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Your Observer

Phase one of the project will utilize space formerly occupied by a fire station and a utilities area. The approval of using the space created more than 15 acres for the park project.
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • April 19, 2022
Big update on deck for 17th Street Park

The county hopes that phased-in updates will be a hit with sports tournaments.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 19, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A dissatisfied customer

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Hallie Monserez was a defender and captain on the Cardinal Mooney girls soccer team. She was named to the FHSAA/Florida Dairy Farmers All-Academic Team on April 6.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 19, 2022
Cardinal Mooney senior athlete named to Academic All-State Team

Lakewood Ranch's Hallie Monserez's 4.0 GPA and excellence in three sports earns her state award.

  • East County
  • Sports
Connie Schindewolf and Alexis Ferrara discuss the start of turtle season.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 19, 2022
Longboat Key Turtle Watch patrollers start preseason walks

Although nesting season doesn't start until May 1, some turtles arrive before their scheduled time.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Instructor Pat Knowles (right) demonstrates the features of the CERT backpack.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 19, 2022
CERT training builds skills needed for a safer community

Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team members receive emergency training from the experts.

  • East County
  • News
Junior Samantha Rees looks over a map. Rees ended the season ranked No. 1 in the state for the female green team, which is the advanced team. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 18, 2022
LRHS's JROTC orienteering team sees success at state championship

Lakewood Ranch High School junior Samantha Rees ranked No. 1 in the state in orienteering.

  • East County
  • Schools
About 20 people attended the electric vehicle workshop presented by Sarasota County last week at Town Hall.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 18, 2022
Presentation explains ins and outs of electric cars

Charging facts, how EVs fit into Longboaters' lifestyles were among the topics covered.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lisa Burns, the owner of Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary, spends time with Valentine, one of the horses at the sanctuary. Burns says every donation makes a difference at the sanctuary. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 18, 2022
Lakewood Ranch-area nonprofits have high hopes for the Giving Challenge

East County nonprofits hope Giving Challenge allows them to make a greater impact.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
One man dies in State Road 64 accident near Myakka.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 17, 2022
Man dies after Sunday crash on State Road 64 near Myakka

One-vehicle crash on State Road 64 leads to death of Wauchula man.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • April 17, 2022
Kids scatter in search of Easter jackpot at Sarasota Jungle Gardens

The Jungle Trails and Bunny Tails annual egg bonanza drew a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd on Good Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 17, 2022
Families meet for Southside Egg Hunt

The annual egg hunt was held April 16.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 16, 2022
Siesta Key hosts egg hunt party

The Easter event was held April 16.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 16, 2022
Eggstravaganza egg hunt puts families in the Easter spirit in Sarasota

More than 1,000 families gather at the Mall at University Town Center for egg hunts and live entertainment.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chairwoman Marian Raupp and Rabbi Brenner Glickman
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 16, 2022
Temple Emanu-El celebrates Passover

The seder was held April 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 16, 2022
Incentives help east Bradenton students achieve reading goals

After Tara Elementary School students read more than 1,000 books in two weeks, Farmer Minor and his pig and pug visited the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Throughout its years, Roberto Mei had a variety of clever phrases on the marquee. (File photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • April 15, 2022
Sarasota staple Cafe Baci is closing its doors in May

The landscape of Sarasota has changed around the tenure of Cafe Baci, which opened its doors more than 30 years ago and will close for good in May.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 15, 2022
Hundreds gather for Good Friday walk

The annual tradition was held April 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 15, 2022
Sand Cay hosts annual Easter egg hunt

About 50 kids descended upon the lawn at the Longboat Key resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2022
Crowning moment as Braden River High's prom returns in style

Hyatt Regency in Sarasota hosts Braden River High's 2022 prom.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota's Cheryl Beecher John and her husband, Tommy John, socialize with Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge members.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 15, 2022
Tommy John recalls his MLB pitching career at Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge

Pitcher Tommy John, known for his revolutionary 1974 elbow surgery, helped the Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge raise money for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Music, one of seven statues illustrating the seven virtues of Sarasota, was damaged months ago. It stands alongside Flora on the eastern side of St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 15, 2022
City, BID seek ways to get ahead on statue repair costs in St. Armands

Funding for such work isn't part of the Sarasota Public Works Department's budget.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 14, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 14

Gary Wise captured this sunset and its reflection off Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 14, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: April 14

Diane Suner captured this photo of a white egret on the shoreline on Lido Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 14, 2022
East County weather page photo: April 14

Marty Franssen captured this heron feeding in a pond in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 14, 2022
Lakewood Ranch's Ranch Nite Wednesdays offers opportunity to support small businesses

Every second Wednesday of the month, the night market is available for people to shop small businesses during Ranch Nite Wednesdays.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tuttle Elementary student Ricardo Delasancha and Booker student Melissa Sheppard were happy to show their individual designs.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 14, 2022
Tuttle Elementary, Booker Middle students work together on monster art exhibit

The fourth annual Monster Mashup Arts Show runs through May 12 at Selby Public Library.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sailors Coach Kendall Gay is bringing a positive attitude to the program.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 14, 2022
Sailors boys lacrosse makes strides in second season

Sarasota High team gains valuable experience, moving from 1-11 in 2021 to 11-7.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Built in 1999, the property at 303 Calle Miramar has eight bedrooms, eight-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,792 square feet of living area. (Photo courtesy of The Zarghami Group)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 14, 2022
Eight-bedroom Siesta home sells for $4.1 million

An eight-bedroom Siesta home tops sales this week at $4.1 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Greenbrook's Rita Carney, Joe O'Neill, and Jenifer Dodson are leading efforts to reduce traffic noise coming from State Road 70.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 14, 2022
As SR 70 traffic grows, some residents seek peace and quiet

Community Development District 4 officials say that solutions to the noise problems might be in the works.

  • East County
  • News
A Siesta Key parking lot completely full.
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • April 14, 2022
Siesta Key to see two new roundabouts, parking changes

Siesta Key residents aren't keen on the idea of county's plan for roundabouts in the island community.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
  • By Corcoran Dwellings
  • April 14, 2022
Old Friends, New Name, Same Values

Old Friends, New Name, Same Values

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • April 13, 2022
Proposed state budget makes crucial fix to pensions

Legislature increases employer contributions to retirement plans to make them more sustainable for the retirement system and retirees.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Ryan Harrison had to retire from his round of 32 singles match at the Sarasota Open because of an injury.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 13, 2022
Prose and Kohn: Sarasota Open is a blast

Things to watch for and do at the tennis event, which is at Payne Park through Sunday.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 13, 2022
Longboat Key Rotary Club donates to Children's Guardian Fund

The club donated recipes, food and sustainability tips to foster children in the area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lofts on Lemon groundbreaking took place in early 2021, with completion planned this year. The second phase of the project was funded by County Commission action last week. (File photo)
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • April 13, 2022
County, city form Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

The interlocal agreement was approved in Tuesday's County Commission meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • April 13, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Was it a ghost?

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
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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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