grant.

  • Arts + Culture
Brooke Decillis will represent Lakewood Ranch at the FHSAA Class 3A girls weightlifting state championship Feb. 11 at RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 2, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooke Decillis

On a big day at regionals, the senior brought home gold and bronze for Lakewood Ranch girls weightlifting.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ann-Marie Thompson and Cheryl Mulherin, attendees at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild new members luncheon on Jan. 29, applaud the soon-to-be-outgoing board members.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 2, 2026
New Women's Guild members share stories of togetherness

From planning for a Valentine's Day art fest to reviewing scholarship fundraising efforts, guild members prepped for the 2026 season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Christ Church pastor Julia Piermont (standing, left) attended a Lonbgoat Key Planning Board quasi-judicial hearing where the board approved the redevelopment of a neighboring lot into 58 parking spaces.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 2, 2026
Christ Church approved for 58 new parking spaces

The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board voted to allow Christ Church to develop the parcel across the street into a parking lot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The red outline shows where M/I Homes of Sarasota proposed to build 167 homes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 2, 2026
Manatee County commissioners deny 167 homes, 99 put on hold

Commissioners, applicants and residents spent nearly nine hours debating the side-by-side projects.

  • East County
  • News
All city of Sarasota utilities customers will receive installation of these new water meters.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2026
Sarasota to start water-meter replacement project in March

All customers of the city's utilities department will receive new water meters in a $3.86 million project that will take two years to complete.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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