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Your Observer

Lakewood Ranch resident Andy Weidenbach helped run unofficial practices for the Detroit Red Wings for seven years. Weidenbach said youth talent in Florida is comparable to talent in Michigan, but with less depth. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 20, 2022
Lakewood Ranch resident earned coaching wings in Michigan ice hockey

Andy Weidenbach says new rinks are the key to producing more hockey talent in Florida.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tommy Gregory, Roberts Dameus, Derek Reich and Fiona McFarland field questions from moderator Morgan Bentley. (Photo by Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 20, 2022
Florida House candidates discuss state budget, education, constitutional carry

General election candidates for Florida House of Representatives seats 72 and 73 field questions on issues from SRQ Tiger Bay Club.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Flooding in Buttonwood Harbor and other neighborhoods has come under town scrutiny. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 20, 2022
Longboat plans flooding projects with final ARPA funding

The final $1.8 million given to the town will go toward floodwater projects in Buttonwood and Sleepy Lagoon neighborhoods.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Del Webb home at 7105 Gradford Court sold for $1,375,000. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,639 square feet of living area. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 20, 2022
Del Webb home tops sales at $1.38 million

A Del Webb home on Gradford Court tops the week's sales at $1.38 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lola Johnson dances with the Braden River Dance Company during the second ensemble performance. The dance company danced to a remix version of "Into the Unknown." (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 20, 2022
Lakewood Ranch schools receive funding for visual, performing arts

The 1-mill property tax referendum is providing $2.5 million for visual and performing arts programs, offering more opportunities for students.

  • East County
  • Schools
The roundabout at Gulf of Mexico Drive and Broadway Street is intended to improve safety at the intersection. (Courtesy rendering)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 20, 2022
Town enters agreement for GMD roundabout, initially approves budget

The design, permitting and construction documents of the roundabout at Broadway Street and Gulf of Mexico Drive are expected to be complete in November.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 19, 2022
Lobsters dazzle at the latest Claws for a Cause event

The women of the Longboat Island Chapel wore bedazzled lobster earrings and red felt hats to raise awareness for their charitable outreach program.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marlon Brown
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 19, 2022
Commission confirms confidence in city manager following meeting debate

City Manager Marlon Brown requested a vote of confidence following back and forth among commissioners about additions to the meeting agenda.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President for Administration Veronica Thames in the new Sarasota Philanthropy Center on State Street. (Photo by Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 19, 2022
Gulf Coast Community Foundation opens Sarasota Philanthropy Center

The State Street location offers space for nonprofits and donors to gather.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • September 19, 2022
Jo Ann Bigelow Frye

Forever in our hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Jo Ann Bigelow Frye on September 18, 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 19, 2022
Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch businesses mingle at expo

About 500 people attended the East Meets West Expo on Sept. 15 at Robarts Arena.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • September 19, 2022
Gaide (Chmielewski), Irene M. DVM

Irene Mary (Chmielewski) Gaide of Sarasota, Florida and formerly of Leslie, Jackson and Highland Michigan passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022 in Florida at the age of 79 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
A rendering of the completed first phase of The Bay. The circular sunset pier at the top has been redesigned as a crescent for ecological purposes. (Courtesy Bay Park Conservancy)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 19, 2022
Board recommends $48M bond for second phase of The Bay project

With The Bay grand opening set for Oct. 14-23, the Bay Park Improvement Board recommends approval of TIF financing for phase two of the $150 million, 53-acre project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Waterside of Lakewood Ranch's Bob Smith was honored as Humanitarian of the Year by the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund in 2022.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 19, 2022
Altruism leads to major award from Lakewood Ranch Community Fund

His daughter's nomination letter presents Lakewood Ranch's Bob Smith with one of the most cherished moments of his life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 18, 2022
Sarasota Children's Garden embraces pirate life

Children had a lively time at the annual Talk Like A Pirate Day event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 18, 2022
Halfway to St. Patricks Day offers a full set of festivities in Lakewood Ranch

The event included everything from bagpipes to Irish step dancing on Lakewood Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
T.J. Goelz is stepping down from the Lakewood Ranch High softball program after five seasons. Goelz led the Mustangs to two state championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 18, 2022
Lakewood Ranch softball coach leaves behind a diamond-solid legacy

T.J. Goelz and the Mustangs won two state championships in five seasons, the first championships in program history. 

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 17, 2022
Tara Golf and Country Club brings back San Gennaro Festival

Residents learned more about Italy through food, trivia and music.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 17, 2022
Longboat chamber members support charities and each other

Wagner Reality holds a golf tournament every year to support the Bradenton Blue Foundation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
High school football roundup: Week four. (File photo.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 17, 2022
High school football roundup: Week four

A key week sees six area teams come down with big wins.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 16, 2022
Riverview football gets first win of the season against Lehigh

The Rams blew a 21-0 but eked out a 31-28 win thanks to a 48-yard field goal from senior kicker Stone Springman.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 16, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Safety, uh, first?

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Joel Schleicher
  • By Joel Schleicher
  • September 16, 2022
My View: 'Mad as hell' — and not willing to take it any longer

It is unconscionable for our president, Joe Biden, to call half of American voters “fascists.”

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 16, 2022
Who are the real fascists?

Biden's tactics of vilifying Republicans has a sickening similarity to a German maniac in 1933.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 16, 2022
40 Sarasota students named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Finalists can ultimately win money for college.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • September 16, 2022
Barbara G. (Hodges) Moore

Barbara G. (Hodges) Moore 90, of Longboat Key, FL and Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The 2021 Lawn Party was held on the property of the Longboat Key Club.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 16, 2022
Longboat Kiwanis' Lawn Party looks to City Island for 2022

Added capacity, construction on Longboat Key's Town Center Green prompt move.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Market changes and state recommendation led to the board's decision to opt for a change to the plan. (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 16, 2022
Town Commission approves changes to staff retirement fund

The town's contribution to the plan is expected to increase by $122,000 annually starting Oct. 1, 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kai Haines, 6, shows why he's called "Krazy Kai" as he completes a bar spin at Payne Park. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 15, 2022
Viral scooter prodigy learns his craft at Payne Park

"Krazy Kai" Haines, 6, has 61,400 followers on Instagram and has earned the attention of extreme sports stars like Tanner Fox and Nitro Circus.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A request for state funding for Main Street improvements was rejected during the most recent legislative session. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 15, 2022
Downtown improvement funds remain intact after concern of transfer

Show money of $400,000 for Main Street improvements remains with the city but is available for budgeted Downtown Improvement District expenses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2022
East County weather page photo: September 15

Robert Rempert captured this Sandhill Crane with her colt in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: September 15

Bill Hutchins captured this dolphin mid jump near Palm Island Resort on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: September 15

Leighton Allenby captured this black skimmer flying along the shore on Longboat Key beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The University of South Florida has won approval to build $39 million housing and student center on its Sarasota-Manatee campus. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • September 15, 2022
Housing heading to USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus

The university has won approval to build an approximately $39 million housing and student center on the campus.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The main home at 6420 Hollywood Boulevard was built in 1992. It offers four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,686 square feet of living area. (Courtesy Joel Schemmel/Premier Sotheby’s International Realty)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 15, 2022
Two-property sale totaling $6.4 million tops transactions

A two-property sale in Pine Shores Estates totaling $6.4 million tops the week's sales at $6.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
(Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 15, 2022
Getting Away: Oscar Scherer State Park brings all the solitude you need

The Florida state park offers miles of trails, plenty of wildlife and waterways to kayak and snorkel.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Art Museum Senior Curator Rangsook Yoon poses in front of an unnamed piece in Judy Pfaff's exhibition, "Picking Up the Pieces."
  • April 6, 2026
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3
The Citizen Tax Oversight Committee meets once a year to review expenditures of revenue brought in from the infrastructure surtax. The 2026 meeting lasted about 15 minutes on Thursday, April 2.
  • April 6, 2026
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4
Bella Toscano is one of two Mustangs, as of April 3, hitting over .450, but also boasts the lowest ERA among her teammates.
  • April 6, 2026
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DragonBoot Quartet performs the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Gamma” for string quartet for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota on April 12.
  • April 6, 2026
Pine View grad solves for 'Gamma' in his latest music composition

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