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Your Observer

The fenced property at 203 Garfield Drive includes two buildings, both constructed in 1936. (Photo by Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 24, 2022
Ringling Estates properties sell for $2.9 million

Two Ringling Estates properties on Garfield Drive top the week's sales at $2.9 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Siesta Key's Benjamin Aguilar competed at the 2023 U.S Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 24, 2022
Siesta Key junior gymnast showcases athleticism, grace at U.S. Gymnastics Championships

Benjamin Aguilar finished 12th All-Around in the Junior Men's 16 division of the event, which was held Aug. 18-21 at Tampa's Amalie Arena.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The School District of Manatee County continues to have a bus driver shortage as the school year begins. The district has 106 drivers for its 104 routes. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 24, 2022
Manatee School District addresses bus driver shortage and bus upgrades

During the driver shortage, Myakka teachers have volunteered to learn to operate a bus.

  • East County
  • Schools
(Photo courtesy of Samantha Ponzillo)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 24, 2022
JFCS of the Suncoast and food truck vendors raise funds for family

A food truck rally raised $10,000 for the Mendoza family on Aug. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 24, 2022
Polo Club, Waterside residents concerned about possible rezoning on Lorraine Road

Sarasota County seeks to allow light industrial and office uses on Lorraine Road corridors.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 24, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Auto held hostage

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Steph Ouellette owns and operates SUP Yoga SRQ. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 24, 2022
Paddleboard enthusiast balances yoga with water sports

Steph Ouellette owns and operates her own enterprise that teaches yoga from stand-up paddleboards both on Longboat Key and City Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former City Commissioner Fredd Atkins defeated Hagen Brody.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 23, 2022
Field set for two Sarasota County Commission seats in general election

Fredd Atkins takes close race over two Democrat opponents in District 2 while two Republican races were easily won by Mark Smith and Joseph Neunder.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jason Bearden, his 6-year-old daughter, Tessa; his wife, Katie; and his 8-week-old daughter, Allie, celebrated on election night. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 23, 2022
Jason Bearden wins Manatee County Commission at-large seat

Jason Bearden unseated four-term Commissioner Carol Whitmore with 61.54% of the votes.

  • East County
  • News
Riverwalk's Richard Tatem shakes hands with Steve Vernon, the chair of the Manatee County Republican Party, as Vernon congratulates him on his win. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 23, 2022
Lakewood Ranch's Richard Tatem elected to Manatee School Board District 5

Every vote counted for Richard Tatem as his 50.5% makes him the District 5 representative without the need for a run-off.

  • East County
  • Schools
School Board member Bridget Ziegler snaps a selfie with supporters at an election-night celebration Tuesday.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2022
Ziegler leads Sarasota School Board sweep

The slate of three candidates drew support of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2022
Manatee County Primary Election Results 2022

The 2022 primary election was held Aug. 23, with a 31.12% voter turnout.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2022
Sarasota County Primary Election Results 2022

The 2022 primary election was held Aug. 23, with a countywide 36.53% voter turnout.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Incumbent Jen Ahearn-Koch swept easily into the general election by more than 10 points.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 23, 2022
Ahearn-Koch leads the way in City Commission vote

Lobeck and Trice also make the field for the November general election of two at-large seats.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 23, 2022
Sarasota County Election Day turnout more than 36%

The winner-take-all school board races highlight a ballot that also includes countywide and state campaigns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
No one was home at the time of the 1:25 p.m. crash on Webber Street. (Photo via FHP)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 23, 2022
Driver hurt when SUV crashes into Sarasota garage

A single-vehicle crash seriously damaged a structure, and a 64-year-old man was sent to the hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Mira Mar building, plagued with safety concerns, won't be sold to local developer who was looking to build condos in its place. (File photo)
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • August 23, 2022
Deal to sell Mira Mar is off, but plans to demolish it are not

The Mira Mar building in downtown Sarasota, plagued with safety concerns, won’t be sold to local developer who was looking to build condos in its place.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A roadway construction project to improve four intersections along U.S. 301 north of downtown Sarasota is in the planning stages by FDOT. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 23, 2022
FDOT public meeting on US 301 improvements set for Thursday

The Florida Department of Transportation is planning four intersection improvements on U.S. 301 north of downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2022
Motorcycle rider killed in Sarasota crash

No one else was involved in the 11:30 p.m. wreck Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
ODA Head Coach Rob Hollway says getting players from the school's baseball team has injected a winning culture into the football program. (Photo by Ryan Kohn)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 23, 2022
Thunder football hopes for better health and more fun in 2022

Head Football Coach Rob Hollway has more depth and size on his 2022 roster.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 23, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Meats and cheeses? Yes. Crime? No.

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
This LakeHouse Cove at Waterside home at 793 Crosswind Ave. sold for $3 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,274 square feet of living area. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 23, 2022
LakeHouse Cove home tops sales at $3 million

A LakeHouse Cove home on Crosswind Avenue tops the week's sales at $3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Although it costs a lot to rent a place to live in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton MSA, renting remains a better bargain here than does purchasing a home. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 23, 2022
Sarasota region ranks among the lowest rent-cost-to-ownership ratios in Florida

Although rents are difficult to afford in Sarasota County, the metro area ranks among the lowest of its peers in Florida when compared to the cost of purchasing a home.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Decomposing seaweed along beaches can play a role in the increased level of bacteria leading to no-swim advisories. (Photo by Lauren Tronstad)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2022
Bacteria prompting no-swim advisories likely from multiple sources

When bacteria levels reach unsafe levels, beach advisories go up. But that bacteria can be indicative of several situations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The project repairs the lake edge in the southeast and southwest corners. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 23, 2022
Sarasota County begins shoreline work at Nathan Benderson Park

The half-million-dollar project will repair erosion caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 22, 2022
McDonald's franchise opens Sept. 7 in Lakewood Ranch

Longtime McDonald's workers and franchise owners are set to open their 10th McDonald's in the region.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 22, 2022
Despite not placing, Lakewood Ranch gymnast realizes a dream at 2022 U.S. Championships

Lakewood Ranch's Jaden Blank displayed power and grace at the 2022 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in the Junior Men's 17 division.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kansas City's Jennifer Imre-Justus and her sister Allison Imre, of Lakewood Ranch, hope to inspire others to support the American Cancer Society. Both sisters are cancer survivors. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 22, 2022
Lakewood Ranch woman to share family cancer survival at Making Strides kickoff

Allison Imre will talk about her and her sister's cancer survival stories Aug. 25 to promote the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A request for state funding for Main Street improvements was rejected during the most recent legislative session. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 22, 2022
DID board accuses city of unauthorized transfer of $400,000 for capital project

The Downtown Improvement District chair tells commissioners that the city removed at-will funding for Main Street improvements, leaving it with just $8,000 in its bank account.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 22, 2022
Sarasota Young Professionals gather at annual summit

The annual conference was held at the Carlisle Inn on Aug. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hannah Lipsey of Punta Gorda throws knives and axes at the 2021 Sarasota Medieval Fair.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 21, 2022
The best things to do in and around Lakewood Ranch this fall

September, October and November are busy months in Lakewood Ranch. Check out a calendar of the can't-miss events.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Braden River Middle Principal Kimberlain Zenon-Richardson hopes the new school uniforms will boost school spirit, including eighth graders Donovan Plakyda, Bradyn Bobbitt, Esmeralda Pena and Camryn Kolbe. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 20, 2022
Braden River Middle searches for unity in uniforms

The Bradenton school switches for the first time to a uniform policy, with general approval from parents.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mark Ursini said he plans to bring his business to the center, too. (Courtesy rendering)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2022
Mid-Key commercial property plans await final approval

The commercial property and two residential homes from local homebuilder Brista Homes are planned to be completed by the end of 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Preseason Kickoff Classics were played across the region Friday night.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 19, 2022
High school football roundup: 08.19.22

Preseason Kickoff Classics were played across the region Friday night.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2022
A day of celebration at Special Olympics Stand-up Paddleboard Championships

Nathan Benderson Park hosts the event in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Signs restricting boater access stand on the sand on Greer Island. (Photo by Lauren Tronstad)
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • August 19, 2022
Signs placed restricting boater access on Beer Can Island

Motorized vessels will still be allowed to beach and anchor in unrestricted areas of the spit just past the buoys and under the bridge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

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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.
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
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