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Your Observer

    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • January 15, 2022
High stakes on opening weekend of the Manatee County Fair

Cow show and sale highlights opening weekend of the Manatee County Fair in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chiles Group CEO and Gulf Shellfish Institute Board Member Ed Chiles (far right) spoke before a crowd Saturday morning to announce the launch of the All Clams on Deck initiative.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 15, 2022
Initiative announced to improve health of Sarasota Bay, other estuaries

The Gulf Shellfish Institute seeks to raise $22.5 million through its All Clams on Deck initiative.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Bath & Racquet Club is at 2170 Robinhood St., behind the Trader Joe’s and just south of Bee Ridge Road and U.S. 41, one of the busiest intersections in town.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 15, 2022
Bath & Racquet Club sold — again — for $15.3 million

Prominent club tripled in value in less than two years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tampa's Noah Burdette, who is 3 years old, launches himself through an inflatable creature.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 15, 2022
Big Bounce America leads to high-flying fun in Sarasota

Sarasota's Nathan Benderson Park hosts Big Bounce America.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lesley Rife and Karen Pashkow in hats similar to what they'll wear for the fashion show.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 14, 2022
Lord's Warehouse Fashion Show plans for garden party

The thrift store will bring back its annual fashion show, which was canceled in 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
For 15 years, Al and Dottye Van Iten have spent their winters at the Twin Shores community in Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 14, 2022
Utility says repairs are on the way to Longboat Key beachfront sidewalk

A portion of the sidewalk remains closed on Gulf of Mexico Drive directly in front of the Twin Shores Mobile Home Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hundreds of people filed through Town Center Green during the market.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 14, 2022
The Market on Longboat Key draws crowds to first event

The first of three markets at Town Center Green was a hit with residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Land east and west of the Celery Fields slopes now has been set aside as perpetual green space.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 14, 2022
Land east of Celery Fields set aside for preservation

A nearly 50-acre parcel is adjacent to 33 preserved acres west of the Sarasota County landmark.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • January 14, 2022
Doris M. Kaplan

Kaplan, Doris M. 93, passed away December 28, 2021 in Longboat Key, FL.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2022
East County weather page photo: January 13

Bonnie Ottaviani captured this rainbow just before sunset in Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: January 13

Dawn Scire captured this colorful image of sunset on Siesta Key beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: January 13

Mary Kondrat captured this photo of a heron walking the shoreline on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
UMR Sports Founder Ryan Moore points out the additional room on the new volleyball courts that will allow players to utilize running serves.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • January 13, 2022
UMR Sports campus in east Bradenton begins to take shape

UMR Sports has nearly completed its six pickleball courts and four sand volleyball courts with baseball/softball fields on the way.

  • East County
  • News
Work continues on the 44th Avenue East expansion with a bridge being built over the Braden River. The segment of road connecting Creekwood Boulevard and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard was ranked on the county's MPO list. File photo.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • January 13, 2022
Manatee Commission prioritizes road projects

Finishing the 44th Avenue extension to Lakewood Ranch receives high priority from Manatee County Commission.

  • East County
  • News
A 2021 survey showed an 18% decline in seagrass in Sarasota Bay. Seagrass affects more than 75% of marine life. File photo
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 13, 2022
Environmental concerns continue for Sarasota Bay, expert says

Tomasko discussed the health of Sarasota Bay, what local leaders should consider in 2022 and the effects of losing about 2,000 acres of seagrass.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • January 13, 2022
Taylor Brooke Evans and Alain-Alexandre Vinson Laurent Grangé

The engagement of Taylor Brooke Evans and Alain-Alexandre Vinson Laurent Grangé is being announced by the couples’ parents, Kristin Fourie & Kevin Evans of Sarasota, Florida and Alain & Angela Grange, of Orlando Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Celebrations
  • By Nicci Kobritz, R.N., Nurse Practitioner Founder, Youthful Aging Home Care
  • January 13, 2022
Three Signs that Aging Parents Need In-Home Health Care Assistance

It is crucial to know the signs that your parents need help at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties
  • January 13, 2022
As You Make Your Resolution This Year, We are Making One, Too

The best way for us to achieve these resolutions as an organization, and as a community, is together.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 12, 2022
Nearly 13-acre Sarasota property includes racetrack for $12 million

A 13-acre property on Beneva Road now features a wealth of recreational features, including a go-cart racetrack.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 12, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A lot of water, falling

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
JWM Managment, the first company to approach the city in 2021 about redeveloping the Fillmore Drive site, is seeking to build above the existing height limit on St. Armands. File rendering
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 12, 2022
Proposed St. Armands developments prompt density concerns

St. Armands residents and Longboat Key leaders believe increasing maximum building height and redeveloping the Fillmore lot could add to traffic congestion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview junior Jason Jackson hits a contested shot against Cardinal Mooney.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 12, 2022
Cougars' clutch shot beats Riverview

Cardinal Mooney is 11-4 under first-year coach, Vince Cherry.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Former Ram AJ Caldwell is a key contributor for Tennessee-Chattanooga. Photo courtesy Ray Soldano/GoMocs.com.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 12, 2022
Prose and Kohn: Winter sports athletes thriving in college

Plus, a few non-football fall athletes did, too.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 12, 2022
Legislative politics fells Siesta incorporation

To all those people who worked so earnestly on the Siesta Key incorporation efforts: Good try.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Adrian Moore and Steven Polzin
  • January 12, 2022
Myths about improving roads

Some might think building more roads only leads to more road usage. Logic points to the contrary.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Artist Erin Ernst created a sculpture of giant cigarette butts in the sand to help raise awareness. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2022
Sarasota senator sponsors cigarette butts bill

The measure would give local governments the ability to ban smoking on beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The new addition will connect to Building 5, which will allow for a new courtyard to be created for students to gather. Rendering courtesy of Hepner Architects and the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 12, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High addition back on track for 2023

The School Board of Manatee County is viewing designs for the addition at Lakewood Ranch High School, with construction expected to begin in May.

  • East County
  • Schools
Janice Menker and Janice Reiser
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 12, 2022
Republican Club of Longboat Key gets started on the new year

The club heard from local leadership and the political and Gulf level.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Connor Heald.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 12, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Connor Heald

The Cardinal Mooney sophomore hit a go-ahead three-point shot with six seconds remaining against Riverview High Jan. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Longboat Key’s Town Code does not currently allow permitting for propane and natural gas fire pits outside of structures.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 12, 2022
Longboat Key plans to allow permanently installed fire pits

A new proposal seeks to allow town-issued permitting for fire pits outside of structures.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 12, 2022
Park plan, golf restoration approved for Bobby Jones

18 holes would trace original route of golf course; nature park would occupy remainder of 261 acres.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A close-up of the damage to the plaque honoring the memory of Matthew Ryan Powers at the Lakewood Ranch Little League Complex. Photo provided.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • January 11, 2022
Plaque honoring Powers vandalized

Attempts will be made to repair the plaque at Matthew Ryan Powers Memorial Field.

  • East County
  • News
Rebecca McCullough and Zak, a Royal Lipizzan stallion, put their best foot forward as they try to keep the ranch alive in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 11, 2022
Royal Lipizzans still showing off in Myakka City

After death of family matriarch, Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions survives in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
Max Taylor walking his dog, Miga, through Bird Key Park on Friday.
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • January 11, 2022
City Commission looks to make Sarasota more dog friendly

City commissioners made a motion to analyze where dog parks can be installed in Sarasota, citing a lack of dedicated spaces.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney junior Jordyn Byrd is the 2021-2022 Gatorade Florida Volleyball Player of the Year.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 11, 2022
Cardinal Mooney's Byrd named Florida Volleyball Player of the Year

Jordyn Byrd is the first Mooney athlete to receive the honor

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Individual tickets for the team's 13th spring season at Ed Smith Stadium will go on sale to the general public Saturday at 10 a.m. Photo courtesy Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 11, 2022
Despite lockout, Orioles spring tickets go on sale Saturday

Birdland Members can purchase tickets in advance as part of a Thursday pre-sale.

  • 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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