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Your Observer

Izzy Vijiila and Carrie Pfeiffer finish the run.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 1, 2022
Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run passes through Sarasota

The final leg of the torch run passed through Rise & Nye's ice cream and coffee shop on June 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Betsy Benac
    By
  • Guest Author
  • June 1, 2022
Betsy Benac says Manatee County administrator, commission throw ethics out window

Former commissioner says mismanagement driving away talented Manatee County employees.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 1, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Gonna pay for that?

Police reports and news from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Braden River senior Bryan Kearse stepped up to play quarterback for the Pirates in 2021 after spending three years as a wide receiver.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 1, 2022
Columnist Ryan Kohn names his personal favorite moments from the 2021-2022

Big wins, huge compassion top 2021-22 moments.

  • East County
  • Sports
Eileen Parker with the School District of Manatee County's Food and Nutrition Services hands out lunches during the summer food program. Students will be able to pick up meals at various Lakewood Ranch-area locations. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 1, 2022
Free 2022 summer meals for Manatee County students

Students can go to multiple east Bradenton locations to receive meals.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ellen Jaffe Jones.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 1, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Ellen Jaffe Jones

The 69-year-old runner took third place in her division of the women's 800 meter run at the 2022 National Senior Games in Fort Lauderdale.

  • East County
  • Sports
Willis Smith executives Dave Sessions and John LaCivita with Howard Tibbals at the groundbreaking of the Ringling Museum Tibbals Circus Museum in 2003.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 31, 2022
Willis Smith celebrates 50 years of impact in the Sarasota and Manatee counties region

Mote, Ringling and schools projects highlight the Lakewood Ranch company's resume.

  • East County
  • Business
Gantry cranes are at work on the St. Regis property on Longboat Key, a sign of further construction progress.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 31, 2022
Unicorp meets Tuesday tax deadline on 244 former Colony parcels

Longboat Key properties were listed by Tax Collector as delinquent last week.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Michael Cantrell and Kay Cantrell
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 31, 2022
Longboat Harbour residents celebrate Memorial Day

American flags lined the complex, and partygoers dressed to match

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Micah Adams plays the pipes in the march.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 30, 2022
Sarasota Memorial Day Parade returns to Main Street

Veterans groups and supporters marched in tribute to fallen soldiers on May 30.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The community center and library's set-aside location is roughly that occupied by the former Amore restaurant. The conceptual building is placed to show scale, not design.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 30, 2022
Sarasota County adds $1 million for town library development

Addition to Sarasota County's capital budget paves the way for the first step in building a facility in town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 28, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High softball wins second-straight Class 7A state title

The Mustangs defeated Lake Brantley High 8-2 on Saturday night in Clermont, getting revenge for two regular-season losses to the Patriots.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mayor Erik Arroyo, SRQ Vets co-founder, SRQ Vets co-founder Bill Sterbinsky and others lead the march.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 28, 2022
Sarasota veterans march 5K in Memorial Day tribute

The annual 5K hike was held May 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Eric Coffin is seeking investors for his “Quad-Gen” system.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2022
Lakewood Ranch engineer wants to revolutionize air conditioning industry

Eye on business: Eric Coffin seeks investors for his "Quad-Gen" air conditioning system.

  • East County
  • Business
Robert and Jeff Toale say the Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch will be on the cutting edge of modern funeral home service.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2022
New Lakewood Ranch funeral home on the cutting edge

Celebration of Life Center is set to open in Lakewood Ranch with a rousing open house.

  • East County
  • Business
A Manatee County Sheriff's Office report says two deaths in Lakewood Ranch likely were the result of a murder-suicide.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2022
Two Lakewood Ranch deaths believed to be murder-suicide

Manatee County Sheriff's Office says suspicious circumstances surround deaths of senior couple found at Lake Vista Condos.

  • East County
  • News
Outlined in green is the 68-bed expansion planned at Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice. (Courtesy rendering)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 28, 2022
SMH-Venice announces plans for a $113 million expansion

Opened only six months ago, the Venice branch will add 68 private suites in order to meet the growing needs of south county patients.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 27, 2022
Mustangs softball slams way into state championship game

Lakewood Ranch's offense got plenty of big hits, including a grand slam from senior Ella Coiner, on its way to an 11-3 win over Western High on Friday.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice has earned certification as a Primary Stroke Center, making it the third SMH facility to carry specialized stroke care designation.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 27, 2022
SMH-Venice earns Primary Stroke Center designation

Sarasota Memorial Hospital's stroke network now has a third facility that carries a specialized stroke care certification.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Bay, under which the town of Longboat Key's sewage flows in a 20-inch pipeline, is designated a Class II waterway by the state, only behind waterway that supply drinking water.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 27, 2022
Longboat Key builds funds first, then aims to construct sewer pipeline

Longboat Key's sewer line project aims to add redundancy to a system that previously had not had that luxury.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • May 27, 2022
William Stewart Cloud

William Stewart Cloud (Stew) of Longboat Key, Florida passed away on May 12, 2022 surrounded by family members at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Under a rule approved in a special session of the Florida legislature, buildings along the shore will have to be inspected every 25 years.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 27, 2022
Lawmakers follow through on condo inspections

Longboat leaders had prepared rules of their own in case special session came up empty.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Models Patricia Harper, Nancy Morgans (top), Anastasia Tess Magoulas (bottom), Christine Nichols-Brown, coordinator Eloise Eckler, and models Ellen Hunt, Joan Clowser, and Kathleen Link, gather together during dinner.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 27, 2022
Sparkle on the Runway entertains River Strand residents in Bradenton

The fashion show benefits the Manatee County Food Bank.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bayfront Park’s recreation center is expected to get a new roof in the next budget cycle, an accelerated budget line item based on the needs of the building.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 27, 2022
Longboat Key's capital budget lines up big-ticket items

Long-term spending and funding sources have their own place in Longboat budget.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Four pickleball courts are proposed adjacent to the tennis courts.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 26, 2022
Rehearing planned for Longboat Key pickleball proposal

Planning and Zoning Board will take up matter again on June 21, though notices begin showing up for now-canceled June 6 Town Commission discussion.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Fifth grader Jude Arbanis as Darth Maul fights against fifth grader Keagan Terry, who is playing the Mandalorian. The boys are big "Star Wars" fans.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 26, 2022
Lakewood Ranch fifth graders show off their talents

McNeal Elementary School students perform in annual fifth grade talent show.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gulf Gate Elementary teacher Michelle Rivas receives Barancik Foundation’s Ripple Effect award in front of her class. (Courtesy image)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 26, 2022
Five Sarasota teachers win Barancik Foundation Ripple Awards

The twice-a-year awards honor educators who help foster cultural change among students and their peers.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 26, 2022
East County weather page photo: May 26

Patrick Cummings got this close-up pic of an alligator and babies at Waterside in Lakewood Ranch.

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

Richard Bottorff captured this red-bellied woodpecker in Saddlebag Creek in Myakka City.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House has locations in Fort Myers, Naples and Marco Island.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 26, 2022
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House headed to Lakewood Ranch

Waterside Place has signed a lease with the upscale casual seafood restaurant.

  • East County
  • Business
Goodwill Manasota president Donn Githens with CEO Bob Rosinsky
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 26, 2022
Patterson Foundation donates patriotic artwork to veterans services office

The Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services Program office received the artwork on May 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mayor Ken Schneier proclaims May 21-27, 2022 as National Safe Boating Week. Behind him from left to right are rear admiral Bill Merlin, flotilla commander James Barnard, flotilla officer Zac Tapp, and rear admiral Steve Branham.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 26, 2022
Longboat Key mayor signs safe boating proclamation

Safe Boating Week is May 21-27.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Builders of the St. Regis project this month received permits for vertical construction, advancing from previous foundation work.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 26, 2022
Taxes unpaid on 244 former Colony parcels under Unicorp ownership

The developer of Longboat Key's St. Regis resort and condo project says it's working with Sarasota County to make sure all taxes are paid.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Award recipients Joy Mahler, Susan Flynn and Pat Robinson
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 26, 2022
Sarasota Chamber honors community leaders

The 2022 Celebrate Outstanding Leadership Awards was held May 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Traffic heads north from the main construction zone on Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 26, 2022
Work moves to the traffic circle at US 41/Gulfstream Avenue roundabout project

A new phase of roundabout construction will bring three 90-day intersection closings. FDOT signals re-striping of Ringling Bridge to aid Bay Runner will start soon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fausto Stampiglia calls it a career after more than 60 years.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 26, 2022
Rev. Fausto Stampiglia calls it a career

The beloved St. Martha Catholic Church figure has retired after 31 years at the parish.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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