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Your Observer

Garage meets town codes
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 26, 2023
Garage meets town codes

In time, we won’t even notice Unicorp’s proposed garage.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Apartment complex pool fight leaves behind only clothing as evidence
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 26, 2023
Apartment complex pool fight leaves behind only clothing as evidence

Police found a pair of swim shorts and flip-flops as they investigated an altercation at a swimming pool. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
An aerial rendering of Premier Park's upcoming racket and aquatic center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 26, 2023
$39M aquatics/racket sports complex advances in Manatee County

Commissioners gave approval to the Premier Park project that will feature a 50-meter competition pool.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 26, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for April 10-14 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Positano condominium on Longboat Key tops the week's sales at $4.9 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
We should encourage Hillsdale’s curriculum
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 26, 2023
We should encourage Hillsdale’s curriculum

A reader objects to the April 20 guest opinion column that "Hillsdale dogma should not dominate schools.”

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Rendering of indoor dining area at proposed Lo'Key Island Grille.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 26, 2023
'Quaint' restaurant concept plans approved on Longboat Key

After Tiki bar plans were rejected in 2022, the Lo'Key Island Grille proposal earned approval by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Human Resources Consultant Ron Hamilton and new BPC board of directors members Tony Gamelin, Jeff Jackson and Jennifer Jorgesen
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 26, 2023
Bay Park Conservancy adds three new board members

The nonprofit overseeing The Bay park continues to expand its range of expertise as it prepares for phase two development.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
ODA baseball senior Jack Hobson.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 25, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Jack Hobson

The ODA baseball senior is hitting .457 with four home runs and 23 RBIs in 2023.

  • East County
  • Sports
A cellphone tower is planned just behind this playground in the Lorraine Lakes neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 25, 2023
Manatee explores moving Lorraine Lakes' proposed cellphone tower

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh asked county staff to research putting the cellphone tower on adjacent county land.

  • East County
  • News
Turtle season officially kicks off May 1 and ends Oct. 31.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 25, 2023
Keeping beaches dark still priority through turtle nesting season

Artificial light disorientation calls to Mote Marine Aquarium & Laboratory spiked during the 2022 turtle nesting season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat police help resident avoid scam
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 25, 2023
Longboat police help resident avoid scam

A resident inquired about mail asking for money and personal info. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
This Lake Club home at 16510 Clearlake Ave. sold for $3 million. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,344 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 25, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for April 10-14 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue tops the week's sales at $3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School's Slap 'N' Slide team consists of third grader Parker Poplaski, fifth graders Noble Pinto and Okhan Ozturk and fourth grader Luna Locke.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 25, 2023
Manatee County to send 13 Vex teams to world championship

Willis, Gene Witt, Willis and McNeal elementary schools will have 10 of the 13 county teams competing on the world stage.

  • East County
  • Schools
Are we keeping Longboat, Longboat?
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • April 25, 2023
Are we keeping Longboat, Longboat?

Readers take issue with the St. Regis parking garage proposal.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The breezeway over Quay Commons in the proposed One Park development. A transfer of air rights to the developer is being challenged in 12th Judicial Circuit Court.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 25, 2023
Quay Commons air rights trial continued until August

Circuit Court Judge Hunter Carroll intends to render a decision on One Park by September.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Staghorn coral outplants at Eastern Dry Rocks reef in Florida's Lower Keys.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 24, 2023
Mote awarded nearly $7 million for coral reef restoration

Efforts will be focused on 10 reef sites throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 24, 2023
Eddie Abrams appointed to Longboat Planning and Zoning Board

The new board member brings 47 years of engineering experience to the position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 24, 2023
Sarasota County implements new system for non-emergency calls

The changes follow a rise in call volume in 2022. It is said to better direct non-emergency calls.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Turtle Watch educated visitors about sea turtles and how the temperature of the sand determines the gender of the hatchlings.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 24, 2023
Longboat organizations share environmental commitment for Earth Day

The third annual Nature Talks and Walks for Earth Day event at Longboat Island Chapel drew visitors to learn about local organizations and institutions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Tiger King Clayton Rosaire
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 24, 2023
Despite mistaken identity, Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota is open

After Big Cat Rescue in Tampa closed, Kay Rosier says many people called to ask if Big Cat Habitat is out of business.

  • East County
  • News
Brittany Lamont, president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance talks to Take Stock of Sarasota's Diana Dill about the $1,000 scholarship presented to Take Stock.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 24, 2023
Lakewood Ranch area nonprofits benefit from special partnership

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliances has joined forces with the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund to present six $1,000 grants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Fairway Bay Women's Book Club started meeting in the '90s but was officially formed in 2000.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 24, 2023
Longboat Key book clubs keep the written word alive

Four Longboat Key book clubs share their passion for reading.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hanna Hornung of North South Wealth Management/Avalon Farms watches her shot soar into the goal to start the scoring April 23 in a match at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 23, 2023
One Sunday match remains in Sarasota Polo Club season

The April 30 finale marks the end of a season that saw huge crowds but also the loss of the clubhouse due to a January fire.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Scott Gutschewski holds up the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 23, 2023
Scott Gutschewski wins 2023 Suncoast Classic in a playoff in Lakewood Ranch

Gutschewski made his birdie putt on the No. 18 hole at Lakewood National while Logan McAllister missed.

  • East County
  • Sports
Becki Creighton and Ian Bland look over photos from the church's past.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 23, 2023
Trinity United church members celebrate 75 years of community

Parishioners said a sense of family at the church has led to its enduring presence.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Cardinal Mooney High beach volleyball team captured the SSAC state title April 22 in Orlando.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 23, 2023
Cardinal Mooney beach volleyball captures SSAC tournament title

The Cougars beat Bradenton Christian School 3-0 in the tournament finals.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Frank Sulzman, Friars golf group member, presents Sam Seager with the Bill Flinter Memorial Award.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 23, 2023
Sam Seager celebrates a milestone at Longboat Key Club

The Friars and Seager's children got together to mark his birthday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
2-year-old Zakylee Elliott, 3-year-old Zynylah Elliott, 5-year-old Nikolas Cotirla, 8-year-old Ava Colindres, and 5-year-old Nikolas Cotirla learn about composting at the Sunshine Community Compost station.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 23, 2023
Third rock is the star at Earth Day celebration at Sarasota's Bay Park

Family activities and tables on the bay were designed to encourage appreciation of the environment.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
7-year-old Jett Claymore, Kristen Shepherd, and 5-year-old Bodhi Claymore
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 23, 2023
Attendees climb aboard for Suncoast Boat Show

The event at Marina Jack returned with more boats and gear than previous years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The cast strikes a final pose after performing "All I Care About is Love."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 23, 2023
Ovation Theatre's razzle-dazzle thrills audience with 'Chicago'

Lakewood Ranch performers were among those to land key roles in the production of "Chicago."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alex Chiarella walks down the No. 18 hole at Lakewood National after his tee shot. Chiarella shot 3 under par in round three of the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic and is 12 under par for the tournament.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 22, 2023
Dougherty holds one stroke lead after Suncoast Classic round three

Six golfers are within three strokes of the lead at Lakewood National Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Seniors Kaitlyn Harper, Ryan Garrison, Tyler Woodin and Ali Thomas say it feels great to be at prom.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 22, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High seniors enjoy last dance before graduation

Prom was bittersweet for seniors who were able to dance the night away with classmates at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Schools
Speed tables are currently used at crosswalks at St. Armands Circle. A complete street project would include enhanced pedestrian safety features.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 22, 2023
St. Armands complete street project could be costly, take a decade-plus

City staff presented three options for the St. Armands project ranging from $45 million to doing nothing at all.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rendering of planned parking garage at St. Regis with landscaping.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 22, 2023
Planning and Zoning Board approves St. Regis parking changes

Following hours of public comment, board members voted 5-2 to pass the issue onto the Longboat Key Town Commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mac Meissner shows off his ball and scorecard after round two of the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic. Meissner shot 59 (12 under par) in round two after an even par round one and sits 12 under par for the tournament.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 21, 2023
Mac Meissner's 59 highlights second round of 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic

Meissner scorches the Lakewood Ranch course to become the eighth player to break 60 in Korn Ferry Tour history.

  • East County
  • Sports
Postal worker arrested for fraud and money laundering
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 21, 2023
Postal worker arrested for fraud and money laundering

At least 60 businesses were victims of stolen mailed checks amounting to more than $70,000.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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