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Your Observer

Lakewood Ranch High girls golf sophomore Emily Storm finished tied for 51st (84) at the 2022 FHSAA state tournament as a freshman.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 2, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Emily Storm

The Lakewood Ranch High girls golfer was the medalist in the Mustangs' Aug. 26 match against Southeast High.

  • East County
  • Sports
‘Investments’ vs. increased operating costs
  • By Bob and Shannon Gault
  • September 2, 2023
‘Investments’ vs. increased operating costs

A reader writes to question the town of Longboat Key's spending.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Carol Hayes cleaning up the inside of Coastal HoBo
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • September 2, 2023
Local businesses encouraged to take damage survey

The survey asks for both physical and economic damages caused by Hurricane Idalia.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 2, 2023
High school football roundup: Week two

After a strong opening week, only a few area teams walked out of week two with a win.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney senior quarterback Michael Valentino holds the ball aloft as he crosses the goal line for a touchdown.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 2, 2023
Cardinal Mooney High football runs over Lakewood Ranch High

The Cougars used both speed and power to beat the Mustangs 41-6 at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
East County's Charles and Elaine Johnston evacuate to Freedom Elementary School due to concerns of storm surge at their home during Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 1, 2023
Manatee County schools prepared for the next storm

Hurricane Idalia served as test run for residents and schools that become shelters.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Department of Health in Manatee County advised the public Friday that contact with local waterways following Hurricane Idalia could pose health risks.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 1, 2023
Manatee County waters unsafe for swimming after Hurricane Idalia

The Department of Health-Manatee issued a no-swim warning because the waters could pose a health risk.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • September 1, 2023
Jack Robert Swartz

SWARTZ - Jack Robert of Syracuse, NY and Longboat Key, FL passed away on August 23, 2023, at age 92, joining his beloved wife of 57 years Barbara Jean.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Ringling College of Art and Design placed 20th on list of 25 best film schools.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 1, 2023
Ringling College named among the top US film schools

The Sarasota college ranks 20th alongside major universities across the country.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Pine View School is ranked among the best schools in Florida by U.S. News & World Report.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 31, 2023
Three Sarasota schools ranked among the state and nation's best

Recent U.S. News & World Report rankings include Pine View, Suncoast Polytech and Riverview High School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Jose Pavet of Cha Cha Coconuts on Aug. 31.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 31, 2023
Businesses on St. Armands Circle clean up after Hurricane Idalia flooding

Shops on the Circle received little water damage from the storm and plan to reopen Aug. 31 to Sept. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Question for Labor Day: Is your job a labor of love?
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 31, 2023
Question for Labor Day: Is your job a labor of love?

Lakewood Ranch-area workers share what they love about their jobs in honor of Labor Day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2023
Braden River High football game at Palmetto High postponed

All other East County week two football games are currently to be played.

  • East County
  • Sports
Among the proposed changes to the city's parking program is metered spaces on Ben Franklin Drive along Lido Beach. Those spaces are currently free of charge.
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 31, 2023
What separates Sarasota from other Florida cities

A reader writes that free parking contributes to Sarasota's inclusiveness and quality-of-life appeal.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A plea for community engagement: Sarasota's attainable housing plan
  • By David Lough
  • August 31, 2023
A plea for community engagement: Sarasota's attainable housing plan

As the city embarks on increasing density to create lower-cost housing, neighbors should still have a venue to give feedback on future developments.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The 75th Annual Labor Day Regatta will be held Sep. 2 and 3.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 31, 2023
Labor Day Regatta celebrates its 75th year under sail

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron event is the oldest of its type in the region, according to organizers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unit 1210 condominium in the Mark Sarasota, 111 S. Pineapple Ave, tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $3.35 million. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,803 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 31, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 14-18 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in the Mark Sarasota tops the week’s sales at $3.35 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Our Lady of the Angels' Pat Martino joins Catholic Charities' Gloria Romero and Eddie Gloria as they collect items for the Boots and Bandanas' silent auction.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2023
Our Lady of the Angels event brings out the best in the community

Lakewood Ranch's generosity is on display as Catholic Charities' Boots and Bandanas event approaches.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Chad Davis talks with his Cardinal Mooney High volleyball team following an Aug. 28 practice. Davis said he expects the Cougars to be as strong as ever in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2023
Cardinal Mooney High volleyball out to prove doubters wrong

Despite losing key graduates, Cougars Head Coach Chad Davis said the team should be as good as ever in 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Norton Street, a historically flooded street, was one of the side streets that was still flooded when residents were allowed back on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 30, 2023
See Longboat Key after Idalia: North-end flooding, strewn debris

Some parts of Gulf of Mexico Drive and side streets remained flooded when Longboat Key reopened Wednesday evening.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The flooding extended to the lifeguard tower on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 30, 2023
Hurricana Idalia leaves flooded roads, properties on Siesta Key

The intermittent rain and wind, as well as the difficulty of traveling, on Wednesday kept most of the public indoors throughout the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Caddy's sign in Bradenton along the Manatee River takes on a different meaning after Hurricane Idalia went through.
    By
  • Jay Heater, Liz Ramos
  • August 30, 2023
Lakewood Ranch only dealt a glancing blow from Hurricane Idalia

Those on the Manatee River were threatened with flooding, but most of East County escaped unscathed.

  • East County
  • News
City, county, schools set to resume normal operations Thursday
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 30, 2023
City, county, schools set to resume normal operations Thursday

Government offices will reopen and schools used as shelters are being prepared for students to return.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hibiscus Way and Poinsettia Avenue in north Longboat Key on Wednesday morning
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 30, 2023
Longboat open to residents, business owners via Cortez Bridge

Longboat Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said widespread flooding has rendered many roads impassable.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
U.S. Army veteran Eric Onstad of Lakewood Ranch waves while riding in Lakewood Ranch's 2023 Tribute to Heroes Parade.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 30, 2023
Lakewood Ranch man retires after 41-year career in law enforcement

Army veteran Eric Onstad, a Country Club resident, worked in Customs and Immigration, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Riverview football had its offense clicking in week one of the 2023 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 30, 2023
Takeaways from the first week of high school football in Sarasota

One game doesn't portend a season's outcome, but some area teams made a strong first impression.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Staff member Dezirae Walls holds Clairee.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 30, 2023
Humane Society of Sarasota County provides storm shelter for dogs and cats

The shelter is hosting a group of 15 dogs from Dixie County and 20-30 cats from Highlands County in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
O'Leary's picnic area at Sarasota's Bayfront Park was flooded at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 30, 2023
See Hurricane Idalia damage in Sarasota

Bayfront Park and areas of downtown Sarasota are flooded.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kylee Davis, an eighth grader at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, diligently works on a pre-AP World History and Geography assignment.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 30, 2023
Manatee County middle schools add pre-AP classes

The pre-Advanced Placement classes prepare students for more rigorous courses in high school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Restaurant worker claims boss punctured her tire
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 30, 2023
Restaurant worker claims boss punctured her tire

A woman told police that she believes her general manager hired someone to puncture her tire. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Braden River sophomore Molly Horalek (16), sophomore Mia McGuire (7), senior Riley Hinkle (9), junior Morgan Beane (13) and junior Baylee Hinkle (15) celebrate a win over ODA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 30, 2023
Shorthanded Braden River High volleyball ready for another big year

The Pirates won their season opener 3-0 over ODA despite sickness, injury and a rowdy crowd.

  • East County
  • Sports
Eric LoStorto and Justine Holcomb
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 30, 2023
Tuttle Elementary teachers write children’s books

Science teacher Justine Holcomb and math teacher Eric LoStorto self-published children’s books to educate and inspire students.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
"Jumping Fish" is one of the installations in the city's Art in the Roundabouts program, standing at Cocoanut and North Palm avenues.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 30, 2023
Public art plan looks to draw cash rather than donations of artwork

Historically heavy on in-kind versus cash contributions, the Sarasota City Commission-approved plan seeks to bring in more cash than donated pieces.

  • Sarasota
  • News
KB Invictus LLC sold the home at 352 N. Washington Drive to Andrew and Jennifer Gater, of Ontario, for $3.45 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 30, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 14-18 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in John Ringling Estates tops the week's sales at $3.45 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Cafe L'Europe staff in the Late '70s.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 30, 2023
Cafe L'Europe builds on tradition for 50th anniversary

The St. Armands Circle restaurant has served the area for 50 years and trained many local restaurateurs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
A Menzi Muck machine owned by Manatee County makes clearing out a canal an easier proposition.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 30, 2023
Stormwater team clears canals and ditches to prevent flooding

Stormwater Section of Manatee County Public Works employees strive to keep system functioning at 100%.

  • East County
  • News
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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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