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Your Observer

Martha and Curtiss Schantz have been married for over 53 years.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • June 6, 2023
Former commodore duo take command of love, career and retirement

Curtiss and Martha Schantz recounted their years as commodores at Bird Key Yacht Club and their unlikely meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A reader responds to 'These two are the best we can do?'
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • June 6, 2023
A reader responds to 'These two are the best we can do?'

A reader takes issue with a recent opinion piece.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Longboat Key Police Department's newest officer Justin Ramsaier (right) was sworn in on June 2.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 6, 2023
Longboat Key Police Department welcomes experienced NYPD officer

Justin Ramsaier has 17 years of experience with the New York Police Department. Now he hopes to connect with Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Bridges says the investigation launched by the city into his contact with a Planning Board member about a project not related to One Park has unduly damaged his reputation.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 6, 2023
One Park investor demands apology from the city

James Bridges of Jebco Ventures says the city's inquiry request into a contact with a Planning Board member was unwarranted and harmful.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A roundabout at the intersection of State Road 70 and Del Webb Boulevard is one of seven planned for the busy and dangerous stretch of road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 6, 2023
State Road 70 improvements prioritized for 2024

A portion of the project landed on the "Moving Florida Forward" list of 20 high-priority transportation projects.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch Manatees are 3-4 in the National Ball Hockey League as of June 3.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 6, 2023
Manatee Ball Hockey League players test their skills in national league

The players also hope the growth of the Manatee league leads to rink improvements over time.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2023
County seeks public input to secure Hurricane Ian recovery funds

The Sarasota SRQ initiative was created to provide details for use of $201.5 million in federal disaster recovery assistance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police resolve beach chair-sharing issue
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • June 6, 2023
Police resolve beach chair-sharing issue

Police were called to retrieve private beach chairs being used by the public. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Manatee County is considering the purchase of Mixon Fruit Farms, which went on the market in February 2023 for $15.8 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 5, 2023
Manatee County hopes to purchase Mixon Fruit Farms in timely manner

Buying the property through its environmentally significant lands program could be a lengthy process.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 5, 2023
SPD investigates downtown weekend shooting

The victim is not cooperating with Sarasota police investigators.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brandon Taaffe, president of the board of directors of Sarasota Bay Watch, holds up a knife found at the bottom of the bay.
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 4, 2023
Cleanup removes fishing gear, lawn chair and other debris from Sarasota Bay

Scuba divers, kayakers and on-shore volunteers removed trash from Sarasota Bay near Ken Thompson Park and rescued entangled marine life.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mary Jo Zaksas, Joe Zaksas, Christy May, Glenn Carraher, Cate Stanczyk, and Joe Stanczyk.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 4, 2023
Music and nature mingle at Music in the Gardens

The community turned out for an evening at the Sarasota Garden Club with music by The JAM.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
626 S. Owl Drive recently sold for $11.25 million, setting a new record for Bird Key.
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 4, 2023
Bird Key home sells for $11.25 million, sets record for island

The second most expensive listing ever on Bird Key sold the same day.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Beso is expected to open June 10.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • June 4, 2023
Tapas restaurant to open in downtown Sarasota

The new concept is run by the same people who own State Street Eating House + Cocktails.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Mark Clark took over June 1 as the new president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 4, 2023
New Lakewood Ranch Community Fund president takes the helm

Mark Clark says he wants to build the momentum that outgoing board President Nicole Ryskamp began.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The buyer has yet to announce plans for the 3.1 acres.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • June 3, 2023
Developer buys 3.1 acres in downtown Sarasota for $32M

The seven parcels are zoned for residential and retail uses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Starbucks workers cited poor working conditions in a letter to the company's CEO.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • June 3, 2023
Sarasota Starbucks workers seek to join national union

Starbucks officials push back against the effort.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After being selected a nominee for the category, Der Dutchman Restaurant in Sarasota was voted on by USA Today readers.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • June 2, 2023
Der Dutchman crowned best buffet in the US

The restaurant has been in the Sarasota area since 1985.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    In Memoriam |
  • June 2, 2023
Arthur L. Hersberger

Arthur L. Hersberger, 78, passed away at home on May 22nd, 2023 surrounded by his family.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2023
Two nights, two traffic fatalities on South Tamiami Trail

A motorcyclist has died from injuries sustained in a crash Thursday evening.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The SPAC Architect Selection Task Force meets with representatives of Renzo Piano Building Workshop on Wednesday. On Thursday, the task force selected the firm to design the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 2, 2023
Sarasota Performing Arts Center task force selects architect

Renzo Piano Building Workshop has been chosen to design the city's new theater complex at The Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2023
Fatal overnight crash on Tamiami remains under investigation

A 66-year-old woman died at the scene of a two-vehicle crash near Rose Street in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brandon Knecht previously coached the Riverview High junior varsity team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 1, 2023
New Riverview boys basketball coach seizes opportunity at 'special place'

Brandon Knecht is a Rams alumnus and spent seven seasons as an assistant coach between Riverview and Sarasota High.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Owen's Fish Camp is now open in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 1, 2023
Owen's Fish Camp opens in Lakewood Ranch

The new location features double the seats and a bigger kitchen.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Unit 3 condominium in Orange Blossom Tower tops all transctions in this week’s real estate at $3.05 million. Built in 1926, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,954 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.5 million in 2015.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 1, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for May 15-19 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in Orange Blossom Tower tops the week’s sales at $3.05 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
John L. Clark holding Columnea eubracteata during a field expedition on the western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2023
Selby Gardens botanist named Smithsonian research associate

Affiliation provides John L. Clark with access to world-class collections and facilitates ongoing research.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rock Lee plays the keyboard during his 30th anniversary party.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 1, 2023
Marina Jack pianist Rock Lee celebrates 30 years of making music

The "piano man" at Marina Jack, beloved by patrons, celebrated his 30th anniversary with the bayfront restaurant in May.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 1, 2023
Midyear county budget report: Revenue up, expenses down from projections

County commissioners received six-month fiscal year numbers as fiscal year 2024 budgeting begins.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's beaches were among the notable features highlighted by the U.S. News & World Report ranking.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 1, 2023
Sarasota ranked No. 5 best place to live and climbing

Moving four spots to rank No. 5 in the U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Live Ranking, Sarasota sets its sights on dethroning Green Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
New Longboat Key Democratic Club President Lucie Lapovsky and Vice President Nancy Greenhouse
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • June 1, 2023
Longboat Democratic club elects new leadership

Lucie Lapovsky is serving as the club's new president.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Maya Schultz and Maeva Ginsberg-Klemmt let some some screams after winning the A Final of the Women's U17 2x (7:36.96) at the 2022 USRowing Youth National Championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 31, 2023
Sarasota-area sporting events to watch this summer

School is out, but the sports calendar keeps rolling along with big events in a variety of disciplines.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
‘Session of the century’
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 31, 2023
‘Session of the century’

Credit Florida lawmakers for going big with legislation that will change Florida for the better.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Cardinal Mooney defensive back Chris McCorkle.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 31, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Chris McCorkle

The Cardinal Mooney rising junior defensive back has received 11 NCAA Division I offers as of May 30.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Graduation becomes official.
    By
  • James Peter
  • May 31, 2023
Longboat Key graduates take the next step in their education

Accomplished students are headed to Auburn University, Loyola University Chicago and Inspiration Academy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Members of the Lakewood Ranch High Marching Band marched in the parade to honor the veterans.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 31, 2023
Tribute to Heroes Parade back on proper route

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities revived the Memorial Day weekend event.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sheri Nadelman performed with SoulRCoaster St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's 2022 Foodlosophy event.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 31, 2023
At 65, the power of musician Sheri Nadelman continues to rise

Nadelman, a Brooklyn, New York, native who now lives in East County, still packs a punch on stage.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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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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