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Your Observer

Jenny Townsend, the owner of Music Compound MAN, says the music lounge will be a place for students to relax before lessons as well as to perform. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 15, 2022
Music Compound set to open new location in east Bradenton

Braden River Business Park facility will join the Music Compound's original Sarasota location.

  • East County
  • Business
A two-story, 10,000-square-foot high-end restaurant is planned for this site inside The Quay. (Photo by Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 15, 2022
Planning board OKs restaurant and retail space in The Quay

An unnamed 10,000-square-foot restaurant in The Quay receives a recommendation for approval by the Sarasota Planning Board along with 5,000 square feet of retail space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
July 8, 2022: An aerial of the project shows progress on several fronts, with the hotel building on the left and the first of the condo buildings on the right. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 15, 2022
Sold-out St. Regis project rises higher on Longboat Key

Vertical progress on the hotel and first condo building nears its topped-out phase.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tyler McCallister cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of Brown & Brown Insurance. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 15, 2022
Brown & Brown Insurance arrives in University Park

Staff said that the new office is a reflection of changes in the company — but that it will also create new ones.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 14, 2022
Tamiami Trail reopens after gas line break on bayfront

Police advise motorists to drive carefully through the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"Wild Kingdom" films at Mote. (Photo courtesy of Mutual of Omaha's Wild KIngdom)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 14, 2022
Turtles and manatees take center stage in reboot of 'Wild Kingdom' at Mote

The revival of the iconic TV show of the 1960s through 1980s focuses on conservation and science.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Joseph Ferrigine and Kevin Smith take their oath as they are sworn in. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2022
Longboat Key Police Department swears in two new officers

Joseph Ferrigine and Kevin Smith started work prior to the ceremony, helping the department patrol over Fourth of July weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 14, 2022
Longboat Key Town Commission shows how

To their credit, Longboat commissioners are leading the region in proposing to cut property tax rates for the next fiscal year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: July 14

Gordon Silver captured a lesser yellowlegs sandpiper at Myakka River State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 14

Mary Kondrat captured this glowing sunset on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2022
East County weather page photo: July 14

Gordon Silver captured this adult male cardinal watching over a newly built nest in Del Webb.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Benderson Park head paddling Coach Angela Long and the Survivors in Sync breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, which features paddlers from Sarasota, will compete at the 2022 Club Crew World Championships next week. File photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 14, 2022
Sarasota dragon boat paddler excited for Club Crew World Championships

The event will hit Nathan Benderson Park on July 18-24 and will see boats from local clubs compete for glory against the world's best.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Austin Bruce holds the award and Zachary Geiger holds the robot they built to win the VEX Robotics Competition at the National TSA Conference in Texas. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 14, 2022
Nothing nerdy about robotics title

Two Lakewood Ranch High students placed second at the National TSA's VEX Robotics Competition, propelling each other toward their aeronautical dreams.

  • East County
  • Opinion
County Administrator Jonathan Lewis told commissioners during the budget hearings pay raises are intended to bolster job retention and recruitment. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 14, 2022
County millage rate dips slightly as commission sets max rate

With countywide property values spiking by 17.6%, the Sarasota County Commission set an essentially flat maximum millage rate for fiscal year 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 14, 2022
10 fun things to do in Sarasota

Whether you're visiting or live here, there are at least this many experiences that shouldn't be ignored.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artist Erin Ernst created a sculpture of giant cigarette butts in the sand to help raise awareness. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 13, 2022
Longboat Key sets sights on its own smoking ban

When commissioners return in September, a proposal for parks and beaches is expected to be waiting for them.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Orioles, represented by the mascot the Oriole Bird, have been in a six-year valley in terms of record, but the 2022 team is turning things around. (File photo)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 13, 2022
Prose and Kohn: 2022 Orioles change columnist from baseball agnostic to diehard

Ryan Kohn's baseball fandom died in 2016. The Baltimore Orioles, on an eight-game winning streak, have brought it back from the dead.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Residents and guests at Tara Golf & Country Club will likely have a new amenity within the next one to two years. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 13, 2022
Tara Golf & Country Club embraces pickleball demand

A proposed rezone within the Lakewood Ranch subdivision would allow five pickleball courts and three tennis courts to be built.

  • East County
  • News
Wyatt Plattner. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 13, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Wyatt Plattner

The Cardinal Mooney graduate and golfer has won both the 2022 FSGA Boys' Junior Championship and the 50th Southern Junior Championship this summer.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Legacy Trail's east-west segment runs past the Pompano Trailhead, just south of Robarts Arena.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 13, 2022
Newest Legacy Trail stop opens in Sarasota

The Pompano Trailhead features 12 lighted pickleball courts and other amenities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 13, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Dirty laundry

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 13, 2022
Out-of-Door Academy's Crazy Cooks Camp stirs up fun in Lakewood Ranch

ODA adds a twist to its summer camp as participants make pretzels.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Town Manager Tom Harmer plans to step down in December after five years on the job. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 13, 2022
Longboat hopes to directly identify candidates for Harmer's job

Between now and December, the town aims to target specific people to consider for the town manager position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Terri and Jeff Driver are active members of the LBKTW, Rotary and the Green Team. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 13, 2022
The do-gooding duo driving change on Longboat Key

The Drivers work, play and volunteer around their new home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A treatment basin holds surface water, while the sludge in the water is transported to a pond visible in the background. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 13, 2022
Dam upgrades and repairs high on Manatee's priority list

More than $121 million in repairs and upgrades is budgeted to keep the region’s potable water flowing at the dam.

  • East County
  • News
Work continues on the cafeteria and multipurpose room of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 13, 2022
Construction on charter school's first phase nears completion

With an Aug. 10 opening day approaching, construction crews have the coming Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy on schedule.

  • East County
  • Schools
The latest Waves and Wheels party got people going at the casino tables. (Photo courtesy of Lori Sax)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 13, 2022
Suncoast Charities for Children shifts summer offerings

The organization's second annual festival runs through July 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The master plan of the Bay Park Conservancy's transformation of the 53-acre site on Sarasota Bay. (Courtesy rendering)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 12, 2022
Nonprofit reaches halfway point of $24M campaign for The Bay Park

With 18 months to go on its capital campaign, The Bay Park Conservancy has raised a second $5 million toward its $24 million goal, triggering another $1 million Patterson Foundation grant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A car is suspended in the air for maintenance at Christian Brothers Automotive. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 12, 2022
Faith-based automotive repair franchise comes to Lakewood Ranch area

The franchise owner says he wants to bring more transparency to auto repair.

  • East County
  • Business
A baby octopus crawls onto a boat anchored off Jewfish Key. (Photo courtesy of Hilary Julian)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 12, 2022
Baby octopus hitches a ride from Jewfish Key

The octopus most likely boarded the boat via the anchor, the family said.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Volleyball for Beginners participants exchanged contact information after their session with instructor Chris McComas (second from right) with the intention of keeping their new hobby going together.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 12, 2022
Volleyball for Beginners class in Lakewood Ranch offers instruction, fun

The participants learn their bumps, sets and spikes at Waterside Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jacqueline Putrino (Photo by Ryan Kohn)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 12, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Jacqueline Putrino

The Lakewood Ranch-based, Florida State-bound golfer finished tied for fifth at the FSGA Women's Amateur Stroke Play Championship, held July 8-10 in Placida.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Country Club East home at 6907 Devon Cove sold for $2,055,000. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,007 square feet of living area. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 12, 2022
Country Club East home tops sales at $2.06 million

A home in Country Club East tops the week's sales at $2.06 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Herb Moller, Sue Forbrook, Jack Jones, Maria DiMenna, and Terry Campbell in the kitchen at Our Daily Bread.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 12, 2022
$94,000 donation leaves a lasting mark at Christ Church

The gift to Christ Church on Longboat Key by a founding member goes a long way to help the church's mission group.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office vehicles drive about 7 million miles a year, according to Sheriff Kurt Hoffman. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 12, 2022
Rising fuel, ammunition costs lead to spike in Sheriff's Office proposed budget

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman cites escalating costs of essentials in part for a 14% preliminary budget increase and calls curbing patrol and firearm training unacceptable.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Florida Department of Transportation cameras show the extent of the crash and traffic tie-ups.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 12, 2022
Four seriously injured in Monday I-75 collision near Clark Road

Charges pending in chain reaction crash involving six vehicles.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
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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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