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Your Observer

Five youth sailing teams raced against one another in the first Next Tack regatta on March 21 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron headquarters. The program is a more advanced offshoot of the partnership between Spectrum Sailing and the Sarasota Youth Sailing Squadron that fosters inclusive, peer-based sailing instruction.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 25, 2026
New inclusive sailing program brings big smiles

Spectrum Sailing held its regatta race day March 21 with the Sarasota Youth Sailing, capping an eight-week program of youngsters teaching youngsters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 25, 2026
Saks changes its mind: UTC store will remain open

The parent company, going through bankruptcy, says it has renegotiated its lease terms at The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Silverwings Choir, a Lakewood Ranch club of 40 members, gather at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall every Saturday and sing in Mandarin.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 25, 2026
Silverwings Choir combines Chinese culture and music

The choir was founded in October and brings together singers of all abilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ellenton's Rennee Lux, who will serve as the director for KLA Schools of Lakewood Ranch, is eager to welcome children and families into the new space.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 25, 2026
KLA Schools prepares to open new early learning center in Lakewood Ranch

Currently in construction, KLA Schools of Lakewood Ranch will serve 200 children between the ages of 3 months and 4 years old.

  • East County
  • Schools
Co-owner Chris Carter works with a barista behind the counter of the second location of Sips, which opened at 3172 Gulf of Mexico Drive this month.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Second Sips debuts on Longboat Key

Build-your-own sandwiches and cozy space sets second branch apart from original.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Hank Lebioda shot 17 under par to finish third at the 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 25, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic found an above-par home in Lakewood Ranch

Since the tournament's debut in 2019, it has been a staple of the community calendar.

  • East County
  • Sports
St. Regis Longboat Key Resort installed a stainless steel metal arch on a converted groin extending into the Gulf. Longboat Key town staff asked the hotel to take the arch down because it does not follow town code.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Planning and Zoning Board gives thumbs down to St. Regis arch

The issue of whether to amend the town’s sign code to allow the St. Regis arch will come to the Longboat Key commission with a "no" recommendation from the PZB.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Eddie Abrams stands at the base of his raised lot on Longboat Drive North where he is building his insulating concrete form house. Abrams and his son are both rebuilding on raised lots after Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding on Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Annual report highlights a year defined by rebuilding

The town of Longboat Key issued 2,183 permits for storm damage repairs in the 2025 fiscal year, according to its 2025 annual report.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 601 Triton Bend sold for $3 million. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths, a pool and 3,313 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 25, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 9-13 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Bobwhite Drive tops the week’s sales at $4.9 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Karie Friling (left) was the City Commission's choice for the next city manager following a two-day interview process with five candidates that included a community roundtable session.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2026
Employment contract approved for the next Sarasota city manager

The Sarasota City Commission agrees to terms with Karie Friling as the city's next, and first female, city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch guitarist Chuck Black plays with the Silver Thunder band April 3 at Music on Main.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2026
A rock 'n' roll dream comes true in Lakewood Ranch

Summerfield guitarist lands his biggest gig at Music on Main 44 years after getting his first guitar.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The LECOM Suncoast Classic has averaged about 20,000 fans per year and has given back more than $1 million to the community.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic generates more than $1 million for students and charities

LECOM's Student Scholarship Fund has benefited by more than $700,000 for its Lakewood Ranch campus students.

  • East County
  • Opinion
One martini, one daiquiri and three beers
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 25, 2026
One martini, one daiquiri and three beers

A man told an officer he suspected he was drugged after an evening of drinking left him disoriented and blacked out. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Philip Reber, the acting CEO at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, stands in one of the 60 new rooms of the hospital's 170,000-square-foot tower expansion.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 24, 2026
New hospital tower is the talk of Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center cuts the ribbon on its $120 million expansion project.

  • East County
  • News
Debra Williams (standing left) and Penny Gold (standing right) were picked as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, at Longboat Key’s Town Commission meeting Monday, March 23.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Williams picked as mayor, Gold as vice mayor of Longboat Key Town Commission

District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams will serve a one-year term as mayor, replacing Ken Schneier in the position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Speaks Clam Bar, pictured after its 2018 opening, closed on St. Armands Key earlier this month.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Speaks Clam Bar shutters St. Armands location

The original Lakewood Ranch location of the Italian and Seafood restaurant will remain open.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Baby raccoon safely rescued from Longboat patio
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Baby raccoon safely rescued from Longboat patio

A tiny raccoon was delivered to an animal rehab center. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is among the 75 best maternity hospitals in America, according to a ranking by Money magazine.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 24, 2026
SMH ranks among the best maternity-care hospitals in America

Money magazine has listed Sarasota Memorial Hospital among the top 75 hospitals in America for maternity care.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kole Ayrault leads the Sailors in batting average and hits, as of March 23, and also ranks third for RBIs and runs.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 24, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kole Ayrault

The senior first baseman/outfielder has fueled a fiery start for Sarasota High baseball.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Glenn and Linda Courtney and their daughter Chelsea Courtney look at seashells.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 24, 2026
Sarasota Farmers Market continues to create community

The downtown market, held every Saturday, features produce, foods, crafts and other products.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ed Ference is running for the District 6 at-large Manatee County commission seat.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 24, 2026
Lifelong East County resident enters Manatee County Commission race

Ed Ference grew up along the Upper Manatee River Road and spent 30 years working for Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Byeong Hun An, who won the 2022 LECOM Suncoast Classic, is ranked No. 129 in the world, as of March 23. He tied for 21st place at the 2025 Masters Tournament and played in all four majors of the PGA Tour that season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 24, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic title doesn't guarantee PGA Tour success

However, previous winners have won millions following their wins at Lakewood National.

  • East County
  • Sports
From left to right: Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith, Gulf Coast Community Foundation Senior Vice President Jon Thaxton and One Stop Housing CEO Mark Vengroff made up a panel hosted by Miracle on the Key Thursday, March 19 on the subject of affordable housing.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Panel discusses the thorny problem of affordable housing

Although there are developments that provide affordable housing in the area, the need is not nearly met.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Lake Club home at 16336 Daysailor Trail sold for $3.1 million. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,859 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 24, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 9-13 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Daysailor Trail tops the week's sales at $3.1 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Wearing her mother's favorite color, Abby Ferreira, one of Cathy Ann "Cam" Maddox's children, raises a glass in memory of her mother on March 21 at Harry's Continental Kitchens with Brian Maddox. He said his late wife wanted a celebration of life that brought together loved ones and friends to smile, share fond memories and show their support for the Longboat Key Turtle Watch, a conservation program she passionately championed.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 24, 2026
Longboat volunteer supports conservation through celebration of life

Cathy Ann "Cam" Maddox, a passionate supporter of the Longboat Key Turtle Watch, spotlights conservation in her memory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fourth graders Leona Killion and Michael Chmielarski created business cards as a dancer and a soccer player for the Project T.E.A.C.H. activity on March 12.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 23, 2026
Project TEACH volunteers work to inspire young minds in Manatee County

Fourth grade classes all over the district were joined by local business people to talk about careers and dreams.

  • East County
  • Schools
They are goons who don't understand Jesus
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • March 23, 2026
They are goons who don't understand Jesus

Readers respond to our March 5 editorial with mixed views on the U.S.'s conflict with Iran.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Jenna Jahn notched a pair of top-two finishes at the Eddie Starling Memorial Invite on March 13 — including a record-breaking performance.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Jenna Jahn

As a freshman at Lakewood Ranch High, she broke the program record for the 400-meter hurdles.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lockwood Ridge Road was closed near Gocio Road early Monday morning after a fatal incident between a vehicle and a pedestrian.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2026
Pedestrian killed crossing Lockwood Ridge Road

A man was pushing a bicycle while on foot near Gocio Road, the Florida Highway Patrol says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Deborah DiCarlo and approximately 150 fellow celebrants raise a glass to toast Longboat Island Chapel's 70th anniversary. Attendees shared memories and cake at the festivities March 22 at Shook Hall.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 23, 2026
Longboat Island Chapel celebrates 70 years

Congregants who have been part of the church for decades and new members alike joined in the celebration of 70 years serving the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tasha Robinson has played the harp for 35 years. On St. Patrick's Day, she performed with two of her instruments at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church before attendees enjoyed an Irish-themed holiday dinner.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 23, 2026
Tunes of the highlands come to Longboat Key

All Angels welcomes harp player Tasha Robinson for St. Patrick's Day celebration.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board at a November meeting. Nick Gladding, third from the right, is stepping down as he prepares to take his oath of office for Town Commission on March 23.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 23, 2026
Town to host meet and greet with board applicants

Longboat Key has three open positions for boards and committees that have attracted nine applicants.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County staffers flew DJI drones in 2021 to help the town of Longboat Key monitor red tide blooms in the gulf.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 23, 2026
Drone replacement costs add to Manatee County expenses

Chinese-made models are no longer allowed by state to fly for governments, prompting new purchases.

  • East County
  • News
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park

This year, the Sarasota Wine Festival supported Operation Warrior Resolution, which offers holistic health care to veterans and their families at no cost.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs

The fundraiser has been held 11 years and brings the community together through music, food, and beer,

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Kathleen Flesch, Sonia Levy, Jane Imperiale and Peri Ann Aptaker dress for the Palm Royale-themed Divas and Dogs fundraiser that will benefit The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 21, 2026
Divas and Dogs brings together fashion and animal lovers

Divas and Dogs is in its 16th year raising funds for The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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