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Your Observer

Waves is ready to get back into the gulf after having surgery to remove tumors. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 30, 2022
Injured green sea turtle treated and released back to the Gulf

Mote rescued the sea turtle found tangled in fishing wire near Cortez in May and took it to its rehab hospital for treatment.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 7928 Matera Court sold for $1,785,000. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,727 square feet of living area. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 30, 2022
Lake Club home tops sales at $2.7 million

A Lake Club home on Baycross Drive tops the week's sales at $2.7 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 30, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: It came from the sky

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Fiddler crabs skitter across the boardwalk on City Island regularly. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 30, 2022
Tour a hidden gem on a City Island trail

Learn about estuaries on City Island, one of the 40 stops along a watershed audio tour through Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
(Photo via the city of Sarasota)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 29, 2022
Sewer-line break in Sarasota spills 340,000 gallons, city says

Water testing near Whitaker Bayou shows levels returning to normal after the break Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • August 29, 2022
Vera H. Freeman

Vera H. Freeman 91, of Longboat Key passed peacefully on Aug. 11, 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • August 29, 2022
Patricia Kirkpatrick Walsh Hunziker

Patricia Kirkpatrick Walsh Hunziker died on July 3, 2022 in St. Petersburg, Florida where she had lived for a number of years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
New housing stock increased by 10.9% between 2010 and 2020 in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro area. Over that same decade, population grew by 18.2%. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 29, 2022
Sarasota region housing stock grew 10.9% from 2010 to 2020

Far outpaced by population growth, new housing stock in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton area grew more than the national average in the decade between the 2008 recession and COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office personnel on the scene of a deputy-involved shooting on Sunday. (Sarasota County Sheriff's Office photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 29, 2022
Sarasota deputies fatally shoot man who pulled a gun

47-year-old man reportedly pulled weapon from behind his back and chambered a bullet.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Instructors Ilee Finocchiaro, Lisa Morningstar and Terri Arnold are equine specialists in mental health and learning. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 29, 2022
Equine therapy nonprofit adds more horsepower to its Myakka facility

With news horses on the way, Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy can make a greater impact providing equine therapy to the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
As president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch since 2005, Rex Jensen heads up one of the most recognizable and sought-after land management, agricultural and development companies in the nation. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 28, 2022
Lakewood Ranch pioneer shares insights on building a community

After 20 years at the helm, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO Rex Jensen sounds off on what makes a community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High senior running back Kevin Everhart moves a pile of Lemon Bay tackles to score a touchdown. The Mustangs' game against the Manta Rays would be canceled because of lightning. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 28, 2022
Lakewood Ranch running back ready to roll, if lightning doesn't get in the way

Running back Kevin Everhart scores for Lakewood Ranch before season-opener cancelled by lightning in first quarter.

  • East County
  • Sports
High school football roundup: Week one. (File photo.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 28, 2022
High school football roundup: Week one

Cardinal Mooney High and Booker High played a tight game while other area schools were involved in blowouts.

  • East County
  • Sports
Numerous residents turned out to protest the possible rezoning of a stretch of Lorraine Road between University Parkway and Fruitville Road to allow light industrial and office uses. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 27, 2022
Lakewood Ranch residents protest possible light industrial and office use along Lorraine Road

The Aug. 27 protest proceeded an Aug. 30 Sarasota County Commission meeting about the possible Business Corridor overlay.

  • East County
  • News
A sampling of books written by Scribes’ members (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 27, 2022
Scribes club prides itself on giving writers good feedback — the kind way

A Lakewood Ranch writers’ club meets twice monthly to critique each other’s work and build lifetime bonds.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Penny Gold, who was elected in 2021, will join the program. (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2022
New Florida program trains local commissioners on state, federal issues

Elected municipal officials with a limited background in local government can earn certificates for continuing their education through the Florida League of Cities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 26, 2022
Cardinal Mooney football wins defensive slugfest against Booker

The Cougars took an early 10-0 lead on the Tornadoes and held on to win 10-9 at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 26, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 25

John Uwins captured this cloudless photo of a calm day at the beach at Bay Isles.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 26, 2022
East County weather page photo: August 25

Laura Beck took a photo of this hibiscus in bloom in The Isles in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 26, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: August 25

Dale Hayes captured this mother and baby owl in Myakka River State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The decorated tree in the center of St. Armands Circle has for years been the focus of the shopping district during the holidays. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 26, 2022
Debate ensues over when St. Armands Circle holiday tree can be lighted

Citing city commissioners' wishes, the Business Improvement District board insists the new 60-foot tree be lighted before Thanksgiving. The Merchants Association director is making no promises.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction has begun on One Main Plaza at 1991 Main St. (Photo by Mark Wemple)
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • August 26, 2022
Trio of projects set to transform a portion of downtown Sarasota

The flurry of activity from three major downtown-area projects in the fast-growing, art-infused city is too much for some but just right for others.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The construction crew begins site preparations Aug. 19. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 26, 2022
Cooper Creek Boulevard roundabout project underway in Sarasota

The University Town Center project is expected to enhance traffic flow and access to University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch football game against Lemon Bay High on Thursday night was canceled because of lightning in the middle of the first quarter. Senior Kevin Everhart scored a goal-line touchdown before then. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 25, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High football game canceled because of lighting

The game, which was a home game against Lemon Bay High, will not be rescheduled.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 25, 2022
Candy shop moves in next door to Kilwins on St. Armands Circle

River Street Sweets Savannah's Candy Kitchen, which just opened on the Circle, is the largest praline manufacturer in the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Built in 2006, the home at 1525 N. Lake Shore Drive has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,407 square feet of living area. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 25, 2022
Oyster Bay property sells for $2.9 million

An Oyster Bay home on Lake Shore Drive tops the week's sales at $2.9 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Charles Brantley (0) intercepts a pass against Michigan. The former Riverview defensive back is a big part of the Spartan's defensive plan. (Photo courtesy of Michigan State Athletics)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 25, 2022
As college football begins, a bumper crop of area alumni to watch on the gridiron

Sarasota has infused a lot of talent into the NCAA ranks over the years. The 2022 group is no different.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Guests at Hugo II can choose between indoor and outdoor seating. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2022
New restaurants on Longboat Key focus on fresh ingredients

Hugo II has been serving guests since April. LaVilla Mexican Restaurant will open its doors on Saturday.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 25, 2022
Redevelopment of Bath & Racquet Club moves closer to city approval

Entering its final Development Review Committee stage, the preservation and conversion the 53-year-old tennis complex into a multiuse project will go before the Planning Board this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A business logo greeted visitors at the front entrance. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 25, 2022
The Wellness Way invites the public into its new home in Lakewood Ranch

The national health clinic brand's new location adds additional space and offers aesthetic improvements.

  • East County
  • Business
Joe Jennings has been an enduring tennis fan, to the point of designing his own racket. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 25, 2022
Sarasota resident celebrates a lifetime of achievements with 100th birthday

Joe Jennings' near-century of life has been full of adventures and activity.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pumpkin has beautiful eyes among other qualities. Ava Biasini is trying to find a home for Pumpkin. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 25, 2022
Bradenton 18-year-old spends summer finding homes for stray cats

Chemical engineering will have to wait for the cat-loving University of Florida student.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • August 24, 2022
Excitement on Election Day

Casting the ballot is a key ingredient to our liberty. Sarasota and Manatee candidates and constituents alike make it count.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Rachel Chambers. (Courtesy photo.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 24, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Rachel Chambers

The Sarasota triathlete was the top female finisher at the 2022 Top Gun Triathlon held Aug. 6 in St. Petersburg.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Andrea Dietz.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 24, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrea Dietz

The Lakewood Ranch High senior and North Florida commit led the volleyball team with 10 kills Aug. 20 in its 3-0 home win over Wharton High.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 24, 2022
Bingo brings out the chamber's competitive side

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members got to know each other better with networking bingo.

  • 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
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
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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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