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Your Observer

Sophi Jo Branscomb says her life is busy but rewarding on her Myakka ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 3, 2025
Family comes together to help Myakka City ranch thrive

After death of the family matriarch, Sophi Jo Branscomb has taken over her mom's role on the Sandlot Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Man rises from wheelchair to beat down harasser
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2025
Man rises from wheelchair to beat down harasser

After being taunted and then approached by a would-be attacker, a man in a wheelchair takes him down with a hammer. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The Government Efficiency Liaison Committee meets for the first time Aug. 26 at the Manatee County Administration Building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 3, 2025
Manatee County DOGE committee gets to work

The five-member committee will dig through 4,500 documents over the next year to find savings in Manatee's budget.

  • East County
  • News
Debris remained a problem down many Longboat Key streets after Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 3, 2025
Still in rebuild mode, north Longboat requests permit extension

Delays from insurance claims, FEMA issues and contractor availability has prompted the request from north-end residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Unit 233 condominium at 2450 Harbourside Drive was built in 1990 and has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,830 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 3, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for August 18-22 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Seaside of Longboat Key condominium tops the week’s sales at $3.3 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market is one of the region's big attractions.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • September 2, 2025
Sarasota lands on list of America's 'boomtowns'

Lending Tree places Sarasota region No. 3, behind Austin and Orlando.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Swimmer drowns off Anna Maria Island
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 2, 2025
Swimmer drowns off Anna Maria Island

Rescue crews from various agencies searched extensively for the swimmer who was last seen off Bean Point in Anna Maria Island Sunday evening.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
New sportswriter is back among the palms
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 2, 2025
New sportswriter is back among the palms

Jack Nelson, a UCLA graduate, joins the East County and Sarasota/Siesta Key Observers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Traffic stop leads to drug arrests on Longboat Key
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 2, 2025
Traffic stop leads to drug arrests on Longboat Key

The vehicle was initially pulled over with broken brake lights.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Artist Andrew Viera has been working on seven murals at Mote SEA since April 2024.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 2, 2025
Setting the scene at the Mote Science Education Aquarium one mural at a time

Gifted local artist Andrew Viera places his talent on exhibit at the Sarasota landmark.

  • East County
  • News
Residents wear red shirts to a Town Hall meeting July 24 to show their opposition to a roundabout on University Parkway at Legacy Boulevard and Deer Drive.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 2, 2025
Manatee County consent agendas cause controversy

Some say the tool meant to streamline commission meetings is used to hide information.

  • East County
  • News
Andy Sandberg is artistic director and CEO of Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 2, 2025
Beachside artist retreat offers to buy property from Sarasota County

Ten months after Hurricane Milton, Hermitage Artist Retreat awaits Sarasota County to repair several buildings; makes bid to purchase the county-owned property and complete restoration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat cops respond to Jet Skiers gone wild in Sarasota Bay
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 2, 2025
Longboat cops respond to Jet Skiers gone wild in Sarasota Bay

Police were called on rogue Jet Skiers ignoring no wake zones. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A street sign marking the 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive owned by the town will remain for now as discussions on whether to rename the main thoroughfare are underway
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 2, 2025
FDOT removes Gulf of Mexico Drive signs, town to talk renaming

Longboat Key officials will hold a public meeting in October to discuss a potential renaming of the town's main thoroughfare.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 1202 Blue Shell Loop sold for $2.85 million. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,756 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 2, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 18-22 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Wild Blue at Waterside on Blue Shell Loop topped the week’s sales at $2.85 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A group of strangers band together Aug. 17 to save seven ducklings from a drainage grate on 44th Avenue East near Lena Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 1, 2025
44th Avenue East rescue stops ducklings from going down the drain

Bradenton good samaritans have all their ducks in a row during the three-hour rescue operation.

  • East County
  • News
Laurie Breslin has been named the new superintendent for the School District of Manatee County in a unanimous vote on Aug. 26.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 1, 2025
Superintendent shares five goals for Manatee County School District

Laurie Breslin graduated from Manatee High School in 1995, and 30 years later, she will run the district.

  • East County
  • Schools
The King James Big & Tall at 4333 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota is going out of business.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 1, 2025
Sarasota big and tall retailer to shutter after nearly 50 years

King James Big & Tall cites competition as its reason for going out of business.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
SPD investigating a Sunday morning shooting
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 31, 2025
SPD investigating a Sunday morning shooting

The arrested suspect is facing charges of homicide and aggravated battery and left one woman dead and injured a man.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Third grader Alexander Muenchow chose to draw an axolotl. He says he enjoys using special tools on the iPad that may not be in the classroom such as a glitter tool and stickers.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 31, 2025
Gene Witt Elementary digital art lab is in full swing with community support

Funds from Neal Communities, The Patterson Foundation and fundraisers paved the way for the elementary school to start a digital lab.

  • East County
  • Schools
There was a good turnout at Christ Church of Longboat Key's annual fish fry Thursday, Aug. 27, a social event planned late in the summer which has been a tradition at the church since 2012.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 30, 2025
Church members dig in at 2025 Christ Church fish fry

The social event has been a tradition at the Longboat Key church since 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 139 S. Washington Drive in John Ringling estates is listed for sale, furnished, at $17.5 million.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 30, 2025
Historic St. Armands home with a whimsical name lists for $17.5 million

Casa del Carnevale was built in 1936 in John Ringling Estates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota suspect arrested in 2006 child-sex case
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 29, 2025
Sarasota suspect arrested in 2006 child-sex case

A man was arrested Thursday in Tennessee on capital charges.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Figueroa of Secure HR and Jorge Valdes of Golf Therapy Club enjoy the event experience.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2025
Business casual: Sarasota Chamber holds its grand expo

The eevent allowed the general public and business owners to browse Robarts Arena to see what the local area has to offer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Simone Salustri and Amber Mayner started a new food truck, Buonissimo Mobile Italian Kitchen, to keep the family legacy of serving up Italian food to the community while they work to rebuild the former Le Colonne.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 29, 2025
A single food truck helps rebuild a St. Armands Italian family tradition

Le Colonne, a longstanding Italian restaurant on St. Armands Circle, plans to reopen as Nōnnō Umberto later this year.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Girl dies after she was swept into Sarasota storm drain
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 29, 2025
Girl dies after she was swept into Sarasota storm drain

The incident took place following rain and a water-main break on Bahia Vista Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Milene Moreira, Jessé Martins and Nadine Trudel
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2025
Church hits the high note to wrap up its midsummer series

Part of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church's Midsummer Music Festival, the event focused on lesser-known pieces.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ramin Mesghali looks at the artwork.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 28, 2025
Remodeled and ready: St. Armands gallery hosts Longboat chamber

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce's Off the Clock Networking at Wyland Gallery allowed attendees to connect in a new space.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida visiting the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum in Savannah, GA
  • By Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida
  • August 28, 2025
Girl Scouts is where girls grow and families connect within our communities.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is helping the next generation of changemakers thrive.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Megan Nystrom walks Baker.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 28, 2025
Dogs Inc. service dogs get a day of training at Van Wezel

Guide dogs in training for Dogs Inc. had the chance to learn how to enter a theater, practice different walking surfaces and avoid distractions like food being served in the Grand Foyer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rose Canino sings at Town Square.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 28, 2025
Key Chorale serves seniors with health challenges through choir sessions

The Sarasota organization offers Local Come Together Choir for senior enrichment at Town Square Sarasota and Where Are My Keys? Chorale at Senior Friendship Centers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 3465 Gulfmead Drive was built in 2009 and has six bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,641 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 28, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for August 11-15 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Gulfmead Estates home on Gulfmead Drive tops the week’s sales at $4,325,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Interim Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock looks on during his first City Commission meeting on July 7.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 28, 2025
Three city manager search firms remain under consideration

Unable to narrow the field of three city manager search firms, the Sarasota City Commission instructs staff to schedule virtual interviews in September.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By The Tidewell Foundation Inc.
  • August 28, 2025
A Wish Fulfilled: Geno’s Story

The Tidewell Foundation’s Wishes Fund fulfills a last wish for Tidewell Hospice patients and their families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
  • August 28, 2025
Financial Focus® Look At Your Financial Situation Holistically

When planning for your financial future, bring all elements of yourself into the picture.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Andre McClerklin and Joseph Mack
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 27, 2025
Newtown residents find a place for unwanted items at cleanup

The Newtown Community Cleanup event removed 23.99 tons of debris, according to Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
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
5
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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