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Your Observer

In 2021, Joseph Sena sold her home at 5965 Gulf of Mexico Drive to James and Amanda Holanda, of Montgomery, New Jersey, for $10.15 million. Submitted
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 31, 2022
Longboat's 2021 real estate prices were top of the market

34228 ZIP code had the highest median sales price for single-family homes in Sarasota County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brain Health Initiative founder Stephanie Peabody
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 31, 2022
Led by Brain Health Initiative, the industry builds information bridges

Lakewood Ranch's Brain Health Initiative among groups pushing for preventative action to reduce risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

  • East County
  • News
The goal of the task force, assembled by Sarasota County Health and Human Services Director Chuck Henry, has been to find the priorities for creating a Mental Health Dependent Special District.
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • January 31, 2022
County mental health task force's report addresses community needs

The task force presented a report to the commission that prioritizes mental health needs in the community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
If Sarasota County voters approve a referendum in November, the town of Longboat Key is due to spend $7.47 million from fiscal years 2025-2039 on public safety vehicles and equipment. File photo
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 31, 2022
Longboat to use Sarasota County surtax funding for capital projects

Town staff will brief the Town Commission on its plans to allocate $15.1 million in funding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Closed to golfers since the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened in mid-2020 as a series of nature trails, Bobby Jones is in line for a restoration of its original 18 holes. (Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 31, 2022
Bobby Jones trails to close to allow initial golf course restoration

Renovated golf course could be open by November, city says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 31, 2022
Bird Key home is week's top seller at $6.23 million

A home in Bird Key topped sales this week at $6.23 million

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Albert Castiglia, a blues guitarist, will be a headliner at Giving Hunger the Blues. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 31, 2022
Giving Hunger the Blues concert returns to Nathan Benderson Park

The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents the 24th annual Giving Hunger the Blues at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mary Ann and Kirt Bopp, who are from Missouri, still get their 5-mile walks in every day despite the cold. Kirt Bopp said he was really only bothered by the wind, but Mary Ann Bopp was cold.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 31, 2022
Longboat Key residents compare and contrast feelings on winter

Former northerners are split on how they weather the tiny winter in Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Organizers Ginny Akhoury and Bonnie Schneider
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 31, 2022
Royal Rummage planning begins for March sale

The St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church volunteers have been organizing since early January.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 30, 2022
Junior League puts on fundraiser at Big Cat Habitat

The organization held its 5th annual Jungle Jamboree on Jan. 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 30, 2022
St. Armands Circle hosts 19th annual art festival

Dozens of artists sold hundreds of pieces, despite the chill of the day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 30, 2022
Gulfshore brings back community sale

The neighborhood has hosted a garage sale of sorts for more than two decades.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rocco Mangel is set to open Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar at University Town Center by December. It will be his ninth location in Florida. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • January 30, 2022
Rocco's Tacos owner aims for Dec. 1 opening at UTC

University Town Center in Sarasota will be Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar's ninth location in Florida.

  • East County
  • News
Wes, Will and Parks Robinson stand by one of five mile markers dedicated Jan. 29 to their late dad, Bill Robinson, on the Bill Robinson Lakeside Loop at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 29, 2022
Nathan Benderson Park dedicates trail to the late Bill Robinson

Big Bill Foundation 5K raises money at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota for childhood cancer survivors.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • January 28, 2022
Sarasota's rental assistance program expands, streamlines applications

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is taking new applications and recently implemented ERA2. Certain requirements have been broadened and funds will be available through 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 28, 2022
King's Brass performs at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church

Church members enjoyed an evening of immersive, booming brass music.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Construction on the new judicial parking lot on Ringling Boulevard
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • January 28, 2022
Construction underway on Ringling Boulevard parking lot

A new parking lot will be available for public use by the courthouse on Ringling Boulevard in March.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • January 28, 2022
James Soda

James “Jim” Soda, 73, of Lakewood Ranch, FL, passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a long battle with cancer.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The Jouley electric bus is manufactured by the Thomas Co. (Photo courtesy of Thomas)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 28, 2022
Sarasota school district looks to generate savings with electric buses

State grant helps pay about 70% of the cost using money from a federal lawsuit settlement with Volkswagen.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 27, 2022
Southside Elementary students honor Holocaust victims through Daffodil Project

Families left daffodils outside the school on Jan. 27.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 27, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: January 27

Diane Suner captured this photo of a cockle shell on North Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sunjin Lim's Dwell.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 27, 2022
Art advisory board selects Dwell for Fruitville Road roundabout

Artwork was among three finalists considered for City Commission action.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 27, 2022
East County weather page photo: January 27

Ron Anderson captured this photo in Lakewood Ranch’s Central Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 27, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: January 27

Michele Jasen captured this bald eagle flying away from its nest on Lido Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Café L'Europe opened in 1973. Submitted
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 27, 2022
Café L’Europe announces new ownership

Ron and Julie Milton have agreed to sell Café L’Europe to John and Amanda Horne.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kindergartener Eliana Gabriel sings and counts numbers in Spanish.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 27, 2022
Braden River Elementary dual-language programs sees success in first year in east Bradenton

The dual-language program has been successful at Braden River Elementary in east Bradenton area.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy is expected to be built by mid-July to allow time for teachers and staff to move in and prepare for the first day of school in August. Rendering courtesy of Red Apple Development.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 27, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy projected to be built by mid-July

Red Apple Development and Ryan Cos. speed forward to meet July deadline for the new Lakewood Ranch charter school.

  • East County
  • Schools
David Klein has plenty of rare coins and valuables.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 26, 2022
Sarasota coin group searches for rare coins

The group meets at Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery Inc. each month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • January 26, 2022
Carla Plush Smith

On January 19th Sarasota lost one of its accomplished daughters when Carla Plush Smith died with her husband Peter at her side after a 25-year pitched battle with breast cancer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Karen Gardiner, Joyce Fox and Jerry Fox
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 26, 2022
Christ Church of Longboat Key celebrates 10 years

The church has been around for more than 15 years, but their building was completed in late 2011.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • January 26, 2022
Lois Wilkoff Marcus

Lois Wilkoff Marcus, 88, beloved wife of Martin for 66 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • January 26, 2022
Arleane Stier

Arleane Stier, formerly of Bloomfield, NJ,  beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home in Longboat Key, Florida, on December 18, 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
This year's sale is held in the Scottish Rite building.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 26, 2022
Karin Gustafson leads her 15th annual estate sale

The 15th annual Karin's Causes sales starts Jan. 27.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
East County's Emma and Mike Quindazzi say they have racing in their blood.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 26, 2022
Racing couple will provide thrills in the Bradenton Area River Regatta

East Manatee County husband-wife team prepare for Bradenton Area River Regatta.

  • East County
  • News
Booker's Sariah Bradley (11) gets fouled against Clearwater.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 26, 2022
Tornadoes girls basketball all smiles as postseason approaches

Even a Tuesday loss against Clearwater High was encouraging to Booker High head Coach Ty Bryant

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Riverview boys senior Luke Spycher kicks the ball down the field against Cardinal Mooney High. The Rams are the top seed in their district.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 26, 2022
Sarasota high school soccer district tournament preview

Boys and girls tournaments begin this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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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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