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Your Observer

Allegiant is one of the top airlines at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 29, 2025
Allegiant to begin service from SRQ to Toledo

Allegiant's new service between Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and Toledo, Ohio is one of several new routes available from Southwest Florida airports.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mary Ann Kiger and Helen Rogers from Sarasota help with the sea oat replanting at Katie Pierola Sunset Park. They were among the 300 volunteers from all over the region who helped plant 12,000 seedlings on July 26.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 29, 2025
Volunteers come from all over to help protect local shores

More than 400 signed up to help plant 12,000 sea oats on Anna Maria, giving the dunes both physical and regulatory protection.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtney Rossler, general manager of Lo' Key Island Grille, shares a laugh with Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key president and Lazy Lobster owner Michael Garey at the club's July social hour.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 29, 2025
Lo' Key Island Grille owner reflects with Kiwanians

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key held its monthly social at the north end restaurant, uniting Longboat restaurateurs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A Country Club Village home at 7011 Belmont Court tops this week's sales at $3,499,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,652 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 29, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for July 14-18 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in the Country Club topped the week’s sales at $3,499,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Jeremy Whatmough poses with Virginia Sanders in this 2013 photo. Whatmough, a former town commissioner and mayor, died on July 21.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • July 29, 2025
Former Longboat Key mayor and community statesman dies

Jeremy Whatmough was involved with Town Commission, Kiwanis and Longboat Key Garden Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dari Oglesby, the executive director of Nate's Honor Animal Rescue, and Sharon Pindar, the medical director, are thrilled with a $125,000 grant from The Bishop-Parker Foundation.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 29, 2025
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue receives $125,000 grant from Bishop-Parker

The grant will help Nate's get its new care clinic staffed and running.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Boat trailer on Broadway Street stuck with a wheel of misfortune
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 29, 2025
Boat trailer on Broadway Street stuck with a wheel of misfortune

A middle-of-the-night mishap on the road is just one of the police reports in this week's edition of Longboat Key Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The Braden River football team is excited to make people forget about last year's two-win campaign.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 29, 2025
10 high school football players to watch in east Manatee County

ODA senior running back Allen Clark tops the "players to watch" list.

  • East County
  • Sports
Pat Evans, an independent contractor, works on interior trim on a house in Spanish Main Yacht Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa, Eric Garwood
  • July 29, 2025
Lawsuit adds to Spanish Main's recovery uncertainty

The repair bill totaling more than $13 million remains unpaid, the company says.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Riverview senior center Grayson Martin will lead the Rams' offensive line this fall.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 29, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Grayson Martin

Martin has bulked up on strength and experience headed into his senior year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The official ribbon cutting: Victor Jacobs, Jamil Jacobs, Candi Jacobs, Shirley Jacobs, James Jacobs, Addison Jacobs, Colleen Thayer and Shayla Jacobs.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 28, 2025
Resident's legacy is remembered at the NAMI YANA Sarasota

The NAMI YANA center host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Janice Marie Chestnut Memorial Garden and inspires son to launch a foundation in her honor.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Members of the Longboat Key business community enjoyed an evening of connecting on July 23 at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. From left, Lisa Matile, Jen Braden, Julie Wilson, Charlie Murphy and Chris Fehr.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 28, 2025
St. Regis hosts chamber cocktail hour connection

The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort recently celebrated its first anniversary of operating on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Turtle Watch group all walks together to learn more about turtles and their nesting habits.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 28, 2025
Longboat Turtle Walk hosts final walk of the summer

Mote's trained volunteer monitors led Longboat Key Turtle Walk's final education turtle walk for the summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch is regularly ranked the top-selling, multigenerational, master-planned community in the United States.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2025
Lakewood Ranch maintains No. 1 standing among master-planned communities

Multigenerational buyers scooped up 1,185 news homes in the first half of 2025 in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces July 25 that Manatee County will be audited by the DOGE Task Force.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 28, 2025
Manatee County welcomes audit by Florida DOGE Task Force

Auditors will visit Manatee County in August to review its spending.

  • East County
  • News
Keep the name of Longboat's Gulf of Mexico Drive
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • July 28, 2025
Keep the name of Longboat's Gulf of Mexico Drive

America should "stand up" again as it it did under President Eisenhower, a reader says.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 28, 2025
Sarasota Superintendent: New school year promises exciting new beginnings

Terry Connor says the county will 'continue to strive to be the premier education provider that empowers every student to thrive in an ever-changing world.'

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The crosswalk paintings at the intersection of Cocoanut Avenue, Pineapple Avenue and Second Street is noncompliant with state policy.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 28, 2025
FDOT orders Sarasota to remove crosswalk and sidewalk paintings

A memo issued by the Florida Department of Transportation requires local governments to comply with roadway and sidewalk marking standards or risk losing funding.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
  • July 28, 2025
Financial Focus® You Have an Estate Plan — Whether You Know It or Not

If you own anything — a home, a car, a savings account, even a pet — you already have an estate plan.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Surfer Santa and Debi Kleer
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 27, 2025
The Bazaar celebrates Christmas in July and Jimmy Buffett's birthday

Christmas in the Caribbean celebrated the birthday of the musician, who was born on Christmas, as well as Christmas in July.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Braden River High School students Cameron Brand, Jacob Zinkhan, Kylie Mohamed, Sophi Jo Branscomb and Jacqueline Lopez traveled around Ireland learning about agriculture and Irish culture along the way.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 27, 2025
Braden River FFA students study agriculture in Ireland

Their visits include a dairy farm and an "Irish racehorse experience."

  • East County
  • Schools
Campers and staff members get soaked by the giant bucket of water.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 26, 2025
Summer Skills Camp in Lakewood Ranch gives kids with special needs a lift

Lift ABA hosts the camp, that includes field trips to places like the Waterside Park splash pad.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rendering by DSDG Architects of the new three-story addition at Sarasota Yacht Club,
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 26, 2025
City approval allows Sarasota Yacht Club to set sail on expansion

Unanimous City Commission approval clears the way for the Sarasota Yacht Club to expand its existing clubhouse and build a companion structure.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Sarasota County Sheriff's Office investigator leads Christopher A. Borchardtinto custody following his arrest July 25 on robbery charges.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 25, 2025
Sarasota man charged in two robberies of the same branch

USF Credit Union was robbed in June and July. The suspect lived a block away.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rex Jensen, CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, speaks to residents July 24 about a possible roundabout at the intersection of University Parkway and Legacy Boulevard and Deer Drive.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 25, 2025
SMR executive and residents discuss roundabout for University Parkway

More than 400 residents signed a petition because they do not want a roundabout where Legacy Boulevard and Deer Drive intersect with University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
Steve Stricker is likely to be one of the favorites at the 2026 Senior PGA Championship in April at the Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 25, 2025
A perfect match for the PGA of America?

Lakewood Ranch-area businesses needed to help service the 2026 Senior PGA Championship at the Concession.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch resident Madeline Phillips, 4, felt like a superhero while she was running through the foam during a party at the Creative Child Learning Center in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 25, 2025
Good, clean fun at the Creative Child Learning Center in Lakewood Ranch

The children described the piles of foam as a snow mountain, clouds and pineapples.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota has been recognized with multiple awards from the American Heart Association.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2025
SMH recognized with top AHA awards

The American Heart Association honors both Sarasota Memorial Hospital campuses for emergency cardiac and stroke care.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Visit Sarasota County's newest tourism marketing campaign emphasizes golf opportunities in addition to retail and relaxation opportunities.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2025
Visit Sarasota promotes alternative tourism activities in new campaign

Visit Sarasota County's late summer into fall campaign emphasizes shopping, serenity, golf and smaller crowds.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce
  • July 24, 2025
Siesta Classics

If you're seeking a getaway with a dash of adventure and local charm within driving distance, this list is for you.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Sponsored Content
Barbara Briggs will be honored at a ceremony in Gainesville on July 31.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 24, 2025
Sarasota County judge among those honored at 4-H awards

Longtime Sarasota County 4-H volunteer Barbara Briggs has been selected for induction to the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch rising senior Jake O'Neal won the most valuable player award of a Perfect Game tournament earlier this summer.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 24, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Jake O'Neal

The Lakewood Ranch rising senior has had a standout summer on the diamond.

  • East County
  • Sports
City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs are leading the search for a city manager recruitment firm.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 24, 2025
Pool narrows for city manager search firms

Three finalists seeking to lead the search for a new Sarasota city manager will have two weeks to respond to commissioners' questions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota High rising senior Patrick Drymon went 7-for-17 at a national tournament this summer to earn All-Tournament Team honors.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 24, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Patrick Drymon

The Sarasota High baseball player was named to an All-Tournament team at a national tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Karson Ligon was drafted with the No. 262 overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth round of the MLB Draft on July 14.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 24, 2025
Former Riverview pitcher heads to Dunedin

Karson Ligon was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays on July 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The vacant property at 1715 N. Tamiami Trail stands between the U.S. 41 and The Strand condominiums to the rear.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 24, 2025
North Tamiami Trail apartment plan denied

Sarasota city commissioners side with residents of The Strand to nix the long-delayed plans to build 58 apartments on the 1700 block of North Tamiami Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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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