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Your Observer

Olivia Sharkoski (Photo by Ryan Kohn)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 16, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Olivia Sharkoski

The Lakewood Ranch-based hockey player won the Fastest Skater award at a Liberty University development camp in July.

  • East County
  • Sports
Joe Martinez started Friends of Lakewood Ranch Performing Arts Center to promote interest in building a theater. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2022
Is performing arts center in Lakewood Ranch just a dream?

The organization Friends of Lakewood Ranch Performing Arts Center forms to stir up support to build a theater.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The crash took place on southbound Interstate 75 just north of Fruitville Road. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 16, 2022
Interstate 75 lanes reopen after deadly crash in Sarasota County

Two killed in the fiery rollover incident that prompted a traffic diversion for nearly three hours.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ted Lindenberg launched the Books for Kids initiative as part of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 16, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Rotarians ensure every kid gets the chance to love reading

A retired educator who moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2010, Ted Lindenberg is a fervent advocator for childhood literacy — one book and one child at a time.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Country Club home at 13207 Palmers Creek Terrace sold for $3 million. It has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,581 square feet of living area. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 16, 2022
Country Club home tops sales at $3 million

A Country Club home on Palmers Creek Terrace tops the week's sales at $3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
One of the pictures that attracted over 100,000 followers to Loccisano's Instagram page. (Photo courtesy of Sheila Loccisano)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 16, 2022
Instagram followers turn a shelling passion into a part-time job

Follow Me to Longboat Key, run by Sheila Loccisano, has more than 100,000 followers on Instagram.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ethan Conner, a Freedom Elementary School fourth grader, works with Melanie Stern, a Project TEACH volunteer. More Freedom Elementary students will be able to participate in Project TEACH once an addition is built. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 16, 2022
Manatee School Board considers borrowing more money for capital projects

Inflation leads the School District of Manatee County to plot a borrow-and-build-now strategy.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 16, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Bad day on the water

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Charlie Mopps says he looks forward to continuing work that aligns with his background and passion in coastal engineering and coastal projects as the town frequently works on projects on the island’s beaches. (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 16, 2022
Longboat program manager returns for coastal projects, town staff

Charlie Mopps returned to the Public Works Department on Aug. 10 after seven months as Venice's public works director.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 15, 2022
Sarasota County Schools sets clear bag policy for athletic events

Small purses are allowed, along with transparent larger carrying bags.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Longboat Library has a book sale on August 10. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 15, 2022
The Longboat Library has a new collection of books

Many books from the remaining overstock will be donates to Little Free Library boxes around town.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former Sarasota High Head Coach Brody Wiseman is now the offensive coordinator at Riverview High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 15, 2022
Sailors football believes togetherness, improved line play will lead to more wins

Sarasota Head Coach Brody Wiseman believes 2022 is the season the program can turn the corner and reach the postseason.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 15, 2022
Summer concert series attracts fans to St. Armands Circle

JAC of All Trades played jazz in St. Armands Circle Park for the second of three concerts in a summer series.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Plans are underway to expand SMH-Venice. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 15, 2022
New 100-bed hospital in North Port to relieve pressure at SMH-Sarasota

Sarasota Memorial Health Care is planning a new hospital in south county. Paired with SMH-Venice, they will serve the fast-growing communities and relieve pressure on SMH-Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Joe Di Bartolomeo
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 15, 2022
Tara CDD, Seat 1: Joe Di Bartolomeo

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • August 15, 2022
William James Gallagher

William James Gallagher, 88, of Quechee, Vermont and Longboat Key, Florida passed away peacefully July 29th, 2022 accompanied by one of his sons.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 14, 2022
Locals get down at Van Wezel Friday Fest

The monthly event was again held on Aug. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 14, 2022
Car enthusiasts pack Luxe Dream Garage groundbreaking in Lakewood Ranch

Sixty-five garage condos due in 2023 with another 64 in 2024.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 14, 2022
Sofia's opens as Mediterranean-themed restaurant in Lakewood Ranch

Invitation-only event Aug. 13 preps Chef Angelo DiFiore's business for Aug. 16 opening to general public.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
School administrators Bradley Warren and Cheryl Cendan spent a lot of time inside the Starbucks and Panera cafes meeting with hundreds of Lakewood Ranch parents. Cendan shows the school’s mascot — an eagle. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 14, 2022
New charter school opens for Lakewood Ranch students

Enthusiasm soars for Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, a charter school built on the WISH model, which stands for wellness, innovation, science and health.

  • East County
  • Schools
Derek Nelson, franchise owner with AR Homes Sarasota/Nelson Homes, says that requests for multigenerational homes are becoming more prevalent. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 14, 2022
Communities focus on building homes for multigenerational living

Lakewood Ranch is at the heart of a nationwide trend of multiple generations living in one home.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 13, 2022
Comic fans assemble at SarasotaCon

Comic convention makes its debut in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key beach was among those that had been under a no-swim advisory. (Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 13, 2022
Sarasota-area beaches again cleared for swimming

Bacteria levels return to acceptable concentrations at Siesta Key and Lido Key beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
(Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Su Byron
  • August 13, 2022
How to spend a day in Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place

The new 36-acre lakefront town center in east Sarasota County offers plenty to explore, discover — and taste.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
(File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 13, 2022
Longboat advances green initiatives to improve, sustain environment

The town's green initiatives include monitoring and improving water quality, increasing multimodal options and optimizing energy consumption.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City and FDOT officials are negotiating an agreement to place public art in roundabouts along Tamiami Trail, delaying recommendations for this roundabout at U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 12, 2022
Roundabout art projects delayed as state agreement remains unfinished

Ready to send three artist finalists to the Sarasota City Commission for a sculpture at the Gulfstream Avenue roundabout, the Public Art Committee hits another roadblock.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2022
Manatee, Sarasota early-voting sites open Saturday

The sites will operate daily through Aug. 20 in Manatee County and through Aug. 21 in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Part of the Old Florida style at Linger Lodge Restaurant is the taxidermy. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2022
Old Florida charm back in business at Bradenton's Linger Lodge

Owner Rita Lewis says the restaurant reopening feels like a homecoming on Braden River.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Origin has additional locations in Southside Village, UTC and Palmer Ranch. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 12, 2022
New restaurants offering pizza, coffee and more open in Sarasota, Waterside Place

Four of the Sarasota area's newest places to grab a bite are now ready for you.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    In Memoriam |
  • August 12, 2022
Audrey Strode Wolcott

Audrey Strode Wolcott died peacefully in Sarasota, Florida on July 17th, at the age of 93. She was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, Arthur S. Wolcott.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Save Our Seabirds no longer charges admission fees. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 12, 2022
Save Our Seabirds boosts visitors, donations by stopping admission fees

CEO Aaron Virgin plans to revitalize and distinguish the City Island-based aviary center as its own attraction.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, looks forward to ensuring the safety of students, expanding programming and addressing growth in the county. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2022
Manatee superintendent focuses on progress in the new school year

From academics to programming and construction, Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders says she looks forward to a new school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2022
Sarasota police increases traffic law enforcement, education

Protection of pedestrians and bicycles is the goal of the Sarasota Police Department's High Visibility Enforcement effort.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Water activities at Siesta Key Beach, North Lido Beach and Lido Casino are not recommended, but the beaches remain open. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 11, 2022
Sarasota beaches under no-swim advisory

The Health Department finds bacteria levels at higher-than-acceptable concentrations at Siesta Key Beach, North Lido Beach and Lido Casino.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Steve DiBio has been accumulating hot dog recipes for years. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 11, 2022
Downtown hot dog eatery Doggystyle highlights culture across the country

Steve DiBio runs the Main Street restaurant that offers regional-specific hot dogs including New York, Chicago and Philadelphia styles.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Voters will be able to choose from six candidates for school board seats Aug. 23 (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2022
Sarasota County School Board candidates hope to keep focus on education

The candidates say they plan to gain parent trust and decrease political discussion among the board.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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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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