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Your Observer

The late Craig Boots of the Country Club was a former Navy pilot who flew planes off aircraft carriers.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 26, 2022
Lakewood Ranch woman talks of Tidewell Hospice's impact

Miriam Boots says her husband's final days were made more peaceful by the hospice's care and kindness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
1. Mooney junior Jordyn Byrd was named the Gatorade Florida Volleyball Player of the Year in January.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 26, 2022
Top 10 moments from the Sarasota high school sports season

State championships, incredible streaks and a Player of the Year award: The 2021-2022 season had it all.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 3535 Flamingo Ave. was built in 2002. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,560 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 26, 2022
Bay Island Shores home sells for $4.9 million

A Bay Island Shores home on Flamingo Avenue tops the week's sales at $4.9 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh says change can be difficult even if it takes Manatee County in a positive direction.
  • By Vanessa Baugh, Manatee County Commissioner | Guest
  • May 25, 2022
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh hopes Manatee County residents embrace change

District 5 commissioner says facts show Manatee County is moving in the right direction.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Massimo Murdocca.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 25, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Massimo Murdocca

The Sarasota Little Leaguer had an impressive performance in his Majors-level championship game.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Summer reading list
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • May 25, 2022
Summer reading list

As readers head back north and embark on summer travel, stay connected with Observer news and information wherever you are.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Longboat Key Turtle Watch president Tim Thurman, store manager Melanie Dale and vice president Cyndi Seamon
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 25, 2022
J. McLaughlin donates to Longboat Key Turtle Watch

The funds were raised through Sip and Shop events, where the store shared profits with the turtle watch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 25, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 26

Joanne Hummert captured a swan and its reflection on the Longboat Key Club golf course.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 25, 2022
Tara Elementary fifth graders take on staff in annual kickball game

The teachers and staff at Tara Elementary went on to win 11-8 against the fifth grade class.

  • East County
  • Schools
After three weeks to convert the Lazy Lobster, the new seafood restaurant reopened on May 11 on Lockwood Ridge Road in Manatee County.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 25, 2022
Lazy Lobster in Sarasota converted to Kacey's Seafood

The price of protein was rising, so the owners decided to make a change.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Participants carried flags as they made their way north. Photo courtesy of Tina Adams.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 25, 2022
Longboat Key firefighters participate in Carry the Load walk

The walk goes for 30 days nationwide every year to honor the nation's first responders.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Joan Lerner is ready to ride.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 25, 2022
Bikers head out for 20th annual Ride of Silence

The annual bike ride was held May 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Angela Long gives high fives to her NBP Dragons paddlers after getting off the water during the 2022 Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival. Long was named the head paddling coach at Nathan Benderson Park in 2021.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 25, 2022
Benderson Park paddling coach steers in a positive direction

Beloved Coach Angela Long has high hopes for the future of Nathan Benderson Park's four dragon boat teams.

  • East County
  • Sports
Hurricane Irma in 2017 delivered enough wind to down trees and signs on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 25, 2022
Longboat residents urged to prepare, act during hurricane season

Evacuation orders don't come lightly, so follow them when issued, leaders say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 25, 2022
Mourners find restful oasis in Patriot Plaza

A public-private partnership yields special art and amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery.

  • Arts + Culture
Built in 1995, Unit 14B has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,139 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 25, 2022
Regent Place condo sells for $4 million

A Regent Place condo tops the week's sales at $4 million

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
This County Club home at 12527 Highfield Circle sold for $2.07 million. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,658 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 25, 2022
Country Club home tops sales at $2.07 million

A property on Highfield Circle tops the week's sales at $2.07 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Ogden Clark, the strategic affairs manager of the Manatee County Public Works Department, says the cost of traffic signals at certain intersections can soar past $2 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 25, 2022
With signal costs rising, traffic safety comes at a price

Manatee County explains the costs that go into traffic signals.

  • East County
  • News
The historic Leonard Reid House will be moved this week from the Rosemary District to Newtown, where it will become Sarasota African American cultural center.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 25, 2022
Historic Leonard Reid House on the move to Newtown

After it arrives from the Rosemary District to its new site in Newtown, the home of the "right-hand man" to Sarasota's first mayor will become home to a new Sarasota African American cultural center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 25, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Doo-doo the right thing

Police reports from around the city of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
After a vigorous debate, the commissioners decided to extend the contract of County Administrator Scott Hopes to 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 24, 2022
Manatee administrator’s contract renewed despite concerns raised by clerk of court

County administrators considered an investigation of Scott Hopes' actions, in addition to reexamining the terms of his contract.

  • East County
  • News
Nat Kaemmerer has been showing Lesley Dwyer around Longboat Key over the last few days.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 24, 2022
New reporter steps into Longboat Observer role

One community reporter leaves while another gets to work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 24, 2022
Sarasota remains No. 9 on Top 10 Best Places to Live list

For the second straight time, the city is ranked ninth on U.S. News & World Report's most desirable places to call home and No. 1 in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kelly's Roast Beef is expected to open in mid-September at UTC.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 24, 2022
Kelly’s Roast Beef to bring a taste of the Northeast to University Park

The owner of the sandwich chain, set to open locally in September, says he wanted to bring a taste of Boston to Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 24, 2022
Longboat joint meeting with Manatee delayed

The lack of quorum for Thursday meeting prompts cancellation, potential rescheduling in fall.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
ODA junior Luke Geske pitched 2.2 innings against North Florida Christian, allowing no earned runs (one total run) on one hit and two walks with three strikeouts.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 24, 2022
Prose and Kohn: ODA of Lakewood Ranch falls short in bid to defend state baseball title

The Lakewood Ranch High softball team heads for the state semifinal game.

  • East County
  • Sports
Carol Doenecke with "I've Got the Bird."
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 24, 2022
Longboat Key artist Carol Doenecke presents in All Angels gallery

Doenecke usually chooses the selected artists for the gallery, but for June, she chose herself.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Players CEO William Skaggs proposed a 30-year lease at $100 a year, and in return would invest $6 million in new retractable seating and other upgrades. It would also take over management of the facility.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 24, 2022
City rejects The Players' plan to lease, manage Municipal Auditorium

Its theater plans at Lakewood Ranch terminated, The Players Centre for Performing Arts is still looking for a permanent home after city commissioners vote to consider more options.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 24, 2022
Tara community residents seek more traffic-calming measures

Speed tables and a crosswalk have slowed traffic in Tara, but residents want more help from Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 24, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Jackets are required, sir

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The four-way stop signs are already in place, west across Ocean Boulevard.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 23, 2022
Siesta Key gains a new four-way stop intersection

County commissioners OK extra stop signs in Siesta Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 23, 2022
ODA baseball falls in state semifinals

The Thunder's own mistakes proved costly in a 5-3 loss to North Florida Christian on Monday afternoon in Fort Myers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes could have his contract extended at Tuesday's Manatee County Commission meeting. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 23, 2022
More drama on tap at Manatee County Commission meeting

County Clerk Angel Colonneso launches an attack on the administrator, whose contract is up for extension.

  • East County
  • News
Benderson Development, which built The Mall at University Town Center, has bought the Crossings at Siesta Key.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 23, 2022
Manatee County developer and landlord buys Sarasota mall for $25.1M

Benderson Development, which built The Mall at University Town Center, has acquired Crossings at Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Project renderings show landscaped islands punctuated by large trees on the approach to and leaving intersections along Ringling Boulevard, providing a physical separation between motor vehicles and bikes.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 23, 2022
Complete street project on Ringling Boulevard begins this week

Reducing Ringling Boulevard to two lanes will allow for protected bicycle lanes and connect Legacy Trail from Payne Park to the downtown core.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ziana Flores performs inside the Globe of Death.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 23, 2022
Myakka City Elementary students rewarded with thrill show

Stunt group The Fearless Flores performed at the school as a reward to students who had met at least 75% of their academic goals.

  • East County
  • Schools
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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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