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Your Observer

(Patricia Evelyn Loy)
    In Memoriam |
  • March 26, 2026
Patricia Evelyn Loy

It is with great sadness that the family of Patricia Evelyn Loy announce her passing, she was 92.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs and City Attorney Joe Polzak recently shepherded the City Commissioner's search for a new city manager.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 26, 2026
City auditor and clerk awarded 15% base pay increase

Sarasota City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs is awarded a 15% base pay increase to $225,684 by the City Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Lough is a regular fixture at Sarasota City Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 26, 2026
David Lough seeks to matter in local government involvement

Long-time DSCA president and Rosemary District advocate David Lough is a regular fixture at city hall and the commission chambers, and he brings the receipts to back his positions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gary Love of Gary Love Photography shows an art festival-goer how the various places the light hits the shell-covered beach give the up-close image depth. He was one of several new artists featured at the Feb. 21-22 art festival on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 26, 2026
Art show upcoming this weekend

The Longboat Key Festival of the Arts returns to the Town Center Green this weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Joel Benham built the Giant Furby Chair.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 26, 2026
Local artist makes larger-than-life versions of nostalgic objects

After a career in construction, Joel Benham, known as "GWAK," decided to make a living full-time with his detailed, large-scale re-creations of familiar products.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Noah Kumar spent the 2025 season on the PGA Tour Americas, but is poised to make his Korn Ferry Tour debut April 2 at the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 26, 2026
Guided by a golf legend, young pro returns home

Noah Kumar, a Cardinal Mooney graduate, has channeled Arnold Palmer en route to the LECOM Suncoast Classic.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Unit 201 condominium at 111 Golden Gate Point was built in 2024 and has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,346 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 26, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 9-13 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Buccaneer Bay home on Captain Kidd Avenue tops the week's sales at $4.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The Ohana seawall is having repairs done in March. The seawall extends into the Gulf, cutting off public beach access as the seawall is part of the Gulf-facing home’s property.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 26, 2026
Seawall repairs underway at Ohana

The Ohana estate in Longboat Key has a locally famous seawall that extends into the Gulf and cuts off beach access for the public.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gary and Keely Siebein of Siebein Acoustic present their sound study proposal to the Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 26, 2026
Firm hired to study the 'soundscape of Sarasota'

Siebein Acoustic of Gainesville has been contracted by the City Commission to map out Sarasota's audible characteristics as they apply to the recently approved noise ordinance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The St. Armands Circle garage didn't collect fees for several months after the 2024 hurricanes.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 26, 2026
City extends paid parking hours and hikes citation fines to cover deficit

The Sarasota City Commission approves extending paid parking to 24/7 and increasing citation fines to make the city's Parking Division solvent and fund future capital needs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By JL Bainbridge
  • March 26, 2026
Many High Earners Risk Overpaying Taxes Every Year - Are You One of Them?

It’s not just what you earn. It’s what you keep.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By World Class Dentistry
  • March 26, 2026
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For many people, an aging smile tells an unwelcome story of worn-down teeth, mismatched crowns from years of piecemeal dentistry, yellowing enamel, and bites that no longer align properly.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • March 26, 2026
View + Vision =

Maison du Lac features a large private lot that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty and private view over the lake.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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A conceptual rendering of the planned expansion of Plymouth Harbor. The new residential tower is at the right.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2026
Rezoning clears the way for Plymouth Harbor expansion

Rezoning will permit Plymouth Harbor continuing care retirement community will build 153 new independent living apartments at its campus on Coon Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nick Dazio disposes of a television.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 25, 2026
Shred Stock recycling event collects 5 tons of paper, 3,364 pounds of electronics

This year, the drive-thru shredding event added electronics recycling while continuing to raise awareness of identity theft and fraud.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The view of the field at LECOM Park from the Section 16 grandstand. Opened in 1923, it's the oldest ballpark in the Grapefruit League and second-oldest in the minor leagues.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 25, 2026
MLB spring training under my microscope

Comparing the parking, concessions and more at three local ballparks.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Five youth sailing teams raced against one another in the first Next Tack regatta on March 21 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron headquarters. The program is a more advanced offshoot of the partnership between Spectrum Sailing and the Sarasota Youth Sailing Squadron that fosters inclusive, peer-based sailing instruction.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 25, 2026
New inclusive sailing program brings big smiles

Spectrum Sailing held its regatta race day March 21 with the Sarasota Youth Sailing, capping an eight-week program of youngsters teaching youngsters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 25, 2026
Saks changes its mind: UTC store will remain open

The parent company, going through bankruptcy, says it has renegotiated its lease terms at The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Silverwings Choir, a Lakewood Ranch club of 40 members, gather at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall every Saturday and sing in Mandarin.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 25, 2026
Silverwings Choir combines Chinese culture and music

The choir was founded in October and brings together singers of all abilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ellenton's Rennee Lux, who will serve as the director for KLA Schools of Lakewood Ranch, is eager to welcome children and families into the new space.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 25, 2026
KLA Schools prepares to open new early learning center in Lakewood Ranch

Currently in construction, KLA Schools of Lakewood Ranch will serve 200 children between the ages of 3 months and 4 years old.

  • East County
  • Schools
Co-owner Chris Carter works with a barista behind the counter of the second location of Sips, which opened at 3172 Gulf of Mexico Drive this month.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Second Sips debuts on Longboat Key

Build-your-own sandwiches and cozy space sets second branch apart from original.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Hank Lebioda shot 17 under par to finish third at the 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 25, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic found an above-par home in Lakewood Ranch

Since the tournament's debut in 2019, it has been a staple of the community calendar.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sponsored Content
St. Regis Longboat Key Resort installed a stainless steel metal arch on a converted groin extending into the Gulf. Longboat Key town staff asked the hotel to take the arch down because it does not follow town code.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Planning and Zoning Board gives thumbs down to St. Regis arch

The issue of whether to amend the town’s sign code to allow the St. Regis arch will come to the Longboat Key commission with a "no" recommendation from the PZB.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Eddie Abrams stands at the base of his raised lot on Longboat Drive North where he is building his insulating concrete form house. Abrams and his son are both rebuilding on raised lots after Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding on Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Annual report highlights a year defined by rebuilding

The town of Longboat Key issued 2,183 permits for storm damage repairs in the 2025 fiscal year, according to its 2025 annual report.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 601 Triton Bend sold for $3 million. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths, a pool and 3,313 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 25, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 9-13 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Bobwhite Drive tops the week’s sales at $4.9 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Karie Friling (left) was the City Commission's choice for the next city manager following a two-day interview process with five candidates that included a community roundtable session.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2026
Employment contract approved for the next Sarasota city manager

The Sarasota City Commission agrees to terms with Karie Friling as the city's next, and first female, city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch guitarist Chuck Black plays with the Silver Thunder band April 3 at Music on Main.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2026
A rock 'n' roll dream comes true in Lakewood Ranch

Summerfield guitarist lands his biggest gig at Music on Main 44 years after getting his first guitar.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The LECOM Suncoast Classic has averaged about 20,000 fans per year and has given back more than $1 million to the community.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic generates more than $1 million for students and charities

LECOM's Student Scholarship Fund has benefited by more than $700,000 for its Lakewood Ranch campus students.

  • East County
  • Opinion
One martini, one daiquiri and three beers
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 25, 2026
One martini, one daiquiri and three beers

A man told an officer he suspected he was drugged after an evening of drinking left him disoriented and blacked out. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Philip Reber, the acting CEO at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, stands in one of the 60 new rooms of the hospital's 170,000-square-foot tower expansion.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 24, 2026
New hospital tower is the talk of Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center cuts the ribbon on its $120 million expansion project.

  • East County
  • News
Debra Williams (standing left) and Penny Gold (standing right) were picked as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, at Longboat Key’s Town Commission meeting Monday, March 23.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Williams picked as mayor, Gold as vice mayor of Longboat Key Town Commission

District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams will serve a one-year term as mayor, replacing Ken Schneier in the position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Speaks Clam Bar, pictured after its 2018 opening, closed on St. Armands Key earlier this month.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Speaks Clam Bar shutters St. Armands location

The original Lakewood Ranch location of the Italian and Seafood restaurant will remain open.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Baby raccoon safely rescued from Longboat patio
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Baby raccoon safely rescued from Longboat patio

A tiny raccoon was delivered to an animal rehab center. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is among the 75 best maternity hospitals in America, according to a ranking by Money magazine.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 24, 2026
SMH ranks among the best maternity-care hospitals in America

Money magazine has listed Sarasota Memorial Hospital among the top 75 hospitals in America for maternity care.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kole Ayrault leads the Sailors in batting average and hits, as of March 23, and also ranks third for RBIs and runs.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 24, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kole Ayrault

The senior first baseman/outfielder has fueled a fiery start for Sarasota High baseball.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Glenn and Linda Courtney and their daughter Chelsea Courtney look at seashells.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 24, 2026
Sarasota Farmers Market continues to create community

The downtown market, held every Saturday, features produce, foods, crafts and other products.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Karie Friling meets with Sarasota community members during the open house portion of the immersive two-day interview process with four other finalists for the city manager position.
  • April 2, 2026
New city manager finds dream job at Sarasota City Hall

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