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Your Observer

    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • February 4, 2022
Mike Cosentino files to run against Brody for County Commission seat

Mike Cosentino will meet Hagen Brody in the Democratic Primary Election in August for the County Commission's District 2 seat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Peter Wish
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 4, 2022
Book Talk, Mayor Erik Arroyo visit Selby Library

The first speaker was Peter Wish, an author whose strategy Arroyo used in his campaign.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 4, 2022
The Paradise Center hosts FitFest on Longboat Key

Attendees could try bite-sized bits of seven different exercise classes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 4, 2022
All Angels hosts secondhand art gallery on Longboat Key

The church is hosting its New to You sale for the second year in a row, with a big response from the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 4, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: They can stay

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Trenton Huffman, a student at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, works on a tablet while sitting at one of the tables in the media center.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 4, 2022
Manatee modernizes school media centers

The School District of Manatee County is well into a library transformation project in all its schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • February 4, 2022
Leonard Biberman, M.D.

Leonard Biberman, M.D., passed away peacefully, on the night of January 10, 2022, with his wife, Gloria, his children (Sandra Liederman and Charles Biberman) and granddaughter Josie Liederman, by his side.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • February 4, 2022
Christopher Boyne

The family and friends of Christopher Boyne are sad to give news of his recent passing on January 29th, 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Scottie Littles is the new head coach of Booker High's football program.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 4, 2022
Booker High names new football coach

Scottie Littles brings a winning resume to the Tornadoes.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
American alligators have a crucial role in keeping wetland habitats healthy, and alter habitats in ways that benefit other species. (Photo by Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • February 4, 2022
American alligators keep Myakka's wetlands healthy

Deep Hole at Myakka's Wilderness Preserve is an important dry season refuge.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A couple enjoying a previous vow-renewal ceremony. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • February 4, 2022
Vow-renewal tradition to continue on Siesta Key Beach

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources will hold it's annual vow-renewal ceremony on Siesta Key and Nokomis Beach on Valentine's Day. Registration is open online through Feb. 7.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Heather Rippy and Stephanie Troxler with a bottle of prosecco Troxler painted for the occasion.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 3, 2022
Driftwood Beach Home and Garden celebrates one year

The store on the north end of Longboat Key has catered to and cultivated its community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Since May 2007, Amy Whitt (right) has worked with D'Arcy and Ray Arpke at Euphemia Haye.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 3, 2022
Longtime employee assumes ownership of Euphemia Haye

Ray and D’Arcy Arpke sold Euphemia Haye to longtime employee Amy Whitt for an undisclosed sum.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Students arrive at Southside Elementary aboard a school bus. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 3, 2022
Sarasota schools will add ID card readers to buses next year

Students will swipe their ID as they board, disembark school buses.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 3, 2022
‘Yes’ on the two referenda

Sarasota County voters have shown since 2002 that they’ll support good schools with their money. Expect that again on March 8. Meanwhile, voters should go back to countywide voting for commission seats.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2022
East County weather page photo: February 3

Steve Gordon took this photo of sandhill crane parents taking their colt out for a snack in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: February 3

Gordon Silver captured this sunset over Sarasota Bay from Centennial Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: February 3

Joanne Hummert captured the glistening reflection of the Gulf of Mexico on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Junior John Sirignano says caring for his sock baby, Oswald, has made him excited to become a real parent in the future. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2022
High schoolers learn parental lessons by caring for sock babies

With sock baby assignment, Lakewood Ranch High students learn while walking in parents' shoes.

  • East County
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • February 3, 2022
Robert James Wollard

Robert James Wollard went to be with his Lord on January 24, 2022.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Sharing is located at the corner of Second Street and Pineapple Avenue.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 3, 2022
City's public art master plan looks ahead to an even more creative city

Sarasota works its way toward a master plan for public art, setting guiding principles for a lot more than roundabouts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 2, 2022
Brody files to run for Ziegler's County Commission seat

Sarasota City Commissioner and former mayor first to file for District 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although it won't look exactly the same, Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's learning villages will look similar to this kindergarten through third grade model. (Rendering courtesy of Charter Schools USA)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 2, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Prep will take different approach on education, principals say

The new Lakewood Ranch K-12 charter school's WISH model focuses on wellness, innovation, science and health.

  • East County
  • Schools
County Commissioner Alan Maio cutting the ribbon in front of the new downtown cooling plant. (Photo courtesy of Sarasota County)
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • February 2, 2022
New cooling plant opens in downtown Sarasota

The new cooling plant will provide air conditioning for eight county buildings and is expected to be 40% more efficient than the old cooling plant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key's Quick Point Nature Preserve is about 32 acres. File photo
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 2, 2022
Review shows Longboat Key unlikely to develop town-owned land in Emerald Harbor, Longbeach Village

The town has developed most of its easements for their intended purposes and are generally the ongoing maintenance responsibility of the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The five-citizen Surtax IV Ad Hoc Committee recommended $10 million to extend Legacy Trail beyond downtown to University Parkway.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 2, 2022
Sarasota panel finalizes list for surtax projects

City plans on receiving about $191 million over 15 years if fourth iteration of countywide 1% tax passes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview senior Alef Pezan (19) goes up against the Venice defense for a header.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 2, 2022
Riverview soccer's offense finds its footing

The Rams scored four goals in a district tournament victory over Venice High

  • East County
  • Sports
Boys soccer player Luke Spycher was humorously told to "be a goldfish" by Riverview coaches in 2022.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 2, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Luke Spycher

The Riverview boys soccer senior talks his origins in the game and his favorite hobby

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarah Glass leads the children in dance each week.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • February 2, 2022
Free dance class is Sarasota woman's way to give back

After a series of medical setbacks, Deanna Williams remembers what dance meant to her.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch freshman Olivia Hadad laughs as she is picked up off the grass by sophomore Sophie Lemus. Hadad scored a goal in the Mustangs' 4-0 win against Plant City High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 2, 2022
Prose and Kohn: Mustangs girls soccer gallops into postseason

Lakewood Ranch believes it has the talent and heart to make a deep run

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 2, 2022
Pair of Sarasota-area homes sell for $3 million each

A pair of homes in Sarasota topped sales at $3 million each.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • February 2, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Who's a good boy?

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Students pay attention as Jennifer Dowling, a math teacher, finishes a lesson in her new classroom. The classroom is a part of the six-classroom addition that was completed in November. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 2, 2022
Renovations almost complete at Braden River Middle

BRMS teachers are thrilled with the $26 million addition and renovations project.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mote Ranch residents Susan Byron and Lorelei Lindenaux-Balazs are concerned a planned roundabout in the Mote Ranch community will be dangerous and will affect the aesthetics of their community. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 1, 2022
Manatee roundabout project goes forward at Mote Ranch despite neighborhood concerns

Manatee County officials say a roundabout is essential at Honore Avenue and Old Farm Road.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 1, 2022
Allegiant adds Austin to SRQ destinations

Airline will begin service to the Texas capital in April.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 1, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Quittin' time nap, Part 1

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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