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Your Observer

    By
  • Su Byron
  • May 19, 2022
The best day trips from the Sarasota-Bradenton area

These locales offer an action-packed itinerary for a quick getaway, just a short drive away.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Andre is the Lakewood Ranch Puppy Raisers’ token “black sheep.” (Photo by Heidi Kurpiela)
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 19, 2022
Raising puppies for Southeastern Guide Dogs is serious business

The Lakewood Ranch Puppy Raisers group lays the groundwork for a dog’s transition into more advanced guide dog training at Southeastern Guide Dogs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2022
East County weather page photo: May 19

Gordon Silver captured this bald eagle sounding off along White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: May 19

Steve Gordon captured this pair of owls at Myakka River State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 19

Brian Wamback captured the sunset on a beach at Greer Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lindsey Post and Karen Clark are led to the Manatee County Law Enforcement memorial by the Fraternal Order of Police's Phil Silva. The late Douglas Clark, Post's father and husband of Karen Clark, was honored with a plaque.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 19, 2022
Manatee law enforcement honors those who died in the line of duty

Deputy Douglas Clark, who died in 2021, was the first Manatee County law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty since 1987.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 19, 2022
Supply on the rise in Sarasota real estate market

Inflation, mortgage rate increase cited in first year-over-year supply increase since spring 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Contrary to considerable public outcry regarding building height, the 18-story cap on the Bayfront remains intact.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 19, 2022
Building height incentive removed from city comprehensive plan amendment — for now

Citing a lack of accurate public knowledge about building heights, the commission moves the proposed amendment to add downtown density to create attainable housing onto Tallahassee without taller buildings as a tool.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Legendary Sarasota High baseball Coach Clyde Metcalf retired following the 2021-2022 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 19, 2022
Prose and Kohn: Our columnist's favorite moments of the 2021-2022 high school athletic year

Championship wins, massive dunks, bearhugs and a well-deserved retirement: These moments run the gamut.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 503 Casey Key Road was built in 1957. It has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,358 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 19, 2022
Casey Key property sells for $5.7 million

A Casey Key property tops the week's sales at $5.7 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch's Jim Hill, a retired career U.S. Marine, will play with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble at the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 19, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble features own veterans during holiday concerts.

Lakewood Ranch Tribute to Heroes Parade, Sarasota National Cemetery host concerts to honor veterans.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The new span would be constructed beside Fort Hamer Bridge.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 19, 2022
Manatee seeks federal funding for second span of Fort Hamer Bridge

Funding for the east Bradenton bridge, among other initiatives, prompted a trip to Washington, D.C. by the Manatee County commissioners.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota High junior Alec Miller finished second in the Class 4A boys 1,600 meter run at the FHSAA track and field championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 19, 2022
Sarasota junior runner 'psyched' about performance at track and field championships

Alec Miller dropped approximately six seconds from his personal record on his way to a silver medal in the Class 4A 1,600 meter run.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 18, 2022
Longboat Key police officer Shawn Nagell retires

Nagell will take a break for six months but be back as a part-time officer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kristie Teal, development and event manager for Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, checks out a butterfly as it escapes.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 18, 2022
Butterfly release in Lakewood Ranch honors those battling cancer and their caregivers

Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation hosted the event to raise nonmedical financial aid for patients.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 18, 2022
Friday night snack in The Lake Club?

A 12-pound dog met a potential new friend — or for.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Sen. Jeff Brandes, Florida District 24 | Guest Contributor
  • May 18, 2022
Marketplace of Ideas: A call for courage

When Florida lawmakers convene on property insurance, they will confront the biggest economic challenge in state history. They need to change the incentives to a market of free enterprise and competition that benefits consumers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 18, 2022
Biggest economic crisis in Florida history

Florida’s $3.6 trillion property insurance market is in collapse. Whether Florida’s economy will be rescued will be a political duel: Gov. Ron DeSantis vs. Speaker Chris Sprowls and the state’s plaintiff attorneys.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 18, 2022
Fabulous Arts Foundation music fest draws crowds at Rosemary District

The festival was held May 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 18, 2022
Lido home sells for $5.5 million

A Lido home on Bryant Drive tops the week's sales at $5.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Victoria Kasdan established Making an Impact as a nonprofit and quickly started bringing in money from grants and donations. Linda Hoy started the guide, which has now grown to showcase nearly 300 nonprofits. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 18, 2022
Community Connections Resource Guide has quickly become an invaluable tool

When it comes to navigating social services, these ladies wrote the book.

  • LWR Life
Art & Soul students like Sofia Basile, Juliana Fazio, Irelynn Ettinger and Raelynn Dine can choose from classes that include jazz, ballet, tap and hip hop. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 18, 2022
Founder of Art & Soul believes dance can be transformative for people of all ages

Alana Turner harnesses the power of dance to change lives.

  • LWR Life
The median price for a single family home on Longboat was up 98% year over year to $2.64 million; the median price for condos was up 32% to $930,000, according to figures from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 18, 2022
Longboat property tax values expected to rise by double-digit percentage

Town leaders begin talk of reducing millage as budget sessions begins.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 18, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Cutting the cord

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The Lakewood Ranch softball team greets Grace Hogie (18) at the plate following her home run against West Orange High on May 12. Hogie said the team's confidence on offense is sky high.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 18, 2022
Lakewood Ranch softball team follows similar path toward state championship

Mustangs Head Coach T.J. Goelz has instructed his players to repeat last season's work ethic.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Lake Club home at 16216 Clearlake Ave. sold for $3.1 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,879 square feet of living area. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 18, 2022
Lake Club home tops sales at $3.1 million

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.1 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Toquya Jones, a food service worker, prepares lunch for students at Braden River High School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 18, 2022
Manatee School District works to address cafeteria, custodial staff shortages

More cafeteria and custodial staff are needed to ensure quality for the district's students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Florida Representative Tommy Gregory presents Rebecca, Katie, Robert, and Dan Powers with a plaque, alongside Andy Orrell of the FDOT.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 18, 2022
SR 64 roundabout named for students who died in an accident at the site

The families of Chase Coyner and Matthew Powers receive memorials from State Rep. Tommy Gregory.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
James Satcher introduced a motion that could result in the right of Manatee County employees to carry while at work.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 17, 2022
Late addition of concealed carry meeting agenda item raises questions about transparency

Commissioner James Satcher adds concealed carry issue four days before commission meeting.

  • East County
  • News
Isaac Ashley.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 17, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Isaac Ashley

The Lakewood Ranch High junior wide receiver caught three touchdowns May 13 in the football team's spring scrimmage and is poised for a big fall season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Allegiant now flies to 30 cities from SRQ.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 17, 2022
Allegiant adds Minnesota flight to Sarasota airport

The twice-weekly service launches from SRQ in October.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michael Taaffe, the chair of the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, sees great potential in the park. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2022
Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy chair shares bright future for the park

Michael Taaffe, the chair of the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, shares his dreams to make Benderson Park a thriving gathering spot for the surrounding community.

  • LWR Life
In his leadership role at Coastal Orthopedics, Dr. Arthur Valadie recognizes the need to expand to meet the needs of a growing population out east. (Photo by Mark Wemple)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 17, 2022
Coastal Orthopedics completes a major expansion

A construction and build-out project with a price tag of more than $30 million positions a fast-growing medical group to meet East County’s current and future demand.

  • LWR Life
Paul, Mark and Rob Caragiulo first investigated expanding their restaurant business into Lakewood Ranch more than 20 years ago. They’re soon opening a branch of downtown eatery Owen’s Fish Camp in Waterside. (Photo: Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 17, 2022
New restaurants keep popping up in Lakewood Ranch

The lure of East County and its thousands of hungry newcomers is a magnet for Sarasota restaurateurs.

  • LWR Life
JoAnn Shakon and Jim Wingert of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch join with Mike Hornyak of The UPS Store to show off donated books.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 17, 2022
UPS Store in Lakewood Ranch donates 1,707 books to the Rotary's Books for Kids program

The Books for Kids program distributes more than 30,000 books a year now and has given away more than 100,000 books since 2013.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 17, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Tell that snake this is our beach

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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Latest News

1
Pysanky expert Roksolana Tymiak-Lonchyna shows some examples of the traditional egg decoration patterns.
  • April 7, 2026
This Longboat artist keeps tradition alive with Ukrainian egg decorating
2
The subaqueous wastewater pipeline was damaged by corrosion from resting against a log or tree stump, spilling about 11 million gallons of sewage before being repaired, according to a Longboat Key permit support document.
  • April 7, 2026
Wastewater pipeline to remain after replacement installed
3
A Lake Club home at 17014 Clearlake Ave. sold for $3.9 million. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,160 square feet of living area.
  • April 7, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 23-27 in Lakewood Ranch
4
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
5
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

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