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Your Observer

Longboat police investigate report of man soliciting cologne from backpack
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 5, 2023
Longboat police investigate report of man soliciting cologne from backpack

An evening on the beach is interrupted by a suspicious man on the beach, and a service dog dispute. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Longboat Island Chapel hosted a Labor Day brunch on Sept. 3.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 5, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel dedicates Labor Day brunch to beloved member

Chapel members celebrated the long weekend with a community brunch after their 10 a.m. service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
One of the invasive apple snail shells that Richard Meyers found along the shore of a pond in Braden Woods.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 4, 2023
Will invasive apple snails slowly take over Manatee wetlands?

The snails annihilate aquatic vegetation, and there's no effective pesticide to treat them.

  • East County
  • News
Carrie Leitzman is selling Truman's Tap & Grill to spend more time with her family.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 4, 2023
Truman's generous goodbye to Lakewood Ranch

After serving the Lakewood Ranch area for 11 years, Truman's Tap & Grill is closed as of Sept. 1.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2023
County's fire assessment rate public meetings rescheduled

Topic of discussion? Rate increases for residents of the city of Sarasota and unincorporated Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Flags fly across all seven miles of Longboat Key on Sept. 11.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 4, 2023
9/11 flag memorial will line GMD again this year

Nearly 3,000 American flags will be placed in remembrance of those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch senior quarterback Sebastian Mejia (12) pitches to senior running back Teagan Randall.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 4, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High football seeks answers after 0-2 start

The Mustangs lost 41-6 to Cardinal Mooney High on the road Sept. 1.

  • East County
  • Sports
Julie Farmer stops by the sandbag station at the Myakka Community Center. She's not as worried about her cabin off River Road as she is her cottage on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 4, 2023
Idalia causes anxiety but little damage in Myakka City

Since Hurricane Ian left destruction in its wake, residents are now prepared for anything.

  • East County
  • News
The waters at Manatee County beaches have been deemed safe for swimming on Labor Day. The Department of Health-Manatee lifted its no-swim advisory that was issued in the wake of Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 3, 2023
Swim advisory lifted for Manatee County beaches

Department of Health-Manatee said all beaches, other than Palma Sola South, have safe swimming conditions for Labor Day.

  • East County
  • News
Tristan Lovell (Optimist RWB — Blue) of Davis Island Race Team, Piper Roberts (Optimist RWB — White) of Sarasota Yacht Club and Ryan Rossignol (Optimist RWB — Red of Sarasota Youth Sailing) emerge from a bend in the course.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 3, 2023
75th Annual Labor Day Regatta keeps another generation sailing

The event drew young sailors, as well as experienced racers, from near and far.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jamie Billingsley, the emergency manager at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, demonstrates how to use a tourniquet with Stephen Arnold, the patient experience manager.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 2, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center to host Stop the Bleed

Stop the Bleed will teach people the actions necessary to help if someone is injured or bleeding.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High girls golf sophomore Emily Storm finished tied for 51st (84) at the 2022 FHSAA state tournament as a freshman.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 2, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Emily Storm

The Lakewood Ranch High girls golfer was the medalist in the Mustangs' Aug. 26 match against Southeast High.

  • East County
  • Sports
‘Investments’ vs. increased operating costs
  • By Bob and Shannon Gault
  • September 2, 2023
‘Investments’ vs. increased operating costs

A reader writes to question the town of Longboat Key's spending.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Carol Hayes cleaning up the inside of Coastal HoBo
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • September 2, 2023
Local businesses encouraged to take damage survey

The survey asks for both physical and economic damages caused by Hurricane Idalia.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 2, 2023
High school football roundup: Week two

After a strong opening week, only a few area teams walked out of week two with a win.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney senior quarterback Michael Valentino holds the ball aloft as he crosses the goal line for a touchdown.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 2, 2023
Cardinal Mooney High football runs over Lakewood Ranch High

The Cougars used both speed and power to beat the Mustangs 41-6 at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
East County's Charles and Elaine Johnston evacuate to Freedom Elementary School due to concerns of storm surge at their home during Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 1, 2023
Manatee County schools prepared for the next storm

Hurricane Idalia served as test run for residents and schools that become shelters.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Department of Health in Manatee County advised the public Friday that contact with local waterways following Hurricane Idalia could pose health risks.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 1, 2023
Manatee County waters unsafe for swimming after Hurricane Idalia

The Department of Health-Manatee issued a no-swim warning because the waters could pose a health risk.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • September 1, 2023
Jack Robert Swartz

SWARTZ - Jack Robert of Syracuse, NY and Longboat Key, FL passed away on August 23, 2023, at age 92, joining his beloved wife of 57 years Barbara Jean.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Ringling College of Art and Design placed 20th on list of 25 best film schools.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 1, 2023
Ringling College named among the top US film schools

The Sarasota college ranks 20th alongside major universities across the country.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Pine View School is ranked among the best schools in Florida by U.S. News & World Report.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 31, 2023
Three Sarasota schools ranked among the state and nation's best

Recent U.S. News & World Report rankings include Pine View, Suncoast Polytech and Riverview High School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Jose Pavet of Cha Cha Coconuts on Aug. 31.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 31, 2023
Businesses on St. Armands Circle clean up after Hurricane Idalia flooding

Shops on the Circle received little water damage from the storm and plan to reopen Aug. 31 to Sept. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Question for Labor Day: Is your job a labor of love?
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 31, 2023
Question for Labor Day: Is your job a labor of love?

Lakewood Ranch-area workers share what they love about their jobs in honor of Labor Day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2023
Braden River High football game at Palmetto High postponed

All other East County week two football games are currently to be played.

  • East County
  • Sports
Among the proposed changes to the city's parking program is metered spaces on Ben Franklin Drive along Lido Beach. Those spaces are currently free of charge.
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 31, 2023
What separates Sarasota from other Florida cities

A reader writes that free parking contributes to Sarasota's inclusiveness and quality-of-life appeal.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A plea for community engagement: Sarasota's attainable housing plan
  • By David Lough
  • August 31, 2023
A plea for community engagement: Sarasota's attainable housing plan

As the city embarks on increasing density to create lower-cost housing, neighbors should still have a venue to give feedback on future developments.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The 75th Annual Labor Day Regatta will be held Sep. 2 and 3.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 31, 2023
Labor Day Regatta celebrates its 75th year under sail

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron event is the oldest of its type in the region, according to organizers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unit 1210 condominium in the Mark Sarasota, 111 S. Pineapple Ave, tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $3.35 million. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,803 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 31, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 14-18 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in the Mark Sarasota tops the week’s sales at $3.35 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Our Lady of the Angels' Pat Martino joins Catholic Charities' Gloria Romero and Eddie Gloria as they collect items for the Boots and Bandanas' silent auction.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2023
Our Lady of the Angels event brings out the best in the community

Lakewood Ranch's generosity is on display as Catholic Charities' Boots and Bandanas event approaches.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Chad Davis talks with his Cardinal Mooney High volleyball team following an Aug. 28 practice. Davis said he expects the Cougars to be as strong as ever in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2023
Cardinal Mooney High volleyball out to prove doubters wrong

Despite losing key graduates, Cougars Head Coach Chad Davis said the team should be as good as ever in 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Norton Street, a historically flooded street, was one of the side streets that was still flooded when residents were allowed back on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 30, 2023
See Longboat Key after Idalia: North-end flooding, strewn debris

Some parts of Gulf of Mexico Drive and side streets remained flooded when Longboat Key reopened Wednesday evening.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The flooding extended to the lifeguard tower on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 30, 2023
Hurricana Idalia leaves flooded roads, properties on Siesta Key

The intermittent rain and wind, as well as the difficulty of traveling, on Wednesday kept most of the public indoors throughout the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Caddy's sign in Bradenton along the Manatee River takes on a different meaning after Hurricane Idalia went through.
    By
  • Jay Heater, Liz Ramos
  • August 30, 2023
Lakewood Ranch only dealt a glancing blow from Hurricane Idalia

Those on the Manatee River were threatened with flooding, but most of East County escaped unscathed.

  • East County
  • News
City, county, schools set to resume normal operations Thursday
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 30, 2023
City, county, schools set to resume normal operations Thursday

Government offices will reopen and schools used as shelters are being prepared for students to return.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hibiscus Way and Poinsettia Avenue in north Longboat Key on Wednesday morning
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 30, 2023
Longboat open to residents, business owners via Cortez Bridge

Longboat Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said widespread flooding has rendered many roads impassable.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
U.S. Army veteran Eric Onstad of Lakewood Ranch waves while riding in Lakewood Ranch's 2023 Tribute to Heroes Parade.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 30, 2023
Lakewood Ranch man retires after 41-year career in law enforcement

Army veteran Eric Onstad, a Country Club resident, worked in Customs and Immigration, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

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Peculiar Pub takes the place of Twisted Pit BBQ on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
  • June 12, 2026
Peculiar Pub crawls across Main Street in Lakewood Ranch
2
Carlos Pagán, a fixture of the Sarasota jazz scene, passed away June 7 at age 78.
  • June 12, 2026
Sarasota jazz crusader and filmmaker Carlos Pagán dies at age 78
3
Congressman Greg Steube speaks at the ribbon cutting for the completion of the renourishment project at Lido Beach.
  • June 12, 2026
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Sarasota Crew's Gabrielle DeLeo heads to the finish of the Women's Youth 1x Thursday at the USRowing Youth National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. She qualified for Friday's semifinal by placing eighth in 7:54.36.
  • June 11, 2026
USRowing National Championships opens in Sarasota
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East County residents wait in line before 7 a.m. on June 11 to start shopping at the new Publix at 16642 State Road 64 East.
  • June 11, 2026
Publix opens at corner of SR 64 and Uihlein Road in Lakewood Ranch

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