Your Observer

Carter Weinhofer
October 24, 2023

Car left running raises suspicions, prompting Longboat Police investigation

A concerned citizen reported a car that had been left on all night in a residential driveway. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

Longboat Key
Cops Corner

Andrew Warfield
October 24, 2023

Neighborhood rift means no grant for Gillespie Park

The requested replacement of three Little Free Libraries is the casualty of an ongoing battle for neighborhood association supremacy.

Sarasota
News

Andrew Warfield
October 23, 2023

Judge rules against One Park plan

Hunter Carroll rules air rights above Quay Commons must be conveyed to the The Quay master association per the general development plan.

Sarasota
News

Jay Heater
October 23, 2023

Halloween path tells kids 'witch' way to go in Lakewood Ranch

Peace Presbyterian Church offers a not-so-scary hike for area children.

East County
Neighbors

Petra Rivera
October 23, 2023

Save Our Seabirds' new exec to lead build-out of campus and avian hospital

Brian Walton started his first nonprofit when he was 16 years old. "Nonprofit work is all I have done," he says.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Carter Weinhofer
October 23, 2023

Longboat celebrates Florida City Government Week with giant shredder

The events included a vaccine clinic, a field trip from Anna Maria Elementary School, a shredding party and a blood drive.

Longboat Key
News

Petra Rivera
October 23, 2023

All Angels Church, Temple Beth Israel host annual Blessing of the Animals

The two neighboring congregations partnered to celebrate pets and build community.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Liz Ramos
October 23, 2023

MTC students prepare for Suncoast Food and Wine Fest

Baking and pastry arts students get a real-world experience baking desserts for a Lakewood Ranch staple event.

East County
Neighbors

Ryan Kohn
October 23, 2023

Lakewood Ranch High girls golfers say the future is now

The Mustangs look like a state title contender even though they are relying on inexperienced players.

East County
Sports

Lesley Dwyer
October 23, 2023

New fire station rated for major hurricane approved for Myakka City

Willis Smith will start construction on the new station in November.

East County
News

Ian Swaby
October 23, 2023

Two Sarasota High students named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Only 16,000 students out of 1.3 million nationwide earned the honor.

Sarasota
Schools

Carter Weinhofer
October 22, 2023

New St. Regis manager hopes resort will be ‘Longboat’s living room’

Winfred Van Workum sheds light on the service and amenities needed to make it a Forbes Five-Star property.

Longboat Key
News

Liz Ramos
October 22, 2023

East County school buddies share important lessons

The partnerships have proven valuable in learning lessons about responsibility and communication.

East County
Schools

Petra Rivera
October 22, 2023

The Paradise Center raises over $1,000 for breast cancer research

Walkers covered 3 miles, received massages and enjoyed charming company at the annual breast cancer walk.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
October 22, 2023

Sarasota Pride Festival celebrates diversity with colorful array of activities

The event brought together a concert, a "RuPaul's Drag Race" performer, pets in costume, a vendor marketplace and more.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
October 21, 2023

Arlington Park gets spooky with Halloween Trail Carnival

The event brought together local vendors to provide a trick-or-treat experience for kids.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Petra Rivera
October 21, 2023

Pets of all shapes, sizes and types blessed at Longboat Island Chapel

Rev. Brock Patterson welcomed all Longboat pets, including snakes, to the annual event.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 21, 2023

Free legal advice will be offered at Selby Library

The Young Lawyers Division of the Sarasota Bar Association will provide education on a variety of legal topics.

Sarasota
News

Lesley Dwyer
October 21, 2023

Upscale Mexican cuisine comes to Lakewood Ranch

Fuego Comida & Tequila Lounge in The Green will celebrate its opening on Day of the Dead on Nov. 1.

Arts + Entertainment
Eat + Drink

Louis Llovio
October 21, 2023

Longboat Key shopping center for sale for $7.6M

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

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Ryan Kohn
October 21, 2023

High school football roundup: Week nine

Four area teams walked away from week nine with key wins — and four did not.

East County
Sports

Ryan Kohn
October 21, 2023

Lakewood Ranch High football picks up third win of 2023

The Mustangs (3-5) were 10-8 victors over Gibbs High (0-7) at home.

East County
Sports

Observer Staff
October 20, 2023

Drunk driver sentenced to 40 years after crash that killed 4 people

The 2021 crash killed four men near a truck that was stopped on the shoulder due to a flat tire.

Sarasota
News

Jim Stinson
October 20, 2023

Sarasota-area food bank chooses prominent community leader as new CEO

All Faiths Food Bank CEO's appointment comes after a national search.

Sarasota
Business

Lesley Dwyer
October 20, 2023

UTC Night Market in Sarasota embraces the fall season

Innovative vendors lined The Green at the Mall at University Town Center.

East County
Neighbors

Carter Weinhofer
October 20, 2023

Rotary Club removes 40 pounds of trash from Gulf of Mexico Drive

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key performs highway cleanup on GMD at least once a quarter.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mark Gordon
October 20, 2023

Trader Joe's opens Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at UTC

California-based grocer Trader Joe’s is known for its signature food items and loyal following.

East County
Business

Andrew Warfield
October 19, 2023

SRQ nears final approval for commercial development

One more City Commission vote remains in the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport's quest to win rezoning to build revenue-producing properties.

Sarasota
News

Ryan Kohn
October 19, 2023

Sarasota High School inducts 6 graduates into Hall of Fame

The inductees included Sarasota's first Black mayor, pro athletes and a science researcher.

Sarasota
Schools

Adam Hughes
October 19, 2023

Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 2-6 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

An Oaks I home on Webbs Cove tops the week's sales at $2.33 million.

Siesta Key
Real Estate

Observer Staff
October 19, 2023

Sarasota deputies investigate murder-suicide in Clark Road business shooting

A shooting inside veterinary clinic KindVet left two dead. A social media post provides clues to the motive.

Sarasota
News

Ian Swaby
October 19, 2023

Sarasota Music Archive offers a journey through music history

The archive houses media from the 1850s, Jimi Hendrix records, jazz collections and classic comedy albums while preserving the sounds of the past for the future.