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Your Observer

Central Park's Skyler Vargas will graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University at 18 years old after finishing high school at 16 years old.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 4, 2022
Lakewood Ranch student graduates college at 18

Central Park's Skyler Vargas is way ahead of the curve as she graduates college at 18.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lisa Baskfield and Julia Yesler
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 4, 2022
Longboat Key full-timers look forward to slower season

Although season gets longer every year, full-time residents look forward to less traffic and a lighter calendar.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse says his investigation for a possible DUI resulting in an April 20 accident is a "witch hunt."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 3, 2022
Manatee County commissioner calls DUI inquiry 'entirely political'

Commissioner George Kruse says the April 20 accident was careless driving, nothing more.

  • East County
  • News
Charles and Carol Haeussner are currently the only residents of the Edgewater community who still use Lake Uihlein for sailing.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 3, 2022
Edgewater residents push back against destruction of underused dock

The Country Club/Edgewater Village Association votes to demolish the Lake Uihlein dock in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School JROTC rifle team members Stuart Macaulay, Christian Bell, Nathan Walmsley, Adanna Wharton and Elayna Andrews place first at the state championship for the first time in the team's history.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 3, 2022
Braden River High JROTC rifle team earns first state championship title

Hard work, dedication and Pop-Tarts lead to the rifle team's success at the state championship.

  • East County
  • Schools
After a summer resod in 2021, broad swaths of dirt have returned to the Bayfront Park dog park.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 3, 2022
Longboat Key accepts $123,000 for dog park artificial turf

The park's shade trees are a big draw but also hinder growth of natural grass.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Parrish Community High senior Odessa Eisch said she developed a curve shot, which moves like a screwball in baseball and softball, which helped her during her senior season. Photo courtesy Erin Lisch.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 3, 2022
Parrish Community tennis player throws opponents a 'curve'

Odessa Eisch's unique shot led to her strong senior year for Parrish Community High.

  • East County
  • Sports
Board chair Kathie Roberts, Marc and Ruthellen Rubin and chamber of commerce ambassador Kellie Spring hold the ribbon while interim CEO Nelle Miller prepares to cut it.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 2, 2022
Jewish Family and Children's Services celebrates opening Longboat Key facility

The chamber of commerce hosted a ribbon cutting and representatives from JFCS spoke about the work on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key town manager Tom Harmer.
  • By Tom Harmer
  • May 2, 2022
Longboat Key's May newsletter

Town manager Tom Harmer's monthly report on town happenings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • May 2, 2022
Carolyn Ann Connors Etten

It is with profound sadness that we share that Carolyn Ann Connors Etten, 78, of Longboat Key, Florida, and formerly Hinsdale, Illinois was born into heaven on Friday, April 1, 2022 surrounded by her adoring family at home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Richard Collins, director of emergency services, addresses the gathered crowd in Station 9's truck bay.
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • May 2, 2022
Sarasota opens replacement fire station east of I-75

The new facility on Bee Ridge Road has been built to withstand Category 4 hurricane winds.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 2, 2022
Devereaux-Kaiser Collector Car Show benefits Sarasota firefighters

The annual car show was held May 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Beachgoers head to the shore in Longboat Key.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 2, 2022
Sarasota County approves higher tourist tax

After a record year in 2021, county qualified as a state-certified High Impact Tourism County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A 55-year-old Manatee County man died in a one-car accident on University Parkway early Sunday morning.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 1, 2022
Man dies in crash on University Parkway in Sarasota

A Manatee County man, 55, died in one-car crash on University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
The town has set aside about 11,000 square feet of the town Center Green adjacent to the roundabout, generally on the site of the demolished Amore restaurant.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 1, 2022
County leaders suggest paths forward for Longboat Key library

Cooperation between the town, Sarasota County and possibly Manatee County could be considered.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Greenbrook's Bethany Carr hopes Ivybrook Academy can fill a gap for the demand in preschool education in the community. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 1, 2022
Ivybrook Academy preschool to open in east Bradenton

Greenbrook resident plans to open a new preschool with individualized education serving Bradenton, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Schools
Second grader Abel Hilliard and his mother, Megan Hilliard, try to score as many balls in the net as possible during a game of hockey. "Maybe I should try out for the (Tampa Bay) Lightning," Megan Hilliard says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2022
East Bradenton mothers and sons compete for gold at Freedom Elementary School Olympics

The Freedom Elementary School PTO hosts mother-and-son Olympics with eight events.

  • East County
  • Schools
First graders Kingston Miller, Reghen Miller and Tomas Norwood strike a superhero pose.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2022
Superheroes take over Braden River Elementary in Lakewood Ranch

Students, teachers and parents dress as superheroes, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention team visits for Superhero Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 29, 2022
Longboat Key Garden Club hosts Arbor Day picnic

The club took the time to honor their scholarship and grant recipients from the past year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 29, 2022
Troche opens new chapter as chief of Sarasota Police

The city's first Hispanic chief has served with department for 20 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Connie Dixon plans to use her love of horses to connect with students when she becomes principal at Gene Witt Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2022
Gene Witt Elementary in Bradenton names new principal

Connie Dixon has waited 20 years to be an administrator at Gene Witt Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Patti Smith sang and read from her poetry and shared remembrances of Robert Mapplethorpe during her February appearance. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • April 29, 2022
Selby Gardens tabs Patti Smith as Artist in Residence

Patti Smith was moved by the Selby Gardens exhibit featuring her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe — so much so that she'll come back again and again.

  • Arts + Culture
Work is progressing at the roundabout site on Sarasota's bayfront.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 29, 2022
Postponed paving at U.S. 41/Gulfstream roundabout set for May 1-5

Shifts in traffic are likely on southbound U.S. 41, beginning Sunday night.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Russell Vega looks around the construction site on Fruitville Road.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 28, 2022
Work underway on Sarasota Medical Examiner's office

The Fruitville Road facility is being built under an agreement that will lease the facility to the county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Troche will be sworn in during a ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday at SPD headquarters.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 28, 2022
Troche sheds interim tag, named 13th Sarasota chief of police

After serving as interim chief since the retirement of Jim Rieser in August 2021, Rex Troche has been named SPD chief of police.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 28, 2022
East County weather page photo: April 28

Darlene Edelman took this photo while kayaking on the Braden River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 28, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: April 28

MaryAnn Parks captured this dragonfly taking a rest in Myakka River State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 28, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 28

Gary Wise took this photo of the surf on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the new Lakewood Ranch Library that is under construction. (Courtesy rendering)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 28, 2022
Keep it simple: Commission picks name Lakewood Ranch Library

Baugh Library, Rex Jensen Library, McLibrary Face are among the names that didn't make the cut.

  • East County
  • News
Carroll the bear will be doing a paw painting demonstration during the Teddy Bear Tea Party May 7 at Bearadise Ranch in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 28, 2022
It's tea time with mama bear at Myakka ranch

Conservation habitat facility Bearadise Ranch in Myakka City is hosting education and demonstration events with its bears.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota High Coach Clyde Metcalf walks off the field after giving Sailors senior pitcher Conner Stewart some advice. Metcalf, the program's coach since 1982, said he is still having fun every night with the team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 28, 2022
Prose and Kohn: Sarasota High's Clyde Metcalf still has fun on the diamond

The high school baseball legend remains a source of unmatched insight — and unmatched ebullience.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Nicole Ryskamp takes over as president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund June 1.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 28, 2022
Big changes for Lakewood Ranch Community Fund

Along with dedicating funds to pay a full-time employee, the board is moving toward a bigger schedule of events.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 28, 2022
Sailor Circus Academy students pay tribute to legacy at spring show

The circus's past and present were celebrated from April 22-24.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 28, 2022
Casey Key property sells for $4 million

A Casey Key home tops all transactions this week at $4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Students from Audrey Quale's fifth grade class at Braden River Elementary School reunites with their classmates and teacher outside Quale's old classroom.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2022
East Bradenton high school seniors reunite with their fifth grade classmates

Despite loss of their time capsule, former Braden River Elementary classmates enjoy a reunion.

  • East County
  • Schools
Art Davis handles a backhand volley. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 28, 2022
Key Club's expansion leads to more pickleball access

Supply and demand plays out across town as the sport becomes increasingly popular.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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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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