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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 2, 2022
Father, daughter charged with animal cruelty following discovery of viral video

Sarasota deputies charge both after footage surfaces of raccoon burned alive in trash bin.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mayor Ken Schnieir presented potential changes to the town charter before summer break. (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 2, 2022
Longboat leaders return to public meetings Sept. 12

The budget, charter changes and smoking bans top the list of issues to address.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • September 2, 2022
Edward K. Christian

Edward K. Christian, 78, of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan and Longboat Key, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday August 19, 2022, after a short illness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Photo courtesy of Mote's Manatee Research Program, USFWS Research Permit #MA100361
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 2, 2022
Police, wildlife experts recommend wide berth for thrashing manatees

Manatees thrash in the water when mating, which makes them dangerous to approach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Work began in early June on the Ringling Trail project, which will convert one lane of traffic in each direction between Lime and Pineapple avenues into a protected bicycle lane. (Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 2, 2022
Ringling Boulevard makeover's first segment nearly complete

With the first phase of work on the Ringling Trail from Lime to Pineapple avenues nearing completion, work is set to soon begin west of Washington Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
TPC offers a Zumba class every Thursday. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 2, 2022
The Paradise Center combats loneliness with connection

Loneliness is an epidemic among seniors. One-fourth of adults over 65 are socially isolated, reports have found.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 1, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: First responders pull man from the water

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Town Manager Tom Harmer
  • By Tom Harmer
  • September 1, 2022
Longboat Key Town Manager Brief, September

Tom Harmer discusses what's new around town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 1, 2022
East County weather page photo: September 1

Shellie Robin took this photo of a Gulf fritillary raised in her own butterfly garden in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 1, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: September 1

Gordon Silver captured a pair of gators at Myakka River State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 1, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: September 1

Diane Suner captured these seashells found along North Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 1, 2022
Town manager delivers good news to Kiwanis Club

Longboat Town Manager Tom Harmer spoke at the club's monthly meeting on Sept 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 1, 2022
Casey Key home sells for $5 million

A Casey Key home tops the week's sales at $5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Greer weaving in her Whitney Beach condominium. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 1, 2022
Former alpaca farmer finds tranquility while weaving

Dedrea Greer, who became an alpaca midwife, said that the first time she saw a loom, it looked like serenity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lee Kotwicki, the director of Workforce Training for SCF Manatee-Sarasota in Lakewood Ranch, hopes more local residents take advantage of the various computer classes. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 1, 2022
State College of Florida enhances computer learning in Lakewood Ranch

SCF of Lakewood Ranch wants people to know that they are not along when it comes to struggling with computers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Sick Leave team brought in a 103.2 pound black grouper. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 1, 2022
Sarasota fishers win big at Sarasota Slam

The crew of the Sick Leave reeled in a 103.2-pound grouper during the annual tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Booker quarterback Will Carter Jr. is sacked by Mooney senior Jack MacKinnon, exposing Carter's shoulder pads. Both defense were in top form. (Photo by Ryan Kohn)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 1, 2022
Mooney, Booker football teams showcase dominant defenses in week one

While the teams' offensive performances left coaches wanting more, the strong defensive play is a good omen for the rest of 2022.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
(File photos)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 1, 2022
New schools continue to be a growing topic

The big question is when to forge ahead with new schools in a slowing real estate market.

  • East County
  • Opinion
A March 2022 development concept plan for the planned Lakewood Ranch Southeast property. (Image via Sarasota County)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 31, 2022
SMR's bid to build 5,000 homes in eastern Sarasota County clears hurdle

Residents in the Old Miakki area are rallying to stop the development east of Lorraine Road, but their pleas have had little impact.

  • East County
  • News
Craft Growlers To Go & Tasting Room (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 31, 2022
Craft beer is picking up in Lakewood Ranch

Craft beer aficionados don't have to travel far to quench their thirst. Lakewood Ranch has become a go-to destination for craft beer enthusiasts and entrepreneurs.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Daris Rodriguez is in her first year as head coach of the Sarasota High volleyball program. (Photo by Ryan Kohn)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2022
New coach rebuilds Sailors volleyball with sense of community

Daris Rodriguez said her team must build better bonds before they can start winning consistently. Plus, a look at other area teams.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Michaela Mattes. (Photo by Ryan Kohn)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Michaela Mattes

The Cardinal Mooney and Sarasota Sharks girls swimmer took gold at the 2022 Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Honolulu.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 31, 2022
Voters spoke: They’re PO’d

Politicians take note: The results in Sarasota’s school and hospital board elections and Manatee’s commission elections sent a clear message.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • August 31, 2022
Brooke GuyAsbury

Guy Asbury’s Memorial Service will be held on Friday, 09/09/2022 at Sarasota National Cemetery at 11:30 AM.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Tara's Bill Kaser (back) and Lakewood Ranch's Don Deibert do all the dispatching from their homes but eventually would like to get an office for the nonprofit. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2022
Sarasota, Manatee seniors can tap into nonprofit ride service

Two Lakewood Ranch men started a senior ride service after nonprofit ride-provider ITN Suncoast closed.

  • East County
  • Business
Marissa Krone is a junior girls golfer at Parrish Community High but lives in the East County area. This season, she'll be joined on the team by her sister, freshman Maya Krone. (File photo.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2022
The East County non-football fall sports outlook

Once again, the Lakewood Ranch area has plenty of intriguing athletes to watch in golf, volleyball, swimming and cross-country in 2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
The project area for the $21.4 million Bahia Vista Street force main project, which is expected to be completed in early 2024. (Courtesy of Sarasota County)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 31, 2022
County commissioners approve sewer line expansion on Bahia Vista Street

A budget amendment of $21 million brings to $280 million a project to expand capacity and upgrade the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 31, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Floppy fries flare-up

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
At an April meeting of the Republican Club of Longboat Key , School Board member Bridget Ziegler, center, was joined by candidates Robyn Marinelli and Timothy Enos. (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 31, 2022
Longboat Key voters opt for challengers in Sarasota School Board election

In contentious race, the town leaned toward opponents of all three countywide winners.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Built in 1993, the home at 605 Weston Pointe Court has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,806 square feet of living area. (Courtesy of Ryan Ackerman, Coldwell-Banker Realty)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 31, 2022
Weston Pointe property sells for more than $2 million

A Weston Pointe property tops the week's sales at $2.05 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Michael Saunders & Co. sales associate Kim Ogilvie presents a check to Sandra Chapnick, co-founder of Josh Provides Epilepsy Assistance Foundation. (Photo courtesy of MSC Foundation)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 31, 2022
Michael Saunders & Co. foundation delivers over $50,000 to charities

The MSC Foundation has donated more than $1.1 million since 2011.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
(Courtesy rendering)
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • August 31, 2022
10,000-square-foot retail flex development coming to Bradenton

A group of investors bought the property near I-75 and is building a center to meet demand for flex space.

  • East County
  • News
Those in opposition to the amendment dressed in white shirts to show their unity. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 30, 2022
Sarasota commissioners advance Lorraine Road rezone

The Sarasota County Commission has forwarded an amendment to the state to consider light industrial and office uses for Lorraine Road in southern Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The new Sarasota County Administration Center, shaded in blue, will be located in Fruitville Farms just south of Fruitville Road. (Courtesy of Sarasota County)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 30, 2022
Sarasota County's new headquarters projected to cost $72M-$74M

The new building next to Celery Fields will be 50,000 square feet smaller than the current administration building in downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtney Kawcak (Photo by Ryan Kohn)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 30, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Courtney Kawcak

The Braden River High senior is an impact setter on the volleyball team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Summerfield Park is among the areas maintained by Community Development District 1. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 30, 2022
Lakewood Ranch CDDs aim to keep budgets steady amid inflation

All but one Community Development District saw increases below 2% in residents’ fees.

  • East County
  • 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
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
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
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
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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