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Your Observer

John Walsh is the new chief operating officer of Harvest House.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2024
Former SCSO captain named COO of hunger relief, housing nonprofit

Harvest House has named former Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Capt. John Walsh as chief operating officer.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
In 2019, Kim Verreault and her husband moved to Sarasota to be closer to her parents, who have lived in the area for 17 years.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • January 26, 2024
New leader takes the helm of Longboat’s chamber of commerce

Kim Verreault, the new president and CEO of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, is a hands-on leader with a knack for community building.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A condominium in The Phoenix tops sales at $3.3 million. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,785 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 25, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 8-12 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in The Phoenix tops the week's sales at $3.3 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The Cardinal Mooney boys basketball teams wears "Accountability" shirts at practice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 25, 2024
For Cardinal Mooney boys basketball, there are no small roles

The Cougars complement their high-level scorers with gritty competitors unafraid to mix it up under the hoop.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Firefighter/EMT Blaze Belligan climbs the tower.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 25, 2024
Sarasota County fire station stays on top of rescue training

Sarasota County firefighters put their new rope-rescue equipment to the test.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chris Sachs, Sue Wertman, Carol Erker and Captain Jim Curry
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 25, 2024
Kiwanis Club bell-ringers raise $25,000 for Salvation Army

Volunteers from Kiwanis Club, Christ Church and the Rotary Club collected donations outside the Longboat Key Publix during the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jeff Molby plans to cycle 16,000 miles over the next two years, including this leg through Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 25, 2024
Cyclist pedals to find volunteers to support cancer patients

Jeff Molby's cycling adventure to benefit cancer patients takes him through Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sarasota prioritizes 10 transportation projects for decades ahead
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 25, 2024
Sarasota prioritizes 10 transportation projects for decades ahead

The city projects, which include a redesign of Main Street, pedestrian and cyclist upgrades for Ringling Bridge and a new roundabout, have the potential to transform how residents get around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Two SMH leaders named to statewide boards
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2024
Two SMH leaders named to statewide boards

Jennifer Sweeney and Britt Riner have been appointed to councils that will help guide health care for Florida residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A guide to the birds to spot each month in Sarasota
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 25, 2024
A guide to the birds to spot each month in Sarasota

When and where to find the bird of the month (and how to identify them), according to local experts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Construction continues on a new residence hall and student center being built on USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • January 25, 2024
USF's long-awaited Sarasota-Manatee residence hall nearly complete

Building the hall and student center on the small campus proved to be a challenge that officials say is well worth it.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Riverview High girls soccer team celebrates after defeating Sunlake High 2-1 on the road Jan. 22.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 24, 2024
Your guide to Sarasota's high school soccer playoffs

A handful of local teams have a chance to make postseason runs.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
What was once the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch's administration building now sits empty.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 24, 2024
Lease termination settlement costs Manatee County $375,000

Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, a child and family services nonprofit, originally requested $2.96 million in compensation after its lease was terminated.

  • East County
  • News
  • By JL Bainbridge Family Wealth Advisors
  • January 24, 2024
Don’t Let Medicare Missteps Wreck Your Retirement

With the right tools and guidance from a financial advisor, you could avoid the most common and costly mistakes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Mashara Mirtolooi performs "To Error is Human."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 24, 2024
Music Compound songwriters showcase original compositions

Songwriters Showcase allowed students of all ages to perform their own compositions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball senior Carter Jula.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 24, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Carter Jula

The Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball senior leads the Cougars in rebounding and is third in scoring.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
In awe of the Ora
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • January 24, 2024
In awe of the Ora

Taking a gamble on the lack of event space in Sarasota, the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee seems to have a winning bet with its new venue, the Ora.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Man calls police to make his ex-wife stop yelling
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2024
Man calls police to make his ex-wife stop yelling

Officers were asked to get involved because an ex-husband feared an argument could escalate into violence. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The New to You Art Sale starts Feb. 5.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 24, 2024
Longboat Key church wants your unwanted art

All Angels by the Sea collects donations of art for its annual New to You Art Sale, which supports the nonprofit Turning Points.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Surge U14 rugby player Jesse Kyle makes a tackle on a Wellington ballcarrier.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 24, 2024
Surge rugby in Lakewood Ranch a hit with young athletes

The Surge offers regulation U14, U16 and U19 teams, plus non-tackle U8 and U10 teams.

  • East County
  • Sports
En Provence on Longboat Key
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 24, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 8-12 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in en Provence tops the week's sales at $4.7 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Historical frame worth $1.4 million going to auction in Sarasota
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 24, 2024
Historical frame worth $1.4 million going to auction in Sarasota

The world’s most expensive period frame, designed by architect Stanford White, will be auctioned by Sarasota's Helmuth Stone Gallery.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County and City of Bradenton tie bars (1930s)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 24, 2024
Lakewood Ranch author becomes expert on evolution of tie bars

Joseph Harb, a former intelligence expert for the National Security Agency, uses his analytical skills to document his collection.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Emergency Operations Center handles an average of 800 emergency 911 calls per day.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 24, 2024
Despite concerns, Longboat's nonemergency dispatch remains off-Key

After a discussion at the Town Commission workshop, emergency center personnel and town officials said education would be key in navigating resident concerns.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Centre Shops of Longboat Key
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • January 24, 2024
Longboat Key shopping center sells for $7.45 million

The center, which sits on 4.6 acres, is said to be one of the largest parcels on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longboat Police Department, Sarasota County Sheriff and Manatee County Sheriff responded to the double homicide Aug. 4, 2017, at Zota Beach Resort.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 24, 2024
Six-year hunt for Longboat double-homicide suspects heats up

Police recently arrested a second suspect in connection with the 2017 murders at the Zota Beach Resort, but the case still isn't closed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer senior Andrew Scott.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 23, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Scott

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer senior has 10 goals this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Deputy Town Clerk Savannah Cobb (right) swears in Sarah Karon to the District 5 commission seat.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 23, 2024
New Longboat Key commissioner sworn in

Get to know Sarah Karon, the newly appointed District 5 Longboat Key commissioner.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Teen injured in second Sarasota shooting in 4 days
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2024
Teen injured in second Sarasota shooting in 4 days

A shooting occurred Monday evening at 29th Street in Sarasota. One victim has been hospitalized.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Barbara May and Fred Sassen | Michael Saunders & Company
  • January 23, 2024
For Sale: 1233 Hillview Dr, Sarasota

This waterfront masterpiece is just south of downtown’s dining, shopping and cultural arts, walkable to Southside Village’s restaurants and shops, and a short drive to pristine beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
The Empower, Develop, Grow and Educate Program will be held at Manatee Technical College East.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 23, 2024
Life skills program launches for Manatee students with disabilities

The program will prepare students to start on a career path with life skills classes and post-graduation resources.

  • East County
  • Schools
Electric vehicle chargers are often out of commission
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 23, 2024
Electric vehicle chargers are often out of commission

A reader would like to charge his electric vehicle but has found that to be challenging in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
This Lake Club home at 15420 Anchorage Place sold for $6.3 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-three-half baths, a pool and 8,095 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 23, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 8-12 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Anchorage Place tops the week's sales at $6.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Concerned resident reports hand protruding from car trunk
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 23, 2024
Concerned resident reports hand protruding from car trunk

Police were sent to meet with a resident who claimed to see a hand trying to open and close a trunk from the inside. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Waterside resident Bob Smith is collecting donations for the Stillpoint Mission in Bradenton. His goal is $70,381, one dollar more than last year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 23, 2024
Lakewood Ranch resident raises funds again for Stillpoint Mission

Bob Smith raised $70,380 last year during his "Annual Appeal."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brenda Yewell, Mike Cantrell, Gregg Stanley, John Shea, John Harkness, Jeff Hecklau and Robert Geraci
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 23, 2024
Longboat Harbour Yacht Club celebrates Change of Watch ceremony

New officers Jeff Hecklau and Jack Harkness want to educate club members on emergency protocols to ensure their on-water safety.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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