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Your Observer

Shannon Boyce, 15, is the youngest hockey referee at Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, and one of just six female officials in Florida. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 14, 2022
Lakewood Ranch teen is one of six female youth hockey officials in Florida

Shannon Boyce, 15, is the youngest official refereeing at Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 14, 2022
Observer recommends: State constitutional amendments

A key measure for voters to consider: do the amendments limit your freedom?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
By SCAT or by Uber? A pair of Observer reporters put each to the test on a race from Longboat Key to Downtown Sarasota. (Lesley Dwyer)
  • By Lesley Dwyer and Lauren Tronstad
  • October 14, 2022
OnDemand versus Uber: Worth it or a waste of time between downtown and Longboat?

OnDemand by Sarasota County is akin to hiring an Uber but is much less expensive and sometimes requires additional stops.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 13, 2022
Sisterhood for Good of Lakewood Ranch hosts Designer Bag Bingo

The fundraising event at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing brings together 199 people to play Bingo.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Briggs is enjoying his first day back at Bayfront Park's dog park. (Photo by Lauren Tronstad)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2022
Longboat's Bayfront dog park reopens after artificial turf installation

The park's reopening date was pushed back due to Hurricane Ian preparation and recovery.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Operation Blue Roof is available to Sarasota-area homeowners through Oct. 23. The program is offered by the Army Corps of Engineers. (Courtesy Army Corps of Engineers)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 13, 2022
Operation Blue Roof is available for Hurricane Ian-damaged homes

Army Corps of Engineers' Operation Blue Roof program authorized to affect temporary repairs to storm-damaged roofs. The program ends on Oct. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2022
East County weather page photo: October 13

Gordon Silver captured these two deer checking out the neighborhood on a sunny morning in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: October 13

MaryAnn Tygh Parks captured this heron taking off over Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: October 13

Richard Moskovitz captured this photo of the sun rising over the bay from Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Animal lovers are jumping for joy as 27 dogs are flown Wednesday to shelters in other states to clear space at Manatee County Animal Welfare. Photo by Jay Heater
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 13, 2022
Manatee animal shelter space improved through altruistic effort

Wings of Rescue, Humane Society joined Manatee County Animal Welfare to provide new homes for 27 dogs.

  • East County
  • News
The city offers administrative approval for inclusionary projects in the downtown core only. (Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 13, 2022
Controversial development rules set for Monday vote in Sarasota

As the City Commission is set to consider the final OK to expand staff approval for developments that include attainable housing, all three candidates for two open seats line up in opposition.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An American Airlines Airbus 319 lifts off from SRQ on its way to Charlotte, North Carolina. (Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 13, 2022
SRQ's September traffic grows despite Hurricane Ian's cancellations

Airport on pace for another record passenger traffic year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kristen Patton walks with fourth grader Abigail Patton and Giavanna Patton, who is in pre-K, and Vincent Patton to school. "It's always good to get the kids out of the house for some morning exercise," Kristen Patton says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 13, 2022
Braden River Elementary hosts annual Walk and Roll to School Day

Walk and Roll to School Day encourages students and their families to participate in easy physical activity, like walking to school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee County issued a statement Thursday that many wells in the Myakka City area have shown contamination from the floodwaters.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 13, 2022
Tests show many private wells in Myakka test positive for contamination

Manatee County will provide potable water to Myakka area residents until water is safe.

  • East County
  • News
Maureen Merrigan was chosen vice mayor by her peers in March. (file)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2022
Longboat's Merrigan not seeking reelection

Her decision follows increasing out of state family commitments.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 13, 2022
DNA links dead suspect to second Sarasota homicide victim, police say

52-year-old man who died in jail had already been charged in one case.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction of new homes of two bedrooms or fewer is down to 6.2% of all homes nationally, compared to 24.1% in the mid-1980s. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 13, 2022
Sarasota region ranks No. 22 for starter home availability

North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton is ranked the 22nd best mid-size MSA in the country to find a starter home and eighth best among its peers in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 12, 2022
Sarasota High holds 2022 Hall of Fame ceremony

Six new inductees received their awards and gave speeches at Michael's on East on Wednesday night.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
It's safety first before a polo lesson as Karen Medford tries on helmets for instructor Ashlie Osburg.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 12, 2022
Lakewood Ranch businesswoman takes on challenge with first lesson at Sarasota Polo Club

Instructor says Lakewood Ranch's Karen Medford aces her first polo lesson.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance volunteer Patrick Larivaud takes a break from packing food to visit with Meals On Wheels Plus CEO/President Maribeth Phillips.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 12, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance volunteers give back to help hurricane victims

The LWRBA's annual "Alliance Gives Back " event takes on extra meaning after Hurricane Ian.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ava Krug committed to Duke University on Oct. 3. Krug will join her brothers Jake and Connor Krug in the Blue Devils tennis program. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 12, 2022
Lakewood Ranch tennis player commits to Duke

Ava Krug will join her brothers Jake and Connor Krug in the Blue Devils' tennis program.

  • East County
  • Sports
PopStroke founder Greg Bartoli announced Wednesday in a release that pro golfers Rickie Fowler and Paula Creamer were coming to its UTC location for the PopStroke Tour Championship, held Oct. 26-28. (File photo)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 12, 2022
Rickie Fowler, Paula Creamer featured at PopStroke Tour Championship finals in Sarasota

The two pros will play the winners of the PopStroke team event in the $25K Showdown Oct. 26-28 at UTC.

  • East County
  • Sports
Alec Miller. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 12, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Alec Miller

The Sarasota boys cross country runner finished 18th (15:38.80) at the 2022 FSU Invitational on Oct. 8 in Tallahassee.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Superintendent Brennan Asplen said minimal interruptions occurred during Monday's return to school. (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 12, 2022
Sarasota County Schools touts smooth return for Monday's reopening

School officials weighing possibility of presenting calendar changes to School Board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Barbara Schwan is an up-and-coming artist after just turning 70 years old. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 12, 2022
From Wall Street to watercolors: Barbara Schwan makes a splash

Schwan started painting at 62 years old and is now a top seller.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Head Coach John Stevenson has turned the Sarasota High cross country program in a consistent winner. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 11, 2022
Prose and Kohn: Sarasota cross country stays near the top of the pack

The program has found consistent success under Head Coach John Stevenson.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kevin Hennessy, an attorney for the Sarasota Medieval Fair and Hunsader Farms, spoke against the requirements. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 11, 2022
Manatee commissioners line up against adding more requirements to agritourism events

County staff wants to add informal traffic study and permits to the process.

  • East County
  • News
Jolene Bryant has helped Rebecca McCullough plan "Haunted Nights" at Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 11, 2022
Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions hosts special Halloween event

Despite damage from Hurricane Ian, famous ranch will host "Haunted Nights."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Law enforcement personnel from at least four agencies are blocking traffic near Riverview High School. (Lauren Tronstad)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 11, 2022
Lockdown lifted at Riverview High after threat against school

Sheriff's Office said reports were likely a hoax, no shots were reported.

  • Sarasota
  • News
If Rams junior quarterback Jeremiah Dawson, here looking to pass to Charles Lester III (1), plays well, the Rams can have success in the second half of the year. (File photo.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 11, 2022
Sarasota football teams retake the field Friday after prolonged break in action

A look at everything that happened before Hurricane Ian mandated a pause — and a look at what could happen next as the postseason looms.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota County has continued a discussion about a possible smoking ban on the county's beaches and in parks. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 11, 2022
County Commission tables smoking ban discussion

Citing a need for more public information and input, the Sarasota County Commission has continued a discussion about banning smoking on beaches and in parks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • October 11, 2022
Orchestra, Van Wezel raise six figures in relief funds

The Sarasota Orchestra and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall raised more than $100,000 for relief efforts with assistance from The Patterson Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner George Kruse's pretrial conference on a DUI charge is postponed to Nov. 8 by a Circuit Court judge.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 11, 2022
Manatee commissioner's pretrial hearing on DUI charge postponed

George Kruse's attorney tells judge he needs more time to review the evidence.

  • East County
  • News
Tree debris lie along Gulf of Mexico Drive for pickup Tuesday morning. (Photo by Lauren Tronstad)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 11, 2022
Town debris cleanup expected to span at least a month

Florida Department of Transportation's initial sweep of Gulf of Mexico Drive was completed Tuesday morning.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
There are still quite a few historical structures you can learn about on the walk.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 11, 2022
Getting Away: Historic Spanish Point

The history-filled nature area reopened on Oct. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Susan Goldfarb is the Program Director for the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 10, 2022
The Education Center gears up for a new semester on Longboat Key

Classes start November 7 online or in person.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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