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Your Observer

    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 21, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High School mini cheerleaders show big spirit during camp

Campers learn new cheers, stunts and dance moves at Lakewood Ranch High School's Mini Cheer Camp.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ardene Chodosh and Murray Margolis. Photo by Brendan Lavell.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 21, 2021
The Family Jeweler reopens five years after burglary

The jewelry repair store is now located on Lockwood Ridge Road after years spent in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Myakka City Fire Department Chief Danny Cacchiotti, pictured in 2009, first joined the department as a volunteer in 1995. (Courtesy of Myakka City Fire Department)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 21, 2021
Myakka City Fire Control District chief reflects on 26 years of firefighting

Danny Cacchiotti compares his early days in the department with its position before merger with East Manatee Fire District.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Crew alumnus Clark Dean (right), here competing at the 2019 World Rowing Championships, will compete in the men's four at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo via USRowing.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 21, 2021
A Sarasota swimmer and rower will hit Olympic waters this week

Emma Weyant and Clark Dean will compete for the U.S. in Tokyo

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
In a behavior known as “caching”, blue jays store food supplies in a safe place, for later use. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • July 21, 2021
Bird of the week: blue jay

Year-round residents can mimic predators and us. Why? Maybe because they can.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gymnast Simone Biles will look to add to her four gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics. She's one of columnist Ryan Kohn's athletes to watch. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 21, 2021
Prose and Kohn: A guide to non-local Olympians

Here's what else our columnist is looking forward to watching unfold in Tokyo

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Development along Lorraine Road, including neighborhoods such as Esplanade, is occurring quicker than Manatee County anticipated, which has increased the urgency to improve Lorraine Road.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 20, 2021
Changes coming to Lakewood Ranch's Lorraine Road

Manatee County has several improvements planned to better accommodate development between S.R. 64 and 70.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 20, 2021
Braden River Soccer Club U18 girls fall in opening game of U.S. Youth Championships

The event is being held at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch this week

  • East County
  • Sports
Jason and Shelly Crouse
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2021
Bubble tea shop The Thirsty Snail has burst onto the Longboat Key scene

Bradenton couple Shelly and Jason Crouse own the mid-island tea and coffee shop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2021
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosts networking lunch at Bijou Garden Cafe

The July luncheon took mingling off Longboat Key and brought in new members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mayor Hagen Brody helped organize a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in March. A video about the event sparked the mayor’s outburst that led to prolonged conversations about his conduct. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 20, 2021
Commission declines to conduct investigation into mayor

Although officials and residents harbor concerns about Brody’s behavior, a majority of the City Commission saw no benefit in a formal investigation following a March outburst at City Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In August, Longboat Key will increase its monthly recycling rates.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 20, 2021
Longboat Key's recycling rates to increase in August

The increased rates are part of a three-year contract extension with Waste Management Inc.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2021
Michael Saunders & Co. Foundation gives out donations

The foundation selected three charities that received $2,000 each.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lark Rippy
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2021
Longboat Key resident Lark Rippy goes forth with dog-walking business

Rippy is perhaps the island's youngest businesswoman at just 12 years old.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch women help stuff backpacks for Stillpoint Mission to donate to children. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 20, 2021
Lakewood Ranch volunteers help Stillpoint Mission distribute backpacks in Bradenton

Lakewood Ranch volunteers stuff 700 backpacks to be distributed to children in need.

  • East County
  • Schools
Two new deputies would be added to patrol Siesta Key under the sheriff's plan.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 20, 2021
Sheriff's office to add 14 new deputy positions

Two of the positions will be allotted for additional patrol of Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Researchers in 2019 estimated the annual cost of untreated mental illness for residents under the age of 24 at $86 million annually.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 19, 2021
Sarasota County tax increase to support mental health district likely

Commissioners set a not-to-exceed millage rate of 3.5561, an increase of 0.0961 mills. A one-tenth mill increase will support the district.

  • Sarasota
  • News
East Bounty's Warren Strauss gets tips on his grip from River Club's Larry Johnson.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 19, 2021
Former CIA executive says new gun owners in Lakewood Ranch area could use safety lessons

Lakewood Ranch's Larry Johnson gives back by teaching gun safety at Manatee Gun and Archery Club in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 19, 2021
Court proceedings, clerk services slowly returning to normal

After a year of limited office visits and in-person court proceedings, trials and services are resuming largely in-person.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A leading official at Sarasota Memorial Hospital said vaccination remains the most effective tool for preventing serious issues related to COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 19, 2021
Sarasota Memorial Hospital sees rise in COVID-19 patients

The hospital has 36 patients with COVID-19, including seven in intensive care. Health professionals say serious issues remain limited almost exclusively to unvaccinated individuals.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jake Ilardi and Skate City SRQ want to add onto the "street" section of Payne Park's skate park.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 19, 2021
Payne Park to hold Olympics watch party for Jake Ilardi

The local skateboarder is competing in the Street event on Saturday

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
SCAT launched its new mobility-on-demand service on June 1. Photo provided by Sarasota County.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 19, 2021
SCAT's on-demand ride service catches on with Longboaters

Sarasota County data shows from June 5-27, a total of 941 trips either started or ended in Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan said he had been vaccinated “since it was made available earlier this year.’’
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 19, 2021
Buchanan announces he is quarantined with COVID-19

Longboat Key Republican says he was fully vaccinated.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 19, 2021
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church hosts movie night

"Casablanca" was the featured film for the church's first movie night.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chris Lesser, the director of the Manatee County Mosquito Control District, says the control district doesn't follow a set schedule to spray but rather depends on the science to determine when an area needs to be sprayed.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 19, 2021
More rain brings mosquitoes to east Bradenton

The Manatee County Mosquito Control District increases its mosquito attack.

  • East County
  • News
This Country Club East home at 15918 Kendleshire Terrace sold for $1.7 million. It has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,137 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 18, 2021
Country Club East home in Lakewood Ranch sells for $1.7 million

Here are the residential real estate sales for Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The home at 394 S. Shore Drive was built in 1954. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,236 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 18, 2021
Sapphire Shores home sells for $3.58 million

At $3.58 million, a home in Sapphire Shores tops all transactions this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sanctuary at Longboat Key Club was built in 1989.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 18, 2021
Sanctuary condo sells for $3.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for July 5-9.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 18, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: No parking, no fishing

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A 21-year-old Myakka City man was killed in a one-car accident on State Road 64 near Verna Bethany Road and his 20-year-old Myakka City male passenger was left in critical condition.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 17, 2021
Myakka City man dies in one-car accident on S.R. 64 near Verna Bethany Road

Early morning accident on S.R. 64 leaves a 21-year-old Myakka City man dead and his 20-year-old passenger, also of Myakka City, in critical condition.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Ali Murdock, sandwiched to the left of Lightning Coach Jon Cooper, got a picture of herself and her fellow ice crew members with the Stanley Cup after Tampa's win. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 16, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Lightning ice crew member gets magical Cup moment

Ali Murdock, a Lakewood Ranch High grad, celebrated the Stanley Cup in person this year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key marine patrol officer Joshua Connors drives the town's police boat.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 16, 2021
911 operators roll out north-end Longboat map

The new map breaks Jewfish Key and Greer Island into eight different sectors to help first responders better understand where to go.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 15, 2021
Campers take the stage at Florida Studio Theatre

The summer camp had kids learning how to sing, act and embrace theater life.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 15, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 15

Niki Muller captured this lone swan swimming on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 15, 2021
Entire neighborhood sells on north Siesta Key

Lots in the Coronas Park neighborhood will be sold individually for the first time.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 15, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: July 15

Ann Klemeyer captured this photo of these swans,“Fred and Ginger”, swimming in Camelot Lakes Village in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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