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Your Observer

Mourners gathered along a road outside of Mikolayev.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 27, 2023
Local photographer captures another side of Ukraine war in new project

Allan Mestel’s latest project focuses on the people in the Russia-Ukraine war.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brain Health Initiative founder Stephanie Peabody
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 27, 2023
Brain health gets a boost with Vital Signs screener

Brain health experts say Vital Signs signals an important step in national awareness.

  • East County
  • News
William and Francine Forster sold their Unit C301 condominium at 4765 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Mary Mooty Kileen, trustee, of Longboat Key, for $5.7 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 27, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 11-15 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

An Infinity home on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops this week's sales at $5.7 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Lorraine Road/Players Drive roundabout makes no sense
  • By Rex E. Jensen
  • September 27, 2023
Lorraine Road/Players Drive roundabout makes no sense

SMR's Rex Jensen gives his view of the Manatee County roundabout project scheduled for Lorraine Road and Players Drive.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The social service brouhaha
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 27, 2023
The social service brouhaha

Should county tax dollars be used to fund social service organizations? Where do you draw the line?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Beach pipe bomb threat was a swatting incident
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 27, 2023
Beach pipe bomb threat was a swatting incident

A multi-agency response to a pipe bomb claim was one of many in the state on the same day. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Veronica Young stands in front of her flooded home at Singletary Road and Riverview Road after Hurricane Ian devastates Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 27, 2023
Manatee County learns lessons from Hurricane Ian response

Various public safety departments reassess needs for Myakka City residents during a hurricane.

  • East County
  • News
John Hokanson and Jayke Maracle have taken up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu together. Maracle said the sport has given him renewed confidence.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 27, 2023
Lakewood Ranch family bonds over Brazilian jiu-jitsu

John Hokanson and Jayke Maracle are examples of how the sport can change its competitors.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Teuton home in Myakka City has approximately $80,000 worth of damage from Hurricane Ian.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 27, 2023
Myakka City family returns to normalcy a year after Hurricane Ian

The Teuton family has spent the past year repairing $80,000 worth of damage caused by Hurricane Ian, which made landfall Sept. 28, 2022.

  • East County
  • News
The Longboat Key Fire Rescue department shows off their new Jaws of Life equipment, purchsed with a $39,000 grant from Firehouse Subs. From left to right: John Cz, Kaite Fountain, Public Information Officer Tina Adams, William Lewis, Ryan Corso, Lt. Ron Koper and Chief Paul Dezzi.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 27, 2023
Firehouse Subs grant provides LBK Fire Rescue with ‘game-changing’ equipment

Roughly $39,000 in grant money from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation went toward the purchase of gear for Longboat's firefighters.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Logan Schaub.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 27, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Logan Schaub

The Riverview High girls cross-country runner won the Large School division of the North Port Invitational.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Social Action Committee chair Susan Rosenbaum and Social Action Committee member Barbara Peltz with her husband Mark Peltz.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 26, 2023
Temple Emanu-El celebrates High Holy Days with food drive

All Faiths Food Bank honored the drive as its most successful fundraiser and food drive for the past six years, say temple staff.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Braden River High junior Marcus Galloway breaks a tackle and stumbles forward against Booker High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 26, 2023
Slow starts hurting Braden River High's football team

The Bradenton team has fallen to 2-2 after coming out flat in the last two games, both losses.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By FPL Energy Expert Isaiah Kelley
  • September 26, 2023
Beat the Heat with FPL’s Virtual House of Savings While Helping Neighbors in Need

Summer heat has reached its peak, and Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) revamped augmented reality experience can help customers save during the record-breaking heat.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
City of Sarasota Parking General Manager Broxton Harvey celebrating with Lido Key resident Fran Seminerio as the 250,000th Bay Runner rider.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 26, 2023
Sarasota Bay Runner trolley hits 250,000 passengers

The free trolley service reaches its quarter-million rider mark in 18th months.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Catherine Avery of Catherine Avery Investment Management was nominated for Investment News Women's Portfolio Manager of The Year.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 26, 2023
Longboat resident nominated for Portfolio Manager of The Year

Catherine Avery Investment Management employs an "ultra-personal" strategy to engage clients in the investing process.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Country Club home at 8028 Royal Birkdale Circle sold for $1.34 million. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,505 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 26, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 11-15 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake View Estates home on Lucerne Loop tops the week's sales at $3.2 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key police department recently added Officer Michael Mathis to the fleet, sworn in on Set. 18.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 26, 2023
Longboat Key Police Dept. adds another fresh face before peak season

Officer Michael Mathis was sworn in on Sept. 18 after relocating from Georgia.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chef Sol Shenker will not reveal where the ingredients from Wolfie's mouthwatering sandwiches will come from.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • September 26, 2023
New York-style deli finds new home in Sarasota's Rosemary District

Sol Shenker is executive chef at The Original Wolfie's, which opens in October in the Rosemary District.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Chris Sachs, Glenda Leonard and Ed Krepela at a Kiwanis Club meeting in 2022
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 26, 2023
New Kiwanis Club president discusses love for mission, hopes for future

Before moving to Longboat, Christopher Sachs worked in publishing, on magazine titles like Men's Journal and National Geographic Adventure.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The upper floors of Obsidian would offer bayfront views to the east and downtown views to the west.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 26, 2023
Downtown condo tower faces more obstacles before approval

Key administrative adjustments were denied for Obsidian, an 18-story, 14-unit luxury condo tower. The decision may be appealed to the Sarasota Planning Board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bones found at Quick Point preserve investigated by Longboat Key police
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 26, 2023
Bones found at Quick Point preserve investigated by Longboat Key police

Concerned citizens called to report bones found in the park, which led to an investigation. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
In early 2023, with red tide rampant on area beaches, 92 black skimmers sought refuge at Myakka River State Park. One of them was 5B, a member of the Lido Key nesting colony banded as a chick in 2019.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • September 25, 2023
Local shorebird finds refuge during Hurricane Idalia

Thanks to bird banding, researchers know that black skimmer 5B fledged a chick and survived the storm.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Island Chapel collected underwear to donate to Turning Points in the month of September
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 25, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel collects donations at September charity happy hour

Chapel members gathered in fellowship and collected clothing for Turning Points in Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Aryanna Spainhower is a senior on the Braden River High volleyball team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 25, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Aryanna Spainhower

The Braden River High volleyball senior had 11 kills, 18 digs and a block in a 3-1 win over Riverview High.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was built over fill, which created land on what was formerly Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 25, 2023
Van Wezel study group receives scope of work report

The Purple Ribbon Committee has two years to complete the evaluation and recommendation for reuse of the performing arts hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lt. Daniel Heath (left) and other Longboat Key firefighter paramedics practice running into the water with rescue boards.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 25, 2023
Longboat Key Fire Rescue crew refreshes water-rescue skills

The town's firefighter-paramedics teamed up with Manatee County lifeguards to learn proper water rescue techniques.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Antigua residents Nicole and Robert Hildreth are new to the area and are considering joining the congregation at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 24, 2023
Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice hosts gala at Lakewood Ranch church

Boots and Bandanas is a hit at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ashley Smith, Leo Pecarina, 8, Scarlett Racki, 11, Felicity Racki, 8 and Joselyne Racki, 18, learn about different marine specimens from Kimberly Scaringe, education specialist at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 24, 2023
Bay Fest opens the underwater world to all ages

The event brought together area organizations for an educational experience at Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Construction on the roundabout is expected to begin in late fall 2023 and end in late fall 2024.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 24, 2023
Roundabout planned for Honore, Old Farm Road gets mixed reviews

Manatee County staff held a public information meeting to present the project to residents and answer questions.

  • East County
  • News
Syndicated radio host Matt Bruce spoke to the audience at the 9/11 Remembrance ceremony held Sept. 11, 2023, at Sarasota National Cemetery. He told an incredible story of survival at the World Trade Center on 9/11, but how much of it is true?
    By
  • James Peter
  • September 23, 2023
Radio host told Sarasota he's a 9/11 hero. Was he really there?

The Observer found inconsistencies throughout radio personality "the Captain" Matt Bruce's story of 9/11 heroism, military service and record as a firefighter.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The former headquarters of Michael Saunders & Co. has been sold to local developers.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • September 23, 2023
Prime downtown Sarasota property sold to prominent local developers

The Kauffman Family Partnership and Jebco Ventures have bought a nearly acre piece of property along Main Street and between two developments set to change the commercial corridor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 23, 2023
High school football roundup: Week five

Four area schools walked away with big wins Sept. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Booker junior Jordan Radkey (55) and sophomore Jason Thomas (16) celebrate after a tackle for loss.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 23, 2023
Booker High football wins thriller over Braden River High

The Tornadoes came back from a 10-point second-half deficit to win 24-20 at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 22, 2023
Sarasota School Board approves $1.5B final budget

The Sarasota County School Board voted 4-1 to approve the budget, which decreases total millage.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Original Rainbow Cone, a five-flavored ice cream cone, is set to debut its first franchise location outside of Illinois in Bradenton.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • September 22, 2023
Popular Chicago ice cream shop to open in east Bradenton

The nearly century-old Chicago business is known for its five-flavor ice cream cone named the Rainbow Cone.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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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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