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Your Observer

The tables were decorated with carnival decor.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 22, 2022
Temple Beth Israel celebrates Purim

Several attendees dressed up for the holiday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Amphitheater proponent Tom Leonard says the mid-century design structure would activate the St. Armands Circle center. (File rendering)
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • March 22, 2022
City Commission to look further into St. Armands Circle amphitheater proposal

The commissioners were unsure of their authority over the Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Flood insurance rates could vary from house to house, even in the same neighborhood, such as Country Club Shores, or even within the same flood zone.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 22, 2022
New FEMA maps bring changes in insurance standards

Longboat leaders hear about what's in store once Sarasota County maps are in force.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • March 22, 2022
Victoria Brill and Jordan Keller

Jack and Antoinette Brill of Longboat Key are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Victoria Brill, to Jordan Keller, son of Cindy Bunge of Du Quoin Il.

  • Longboat Key
  • Celebrations
Construction on St. Regis is moving forward.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 21, 2022
Construction on St. Regis moves forward on Longboat Key

There is a tentative opening date for the hotel, which is currently June 6, 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A cyclist heads south on Gulf of Mexico Drive during late afternoon.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 21, 2022
Longboat Key's Complete Streets proposal is a road to the future for main thoroughfare

Concepts under development now would guide a makeover of the town's main north-south artery.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ambassadors Darrin Caldwell and Kellie Spring cut the ribbon along with Sandra Smith, the Secur-All team and the Reed Medical Group team.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 21, 2022
Secur-All Insurance cuts ribbon at new Longboat Key location

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for the longtime business's new location.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The 2022 Dick Vitale Gala will be held May 6 at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 21, 2022
2022 Dick Vitale Gala to be held May 6

The 17th-annual event, held at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, will honor Baylor men's basketball Coach Scott Drew, tennis legend Chris Evert and football superstar Keyshawn Johnson

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Rob Hollway is the new football coach at The Out-of-Door Academy. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 21, 2022
ODA announces new football coach

Rob Hollway will replace Jon Haskins, who coached one season

  • East County
  • Sports
A photo provided to the town of Longboat Key shows a Jeep Wrangler parked on the beach at the end of North Shore Road.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 21, 2022
Driver cited after parking on Longboat Key beach

Driver tells officer he didn't see sign barring vehicles from the sand.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 21, 2022
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosts final Savor the Sounds concert

The organization hosted three concerts at Town Center Green this winter.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 21, 2022
Longboat Key Garden Club hosts Dinner and a Movie

The club usually hosts one of these events in a year, but the last one was so popular.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Sissy Overlees loves the programs at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA. She's been a member for 10 years.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 21, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Y merges with YMCA of Southwest Florida

The merger increases support to the local Y, which it will use to expand programs.

  • East County
  • News
From cups to tea kettles, Wilma Kroese offers a range of pottery items at the Spring Art Show and Sale.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 20, 2022
Spring Art Show in Lakewood Ranch reveals wide range of talents

Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch hosts it annual Spring Art Show and Sale.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • March 20, 2022
RADD hosts block party to support Ukraine

The block party was held March 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 20, 2022
Sarasota Jazz Festival goes out on high note with Arturo Sandoval

After two-year hiatus, the Sarasota Jazz Festival packs Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • News
Warren Pizzello and daughter Amy Kippin slice the cake.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 20, 2022
Bradenton World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday

At age 100, Navy veteran Warren Pizzello tells stories of his time about the USS Mount Olympus.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch members Judy Berlow and Susan Courter hold jugs of water to symbolize what it would be like to carry a bucket of water the same distance mothers and children walk to access water. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 19, 2022
Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch to host virtual Walk for Water

Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch continues its annual Walk for Water fundraiser as a virtual event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Rick and Jill Wellinger have fun modeling clothes during the fashion part of the event.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2022
Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch hosts Divas and Dogs fundraiser

Residents model fashion from Venice's Twist Boutique and Sun Bug to raise money for the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 18, 2022
Longboat Harbour hosts first pickleball tournament

After residents became interested in the sport a couple years ago, talent grew until a tournament was necessary.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mike Taaffe, foreground, rows with his sons, Travis, middle, and Brandon, back, at Nathan Benderson Park. Taaffe is the new board chair at the park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 18, 2022
Rebuilt board is making waves at Benderson Park in Sarasota

Now named the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, the Sarasota nonprofit's board hopes to enact changes.

  • East County
  • News
The Pirate Battalion Drill Team displays the trophies from its district championship for Area 5 (courtesy photo).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 18, 2022
Braden River High School heads for state drill team championships

Braden River High 's drill team wins six consecutive district title.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The committee spends almost a year deciding on the gardens.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • March 18, 2022
Sarasota Garden Club to host annual tour

The eighth annual Gardens In Paradise tour will be held March 26.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 17, 2022
St. Mary Catholic Church hosts Women's Guild fashion show

Members of the guild wore fashions from Foxy Lady to walk the runway at Harbourside Ballroom.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kettle of Fish performed at Savor the Sounds on Feb. 19, 2022.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 17, 2022
Savor the Sounds concert series coming to an end on Longboat Key

Shantel Norman and the Shantel Norman Group will perform at Town Center Green on March 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Iuliia Danilovets addresses the crowd at the Ukraine seminar at Selby Public Library.
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • March 17, 2022
Ukrainians explain how Sarasota can help in Thursday seminar

A Ukrainian aid discussion took place Thursday at Selby Public Library.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Speed limits will be raised to 40 mph on Lorraine, from University Parkway to Rangeland Parkway.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 17, 2022
Manatee considers new speed limits for Lorraine Road

Those who use Lorraine Road in Lakewood Ranch generally are please with proposed changes to speed limit.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • March 17, 2022
Local figures gather for 50th anniversary prayer breakfast

The annual Sarasota Prayer Breakfast marked 50 years on March 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 17, 2022
East County weather page photo: March 17

Pamela Williams captured this great blue heron helping out with the recycling in Country Club East.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 17, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: March 17

Diane Suner captured this photo of a sea urchin living in Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 17, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: March 17

Logan Wise captured this sunset seen from Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lynn Larson, Ken Schneier, Cynthia Craig, Bob Gault, Michael Garey, Svetlana Ivashchenko and Jim Brown hold up a check.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 17, 2022
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key gives Lawn Party funds to Children's Guardian Fund

The event brought in $90,000, while direct donations from attendees brought in another $30,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Karen Mills is welcomed to the stage.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • March 17, 2022
Karen Mills talks business at RCLA lecture

The latest lecture series event was held March 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer stands with Lakewood Ranch CERT President Jim Emanuelson, his "eyes and ears."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 17, 2022
Manatee County Emergency Management provides behind-the-scenes tour in Bradenton

Manatee County's Emergency Management presents a behind-the-scenes look to Lakewood Ranch's CERT.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • March 17, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Speaking in code

Police reports from around Sarasota

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh speaks to the crowd on the first day an ambulance began service in Myakka City in October 2020.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 17, 2022
Worker shortage limits available firefighter/paramedics in Myakka City

Manatee County has stopped its agreement to supply firefighter/paramedics on trucks serving Myakka City.

  • East County
  • 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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