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Your Observer

The Tampa Mustangs-TJ club softball team, which includes six players from Lakewood Ranch High, finished third at the PGF National Championships in Huntington Beach, California. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 4, 2021
Lakewood Ranch club softball team finishes third at national championships

Lakewood Ranch area players are key to Tampa Mustangs-TJ travel team success.

  • East County
  • Sports
    In Memoriam |
  • August 4, 2021
William K. Thorkelsen

William K. Thorkelsen, 97, of Longboat Key, FL. passed away July 31, 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Carr demonstrates how RGF Environmental Group Inc.'s air purification system works.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 4, 2021
Devices aboard Longboat rescue vehicles clear the air

Machines combat airborne pollutants such bacteria, mold and viruses, including COVID-19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Francesa Bisordi, 12, sits with her dog, Monty, who she drew for her mother's birthday. Bisordi's mom loves sunsets, which is why she chose a sunset-shaded background for her drawing.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • August 4, 2021
Lakewood Ranch 12-year-old spends her summer drawing pets

Greenbrook 12-year-old enjoys the challenge of drawing people's pets.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 29

Jane Novacek captured this egret while enjoying lunch at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: July 29

MaryAnn Parks captured this snowy egret at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
University Park resident Marlene Meyer, who owns Marlene's Finds and Designs, repurposes customers' memorabilia into household items such as bracelets, napkin rings, purses, rings and more.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • August 4, 2021
University Park woman crafts special memory collections

Marlene Meyer repurposes customers' memorabilia into jewelry and household items.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2021
East County weather page photo: July 29

Pamela Williams captured this photo of a glossy ibis in the Hazeltine neighborhood of County Club East.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kate Walsh Honea performs in George Balanchine's "Theme and Variations."
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 4, 2021
Kate Walsh Honea departs Sarasota Ballet for Colorado position

Walsh Honea will serve as Artistic Director of the Colorado Ballet Society.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner George Kruse says moving forward with a countywide trail system is a top priority. The only trails in the county not contained within a preserve are in Lakewood Ranch, such as those found at James L. Patton Park.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • August 4, 2021
Infrastructure, parks top list of priorities for Manatee County commissioners

Back in session with a busy period just starting, Manatee County commissioners explain their top priorities as budget season heats up.

  • East County
  • News
Kennedy and Carter Wright both won gold at the 2021 Pan Kids IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Kissimmee.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 4, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Sarasota martial artists have choke hold on success

Carter Wright and Kennedy Wright both won gold at the 2021 Pan Kids Jiu-Jitsu championships

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Senior running back Jarmel Holloway is returning to the Sailors offense.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 4, 2021
Sarasota high school football previews: Sarasota High

With newfound depth, Sarasota High will challenge big opponents if offensive and defensive lines improve.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Amy Gorman and Angela Massaro-Fain. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 4, 2021
Lakewood Ranch sisters find time to play ball

Members of Lakewood Ranch's Sisterhood for Good enjoy Bradenton Marauders game.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
It takes Jay Morgan about 30-40 minutes to restring a tennis racket.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 3, 2021
Jovial tennis enthusiast strings jokes and rackets together

Jay Morgan is a familiar face among the members of the Longboat Key Tennis Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 3, 2021
Sarasota outperforms state average in FSA tests

The district ranked third in English and sixth in mathematics.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dozens of dead fish were washing up on the shores of Quick Point Nature Preserve on July 12.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 3, 2021
Longboat Key deals with on-and-off red tide conditions

Some days, dead fish accumulate and there is a foul odor. Other days, conditions are pristine.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • August 3, 2021
John A. Crimaldi

John A. Crimaldi was born on January 14th, 1930 in Bayonne, NJ, and died in his sleep of natural causes on July 23, 2021 in Boulder, CO at the age of 91.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Riverview and Booker high schools are considering adding a beach volleyball program to help bring the schools into Title IX compliance.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 3, 2021
Schools need improvements in Title IX compliance, hiring practices, study finds

The Sarasota school district showed strides in advanced class enrollment, but still needs to improve equity in staff and sports.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is limiting visitors to the hospital.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 3, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center limits visitors due to rise in COVID-19 cases.

An increase in COVID-19 cases prompts Lakewood Ranch Medical Center to limit visitors to the hospital.

  • East County
  • News
Top row: Florence Kinney, Marion Houston, Rosemary Thierry, Janet Short and Phyllis McIlraith. Bottom Row: Hope Byrnes, Gwen Kelly, Helen Fleder and Linda Halfast
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 2, 2021
Notable Knitters group provides clothes for people in need

The Lakehouse West group has become a makeshift family since the pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
In 2021, Panther Ridge residents Eamonn Barr, Samuel Barr, 15, Olga Zarlenga, Alice Barr, 12, Olga Ways, Danielle Lennon and Joseph Zarlenga opposed an amendment that would allow development of a 17-acre site near The Concession entrance.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • August 2, 2021
Panther Ridge residents continue to fight development project

Commission will decide whether to allow Concession Land Development to change its development plan to build 15 units on 17 acres.

  • East County
  • News
Aubrey Robbins.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 2, 2021
East County Athlete of the Week: Aubrey Robbins

The ODA rising sophomore talks her lacrosse career and her favorite school subject.

  • East County
  • Sports
Members of the town of Longboat Key's Investment Advisory and Finance committees met on July 30.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 2, 2021
Longboat's 2021 budget in shape as new plan comes together

The Longboat Key Town Commission is set to review the budget on Sept. 13 and Sept. 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Siesta Key lifeguard Robert Martini started the Maverick Movement to raise funds for three ADA swings to be installed at county parks.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 2, 2021
Siesta lifeguard runs 50K for ADA swings

Robert Martini started the Maverick Movement to raise funds for ADA swings in Sarasota County parks.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Barbara, Noah, Tilly and Anna Pressman
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 2, 2021
Temple Beth Israel begins to host in-person Shabbat services again after 16 months

The temple is hosting Friday and Saturday services in-person again in the hopes of returning to a new normal.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 2, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Is someone poisoning raccoons?

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sandwich terns get their name from the seaside English town in which they were first observed. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • August 2, 2021
Bird of the week: Sandwich tern

Rarely seen inland, the Sandwich tern dives for its meals of fish or shrimp.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 1, 2021
Sarasota BMX riders celebrate Olympics

The 2021 Olympic Day was held July 31.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Campers prepare to play with the kittens.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 1, 2021
Humane Society hosts animal showcase summer camp

The summer camp runs through Aug. 6

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 31, 2021
Longboat Key Garden Club spruces up north fire station

The club spent their Saturday planting 120 ixoras and Mexican petunias.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Memorial Hospital first implemented a no-visitor rule last year in response to COVID-19. After lifting restrictions in May, a surge in cases led to a new prohibition on guests. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 30, 2021
Sarasota Memorial Hospital announces no-visitor policy, citing COVID-19 surge

In the past 11 days, the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital has more than tripled, and the number of positive ICU patients has increased more than fourfold.

  • Sarasota
  • News
CEO and Board Chair Marc Schaefer said the new name encapsulates the group’s multifaceted community nonprofit mission.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 30, 2021
Our Y changes name to CORE SRQ

Leaders say the new name better reflects the nonprofit's mission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Crews drilled a 10-inch pipe beneath U.S. 41 this week as part of the water line installation. Photo courtesy city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 30, 2021
Siesta Drive segment closed through September for construction

Westbound traffic for the block west of U.S. 41 is temporarily closed to facilitate the installation of a waterline.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County health officials post signage at area beaches informing the public of the no swim advisory until testing shows acceptable bacteria levels in the water. Image courtesy Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 30, 2021
UPDATE: No swim advisory lifted at North Lido Beach

One day after issuing the advisory, county health officials said water quality tests showed normal levels of bacteria.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 30, 2021
Save Our Seabirds celebrates post-pandemic reopening

The bird sanctuary welcomed visitors back to the facility after 16 months of closure.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 30, 2021
Siesta Key home tops weekly sales at $3.4 million

The home was the top real estate transaction for the week of July 19-23.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
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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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