• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 25, 2012
Obituary: Richard Merrell 'Dick' Freeman

Richard Merrell "Dick" Freeman, of Sarasota, and formerly of Longboat Key and Chicago, died Jan. 17. He was 90.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Matthew Baar, right, collected coins from friends and family to raise money for All Children’s Hospital, where his brother, Joey, left, received chemotherapy and other treatments for nearly four years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 25, 2012
Haile Middle School student wins $50,000 Lightning grant

Matthew Baar was named a Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero and received $50,000 in grants for his charities of choice.

  • East County
  • News
Britton Foster is excited about his group’s newest commercial. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 25, 2012
Doritos finalist has 'Cool' Ranch connection

Britton Foster, son of Ranch Realtor Tierney Foster, is an aspiring filmmmaker in Hollywood, Calif.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 25, 2012
Leaders OK lights

Months after a series of armed home invasions rocked residents in Edgewater, the community will get improved street lighting.

  • East County
  • News
This pond in the Banks section of Greenbrook East is causing concern for some homeowners, who believe the large number of lily pads is unreasonable and aesthetically displeasing.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 25, 2012
Lake aesthetics tell two stories

A couple in Greenbrook East says the lake behind their home is an eyesore. Lakewood Ranch Town Hall officials, however, say the lake is in good health.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 25, 2012
Riverwalk neighbors to launch watch

Residents hosted their first neighborhood watch meeting Wednesday. The watch comes after the murder of Ina Gross.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
News Briefs

Woman robbed at Walgreens; Woman lied about CPS imposter; Faith Life Church to start services; Ranch Kiwanis host neighbor group

  • East County
  • News
Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast CEO Carl Ritter said the organization plans to launch an e-commerce website for bridal gowns it has in stock.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 25, 2012
Cancer Community acquires national non-profit

Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast acquired Brides Against Breast Cancer, known for its Nationwide Tour of Gowns bridal shows.

  • East County
  • News
Deborah Millman spent time as a journalist for the Tampa Tribune before beginning her animal-welfare career.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 25, 2012
Honor Animal Rescue names new leader

Deborah Millman will work to raise money and awareness about the organization.

  • East County
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • January 25, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • January 25, 2012
Observed: Readers respond to challenge

Last week, in the wake of the murder of Riverwalk Hammock resident Ina Gross, I challenged Lakewood Ranch residents to "take back" their community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Bob Salyers
  • By Bob Salyers
  • January 25, 2012
Nature Trail: Photog captures elusive caracara

One early morning while surveying Myakka River State Park, a fellow photographer excitedly told me that I had just missed a great image of a crested caracara.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • January 25, 2012
Castaway

Read this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Arezzo model is 1,926 square feet.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 25, 2012
Taylor Morrison unveils Esplanade

Hundreds of prospective homebuyers flocked to Taylor Morrison's new Esplanade community Jan. 21-22, during the homebuilder's grand opening celebration in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team captured its third consecutive district title with a 2-0 victory over Manatee in the Class 4A-District 11 championship game Jan. 21.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 25, 2012
THREE-PEAT: Lakewood Ranch soccer team wins third consecutive title

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team captured its third consecutive district title with a 2-0 victory over Manatee in the Class 4A-District 11 championship game Jan. 21.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River's Jessica Ogline goes up for a shot during the first half against Lakewood Ranch Jan. 19.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 25, 2012
Lady Pirates notch first win over Lakewood

The Braden River girls basketball team defeated Lakewood Ranch 48-32, marking the first time in history the team had beaten its East County rivals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 25, 2012
Comment: Emmons' legacy lives on

Legacies define the way in which we'll be remembered.

  • East County
  • Sports
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
M&I Wealth Management wins 2012 Dental Cup

M&I Wealth Management defeated Wildcat 13-8 Jan. 22, in the Lakewood Ranch Dental Cup.

  • East County
  • Sports
Twenty-four members of the U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team participated in a weeklong training camp Jan. 16 to 22, at Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 25, 2012
Soccer stars train at Premier

Twenty-four members of the U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team participated in a weeklong training camp at the Premier Sports Campus.

  • East County
  • Sports
The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 25, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Delaney Riggins

Lakewood Ranch sophomore forward Delaney Riggins scored four goals and a penalty kick, including two versus Manatee in the Class 4A-District 11 championship game Jan. 21, helping lead the Lady Mustangs to their third consecutive district championship. Here is an inside look at this week's Athlete of the Week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch senior Joel Ferguson and his younger brother, Jason, have been playing soccer together for the past 10 years.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 25, 2012
Lakewood soccer squad benefits from brotherly love

Co-captains Joel and Jason Ferguson hope to lead the second-seeded Mustangs to a district title and beyond in their final season together.

  • East County
  • Sports
The number of district titles the Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team has won after defeating Manatee 2-0 in the Class 4A-District 11 championship game Jan. 21.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
JUST THE STATS

1 - The number of times the Braden River High girls basketball team has defeated Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
"You feel like you're experiencing it with (the actors)," student director Sammi Brown, 18, says. "It's both yours and theirs — a culmination of ideas."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 25, 2012
ODA senior learns lessons on and off the theater stage

Out-of-Door Academy senior Sammi Brown says many of her life lessons have been learned on the theater stage. This time, however, she found a new perspective from outside the spotlight.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Greenbrook Village home, which has six bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,039 square feet of living area, sold for $615,000. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 25, 2012
Greenbrook homes top weekly real estate sales

Two homes in Greenbrook Village top all transactions in this week's real estate. Jeffrey and Sara Hirter sold their home at 15121 Sundial Place to Stuart and Shannon Lipsteuer, Lakewood Ranch, for $615,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Medallion Home celebrates record year; Keller Williams adds two to staff; Cool Today wins Angie's List award; Timucuan opens office in Lakewood

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch resident Jon Martin took this photo in October, on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Lakewood Ranch resident Jon Martin took this photo in October, on Longboat Key.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 668 Lyons Lane in Sleepy Lagoon has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,057 square feet of living area. It sold for $990,000. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 25, 2012
Four-bedroom Lyons Lane home sells for $990,000

Paul and Sherri Stanley, Tampa, sold their home at 668 Lyons Lane, in Sleepy Lagoon, to Donald and Annette Niederpruem, Tampa, for $990,000. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,057 square feet of living area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 25, 2012
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Longboat Key Club to unveil new tavern; Save Our Seabirds now charging admission; Jude Connally store opens on St. Armands; Sarasota Yacht Club is certified clean

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Meet this week's athlete, Hallie Schiffman
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 25, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Hallie Schiffman

If Hallie Schiffman could sail seven days a week, she would. The 11-year-old's father, Mark, works at Sarasota Sailing Squadron as the maintenance technician, and she has grown up around boats.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
71 — Highest percentage game for the week of Jan. 3, by Barbara Raphael and Isabella Wagner for all four bridge games in the Longboat Key Duplicate Bridge Club and Merrill Duplicate Bridge Club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
JUST THE STATS

12:59:21 - The finish time for first place West Florida Performance Handicap Racing Fleet Non-Spinnaker boat Necessary Evil, skippered by Dave Olson, in the Snowbird Regatta.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
Bridge Bites: Wake-up call

On defense, when leading a suit, we follow certain conventions such as 'top of a sequence' or 'fourth best,' all the better to help partner figure out our holding in the suit.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Laurie Adams submitted this sunset photo, taken on Holmes Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Laurie Adams submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch midfielder Aubrey Riggins scored with 23 minutes left in the second half to help send the game into overtime.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 24, 2012
Lady Mustangs advance on PKs

Lakewood Ranch goalkeeper Alexandra Latham had three straight saves, helping lead the host Lady Mustangs to a 4-3 (3-0 PKs) victory over Barron Collier in a Class 4A-Region 3 quarterfinal Jan. 24.

  • East County
  • Sports
Newt Gingrich speaks to the crowd of 4,700 people who came out to support his run for presidency.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 24, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Newt comes to town

Republican Presidential contender Newt Gingrich spoke to a crowd of 4,700 people, Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Dolphin Aviation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Frank Burberry really got into the Renaissance theme, Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Sarasota Polo Grounds.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Polo Club goes Renaissance

Hundreds of people came out to enjoy a day at the Sarasota Polo Grounds, Sunday, Jan. 22. The Wildcat Polo team played against M&I Wealth Management and won 11 - 8. The theme for the crowd was 'Renaissance' and some people had fun dressing up in costumes, drinking out of goblets and one group of tailgaters even made a castle.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Ariel String Quartet today visited students at Braden River High School as part of the Perlman Music Program/Suncoast Education Outreach Program.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 24, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Ariel String Quartet

The Ariel String Quartet today visited students at Braden River High School as part of the Perlman Music Program/Suncoast Education Outreach Program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 1595 1596 1597 1598 1599 1600 1601 1602 1603 1604 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service
2
Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
  • June 3, 2026
Panther Ridge mom hopes to make connections in District 5 school board seat
3
Maddie Baehr was hesitant to join Braden River flag football as a freshman. Now, she's a member of the Ireland Flag Football Women's National Team with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics just over two years away.
  • June 3, 2026
Braden River High graduate takes her dual athleticism overseas
4
Collin Purcell, Katie Blackwell and Brian Ott bring back the feel-good era of folk music in "Leaving on a Jet Plane."
  • June 3, 2026
Cool off this summer with Florida Studio Theatre's cabaret shows
5
The home at 6161 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $8 million. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,224 square feet of living area.
  • June 3, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for May 18-22 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free