Your Observer

Lauren Tronstad
May 12, 2023

City asks neighbors' opinion on the return of St. Armands winter fest

Residents can email their opinions through June 2.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 12, 2023

Talk law enforcement with police over a cup of coffee

The Sarasota Police Department will host its next Coffee with a Cop on May 18 at a downtown McDonald's.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
May 12, 2023

Sarasota promotes new county attorney from within

Assistant County Attorney Josh Moye will succeed the retiring Rick Elbrecht on June 12.

Sarasota
News

Ryan Kohn
May 11, 2023

Sarasota softball credits lights-out season to team chemistry

The Sailors are 20-4 and won their district championship game 5-3 over Lakewood Ranch High.

Sarasota
Sports

Lesley Dwyer
May 11, 2023

Ranch Nite Wednesdays wrapping up in Waterside Place

May 31 is the last event of the season until Ranch Nite Wednesdays return in October.

East County
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
May 11, 2023

Heritage Awards highlight where history lives in the community

Sarasota residents have been at work preserving historic structures and collections that embody the area's history.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Andrew Warfield
May 11, 2023

Downtown luxury condo supply remains shy of demand

Although more than 600 units are planned or under development in Sarasota, the influx of buyers from across the country, many of them paying cash, still outpaces development.

Sarasota
News

Adam Hughes
May 11, 2023

Top residential real estate sales for April 24-28 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis, Osprey

A home in Nokomis tops all transactions in this week's real estate at $3.35 million.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Ian Swaby
May 11, 2023

Second grader becomes mayor of Sarasota for a day

Mayor Kyle Battie showed second grade student Daniel Hernandez how local government works.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Lesley Dwyer
May 10, 2023

Updated incentives could bring affordable housing to east Bradenton

The Livable Manatee Incentive Program works to benefit builders and residents.

East County
News

Liz Ramos
May 10, 2023

Lakewood Ranch veterans take to the skies during Dream Flight

Nine Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living residents fly over Sarasota in a Boeing-Stearman biplane.

East County
Neighbors

Lesley Dwyer
May 10, 2023

Proposed RV park on Lorraine Road concerns Lakewood Ranch residents

The proposed RV park includes 130 sites, no extended stays, a queuing area, clubhouse and bathhouse.

East County
News

Andrew Warfield
May 10, 2023

Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement reopens One Park investigation

One day after the state investigating agency concluded no evidence of a crime in a contact between an investor and planning board member, it has reopened the case after receiving 'new evidence.'

Sarasota
News

Sidra Wali
May 10, 2023

Mother's Day brunch at Longboat Key Club promises to delight

A variety of brunch options await members of the Longboat Key Club on May 14.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Lauren Tronstad
May 10, 2023

Sarasota landscaper Grant's Gardens expands reach, clientele with merger

After nearly 44 years of operations, Stewart Landscape Management owner Jeb Stewart's employees and clients will become a part of the Grant's Gardens family.

Sarasota
Business

Matt Walsh
May 10, 2023

Former acting Navy secretary goes behind the scenes of his book: ‘Vectors’

Thomas Modly explains the birth of his book and how politics thwarts progress and innovation in the Navy.

Longboat Key
Opinion

By Letter to the Editor
May 10, 2023

An important conviction for all Sarasota

The Sarasota County Democratic Party chair calls for a denouncement of the Proud Boys.

Sarasota
Opinion

Ryan Kohn
May 10, 2023

Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Caleb Bradley

The Sarasota High track and field senior holds the school record in the boys 200-meter dash.

Sarasota
Sports

Sidra Wali
May 10, 2023

Longboat author celebrates unsung historical figures in children's books

Al "Mifflin" Lowe's most recently published book, "Forgotten Founders," delves into the American Revolution.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
May 10, 2023

Artists display their creativity at Downtown Sarasota Spring Craft Fair

Local vendors were present at the fair, which also brought artists from afar.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
May 10, 2023

Top residential real estate sales for April 24-28 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Longboat home on Outrigger Lane tops the week's sales at $7 million.

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Andrew Warfield
May 10, 2023

Late-night fisherman vandalizes 'no fishing' sign on Siesta Drive Bridge

A man broke off a no fishing sign and tossed it into Sarasota Bay while yelling at passing cars. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

Sarasota
Cops Corner

Ryan Kohn
May 10, 2023

East County Athlete of the Week: Timmy Sulkowski

The Lakewood Ranch Little League baseball player had strong pitching and hitting performances May 1-2.

East County
Sports

Andrew Warfield
May 10, 2023

Funding secured, The Bay embarks on planning park's next phase

With the city and county approving $4 million, work is underway on the project's $67 million second phase, focusing on the public boat launch area on the north side of the park.

Sarasota
News

Liz Ramos
May 10, 2023

Lakewood Ranch senior ready to move onto bigger pastures

Ryann Hilyer, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, plans to continue to pursuing her love for agriculture and cows in college.

East County
Schools

By Adrian Moore and Vittorio Nastasi
May 10, 2023

A law to aid prison reform

The Legislature unanimously approved legislation that will eliminate jail time for technical probation infractions.

Longboat Key
Opinion

By Letter to the Editor
May 9, 2023

Is the Lo’ Key in the right location?

A reader questions the wisdom of placing a new restaurant on Tarawitt Drive.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Monica Roman Gagnier
May 9, 2023

2023 Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week scheduled for June 1-14

Local restaurants will feature special menus for lunch ($25 per person) and dinner ($40).

Arts + Entertainment
Eat + Drink

Lauren Tronstad
May 9, 2023

Mainland portion of Longboat's sewer main project completed

The more costly portion of the pipe, which will run under Sarasota Bay, awaits construction.

Longboat Key
News

Lesley Dwyer
May 9, 2023

Lakewood Ranch residents sew 100 quilts for veterans

The quilts were donated to the Tunnels to Tower Foundation, which is building the Let Us Do Good Village in Land O' Lakes.

East County
Neighbors

Sidra Wali
May 9, 2023

Pen Women award scholarships to local high schoolers

Eleven local students won art, music and writing awards and showcased their work.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Ryan Kohn
May 9, 2023

Softball pitcher overcomes injury, anxiety to excel at UConn

After missing all of 2022, Payton Kinney holds a 2.20 ERA in 2023, helping the Huskies clinch a second-straight Big East title.

East County
Sports

Lauren Tronstad
May 9, 2023

Longboat police help file report of unwanted text messages

A couple said they received "offensive" text messages and wanted to report the issue. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.