Your Observer

By Letter to the Editor
May 3, 2023

A hero or an ogre?

A reader weighs in on the governor's battle with The Walt Disney Co.

Sarasota
Opinion

Ryan Kohn
May 3, 2023

As Lakewood Ranch has grown, so has Chargers youth soccer

The organization has brought joy to thousands of soccer players, with more growth ahead.

East County
Sports

Matt Walsh
May 3, 2023

He tried to fix the Navy

Thomas Modly’s new book, "Vectors," gives the untold context to what was a national controversy in 2020.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Liz Ramos
May 3, 2023

Opportunities bloom with Braden River Library's new sensory garden

Library staff plan to have story time, educational lessons and more in the sensory garden.

East County
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
May 3, 2023

Top residential real estate sales for April 17-21 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Manchester Bay home on Fair Oaks Place tops the week's sales at $3.7 million.

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Ryan Kohn
May 3, 2023

Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Rosemary Selke

The Cardinal Mooney sophomore won the girls 800-meter race at the Cougars' track and field district meet.

Sarasota
Sports

By Patricia Horwell
May 3, 2023

Longboat Key Historical Society gives new life to the past

The organization’s new location at Longboat Key’s Town Center will serve as a museum showcasing archives, artifacts and historical objects.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Jay Heater
May 3, 2023

Ed's Tavern to open a second location in Lakewood Ranch

The popular sports bar will open a 4,200-square-foot restaurant at the State Road 64 and Upper Manatee River Road intersection late this year.

Arts + Entertainment
Eat + Drink

Sidra Wali
May 3, 2023

Personal Chef Bruno Wu serves colorful cuisine to Longboat clients

Chef Bruno Wu has more than 200 clients in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Andrew Warfield
May 3, 2023

Sarasota Orchestra closes on $14 million site purchase on Fruitville

After acquiring its 32-acre site outside city limits, the Sarasota Orchestra begins planning for a new music hall campus.

Sarasota
News

Ian Swaby
May 3, 2023

Riverview High students express their artistic side with community mural

Students are expressing themselves artistically as they create a mural for a nearby homeowner that celebrates living in Sarasota.

Sarasota
Schools

Lauren Tronstad
May 3, 2023

Mote coral reef restoration to have far-reaching benefits

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium will use a $7 million grant from NOAA to lead restoration of Florida’s Coral Reef.

Longboat Key
News

Lauren Tronstad
May 3, 2023

Bayfront Park pickleball won't be getting more courts

A motion to restripe the only dedicated tennis court at Bayfront Park for pickleball use failed to gain support.

Longboat Key
News

Jay Heater
May 2, 2023

Lakewood Ranch businessman makes large-scale attack on weight loss

Rich Medford started the business Americas Wellness Group to combat obesity.

East County
Opinion

By Letter to the Editor
May 2, 2023

Pickleball needs to make room for other park activities

A Longboat yoga group believes that Bayfront Park needs a new system to manage pickleball traffic.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Lauren Tronstad
May 2, 2023

Meet Longboat Key’s new town manager

Longboat Key’s new town manager, Howard Tipton, measures the success of his weeks by the number of sunsets he gets to see.

Longboat Key
News

Liz Ramos
May 2, 2023

School experiences at ODA launch senior toward promising future

After an internship at Blake Hospital and positive experiences in science classes, Lakewood Ranch's Maria Shaw can't wait to work toward becoming a surgeon.

East County
Schools

Ian Swaby
May 2, 2023

Sarasota event on aging shows young attendees a new point of view

Participants at the International Intergenerational Event tried on the Sarasota Aging Sensitivity Suit, which simulates being in your late 70s or early 80s.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 2, 2023

Celery Fields rewilding project wins $75,000 grant

The grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation will bring wildlife back to the 33-acre conservation easement.

Sarasota
News

Adam Hughes
May 2, 2023

Top residential real estate sales for April 17-21 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Daysailor Trail tops the week's sales at $2,975,000.

East County
Real Estate

Eric Snider
May 2, 2023

Siesta Key Rum dives into more success with its recent release

Siesta Key Rum recently released the second batch of a limited-edition label in recognition of the celebrated Siesta Key lifeguard "Scooter of the Beach."

Arts + Entertainment
Eat + Drink

Andrew Warfield
May 2, 2023

SPAC task force to select architect finalists next week

The committee tasked with selecting a firm to design the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center will meet on May 12.

Sarasota
News

Ryan Kohn
May 2, 2023

Lakewood Ranch softball believes in breakthrough as playoffs arrive

The two-time defending state champs are 15-9 in 2023, but the Mustangs say they're capable of more.

East County
Sports

Lauren Tronstad
May 2, 2023

Police respond to stolen vehicle in forgotten parking spot

A forgotten parking spot led to a stolen vehicle call. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

Longboat Key
Cops Corner

Ryan Kohn
May 2, 2023

East County Athlete of the Week: Declan Fiorucci

The ODA track and field athlete won the 3,200 meter run (9:45.26) at the 2023 Sarasota County Championships April 13.

East County
Sports

Ian Swaby
May 2, 2023

Newly donated monument at Ringling College honors veterans

The monument, called Testimonies (Resilience), was formerly displayed in Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Sidra Wali
May 2, 2023

Ribbon-cutting marks opening of La Villa Café on Longboat

The new restaurant is officially open and serving coffee, healthy breakfast items and empanadas.

Longboat Key
Business

Lauren Tronstad
May 2, 2023

Longboat spots first turtle nests of 2023

The nestings of loggerhead turtles and green sea turtles are typical on Longboat Key through the season, which is May 1 to Oct. 31.

Longboat Key
News

Liz Ramos
May 1, 2023

McNeal Elementary becomes Leader in Me Lighthouse School

Lakewood Ranch's McNeal Elementary is the first traditional school in Manatee County to earn the recognition.

East County
Schools

Liz Ramos
May 1, 2023

Meet the finalists: Manatee school board selects superintendent finalists

Community members will be able to meet the three finalists and submit feedback.

East County
Schools

Ian Swaby
May 1, 2023

Bookstore1Sarasota book fair spotlights community of local authors

The two-day downtown Sarasota event brought together 28 local authors.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
April 30, 2023

For Sarasota man, empowerment comes one mind (and heart) at a time

Bernie Philips, who holds a doctorate in sociology from Cornell University, wants to lead a revolution in the social sciences through his lecture series.