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Your Observer

SCAT is offering the free rides in conjunction with similar efforts in Manatee, Collier and Lee counties.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 22, 2022
SCAT wants residents to give a bus a try

Masks are no longer required on transit service; free fares extend all day Saturday on honor of Earth Day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 22, 2022
All Angels hosts first Spring Fling

The church hosted an outdoor get-together for its congregants.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 22, 2022
Longboat Harbour hosts annual pizza party

The community turned a parking lot into a pizza party paradise.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Embracing our Differences was created by S. Blessing Hancock in 2016 and installed in the roundabout at Orange Avenue and Main Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 22, 2022
Florida Association of Public Art Professionals to conference in Sarasota

Sarasota's public art program will highlight the Florida Association of Public Art Professionals conference here next week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
WSLR is one of many area organizations raising funds with the Giving Challenge. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • April 22, 2022
Giving Challenge harkens back to pre-pandemic landscape

The Community Foundation is using pop-up events to pack more muscle on its marquee fundraiser.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 21, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 21

Monique Palladino captured this storm off a dock on Buttonwood Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 21, 2022
East County weather page photo: April 21

Gordon Silver captured this wood stork at a pond in Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 21, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: April 21

Jennifer Mitchell captured this image of the sun setting through the clouds on Lido Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Beginning next week, drivers and pedestrians will see the project actually begin to take shape. (Photo by Nat Kaemmerer)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 21, 2022
U.S. 41 roundabout at Gulfstream Avenue about to take shape

FDOT says delays in materials will postpone paving work, that was supposed to have launched on Sunday night.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mayor Erik Arroyo presided over the vow renewal with Carol and Peter Ferranti at the February Fresh Friday event. (File photo)
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • April 21, 2022
City refreshes monthly Friday street parties

Sarasota OK's events through September after DID agrees to keep paying bulk of cost.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Keith Gelder, president of Stock Luxury Apartment Living and vice president of land, said Stock originally was just interested in building apartments in what became Fruitville Commons.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 21, 2022
Fruitville Commons a beautiful regional project but not really a walkable community

The layout of Fruitville Commons might be a bit strange, but it's stocked with regional draws.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Built in 2008, the home attorney 506 Venice Lane on Siesta Key has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,336 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 21, 2022
Siesta Key property sells for $4.88 million

A Siesta Key property on Venice Lane topped this week's sales at $4.88 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The commercial land is adjacent to a pair of subdivided lots approved for a pair of single-family homes.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 21, 2022
Longboat OKs commercial land proposal

Brista Homes' plan includes a master drainage system designed to alleviate neighborhood flooding problems.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 21, 2022
Sarasota alights on bridge holiday plan

City commissioners settle on a lineup for Ringling Bridge lighting displays.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Booker sophomore Jakai Peterson is in the top-10 in Class 2A in the girls long jump.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 21, 2022
Prose and Kohn: Area spring athletes get their due

From the diamond to the track, some unheralded players get their time in the sun.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The shopping center is under development at the intersection of Pope Road and State Road 64. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 21, 2022
Pope Road shopping center expected to be fully open by early 2023

Tenants including Culver’s and Tropical Smoothie are beginning to fill out the State Road 64/Pope Road strip mall in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Child Protection Center
  • April 21, 2022
Nurse Susan Barber Honored for 20+ Years on the Frontlines of Fighting Child Abuse

Nurse Susan Barber Honored for 20+ Years on the Frontlines of Fighting Child Abuse

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 20, 2022
The rumble over Rumble

In the scheme of things, the money was a pittance. But the squalls that blew brought to the fore free speech hypocrisy and the flaws of ‘incentives.’

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Angelee Gens, left, stands with U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and fellow Sarasota County award winners Shannon Nelson and Eric Lostorto.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 20, 2022
Buchanan honors six Manatee, Sarasota teachers

The congressman has recognized educators with awards since 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Artist Joey Salamon returns to paint the street art. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 20, 2022
Project Pride SRQ repaints street mural

Repairs to the crosswalk were approved on March 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Traffic Control room in the Public Safety Building on 47th Terrace East is responsible for day-to-day management of traffic signals.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 20, 2022
Manatee County expands technology use to improve traffic conditions

The county's award-winning Traffic Engineering Division is stepping up efforts to fight snarls.

  • East County
  • News
2 Steps Further Founder Cathleen Studdiford, Gocio Elementary School Principal Steven Royce, Ella Lahners and Kelley Bakan
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 20, 2022
Gocio Elementary receives donation for Step Up for College program

Sarasota 18-year-old Ella Lahners donated $1,000 to the program on April 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Caroline Steinwachs.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 20, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Caroline Steinwachs

The Riverview High girls lacrosse freshman scored five goals in the team's district championship win against Manatee High.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dwell, a multicolored sculpture in the shape of coral by artist Sujin Lim. (File rendering)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 20, 2022
Sarasota Commission rejects Dwell for Tamiami-Fruitville roundabout

Leaders vote to send the art advisory committee back to the drawing board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Country Club's Lauren Larkin and Lauren Navas won a USTA 40+ doubles tennis national title in San Diego.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 20, 2022
Lakewood Ranch tennis players win USTA doubles national title

Lauren Navas and Lauren Larkin both began playing tennis five years ago and have conquered the sport together.

  • East County
  • Sports
At St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, new Easter lilies were planted.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 20, 2022
Longboat Key faith communities uphold traditions

The churches and temple on Longboat Key have their own unique traditions to celebrate their holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mayor Ken Schneier applies one of his sticky dots to a town initiative he favors.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 20, 2022
Longboat leaders lay out hopes for county library teamwork

The library and community center could coincide with tax base effects of the new resort and residences opening in 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This University Park home at 7420 Mayfair Court sold for $2,995,000. It has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,808 square feet of living area. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 20, 2022
University Park home tops sales at $3 million

A home in University Park tops this week's sales at $3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The home at 750 Penfield St. was built in 1977, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,710 square feet of living area. (Courtesy of Ian Addy, Michael Saunders & Co,)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 20, 2022
Sleepy Lagoon home sells for $3 million

A home in Sleepy Lagoon tops this week's sales at $3 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Central Park's Dasha Schultz is raising money to support refugees in her home country of Ukraine. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 20, 2022
Lakewood Ranch woman raises money for her home country of Ukraine

The war in her homeland of Ukraine inspires Central Park's Dasha Schultz to support those affected.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 19, 2022
Key Niners celebrate season with closing luncheon

After playing golf since October, the nine-hole golf association is hanging up the clubs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • April 19, 2022
Dr. Gerald Derstine

Dr. Gerald Derstine, 93, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away on Feb. 12, 2022.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Alex Colas.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 19, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Alex Colas

The Braden River High senior weightlifter is headed to the state meet Friday in Port St. Joe.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jose Martinez in the main dining room at Maison Blanche.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 19, 2022
Maison Blanche on Longboat Key celebrates 20 years

The restaurant, which shares its name with its Parisian predecessor, has built a following over two decades.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Deputy Chief Sandi Drake, Operations Managers Kristen Fitzpatrick and Pam Jones, with Hunter. (Photo courtesy of Tina Adams)
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 19, 2022
Longboat Key Fire Department thanks Sarasota telecommunicators

For National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Hunter the therapy dog visited the callers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Hines has joined the William G. And Marie Selby Foundation as a member of its board of directors.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 19, 2022
Selby Foundation makes two staff changes, adds new board of directors member

Kiarra Womack joins the Selby Foundation from Sunshine Scholars Foundation; Susan Hines of Sabal Trust Company is named to the board of directors.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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