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Your Observer

Madeline Wikler's painting from her travels to India.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • June 20, 2023
Longboat artist says watercolor is a 'happy dance'

Madeline Wikler connects with her artwork through the viewers' perspective.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former Lakewood Ranch High softball star Sydney McCray was named to the NJCAA All-American second team on June 6 for her play at Florida SouthWestern College.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 20, 2023
Former Lakewood Ranch softball star earns national honors

Sydney McCray was named an NJCAA All-American and a Gold Glove winner for her play at Florida SouthWestern State College.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Concession home at 8435 Lindrick Lane sold for $2.75 million. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,819 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 20, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for June 5-9 in Lakewood Ranch

A Hawk Island home tops the week's sales at $3.4 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Police respond to report of a nude man pouring water on himself
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 20, 2023
Police respond to report of a nude man pouring water on himself

Longboat Police were called to investigate a reportedly nude man pouring water over his head while standing outside of his truck. This and other Longboat police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Laura Adcock is definitely, as her shirt says, a "Rotarian at Work."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 20, 2023
Rotary volunteers begin microforest project in Lakewood Ranch

A third of an acre along the lake in Heron's Nest Nature Park is being converted from a grassy field to a microforest.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Garden Club officers Susan Loprete, Sharon Meir, Susan Mason, Melanie Dale, Lyn Haycock and Susan Phillips at the club's Arbor Day Picnic & Annual Meeting which was held on April 28 at the Longboat Island Chapel.
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 20, 2023
Longboat Key Garden Club named grand marshal of Freedom Fest parade

The club was recognized for its many beautifying efforts on Longboat Key, support for conservation causes and community service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department can deploy their jet ski, seen here during a training drill, in the event of a water rescue call.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 20, 2023
Water safety initiative aims to prevent accidental water deaths

Local fire departments recently joined the "Stay Vigilant Initiative" to raise awareness and try to prevent accidental water deaths.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County Mosquito Management patrols the entire county with a full-time crew of 20 and 11 more seasonal workers, treating for larvae and adult populations.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 19, 2023
Two malaria cases recorded in Sarasota and Manatee counties

Health department officials warn the public to protect against mosquitoes by draining standing water and covering their skin.

  • East County
  • News
Rock star Mick Jagger and former ballerina Melanie Hamrick's Lake Club home at 15809 Clearlake Ave. sold for $3.25 million. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,726 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 19, 2023
Lakewood Ranch home owned by Mick Jagger's girlfriend for sale

Mick Jagger sightings are now less likely in Lakewood Ranch as the Rolling Stones rock star's girlfriend, Melanie Hamrick, has put her Lake Club home up for sale for $3.5 million.

  • East County
  • News
Josh the Otter visits one of Sarasota's elementary schools to talk about water safety.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • June 19, 2023
Rotary Club of Longboat Key's season of service

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key has been a steadfast pillar for the community, supporting philanthropy, youth literacy and conservation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hadley Chadwick, Mia Wolcott and Betsy Rohel make frozen treats for their four-legged friends.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 19, 2023
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue hosts kids camp

Campers love getting to know and train the Lakewood Ranch nonproft's dogs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The new meet-and-greet pavilion provides people an opportunity to get to know the dogs before adopting them.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 19, 2023
Meet-and-greet pavilion latest amenity to open at Nate's animal rescue

The Lakewood Ranch rescue's $12 million project is expected to finish early in 2024.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering of the proposed Ritz-Carlton Residences II in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 19, 2023
Quay project changes satisfy Planning Board concerns

The Ritz-Carlton II developer has offered modifications to lessen the impact on the historic Belle Haven building on the bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sand on Greer Island has begun encroaching on the Land's End pier.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 19, 2023
Town gets green light for Beer Can Island dredge

Delays caused by wildlife shifted the timeline of the project, but the town expects it to begin by mid-July without any change in cost.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Terrence Connor was selected as superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 18, 2023
Sarasota superintendent chosen for experience as board talks 'culture war'

Terrence Connor was selected for the role of superintendent of Sarasota County Schools through a vote of 3-2.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
12-year-old Malcolm Gaudin, 13-year-old Mac Gaudin, 9-year-old Malik Gaudin, and Mac Gaudin celebrated Juneteenth at Newtown, including with their attire.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 18, 2023
Juneteenth block party celebrates community and progress

Numerous vendors lined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, connecting with others in the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Big Cat Habitat founder Kay Rosaire and employee Nancy Nallin allow one of the resident lemurs to show its appreciation.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 18, 2023
Animals and humans mingle at Big Cat Habitat's Liger Luau

The fundraising event showcased the many residents of Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Summerfield residents Nick, Alessandro and Annya Hernandez pose with Super Bowl XXXVII MVP Dexter Jackson, who let Alessandro try on his Super Bowl ring.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 18, 2023
Dad's Day Block Party returns to University Town Center

The annual block party hosted former players for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club raised over $1,700 to purchase 34 pairs of shoes.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 17, 2023
Bird Key Yacht Club provides new shoes for Tennis for Fun athletes

The club raised more than $1,700 to purchase tennis shoes for residents of The Haven and Tennis For Fun participants.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gabriella Moss and her mother, Silvia Costa, are 50/50 partners in Via la Casa.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 17, 2023
Via la Casa opens in Lakewood Ranch's San Marco Plaza

The multipurpose shop is a coffee and wine bar, art gallery, home decor store and event space.

  • East County
  • Business
Vanessa Baugh, a Manatee County commissioner for more than 10 years representing District 5, retired in 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 16, 2023
Vanessa Baugh resigns from Manatee County Commission

Family concerns cause Baugh to give up her post with 1.5 years remaining in her term.

  • East County
  • News
Matt Hess and Mitch Good opened El Melvin Cocina Mexicana in 2019. El Melvin has recently been the subject of late-night noise complaints from nearby residents.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 16, 2023
Sarasota residents sound off on downtown late-night noise

A city planning staff workshop on zoning text amendment changes for bars and restaurants morphs into complaints over loud late-night music.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Fire Rescue's Station 92 opened its doors in 2021.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 16, 2023
Updated union contracts invest in future of Longboat public safety

The new investment in police and fire salaries and benefits is already paying off, according to both department chiefs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Erin Silk was officially named president and CEO on June 15.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 15, 2023
EDC of Sarasota County names new president and CEO

Erin Silk has been promoted by the Economic Development Corp. board to replace Lisa Krouse, who is retiring.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Volunteer scuba diver Mark Fishman at Mote Laboratory and Aquarium's Ocean Day event.
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 15, 2023
Mote reminds Ocean Day visitors that water connects us all

Conservation organizations and environmental educators treated visitors to eye-opening facts and fun.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
President of the Friends of the Haven Kelly Askerud with her daughter Mackenzie Holland, who lives in a group home on The Haven campus.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 15, 2023
Support group enhances life at The Haven in Sarasota

Friends of the Haven provides "extras" for the residents while also providing volunteer hours on the campus.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
High side of the Obsidian
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 15, 2023
High side of the Obsidian

As always, there are cries of doom when a developer proposes a creative project. But fact is more are on the way, and they bring far more good than bad.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A home in Sarasota Beach tops this week's transactions at $3.9 million. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,464 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 15, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for May 29 to June 2 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Sarasota Beach home on Island Circle tops the week's sales at $3.9 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Susan Hanus, executive director of Cat Depot, pets Rascal.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 15, 2023
Cat Depot seniors program helps provide age-appropriate companions

The program, sponsored by Pets for the Elderly, offers senior cats to senior individuals for one-third the cost of a regular adoption.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
St. Armands Circle Association Marketing and Events Director Rachel Burns said she doesn't fault promoters of the Winter Spectacular for trying something different.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 15, 2023
Promoters of St. Armands winter fest pull the plug on repeat event

A significant majority of emailed comments from St. Armands residents and merchants was against holding the event in 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Crew U17 men's 8+ boat (back) rows ahead of the RowAmerica Rye boat at the 2023 Youth Nationals.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 15, 2023
Sarasota Crew rowers make a splash at Youth Nationals

The U17 men's 8+ boat took gold while the varsity women's 8+ boat finished fifth, among other results.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Owner Paige Hartmann has assumed some of the responsibility for cleaning The Inn on Siesta Key, amid staffing shortages.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 15, 2023
Siesta Key hotel and lodging managers adapt to staffing challenges

While staffing shortages continue to impact the hospitality industry, some hotels on Siesta Key find ways to keep the island a thriving destination.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Stephanie Crockatt became the first full-time president and CEO of the Bay Park Conservancy in May 2023.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 14, 2023
New Bay Park Conservancy CEO gets her feet wet in The Bay

BPC President and CEO Stephanie Crockatt finds a house, the Sarasota foodie culture and herself at the helm of an ambitious 10-year plan to fund, build out and manage the city's 53-acre park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Irony of St. Regis garage
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 14, 2023
Irony of St. Regis garage

While the St. Regis Hotel & Residences clearly stands out in size and scale, Longboat commissioners say a two-story garage would harm the town. Really?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Terrence Connor was named as the new superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 14, 2023
Terrence Connor selected as superintendent of Sarasota County Schools

Connor was selected from four candidates considered for the administrative role.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Henry Fioriglio (53) should have a big senior season for Riverview High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 14, 2023
The most intriguing rising senior football players in Sarasota

These players should have a major impact on their teams in the fall.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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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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