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Your Observer

School administrators Bradley Warren and Cheryl Cendan spent a lot of time inside the Starbucks and Panera cafes meeting with hundreds of Lakewood Ranch parents. Cendan shows the school’s mascot — an eagle. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 14, 2022
New charter school opens for Lakewood Ranch students

Enthusiasm soars for Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, a charter school built on the WISH model, which stands for wellness, innovation, science and health.

  • East County
  • Schools
Derek Nelson, franchise owner with AR Homes Sarasota/Nelson Homes, says that requests for multigenerational homes are becoming more prevalent. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 14, 2022
Communities focus on building homes for multigenerational living

Lakewood Ranch is at the heart of a nationwide trend of multiple generations living in one home.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 13, 2022
Comic fans assemble at SarasotaCon

Comic convention makes its debut in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key beach was among those that had been under a no-swim advisory. (Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 13, 2022
Sarasota-area beaches again cleared for swimming

Bacteria levels return to acceptable concentrations at Siesta Key and Lido Key beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
(Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Su Byron
  • August 13, 2022
How to spend a day in Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place

The new 36-acre lakefront town center in east Sarasota County offers plenty to explore, discover — and taste.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
(File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 13, 2022
Longboat advances green initiatives to improve, sustain environment

The town's green initiatives include monitoring and improving water quality, increasing multimodal options and optimizing energy consumption.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City and FDOT officials are negotiating an agreement to place public art in roundabouts along Tamiami Trail, delaying recommendations for this roundabout at U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 12, 2022
Roundabout art projects delayed as state agreement remains unfinished

Ready to send three artist finalists to the Sarasota City Commission for a sculpture at the Gulfstream Avenue roundabout, the Public Art Committee hits another roadblock.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2022
Manatee, Sarasota early-voting sites open Saturday

The sites will operate daily through Aug. 20 in Manatee County and through Aug. 21 in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Part of the Old Florida style at Linger Lodge Restaurant is the taxidermy. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2022
Old Florida charm back in business at Bradenton's Linger Lodge

Owner Rita Lewis says the restaurant reopening feels like a homecoming on Braden River.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Origin has additional locations in Southside Village, UTC and Palmer Ranch. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 12, 2022
New restaurants offering pizza, coffee and more open in Sarasota, Waterside Place

Four of the Sarasota area's newest places to grab a bite are now ready for you.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    In Memoriam |
  • August 12, 2022
Audrey Strode Wolcott

Audrey Strode Wolcott died peacefully in Sarasota, Florida on July 17th, at the age of 93. She was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, Arthur S. Wolcott.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Save Our Seabirds no longer charges admission fees. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 12, 2022
Save Our Seabirds boosts visitors, donations by stopping admission fees

CEO Aaron Virgin plans to revitalize and distinguish the City Island-based aviary center as its own attraction.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, looks forward to ensuring the safety of students, expanding programming and addressing growth in the county. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2022
Manatee superintendent focuses on progress in the new school year

From academics to programming and construction, Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders says she looks forward to a new school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2022
Sarasota police increases traffic law enforcement, education

Protection of pedestrians and bicycles is the goal of the Sarasota Police Department's High Visibility Enforcement effort.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Water activities at Siesta Key Beach, North Lido Beach and Lido Casino are not recommended, but the beaches remain open. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 11, 2022
Sarasota beaches under no-swim advisory

The Health Department finds bacteria levels at higher-than-acceptable concentrations at Siesta Key Beach, North Lido Beach and Lido Casino.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Steve DiBio has been accumulating hot dog recipes for years. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 11, 2022
Downtown hot dog eatery Doggystyle highlights culture across the country

Steve DiBio runs the Main Street restaurant that offers regional-specific hot dogs including New York, Chicago and Philadelphia styles.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Voters will be able to choose from six candidates for school board seats Aug. 23 (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2022
Sarasota County School Board candidates hope to keep focus on education

The candidates say they plan to gain parent trust and decrease political discussion among the board.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarah Karon is the new board president of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County. (Photo courtesy of the Library Foundation)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 11, 2022
Sarah Karon serves as new president for the Library Foundation

Karon has been a resident of Longboat Key since 2014.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 11

Sergio Albuquerque captured a family of willets walking the shore on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2022
East County weather page photo: August 11

Gordon Silver captured this crow gathering up a snack in Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: August 11

Diane Suner captured this white ibis walking the shore on Lido Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mooney senior linebacker JR Rosenberg led the Cougars with 108 tackles (71 solo) in 2021. (File photo)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 11, 2022
Experience, high-end talent has Cougars football excited for the season

Cardinal Mooney High has the pieces in place for a special season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 11, 2022
Windward at Lakewood Ranch launches latest salvo in amenities race

The Neal Communities property shows how middle- to upper-middle-class families are living the country club lifestyle.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 11, 2022
Commissioners have a to-do list when they return next month

Routine and out-of-the-ordinary tasks await the Longboat Key Town Commission in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Since the start of County Administrator Scott Hopes' tenure, numerous departmental reorganizations have taken place. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2022
Shake-up of Manatee County department heads part of restructuring plan

Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes says his reorganization process has reached its conclusion with the departure of two more department heads.

  • East County
  • News
Built in 2005, the home at 1423 Hillview Drive has six bedrooms, seven-and-a-half baths, a pool and 11,588 square feet of living area. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 11, 2022
Harbor Acres property sells for $17.5 million

A Harbor Acres home on two lots tops this week's sales at $17.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 10, 2022
The school board dilemma

After Tom Edwards declared he is working for woke-ism, he triggered questions about Lauren Kurnov.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 10, 2022
Manatee County Commission, At-Large: Carol Felts

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 10, 2022
Manatee County Commission, At-Large: Carol Whitmore

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 10, 2022
Manatee County Commission, At-Large: Jason Bearden

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
(Photo via Breeze Airways)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 10, 2022
Airline adds service to suburban New York City from SRQ

Breeze Airways plans to launch flights to Westchester County in November.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Terrill Salem
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 10, 2022
Sarasota City Commission, At Large: Terrill Salem

Meet the candidate.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 10, 2022
Gulf of Mexico Drive reopens after Longboat Key gas leak

The island's thoroughfare is ready to reopen less than an hour after the initial call.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The plaques are being slowly taken out, cleaned and returned. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 10, 2022
St. Armands circus plaques removed for cleaning

Don't worry about possible thievery. The missing Circus Ring of Fame plaques are part of a process.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River junior quarterback Nick Trier is fully healthy after missing most of the 2021 season with an ankle injury. The Pirates expect him to be the next in a long line of QBs to perform at a high level. (Photo by Ryan Kohn)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 10, 2022
Pirates football does not expect to walk the plank in 2022

Braden River High expects a title run after moving past injury-filled 2021.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 10, 2022
Lakewood Ranch-area families say hello to a new school year

Braden River and Gilbert W. McNeal elementary schools are among those celebrating their opening days on Aug. 10.

  • East County
  • Schools
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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
Sarasota Art Museum senior curator heading to Seattle
2
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center
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
Longboat infrastructure tax spending plan comes up $6 million short
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
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano
5
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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