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Your Observer

Heather and Ray Sellers rescue a dehydrated juvenile turkey vulture.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 18, 2023
Longboat Key couple's semi-retirement is for the birds

Heather and Ray Sellers had no experience with birds when they started volunteering, but they've since rescued more than 200.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
ODA girls soccer junior Abbey Burwood.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 18, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Abbey Burwood

The ODA girls soccer midfielder helped her team win the SSAC tournament Jan. 14.

  • East County
  • Sports
Roxanne Sima, Kathy Osterberg, Becca Towery, Maria MacDonald, Kathy Collums, Amy Gorman and Angela Massaro Fain are dressed for the occasion.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 18, 2023
Charity will be in style at Sisterhood for Good's Gatsby fundraiser

Lakewood Ranch-area nonprofits will benefit from a night of playful excess at the Feb. 15 event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Traffic circulates around the new roundabout at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue on its first day of operation.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 18, 2023
Winter season traffic ramps up with some help

The town is preparing for traffic troubles on both ends of the island this winter season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key expects to gain funding for its beaches as part of Sarasota County's tourism development tax.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 18, 2023
Town to receive additional $150,000 from tourism tax

The increase follows an agreement with Sarasota County after an additional percent was added to the amount collected from the tourism development tax.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
K-9 apprehends one of four involved in auto theft
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 18, 2023
K-9 apprehends one of four involved in auto theft

A car chase that went on foot ended when a police K-9 nabbed the driver of a stolen vehicle as three officers surrendered to other two-legged officers. This and other reports from the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Braden River Library is one of seven locations in the Manatee County Public Library System.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 17, 2023
Manatee works to bring self-checkout to libraries

The Manatee County Public Library System hopes to have at least one self-checkout machine at each library by July.

  • East County
  • News
It didn’t take Spoll long to become involved in making Longboat Key a better place.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 17, 2023
Town Center bench likely to honor former mayor

The new bench will honor former Mayor George Spoll, who died in December.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Lakehouse Cove at Waterside home at 765 Tailwind Place sold for $1,717,500. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,451 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 17, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 2-6 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Como Circle tops the week's sales at $3.51 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
From left, Rep. James Buchanan, Sen. Joe Gruters, Rep. Michael Grant and Rep. Fiona McFarland comprise the Sarasota County delegation in the Florida Legislature.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 17, 2023
With local delegation approval, much work lies ahead in quest to incorporate Siesta Key

Although the Sarasota legislative delegation approved taking Siesta Key incorporation request to Tallahassee, a referendum is a long way from reaching the ballot late next year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Longboat park saxophonist's Sinatra standard falls flat
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 17, 2023
Longboat park saxophonist's Sinatra standard falls flat

A saxophonist who didn't have a Frank Sinatra standard down pat is just one of the complaints Longboat Key police responded to in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Risen Savior Lutheran Church Pastor Caleb Free and Jodi Batsch, an elementary administrator for Risen Savior Academy, are excited to welcome kindergartners to the academy's new elementary school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 17, 2023
Risen Savior Lutheran Church to add kindergarten in 2023-24

The addition of kindergarten is the first step in the expansion of Lakewood Ranch's Risen Savior Academy to include an elementary school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Robert Jendelund is the new contract tennis pro at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 17, 2023
New tennis pro joins Longboat tennis center

The Longboat Key Public Tennis Center hired a new contract pro to handle the overflow of requests for tennis lessons.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
AJ Sanders participates in the Unity and Historical march with a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. flag that reads "I HAVE A DREAM"
  • By Dariela Delgado
  • January 16, 2023
Sarasota honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

With an interfaith tribute, an awards breakfast and a march, the city honored the civil rights leader on Jan. 16.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch teacher found dead in Parrish
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch teacher found dead in Parrish

Justin Darr, 39, had been missing for a week when he was found near his Parrish home.

  • East County
  • News
Piles are driven as part of the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Phillippi Creek in the Pinecraft neighborhood.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 16, 2023
8-inch-wide pedestrian bridge in Sarasota? 'I'm no engineer, but…'

Twitter followers have some fun after a county government gaffe on social media.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's Marni Abrams participates in her first Mega Challah Bake with her 13-year-old daughter Rachel Abrams. Marni Abrams says it's important to pass traditions, like making challah, onto the next generation.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 16, 2023
Mega Challah Bake brings tradition with a twist in Lakewood Ranch

Women pass down the tradition of making challah bread to future generations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 16, 2023
North-end road repair begins Monday on Longboat

Work is focused in the north-side Village, Norton Street and Jungle Queen Way.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
D'Kai Shaw attends State College of Florida and has been a mentee for five years. Shaw shares his reasons why this program is important.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 16, 2023
Sarasota police, youth organizations say Y.E.S. to teaming up on empowerment

The police chief says that the organization aims to provide mentorship and services to at-risk kids in the city.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andrew Vac and Cindy Jessup
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 16, 2023
Longboat Chamber's 'Off the Clock' goes off island

About 40 members of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce met at Fleming's in Sarasota for their monthly networking event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dave Hughes serves to MaryAnn Miller and Deborah Richards
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 16, 2023
Pickleball tournaments start at Cedars

Tennis Resort & Club plans Thursday Games and Drinks nights.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dr. Andrea Clarkson, Doug and Hilory Seaton, Eve Kanoff,.Susan Hunter and Commodore Lisa Adams
  • By Tony Britt
  • January 16, 2023
Flappers, fedoras and fireworks

Bird Key Yacht Club welcomed the new year with a bash.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sophie Lemus gets a high five from Gabrielle Madrid after Lemus scored against Manatee High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer team gallops through the competition

The Mustangs, ranked third in Class 7A, are 11-0-1 and have emerged as a state title contender.

  • East County
  • Sports
Parrish 3-year-old Harper Dillon and her mother Ashley Dillon enjoy a swinging Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 15, 2023
Manatee County Fair has the beef during annual auction

Cold weather couldn't dampen the spirits at the family event in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kristen VanderVeen and Jasmijn race through the course at the TerraNova Equestrian Center during the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota. Although that pair didn't make the final four, VanderVeen won the event aboard Jireh.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 15, 2023
Grand Prix of Sarasota crowns champ at TerraNova

The Myakka equine facility hosted some of the world's best jumpers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Police Chief George Turner brings previous accreditation experience to the department.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 14, 2023
Longboat police department enters review process for accreditation

The department is on track to earn the status, a certification of law enforcement standards and professionalism, in less than two years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Excavation takes place amid investigations on the pipe on Jan. 4.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 14, 2023
Repairs to major Manatee waterline to be complete in February

A section of the 42-inch transmission line will have to be removed and replaced with new pipe.

  • East County
  • News
Mooney volleyball player Jordyn Byrd was named the Gatorade Florida Volleyball Player of the Year in January.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 13, 2023
Mooney's Jordyn Byrd repeats as Gatorade Florida Volleyball Player of the Year

Byrd, who also won the award in 2021-2022, is the No. 16 player nationally in the class of 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Arcadia man dies in east Manatee crash on CR 675
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2023
Arcadia man dies in east Manatee crash on CR 675

Two people were hospitalized in a serious condition after a head-on collision near Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
Allegiant is one of the top airlines at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 13, 2023
SRQ's 2022 passenger traffic breaks record again

In the past five years, passenger traffic has tripled at the airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Heritage Harbour Golf Club held a special event Jan. 7 to meet its course architect Nick Campanelli.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2023
Heritage Harbour Golf Club celebrates architect's design

The Bradenton golf club held a special event to celebrate architect Nick Campanelli's redesign of the course.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
In the aftermath of the powerful storm, access during the count was hampered by storm-fallen trees and unseasonably high water levels.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • January 13, 2023
Myakka park reopens after Ian with encouraging bird count

The post-hurricane tally suggests that birds weathered impacts to the park's natural systems.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 13, 2023
Sarasota area ranked third in top retirement destinations

In a study of the nation's top 100 retirement destinations, the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro is third and is one of five Florida metro areas in the top 20.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tightening the rock groin protects sand placed on the barrier island's beaches for a longer period of time.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 13, 2023
Longboat still waiting on New Pass groin permits

The project to keep sand from slipping through the rocky structure is the final portion of town's latest beach renourishment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Stephanie Peabody, who is the founder of the Brian Health Initiative, and Lakewood Ranch's Heather Lyon have fun during the yoga class. Lyon says the class was excellent and rejuvenating.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 12, 2023
Sirius Day Spa of Lakewood Ranch rings in the year with fundraiser

Patrons attend the New Year, New You event to raise money for Sisterhood for Good of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Residents of Siesta Key cheer after Sarasota County's legislative delegation approved their request to place a bill paving the way for a vote on incorporation on this year's legislative agenda in Tallahassee.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 12, 2023
Sarasota legislators agree to take bill on Siesta incorporation vote to Tallahassee

By a 3-1 vote, the Sarasota County state legislators endorsed a plan by Siesta Key residents to place an incorporation referendum on the November 2024 ballot. Now it's up to the Florida Legislature to approve.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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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
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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