Your Observer

Matt Walsh
September 20, 2023

The case for hiring more

Longboat Town Manager Tipton wasn’t exactly convincing that the town needs to expand its employee count. Come next year, we’ll need to know.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Observer Staff
September 20, 2023

West Coast graffiti concerns downtown resident

The word "wisk" painted on nearby vacant buildings causes concern for a homeowner. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

Sarasota
Cops Corner

Adam Hughes
September 20, 2023

Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 4-8 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Sleepy Lagoon home on Gulfside Road tops this week's sales at $6.45 million.

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Petra Rivera
September 20, 2023

Life on the water suits former Longboat Key mayor

Jim Brown finds community, activity and peace while realizing his dream of living on the water.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Ryan Kohn
September 20, 2023

ODA cross-country senior seeks high state meet finish in 2023

Declan Fiorucci is using unorthodox training methods to climb the sport's ranks.

East County
Sports

Ian Swaby
September 20, 2023

Seniors with dementia create art for fundraiser

The handmade greeting cards raise funds for Alzheimer’s Association in recognition of World Alzheimer’s Month.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Liz Ramos
September 20, 2023

Lakewood Ranch resident prepares for Men Wear Pink

Scott Kessler continues to raise funds for American Cancer Society three years after his wife's cancer diagnosis.

East County
Neighbors

Liz Ramos
September 20, 2023

Lakewood Ranch-based Brain Health Initiative looks to add scholars

Manatee and Sarasota county students can be nominated to become a part of the Brain Health Scholars program.

East County
News

Carter Weinhofer
September 20, 2023

New St. Regis parking lot plans move to second hearing

Unicorp National Developments presented new parking plans nixing the garage for the St. Regis Longboat Key and was met with few negative comments.

Longboat Key
News

Jay Heater
September 19, 2023

Seeds of the future planted at Lakewood Ranch microforest

The Miyawaki method allows trees to grow into a 100-year forest in a decade.

East County
News

Petra Rivera
September 19, 2023

Driftwood Beach Home and Garden features products from over 35 local artists

Owner Heather Rippy brings her passion of supporting small businesses into her shop by curating goods made locally and around the world.

Longboat Key
Business

Adam Hughes
September 19, 2023

Azario Esplanade home tops Lakewood Ranch-area sales at $2.8 million.

Pomello Park home is next at $1,789,000 in the week's East County residential real estate transactions.

East County
Real Estate

Ian Swaby
September 19, 2023

Ringling College esports arena opens to empower student gamers

Ringling College gamers have leveled up with a new space tailored to on-screen competition.

Sarasota
Schools

Liz Ramos
September 19, 2023

Braden River Elementary brings the Everglades to school

Students learn about the Everglades as the school works to become an Everglades Championship School.

East County
Schools

Ryan Kohn
September 19, 2023

Braden River's football team still searching for a complete game

Braden River High, Lakewood Ranch High and The Out-of-Door Academy all have answers to find.

East County
Sports

Ian Swaby
September 19, 2023

New Sarasota High School principal living his dream in education

Ryan Chase brings loads of experience in both Sarasota and Manatee counties to his new job.

Sarasota
Schools

Carter Weinhofer
September 19, 2023

Police officer helps tired man with car stuck in a ditch

In the middle of the night, an officer noticed a car stuck in a ditch and a man lying on the trunk. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

Longboat Key
Cops Corner

Petra Rivera
September 19, 2023

Rotary Club of Longboat Key donates books for Tuttle Elementary students

The Rotary Club led its first read-aloud event of the school year with the students.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
September 18, 2023

Call for artists launched for city's first artist roster

The roster will prequalify artists for public art initiatives.

Sarasota
News

Kat Wingert, Mark Gordon
September 18, 2023

Observer Media Group executive editor, co-owner Lisa Walsh dies at 69

Lisa Walsh was a pillar in the Sarasota-Manatee community; a trusted and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and daughter; and the backbone of one of the most successful media companies in Florida.

Longboat Key
News

Carter Weinhofer
September 18, 2023

Increases in crime due to change in approach and more staff, says police chief

Longboat Key Chief of Police George Turner breaks down the key reasons behind an increase in certain crime reports from fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2023.

Longboat Key
News

Lesley Dwyer
September 18, 2023

Dogs become part of the family at Donte's Den Foundation in Myakka

Donte's Den is an animal sanctuary that also provides low-cost pet care to members of the military and first responders who are deployed.

East County
Business

In Memoriam |

September 18, 2023

Ellen McKeefe

Ellen McKeefe, an Emmy-nominated television news producer who was one of the early women behind the scenes during a long career at NBC News, died August 7, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida of cancer. She was 78.

Sarasota
Tributes & Obituaries

In Memoriam |

September 18, 2023

Pauline Schweinfurth Becker

An amazing woman, who preferred anonymity more than anything else, Pauline Schweinfurth Becker, born to German immigrants Charles L. and Pauline “Mary” Schweinfurth, passed away peacefully in her Sarasota home surrounded by friends and loving caregivers on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at the age of 102.