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Your Observer

Maribeth Phillips, the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, welcomes everyone to Tropical Nights in 2022. This year's theme is Tropical Nights Goes Hollywood.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 17, 2023
Meals on Wheels brings Hollywood glitz and glamor to fundraiser

Tropical Nights Goes Hollywood, on March 25 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch, is Meals on Wheels' biggest fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kiwanis members gather to present the proceeds of the Lawn Party held on Dec. 5, 2022 to the Children's Guardian Fund.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 17, 2023
Lawn Party proceeds given to Children's Guardian Fund

Over $100,000 was raised at the annual Kiwanis Club fundraiser.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Attendees collaborated with local artist Brandon Thrift to create a community art piece.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 17, 2023
Community Foundation honors partners, community at Better Together

For the first time, Gulf Coast Community Foundation's Better Together event was opened to the general public in a downtown block party.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • March 17, 2023
Herman W. “Buddy” Herring, Jr.

Herman W. “Buddy” Herring, Jr., D.M.D., LTC(R), US Army, age 74 was born in Elberton, GA 25 June 1948 died Tidewell Hospice, Bradenton, FL 21 Feb 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The project would convert natural gas from the landfill into renewable natural gas.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 16, 2023
Manatee County studies methane production at landfill

County staff are exploring natural gas from its landfill as an energy source. Tax credits and deals with private utility companies could cover the cost of a project.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County is renovating Tara Elementary School after the Florida Department of Education did not approve a replacement of the school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 16, 2023
To renovate or replace? Manatee County School District handcuffed by state

Even though Tara Elementary School could be replaced cheaper, the state says that renovation is the only option.

  • East County
  • Schools
Police investigate shooting at Siesta Key North Bridge
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 16, 2023
Police investigate shooting at Siesta Key North Bridge

Two men shot each other during an argument at a late-night party.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 16, 2023
No-swim advisory issued for Lido Casino Beach

Sarasota County health officials say red tide continues to persist at all 16 county beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A marine debris worker reaches beneath a bush to pluck a dead fish from the shore of Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 16, 2023
City park red tide cleanup underway; Lido, Siesta beaches still waiting

Sarasota County has determined that beaches haven't reached special dead fish cleanup threshold.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Winn-Dixie grocery store at The Green in Lakewood Ranch lasted just over two years and is closing on April 10.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 16, 2023
Winn-Dixie in Lakewood Ranch to close April 10

Besides the regular grocery store, Winn-Dixie's liquor store also will close at The Green in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Business
  • By Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast
  • March 16, 2023
Think Everything's Good?

For 36 years, JFCS has been empowering individuals and families of all faiths and backgrounds.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Protecting our natural resources is a moral responsibility
  • By Rusty Chinnis
  • March 16, 2023
Protecting our natural resources is a moral responsibility

We can have all the rules protecting nature we want. Until we enforce them, red tide and other nature degradation will continue.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Party planners Kathleen Riley, Lynne Heuston, Donna Heffner, Vivian Fagan, Pat Clifford, Rudell Hickey, Pam Tselios and Judy Behny
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 16, 2023
Spanish Main Yacht Club celebrates St. Patrick's Day

The club's weekly happy hour was turned into a St. Patrick's Day party on March 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home on 1287 Whitehall Place was built in 1972. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,762 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 16, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 27 to March 3 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home in Prince’s Gate tops the week's sales at $2.3 million

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
A new bridge will be constructed alongside the current overpass at Fort Hamer Road.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 16, 2023
Commissioners prioritize infrastructure, trail system for federal funds

Building a new span across the Manatee River at Fort Hamer is the county's top priority.

  • East County
  • News
Rep. Vern Buchanan and Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Brittany Lamont speak at San Marco Plaza.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 16, 2023
Buchanan pushes permanent daylight saving time

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan said at a Lakewood Ranch event that people are waking up to the benefits of permanent daylight saving time.

  • East County
  • News
Riverview High's Luis Castaneda is a Class 4A contender in the discus.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 16, 2023
A spring sports check-in in Sarasota

With spring break here for Sarasota County Schools, it's time to see who has started the season on fire.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Our presidential contenders
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 16, 2023
Our presidential contenders

Three Floridians want to be president. Timing and circumstances appear to be working against one. Another is up to his usual insults. The third has the courage, but does he have the will to bear it all?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota High's Ryleigh Bennett has been the team's workhorse.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 16, 2023
Sarasota High softball gets 'scrappy' in fast start

Building off their 2022 season, the Sailors are 6-1 and have shown an ability to win multiple ways.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo expects the airport to serve some 4.5 million passengers in 2023.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 16, 2023
Sarasota-Bradenton Airport positions for continued growth

As passenger count continues to grow, the airport is preparing to begin its expansion to accommodate passengers and maximize revenues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lisa Sweeney loves painting horses, such as the Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 15, 2023
Former cop forges new career as a painter

The Lake Club's Lisa Sweeney will be the featured artist during the Spring Show and Sale of the Creative Artists Association of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Junior Adanna Wharton and sophomore Madison Kelley report in for their duel exhibition. Wharton and Kelley enjoy being able to create their own routine.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 15, 2023
Braden River High JROTC students put own spin on drill routines

JROTC drill team duel exhibitionists are able to develop their own routines to meet their abilities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Darrell Poole holds up a dead fish in front of the kayak launch at Ted Sperling Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 15, 2023
Red tide puts strain on local kayak businesses

Local tour guide Darrell Poole's video shot from Ted Sperling Park has reached 3.2 million views on TikTok.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 15, 2023
City gives input on downtown affordable housing plan

No action was taken, but Sarasota city commissioners request more research before it comes up for a vote.

  • Sarasota
  • News
5005 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Unit 2
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 15, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 2 to -March 3 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Longboat Key condominium in Bonaire tops the week's sales at $8.4 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Broken window incident may have up to 10 suspects
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 15, 2023
Broken window incident may have up to 10 suspects

Police were unable to identify a possible large group of vandals who broke a homeowner's window with a brick. This and other reports from the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Dead fish are common on beaches during red tide.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 15, 2023
Dead fish on the beach? Longboat leans on nature for cleanup.

The town of Longboat Key cleans up fish kills from red tide only after four tidal cycles fail to clear them.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mote executives say that now construction of the new aquarium has gone vertical, corporate sponsorships are a greater possibility.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 15, 2023
New Mote aquarium construction goes vertical for fall 2024 opening

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium executives are elated that the $132 million Science Education Aquarium project at Nathan Benderson Park has hit its vertical construction stage.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 14, 2023
Pedestrian fatally hit by motorcycle while crossing SR 70 in Bradenton

A motorcycle driver is in critical condition and a passenger in serious condition after a 64-year-old Palmetto man reportedly stepped into traffic.

  • East County
  • News
Shirley Goodman tap dances at her 100th birthday party at the Senior Friendship Center dance floor.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • March 14, 2023
The Dancing Nana celebrates her 100th birthday

Shirley Goodman embraced her birthday with tap dance at Senior Friendship Centers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Out of an abundance of caution, all ceiling tiles in the ticketing area at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport were removed following roof damage caused by Hurricane Ian. (Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 14, 2023
SRQ sets February passenger count record

Neary 400,000 passengers traveled through Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport last month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota High girls lacrosse sophomore Ava Kozicky finished the season with 60 goals and 67 points.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 14, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ava Kozicky

The Sailors girls lacrosse sophomore scored her 100th career goal March 10 against Tampa Catholic.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A rendering of One Park, which is planned to span across Quay Commons on blocks 1 and 9 in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 14, 2023
One Park debate may depend on one word: 'Adjacent'

A Planning Board member says the meaning of "adjacent" might determine whether One Park will be built as proposed over Quay Commons.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark DeAngelis, Mike McAdaragh and Janice DeAngelis
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 14, 2023
Longboat Key restaurants prep for St. Patrick's Day

Harry's Continental Kitchens, Haye Loft and the Lazy Lobster are offering special menus on Friday.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jenni Kopelman models a sundress and bag.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 14, 2023
St. Mary's holds Sara Campbell fashion show

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church held a fashion show at the Sarasota Yacht Club on Monday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River junior Jada Phillips is committed to LSU for softball.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 14, 2023
Pirates junior handles the heavy lifting of being a multi-sport athlete

Braden River High student Jada Phillips is committed to LSU for softball while also competing in Olympic weightlifting and track and field.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest News

1
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
2
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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Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
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Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
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5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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