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Your Observer

A four-bedroom, five-bath home at 18826 Ganton Avenue in the Concession closed Aug. 20 for $6.9 million to become the second highest-priced sale ever in the Lakewood Ranch area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 21, 2025
Concession home sells for $6.9 million

The Schemmel Soda Group, which handled the sale, says it is the second-highest priced home ever sold in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
River Club's Douglas Whitney, an architect for 43 years, always has loved drawing by hand. He is the only one in WBRC's Lakewood Ranch office to still have a drafting table.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 21, 2025
Noted architect leaves his mark on Lakewood Ranch

Doug Whitney, who died Aug. 11, blazed a trail for WBRC architecture in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Adam Altman, account executive for the Sarasota Paradise, greets guests at the Premier Sports Campus Aug. 19 for Sarasota Paradise Day.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 21, 2025
Soccer fans in paradise at Premier Sports Campus

The Sarasota Paradise soccer team hosted a party to celebrate Sarasota Paradise Day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rigoberto Torres holds the bust of Bélen Lopez. There is still more work to be done, including opening the eyes on the sculpture and painting the surface.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 21, 2025
See how a renowned sculptor creates plaster casts of community members

Sculptor Rigoberto Torres is bringing his community lifecasting to The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art for its upcoming exhibition "Nuestro Vaivén (Our Sway)."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Access to golf in Sarasota is no longer a black and white matter
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2025
Access to golf in Sarasota is no longer a black and white matter

Longtime Bobby Jones golfer Ken Spaulding recalls when available tee times often depended upon color.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
2024 Sarasota City Championship winner Brad Knight and his girlfriend, Paige Reichenberger, pose with the trophy after winning the 49th annual event at Bobby Jones Golf Club.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • August 21, 2025
Brad Knight set to return to defend his Sarasota City Championship title

The open city tournament turns 50 at Bobby Jones Golf Club featuring five divisions.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The restored Bobby Jones Golf Club opened in December 2023.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2025
Bobby Jones Golf Club helps fill area's public golf void

With fewer options for public golf locally, the city of Sarasota's Bobby Jones Golf Club offers a private club experience accessible to all.

  • Sarasota
  • News
To make way for an expansion of the County Jail, Sarasota County must move the Criminal Justice Center from location 1, and has requested the city engage in negotiations regarding its parking lot at location 2 with an option to place it at location 3.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2025
Sarasota city, county to discuss possible Ringling Boulevard land deal

Sarasota County has asked the city for possible use of a parking lot on Ringling Boulevard as a new site of its Criminal Justice Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents gather sandbags on Longboat Key before Hurricane Ian.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 21, 2025
Next sandbag filling on Longboat Key is Sept. 4

The next opportunity to fill sandbags is scheduled for 8-11 a.m. Sept. 4 at the Broadway Beach Access, 100 Broadway St.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 1501 South Drive was built in 1953 and has two bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,706 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 21, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for August 4-8 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home in Cherokee Park on South Drive tops the week’s sales at $7.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Dick Vitale in his Lakewood Ranch office, surrounded by a lifetime of achievements — and still chasing new goals.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 21, 2025
Life for Dick Vitale is pretty great. But a stinging failure set up his shot for success.

From national fame to personal travails, famed ESPN sportscaster Dick Vitale talks resilience, reinvention and what keeps him going.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jean Blackburn rides through a canopy of oak and palm on her Old Miakka property — 14 acres of native Florida habitat that fuels both her artwork and conservation efforts.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • August 21, 2025
Myakka City is known for its rural nature — and its salt-of-the-earth people

In a place where cowboy hats outnumber stoplights, three locals live by the rhythm of the land.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The kitchen and family room have been reborn in a contemporary style, showcasing a new coastal look.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • August 21, 2025
A dramatic update brings a Country Club home into the future

A well-loved family home gets a stylish refresh — proving that smart updates and staging can make all the difference for resale.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Prince Knight performs on Aug. 18.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 20, 2025
Jazz Jam SRQ lets the community play together

The free-to-attend, improvised performances, held at Selby Public Library, are being paired with education in the fundamentals of jazz.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A roundabout will replace the signalized intersection on University Parkway where Legacy Boulevard meets Deer Drive.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 20, 2025
Roundabout moves forward on University Parkway at Legacy Boulevard

Residents fought for an upgraded signalized intersection, but Manatee County commissioners decided to stick to the current plan for a roundabout.

  • East County
  • News
Purple Ribbon Committee Chairman Charles Cosler presents the committee's report to the Sarasota City Commission while facilitator Jim Shirley (left) looks on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 20, 2025
Task force advises Sarasota to keep Van Wezel running optimally

With no arts group stepping up to assume operating the Van Wezel, the Purple Ribbon Committee recommends making it last five to seven years should a replacement be built.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Denise Allen and fiancé Mark Latcheran of Parrish visit with Dr. Shilpa Jadeja, who was part of Latcheran's care team at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 20, 2025
Chalk up a life saved for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

Parrish's Mark Latcheran tells a feel-good story about the hospital's staff.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sheriff Rick Wells holds a press conference Aug. 19 at the District 3 Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 20, 2025
Sheriff says no foul play in North Carolina teen's death

Camera footage shows Giovanni Pelletier alone, running down the embankment toward the pond where his body was found.

  • East County
  • News
The golf course at Longboat Key Club, which is accessible by membership or stay at the resort, has 45 holes to play.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal, Andrew Warfield
  • August 20, 2025
Longboat golfers' only public option is to hit a long drive

For the nonmembers, golfers from Longboat Key have to venture to the mainland to play at Bobby Jones Golf Club in Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Homeless man takes up residence in restaurant shed
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2025
Homeless man takes up residence in restaurant shed

Officers discovered a man living in a storage shed and helping himself to a restaurant's liquor bottles. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The two finalists for the superintendent position are Misty Mathis, the executive director of curriculum and instruction for the Nassau County School District, and Laurie Breslin, the executive director of student support and family engagement for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 20, 2025
Superintendent finalists share their goals for Manatee County School District

Laurie Breslin and Misty Mathis spent Aug. 18 being interviewed by the school board and meeting with community members.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bradenton's Steve Doll takes his best shot on Hole 17 at River Run Golf Links, one of the few affordable golf opportunities in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater, Lesley Dwyer
  • August 20, 2025
Is affordable golf in the Lakewood Ranch area a myth?

Some local opportunities still exist, but the future of affordable golf in East County is cloudy at best.

  • East County
  • News
This map shows where the homes would be clustered in relationship to the Miakka Golf Club, along with the access points to both.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 20, 2025
Some Myakka residents fear TerraNova rezone will set bad development precedent

TerraNova is requesting to lower the minimum lot sizes it is selling from 5 acres to 1 acre.

  • East County
  • News
The Longbeach home was built in 1953 and has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,723 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 20, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for August 4-8 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Regent Court on Longboat Club Road tops the week’s sales at $30.3 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Olivia Swanson dishes up a scoop of passionfruit gelato on her last day at Settimi's Gelato before she heads off to college for a new school year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 20, 2025
Summer snapshot on St. Armands Circle

St. Armands Circle falls into an easy-going summertime pace in August, when visitors and residents take their time exploring the restaurants and shops in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Interim Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock looks on during his first City Commission meeting on July 7.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 20, 2025
Sarasota city manager search firms make their pitch

With executive search firms narrowed to three, Sarasota has received their proposals to supply candidates for city manager. A special commission meeting is proposed to discuss.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key town manager Howard “Tip” Tipton poses for a photo in his office at town hall Monday, Aug. 18. Tipton spoke to the Longboat Observer about the proposed 2026 fiscal year budget which adds three staff positions to the payroll.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 20, 2025
Three new Longboat Key staff positions budgeted in 2026, others not

The Town Commission will vote on the 2026 fiscal year budget at two meetings in September which includes a 6.5% staff pay increase and is described by Town Manager Howard Tipton as a "storm-weary budget."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Police Department recently put up digital signs reminding motorists crossing Ringling Bridge to slow down.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 20, 2025
Police crack down on speeding near Ringling Bridge

Sarasota Police Department said it has received several complaints of people going too fast across the bridge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Elena Cassella worked in the Manatee County School District for 17 years before taking a job in fundraising with Foundation for Dreams in 2010.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 20, 2025
Camp is a dream come true for individuals with disabilities

With some help from (lots of) friends, an east Manatee County organization aims to grow its unique camp that supports individuals with special needs and their families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rita Lewis, owner of Linger Lodge, has worked nearly every role in the house. Today, she's the heart and soul of the operation.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 20, 2025
Linger Lodge serves up a heaping portion of Old Florida

Rita Lewis shares the magic behind one of Florida's most storied and beloved riverfront restaurants.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A gopher tortoise emerges from the grasses of Heritage Ranch Preserve. More than 350 animal species rely on abandoned burrows like this one for shelter, nesting and survival.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • August 20, 2025
These conservationists of a threatened species may just surprise you

The Heritage Ranch Gopher Tortoise Preserve offers a long-term refuge for slow movers with a big ecological role.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commission Chair George Kruse (center) directs staff on Aug. 19 to cancel the Aug. 21 land use meeting.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 19, 2025
Manatee County wetlands vote postponed

Commission Chair George Kruse canceled the Aug. 21 commission meeting.

  • East County
  • News
Ana Salmon receives a demonstration from Elyse Falzone, an intuitive energy healer and spiritual mentor.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 19, 2025
Bee Ridge Florist welcomes community inside for Feel Good Fair

The family-owned flower shop, which recently changed ownership to sisters Alex Wise-Brewer and Devyn Wise, hosted the Feel Good Fair.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The busy intersection at Bay Isles Parkway and Gulf of Mexico Drive came in at number two on the list of the five most hazardous intersections, tracking back to July 2023.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 19, 2025
Most Longboat Key fender benders happen at these 5 intersections

Police say the department's emphasis on being visible along Gulf of Mexico Drive helps calm traffic and keep drivers and pedestrians safe.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota man arrested on child pornography charges
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 19, 2025
Sarasota man arrested on child pornography charges

Following months of investigation by the Sarasota Police Department, Colton Berman, 29, faces 13 counts of possession of child pornography.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Joseph Evans Lembo (1963-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • August 19, 2025
Joseph Evans Lembo

Joseph Evans Lembo, 61, passed away on August 7, 2025, following a brief illness.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
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
5
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

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