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Your Observer

Sarasota National 8-9-10 All-Star Judah Mayer digs in at second base during a July 5 practice at Twin Lakes Park.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 6, 2022
Sarasota All-Star teams prepare for state tournament

The Sarasota National 8-9-10 team and the Sarasota National 50/70 team faced different paths, but both will compete this weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kids get acquainted with a number of bunnies.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 5, 2022
Humane Society of Sarasota brings bunnies to campers

Campers learned plenty about rabbits and other animals during summer camp.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
New Goodwill Industries Manasota CEO and president Donn Githens joins with now retired Bob Rosinsky on Rosinsky's final day July 1.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 5, 2022
New CEO takes over at Goodwill Industries Manasota

Bob Rosinsky retires after 50 years with Goodwill to open CEO position.

  • East County
  • News
Alex Kitcher has a small crew of friends he plays video games with that will be joining him at Sarasota Polytechnical School. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 5, 2022
A new school year often means a big transition

Students and parents reflect on moving into middle school and high school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarasota Memorial Hospital has made the Fortune/Merative top 100 hospitals list for the sixth straight year. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 5, 2022
Sarasota Memorial makes Fortune/Meritage top 100 ranking for sixth straight year

With a new name for 2022, the Fortune/Meritage top hospitals list ranks Sarasota Memorial Hospital among the nation's top 100 hospitals and top 40 teaching hospitals.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 4, 2022
Abortion rights proponents march on Bayfront Park during July 4 gathering

Protesters surrounded the Unconditional Surrender statue during the display on July 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 4, 2022
Sarasota celebrates history with July 4 fireworks show

Hundreds gathered at Bayfront Park to watch the show on July 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 4, 2022
Selby celebrates the Fourth with cookout

The All-American cookout had fun and games for families on July 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ron Turner
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 4, 2022
Longboat's Miracle on the Key group brings elections supervisor to town

Ron Turner will present on the coming elections on July 13 at Temple Beth Israel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 4, 2022
Freedom Fest bathes Longboat Key in red, white and blue

Biscuit arrived on a hot air balloon float and won Most Creative Costume.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 4, 2022
Longboat attracts private donors to finance stage

After a over-budget bids for Town Center land work and stage, town resets budget and attracts thousands in private donations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
About 37% of the town's properties are homesteaded, records show.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 4, 2022
Longboat Key millage vote sets up tax cut for some

Town's property gained more than 14% in value, tax assessors say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 4, 2022
Another Fireworks on the Lake in Sarasota keeps them wanting more

Live music and a fun run add to the joy of the annual fireworks event at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Swing Sisters perform in the garden of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 3, 2022
St Armands Key Lutheran Church swings into summer

The Swing Sisters played the first concert in a summer series held in the church's garden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Connor Beckley and Luke Wagner take time to admire the boats on display.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 3, 2022
2022 Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix kicks off with block party

The downtown block party was held July 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Participants in Friday's beach smoking ban event ceremoniously place giant cigarette butts in a trash bag, illustrating the state's enabling legislation allowing localities to prohibit smoking on the beach. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 1, 2022
No butts about it: local governments set to take up beach smoking ban

With enabling legislation going into effect last week, city and county governments are poised to implement smoking bans on public beaches

  • Sarasota
  • News
John Horne, the CEO of Anna Maria Oyster Bar, is opening a restaurant at UTC.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 1, 2022
Anna Maria Oyster Bar headed to UTC in Sarasota in 2023

Restaurant CEO John Horne wanted to open a restaurant close to the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Caleb Lee and Harry Shaull sing and play guitar in "Off the Charts!" which features 20 songs spanning from the 1950s to now. Photo courtesy of Florida Studio Theatre.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2022
Florida Studio Theatre presents "Off the Charts!" in Lakewood Ranch

Florida Studio Theatre show at Waterside Place features songs from the 1950s to now.

  • East County
  • News
Ashton Banik practices swimming in aquatics camp. He went down the pool practicing his breathing.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2022
Pool just a part of YMCA's summer draw in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA is hosting camps that include arts and crafts, flag football, aquatics and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Valerie Viands, the director of Manatee Technical College, hands Sarasota's Jasmine Redding her diploma. Redding has a job with Nurse Core and plans to work part time for HCA Florida Blake Hospital or First Physicians Group.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2022
Manatee Technical College fast-tracks grads into the workforce in Bradenton and Sarasota region

Many Manatee Technical College students secured a job before they even graduate.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 30, 2022
Girl Scouts walk in 50 years of turtle watching footprints

Longboat Key Turtle Watch's tactics have changed over the last 53 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
$18.1 million in facelifts are planned for Bay Haven School for Basics Plus.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 30, 2022
Three planned new schools will house 5,100 student in flourishing south Sarasota County

Two new schools in Wellen Park and a third nearby will serve the Venice-North Port area as Sarasota County Public Schools plans for growth. A historic school will also get a makeover.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: June 30

Phil Trainer captured this photo of two bald eagles near Sunset Beach on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This is the best view for sunsets, but you'll be battling half of Sarasota's teen population to get a spot.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 30, 2022
Getting Away: Celery Fields

Few things can top the variety at the hill space in east Sarasota, which boasts running trails and gorgeous views.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The top-selling property in Sarasota this week was units 501 and 502 of Royal St. Andrews, 555 S. Gulfstream Ave.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 30, 2022
Cocoanut Bayou property breaks $9 million level

A Cocoanut Bayou home on Cedar Park Circle tops the week's sales at $9.18 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2022
East County weather page photo: June 30

Gordon Silver photographed this cow along Masters Avenue in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: June 30

Gordon Silver took this photo of a large gator cooling off on a warm day at Myakka River State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro area ranks seventh in the nation for the number of homes authorized for construction per 1,000 existing homes, (Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 30, 2022
Sarasota metro ranks seventh in the nation for new home construction

Demographics of new residents in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton area are shifting as the area ranks seventh in the nation among mid-size MSAs in approving new home construction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 30, 2022
Longboat Key firefighters dive into water-rescue training

Siesta Key lifeguards gave a refresher water-rescue course to LBK Fire Rescue personnel at the Sand Cay Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Deputy Josh Sanders helps Sophia Castellanos try on a helmet at a recent open house at the headquarters of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 30, 2022
County departments seeking 116 new positions in fiscal year 2023

Flush with new property tax revenue, Sarasota County departments asked to create more than 100 new jobs needed to keep up with growth during County Commission budget heraings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Country Club East's Nicole Pies has started Divorce Real Estate using her doctorate in psychology to help those in high-stress situations.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 30, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Realtor specializes in high-stress sales

Psychologist/Realtor Nicole Pies founds company Divorce Real Estate dedicated to people going through a divorce who want to buy or sell a home.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 29, 2022
What is liberty?

Americans want to be happy about their country on the Fourth of July. This year, it’s hard to cheer.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 29, 2022
Former city commissioner plays taps at area events to honor veterans

From wreath laying to taps ceremonies, our traditions ensure we never forget to thank those who sacrificed for our country.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jimmy Reed, William McLaughlin and Lynn Horne
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 29, 2022
Longboat chamber members spend a night at the aquarium

Members of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce networked after hours June 28 at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 29, 2022
Mote's Shark Zone welcomes a new shark

Arty the shark made his debut on June 24

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
An artist's rendering of the future ArtCenter Manatee facility. (Courtesy image)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • June 29, 2022
ArtCenter Manatee moves closer to fundraising goal

ArtCenter Manatee has big dreams for a future expansion, and several philanthropic donors have helped them make it a reality.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Mike and Jenny Schenk have closed their Pineapple Kitchen location on Lena Road and are now marketing their products on Amazon.
  • June 4, 2026
Pineapple Kitchen owners close store, move to Amazon
2
An aerial rendering of Premier Park's upcoming racket and aquatic center.
  • June 4, 2026
Residents receive little warning about Premier plan detours
3
Owen Ayers played his first two seasons of minor-league baseball exclusively with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of Single-A. So far in 2026, he's spent time with the South Bend Cubs of High-A and Knoxville Smokies of Double-A.
  • June 4, 2026
Sarasota High baseball alumnus turns the corner with consistency
4
Dangers to children lurk within smartphones and other electronic devices.
  • June 4, 2026
Sexual abuse case with a minor offers a lesson in prevention
5
Silas and Josh Stacy stand amid their collection.
  • June 4, 2026
Father and 7-year-old son get into the business of trading Pokémon cards

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