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Your Observer

The Legacy Trail's east-west segment runs past the Pompano Trailhead, just south of Robarts Arena.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 13, 2022
Newest Legacy Trail stop opens in Sarasota

The Pompano Trailhead features 12 lighted pickleball courts and other amenities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 13, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Dirty laundry

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 13, 2022
Out-of-Door Academy's Crazy Cooks Camp stirs up fun in Lakewood Ranch

ODA adds a twist to its summer camp as participants make pretzels.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Town Manager Tom Harmer plans to step down in December after five years on the job. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 13, 2022
Longboat hopes to directly identify candidates for Harmer's job

Between now and December, the town aims to target specific people to consider for the town manager position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Terri and Jeff Driver are active members of the LBKTW, Rotary and the Green Team. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 13, 2022
The do-gooding duo driving change on Longboat Key

The Drivers work, play and volunteer around their new home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A treatment basin holds surface water, while the sludge in the water is transported to a pond visible in the background. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 13, 2022
Dam upgrades and repairs high on Manatee's priority list

More than $121 million in repairs and upgrades is budgeted to keep the region’s potable water flowing at the dam.

  • East County
  • News
Work continues on the cafeteria and multipurpose room of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 13, 2022
Construction on charter school's first phase nears completion

With an Aug. 10 opening day approaching, construction crews have the coming Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy on schedule.

  • East County
  • Schools
The latest Waves and Wheels party got people going at the casino tables. (Photo courtesy of Lori Sax)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 13, 2022
Suncoast Charities for Children shifts summer offerings

The organization's second annual festival runs through July 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The master plan of the Bay Park Conservancy's transformation of the 53-acre site on Sarasota Bay. (Courtesy rendering)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 12, 2022
Nonprofit reaches halfway point of $24M campaign for The Bay Park

With 18 months to go on its capital campaign, The Bay Park Conservancy has raised a second $5 million toward its $24 million goal, triggering another $1 million Patterson Foundation grant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A car is suspended in the air for maintenance at Christian Brothers Automotive. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 12, 2022
Faith-based automotive repair franchise comes to Lakewood Ranch area

The franchise owner says he wants to bring more transparency to auto repair.

  • East County
  • Business
A baby octopus crawls onto a boat anchored off Jewfish Key. (Photo courtesy of Hilary Julian)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 12, 2022
Baby octopus hitches a ride from Jewfish Key

The octopus most likely boarded the boat via the anchor, the family said.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Volleyball for Beginners participants exchanged contact information after their session with instructor Chris McComas (second from right) with the intention of keeping their new hobby going together.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 12, 2022
Volleyball for Beginners class in Lakewood Ranch offers instruction, fun

The participants learn their bumps, sets and spikes at Waterside Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jacqueline Putrino (Photo by Ryan Kohn)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 12, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Jacqueline Putrino

The Lakewood Ranch-based, Florida State-bound golfer finished tied for fifth at the FSGA Women's Amateur Stroke Play Championship, held July 8-10 in Placida.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Country Club East home at 6907 Devon Cove sold for $2,055,000. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,007 square feet of living area. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 12, 2022
Country Club East home tops sales at $2.06 million

A home in Country Club East tops the week's sales at $2.06 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Herb Moller, Sue Forbrook, Jack Jones, Maria DiMenna, and Terry Campbell in the kitchen at Our Daily Bread.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 12, 2022
$94,000 donation leaves a lasting mark at Christ Church

The gift to Christ Church on Longboat Key by a founding member goes a long way to help the church's mission group.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office vehicles drive about 7 million miles a year, according to Sheriff Kurt Hoffman. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 12, 2022
Rising fuel, ammunition costs lead to spike in Sheriff's Office proposed budget

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman cites escalating costs of essentials in part for a 14% preliminary budget increase and calls curbing patrol and firearm training unacceptable.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Florida Department of Transportation cameras show the extent of the crash and traffic tie-ups.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 12, 2022
Four seriously injured in Monday I-75 collision near Clark Road

Charges pending in chain reaction crash involving six vehicles.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • July 12, 2022
Robert (Bob) Lachmann

Robert (Bob) Lachmann age 86 died July 1 at his summer address in Montauk, NY, winter address was Emerald Harbor Drive, Longboat Key, FL.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Any proceeds from the Chevrolets at auction would flow back into the same fund. About $12,000 to $15,000 is expected for each of the used vehicles.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 12, 2022
Longboat Key Police Department replaces chronically broken patrol SUVs

The department has replaced four chronically troublesome 2020 GM models.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The tower will be a flagpole-like structure similar to this monopole on Lorraine Road.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 11, 2022
No solid dates yet for cell tower construction at Lorraine/SR 64

Residents near the area surrounding the intersection of Lorraine Road and State Road 64 have a shot at better reception.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 11, 2022
Well-known community foundation CEO announces retirement

Mark Pritchett has been with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation since 2008 and as president and CEO since 2015.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 11, 2022
Athletes assemble for beach volleyball weekend on Siesta Key

The SSOVA beach volleyball tournament was held July 9-10 on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Braden River High School graduates Fiorella Recchioni and Sara Diaz and rising senior Nico Curci place second in fashion design and technology for their version of a theme park uniform. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 11, 2022
Braden River High claims national TSA title

Three division titles lead Braden River High to national TSA team championship.

  • East County
  • Schools
As of July 1, Jeff Driver is the new Rotary president.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 11, 2022
Jeff Driver now driving "do-goodery" as Rotary president

Driver will focus on public wellness and environmental sustainability.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This alley behind buildings along Main Street between North Palm and North Pineapple avenues is a prime candidate for alley beautification, according to Sarasota Mayor Erik Arroyo. (Photo by Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 11, 2022
Sarasota mayor pitches alley beautification program

Alleys can be functional civic space, Sarasota Mayor Erik Arroyo told the Downtown Improvement District board as he seeks support for an alley beautification initiative.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The commercial proposal, approved in April, calls for 43 parking spaces, though 37 are required in the current configuration.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 11, 2022
Longboat approves use of town land for project's drainage

Stormwater runoff will be allowed to flow into the bay from commercial and residential projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 10, 2022
International Ballet adds its spin to the Mall at UTC in Sarasota

Ballet company's young dancers perform in unusual mall setting.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For the typical single-family household, the rate that appears on monthly bills will move from $16.19 to $17.72, taking effect on July 1 for billing on Aug. 1. (Photo by Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 10, 2022
Longboat Key OKs trash-rate hike but will keep watching

Waste Management Inc. gains approval for the 10.01% increase, but leaders will monitor the increases agreed to by surrounding communities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Florida Studio Theatre's Harry Shaull loves the Motown songs. "I feel like they have the highest energy and are the most fun to do," Shaull says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 10, 2022
Florida Studio Theatre's 'Off the Charts!' hits Lakewood Ranch

Waterside Place crowd enjoys theater group's performance.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cherie Landriau, Dan Ewing and Carol Taylor all have different dragon boat stories, but all three will compete on one of the sport's biggest stages at the 2022 IBDF Club Crew Words at Benderson Park July 18-24.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 10, 2022
Sarasota hosts dragon boat racing world championships

The 2022 IBDF Club Crew World Championships hosted by Nathan Benderson Park from July 18-24.

  • East County
  • Sports
Built in 1998, unit 113 at the Sarabande building has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 4,534 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 10, 2022
Condo in Sarabande sells for $4 million

A Sarabande condo on Palm Avenue tops the week's sales at $4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Grand Bay is one of Bay Isles Association's 19 communities on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 10, 2022
Grand Bay condo sells for $3.25 million

A Grand Bay condo tops the week's sales at $3.25 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 9, 2022
St. Armands Circle Park jazzed up for first concert of the summer

The Hot Tonic Orchestra played jazz-styled covers of pop music.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 8, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Happy (almost) Independence Day!

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The crumbling infrastructure of the splash pad at Bayfront Park is largely to blame for the $2.9 million renovation price tag. (Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 8, 2022
City Commission OKs $2.9 million for watered-down splash pad and playground at Bayfront Park

City staff and the contractor slash $1.1 million in costs for the splash pad replacement at Bayfront Park. Infrastructure replacement is a large part of the nearly $3 million price.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The new Aldi store is located at 7214 University Parkway didn't open as expected on Thursday.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 7, 2022
Aldi makes its debut in Lakewood Ranch

The popular supermarket chain store had to clear a final Sarasota County inspection to open.

  • East County
  • News
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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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