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Your Observer

Walter and Gale Frank in the Grand Bay clubhouse where they got married.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 7, 2023
Longboat couple finds love after loss

Walter and Gale Frank are in their 80s and celebrated their first wedding anniversary last month.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Olivia Schaedler-Luera, Tornado and Karen Barbosa celebrate Bookerfest at Booker Middle.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 6, 2023
Booker nation brings a tornado celebration

Emma E. Booker, Booker Middle and Booker High School joined together to celebrate Bookerfest on February 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Compeer Founder Bunny Skirboll and Compeer CEO Chris Munson
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 6, 2023
Compeer hosts annual fundraising brunch

The nonprofit honored its "buddies" and the difference they make during its annual program Feb. 5.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Twig’s Lindsey May, left, and Katelyn Egolf,right, join Julie Swan of the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle at an event. The Lake Club group says community outreach with nonprofits such as The Twig is one of its top missions.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 6, 2023
The art of giving grows in Lakewood Ranch

The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle has outpaced even its own goals for altruism.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Amanda and John Horne will honor Café L’Europe’s favorite menu items, including the French onion soup served in an onion, but have revamped the interior and refreshed the menu.
    By
  • Abby Weingarten
  • February 6, 2023
Restaurateur brings his brand of hospitality to the iconic Café L'Europe

John Horne, one of the area’s most experienced restaurateurs, takes the helm of an iconic restaurant on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
3. Lakewood Ranch girls soccer won its first district championship since 2018-2019 with a 2-0 home win over North Port on Feb. 1.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 6, 2023
Undefeated Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team begins regional play

The Mustangs completed their first undefeated regular season since 2013-2014, when they reached the state semifinals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Greg Para, the owner of Sarasota Parrot Conservatory, talks about how friendly the birds can be with people.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 6, 2023
Myakka City co-op highlights 'hidden gems'

The co-op brings local artists together while also supporting Myakka City animal nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Mayor Kyle Battie and Special Olympian Mollie O’Connell, representing Florida at the World Games for cycling, help celebrate the new Wawa grand opening.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 5, 2023
Wawa opens new Fruitville Road store

The Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain brings 50 local jobs and its signature hoagies to downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Fifth graders Kaitlyn Do, R.J. Griffis, Kinley Chupp and Micah French celebrate their first place win. They'll move on to compete against winners from seven other elementary schools in the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 4, 2023
Tara Elementary students harvest ideas at Fruits and Veggies Day

The elementary school in Bradenton showcases the ingenuity of fourth and fifth graders.

  • East County
  • Schools
Matthew DePalma, teenage owner of 941 Mobile Detail, cleans vehicles throughout Sarasota when not attending classes at Out Of Door Academy in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 4, 2023
Nearly half of Sarasota-area teens are in the workforce

A study shows 46.6% of teens age 16-19 in the North Port-Sarasota-Brandenton metro area have jobs. That ranks it 20th nationally among midsize markets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hurricane preparedness is among topics introduced in the 2023 survey.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 4, 2023
Deadline nears for Longboat Key citizen survey

Residents have until Feb. 11 to complete town's annual check on attitudes and services.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Residents and tourists, young and old, found something to enjoy at the Lido Casino.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • February 4, 2023
The legendary local hot spots of the past

Before the condos and traffic, Lido, Siesta and Longboat keys housed a whole host of haunts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
SMR's Laura Cole, Pulte's Josh Graeve, Ivette, Lyanna, Lucious, and retired Army Sgt. Lucio Gaytan, Pulte's Wes Copeland and Building Homes for Heroes' Cody Brannon break ground for the Gaytan's new home at Sapphire Point Feb. 3 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 3, 2023
Pulte heads partnership to provide Lakewood Ranch home to veteran

Pulte, Building Homes for Heroes and SMR combined to provide a mortgage-free home in Sapphire Point for veteran Lucio Gaytan.

  • East County
  • News
Palm Aire's Katherine Pike showcases a classy outfit, and a smile.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 3, 2023
Models sparkle during Palm Aire's fashion show in Sarasota

The event showcased a series of colorful outfits for a charitable cause.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh has been elected chair of the MPOAC.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 3, 2023
Commissioner Baugh elected chair of transportation planning organization

The statewide organization helps coordinate planing policy decisions between local metropolitan planning organizations.

  • East County
  • News
The proposed diverging diamond interchange at Fruitville and I-75.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 3, 2023
Fruitville Road interchange among 20 on DeSantis' fast track

An expedited road project could be underway by 2024 if the Florida Legislature approves the $7 billion request.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The lanai overlooks a pool and a small grove of mangroves and sea grape lining the bayou.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • February 3, 2023
1950s ranch transforms into the epitome of Sarasota style

Dan Denton transformed an ordinary Lido Shores ranch home with midcentury bones into a spectacular, modern glass pavilion set in a garden.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The current posted speed limit on Broadway Street is 20 miles per hour.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 3, 2023
Longboat Village residents differ with town on traffic-calming measures

Options to slow vehicles in the north-end neighborhood include new striping, mini-traffic circles and more.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Site work is underway at the site of the new Sarasota County Administrative Center in Fruitville Farms. In the background is Celery Fields, a county park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 3, 2023
County approves millions for new administration center

The Sarasota County Commission has funded construction of its new administration center with $28 million in bonds and a $75.1 million budget amendment. The building is expected to be completed in late 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Electric vehicles and charging stations will be key topics at the workshop.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 3, 2023
Town workshop to focus on electric vehicles

The Feb. 22 Longboat Key event will cover topics of sustainability for potential buyers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sam Ramey fell fast and furious in love with the life aquatic. For him, the experience was so life-changing that he finished his schooling while living aboard a sailboat.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 3, 2023
A guide to get your Sarasota fishing adventures started

As the saying goes, a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work. Or, as outdoorsman and angler Fennel Hudson puts it: “Having a fishing rod in your hand is merely an excuse to explore out-of-sight depths and reveal mysteries that previously only existed in dreams.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Parrish Community High School resumes classes after two lockdowns inadvertently initiated by medical emergencies on campus two days in a row.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 2, 2023
Parrish Community High resumes classes after two lockdowns

The School District of Manatee County says that the lockdowns were triggered by "medical emergencies."

  • East County
  • Schools
Drayton Saunders and Michael Saunders pose with representatives of all of the organizations that received grants during the Jan. 26 grant distribution event at the company’s Lakewood Ranch office.
  • By Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2023
Michael Saunders Foundation donates to 47 causes

Agents and employees of the Sarasota real estate company contribute to the twice-a-year grant distribution.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The DeMarcay pays homage to its predecessor at 33 S. Palm Ave. with the preservation of the DeMarcay Hotel facade.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 2, 2023
Downtown luxury condo tower nearly sold out

Only two of 39 condominiums remain available at The DeMarcay, including a two-level, 6,814-square-foot unit priced at $12.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction on homes takes place in Sweetwater, Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 2, 2023
No limits on speculative homes for Manatee County builders

Builders can now have completed homes in stock to serve the area’s growth.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 2, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Jan.16-20 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch

Two McClellan Park properties topped the week's sale at a combined $1.8 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball forward Kevin O'Donoghue.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 2, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kevin O'Donoghue

The Cardinal Mooney boys basketball junior had 11 points against Booker High on Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
George Leibold takes a long-range shot against Booker High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 2, 2023
Cardinal Mooney boys basketball has the depth needed for a deep run

The Cougars, 15-9, are closing year two under Coach Vince Cherry on an upswing.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Drum circle newbie Julia Clark (center) bangs her worries away among the usual cadre of characters.
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • February 2, 2023
The beat goes on at Siesta Key drum circle

Now in its 26th year, the Siesta Key drum circle is as steady and evocative as the tide. And much like the beach’s famous sand, its rhythm is just as healing.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The county's wastewater treatment plant on Lena Road is a source of reclaimed water in Manatee County.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 2, 2023
In response to growth, Manatee seeks to expand reclaimed water supply

Manatee County is doing research on a possible reclaimed water partnership with the city of Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Declare fentanyl a WMD
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 2, 2023
Declare fentanyl a WMD

President Joe Biden’s ineptness at stopping fentanyl from China and Mexico has fueled Florida’s fentanyl death toll — second highest in the U.S. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody makes a case for decisive action.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Eric Garwood started as managing editor of the Longboat Observer and Sarasota Observer in 2017.
  • By Observer staff
  • February 2, 2023
Observer managing editor leaves legacy of laughter, mentoring

After six years at the helm of the Longboat and Sarasota Observers, Garwood is moving on.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hayley Roberts is a five-star tennis player according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 2, 2023
GreyHawk Landing tennis player has ace potential

Hayley Roberts is a five-star player according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Inter-District Authority meets at the Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 2, 2023
Quest to privatize Lakewood Ranch CDD roads hits road block

The Community Development Districts of Lakewood Ranch likely will need new legislation to privatize roads.

  • East County
  • News
The Town Center Green is in phase two of construction, which includes a privately funded stage.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 2, 2023
Town lays out expectations of county library project

The county is funding the project and deems design, planning and operations as its responsibility.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Don Malko, who won a trip for two to the Super Bowl, shows off his drawings of significant members of the aerospace industry.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 2, 2023
Lakewood Ranch aerospace journalist flying high after winning Super Bowl tickets

Don Malko and his grandson are heading to the Super Bowl courtesy of Verizon.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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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
3
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
4
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
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
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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