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Your Observer

Patty Notarianni's work will be featured at the Creative Art Association of Lakewood Ranch's Fall Art Show and Sale Nov. 15 at the Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2025
Small events make Lakewood Ranch a big draw

As big events come and go, clubs and organizations highlight talented residents.

  • East County
  • Opinion
A shooting took place at 5050 Central Sarasota Parkway.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 4, 2025
Sarasota deputy shoots man with a knife

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said the man was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital for treatment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County has issued a burn ban to help prevent wildfire.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 4, 2025
Manatee bans burning until next week at earliest

Similar restrictions are already in place for Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
Parker Nippert poses for a photo during a Nov. 4 practice. The senior quarterback posted a completion rate higher than 70% for the sixth time this season in a Week 11 win over Manatee.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 4, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Parker Nippert

Breaking the Riverview single-season passing record, the senior quarterback led the Rams to an 8-1-1 regular season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor speaks on the district's plans to maximize utilization.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 4, 2025
Schools plan keeps Wilkinson open, creates new K-8 campuses

The "future-focused" plan also would create business learning centers at Booker elementary and middle schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Fifth grader Ellah Nasr, fourth grader Nathan Rockwell, and fifth graders Peter Maslikhov, Evelyn Lambert and Hayden Oliva perform with the Ashton Elementary choir and soloists.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 4, 2025
Local students showcase their arts abilities at Sarasota Art Museum

The Arts and Cultural Alliance presented the Arts in Education Celebration at Sarasota Arts Museum on Nov. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Town Manager Howard Tipton started with the Town of Longboat Key in 2023, leading town staff through the response and rebuild of dual hurricanes in 2024.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 4, 2025
Town manager, attorney get solid reviews from commissioners

Longboat Key Town Commission agreed to give Howard Tipton a 3% raise while Maggie Mooney’s firm may see an amended contract.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's offensive line prepares to snap the ball against Bayshore during its Oct. 30 regular-season finale. The Mustangs still have yet to notch back-to-back winning seasons since 2010-11.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 4, 2025
Braden River, Lakewood Ranch football programs still searching for key to success

Both the Pirates and the Mustangs finished 2025 with losing records.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cindy Mastrin browses the items on display.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 4, 2025
Market brings local businesses to downtown Sarasota

Eat, Drink, & Shop by the Bay brought local vendors to the street beside J.D. Hamel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Jewish Club was founded in 2010 and now has 500 active members who participate in their events. Saul Zuchman, president of the club, said it is not about what religion you were born into, but the opportunity to come together to have social and spiritual thought.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 4, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Jewish Club provides social and cultural opportunities

Founded in 2010, the club has 500 active members who connect with like-minded individuals.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Orchestra Music Center concert hall is planned as a shoebox design.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 4, 2025
Orchestra releases schematics of its planned Music Center

As it aims toward a 2027 groundbreaking, the Sarasota Orchestra has released designs of its new Music Center campus.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sgt. John Skeen, who died Oct. 21, was honored at the Elks Lodge in Lakewood Ranch May 8 on Victory in Europe Day.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 4, 2025
World War II hero dies at 107 years old

Bradenton's John Skeen reluctantly told stories about fighting with the U.S. Army's 70th Infantry Division.

  • East County
  • News
U.S. Rep. Greg Steube at Sarasota Military Academy in July 2025.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 4, 2025
Rep. Steube to headline 2025-26 speakers for Longboat Republican Club

After taking the slow summer season off, the Republican Club of Longboat Key is kicking off its slate of monthly meetings on Nov. 12 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A Stoneybrook at Heritage Harbour home at 7538 Camden Harbour Drive sold for $950,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,838 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 4, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 20-24 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Stoneybrook at Heritage Harbour on Camden Harbour Drive tops the week's sales at $950,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Work begins to widen Legacy Trail near downtown Sarasota
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 4, 2025
Work begins to widen Legacy Trail near downtown Sarasota

An additional lane is being added along 1.4 miles between Shade Avenue and Beneva Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Florida Department of Transportation crews had removed the Gulf of Mexico Drive sign from the intersection at Bay Isles Parkway.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 3, 2025
FDOT to reinstall Gulf of Mexico Drive signs

The Longboat Key street signs removed by FDOT in August will be reinstalled, a spokesperson said Monday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Addison Shear poses for a photo on Nov. 3 before a Lakewood Ranch girls' cross country practice. The junior broke her 5K personal record by 54 seconds at the Tri-County Championships on Nov. 1.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 3, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Addison Shear

Smashing her personal record, the junior for Lakewood Ranch girls' cross country posted the team's best finish at the Tri-County Championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kathy Lozano and Reuben Rivera check out the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia that first-time registrant Jim Friedman brought to Ferraris on the Circle on Nov. 1.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 3, 2025
Ferraris turn out for final Flight to the North Pole major fundraiser

St. Armands Circle showcased interesting models from fans of the Italian sports car brand at Ferraris on the Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Christian Delunas, retail general manager, shows one of his favorite unique purses offered at the newly opened Italian Idea boutique on St. Armands Circle. The shop recently hosted a soft opening for its third attempt to open a location on the shopping hub.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 3, 2025
Boutique featuring Italian leather handbags opens on St. Armands

Italian Idea, which hosted its soft opening last week, brings its family fashion tradition to St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Diane Weisman brings her black Labrador retrievers to join an interfaith pet blessing from Rev. David Marshall of All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church and Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates of Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key on Oct. 26.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 3, 2025
Interfaith pet blessing recognizes contributions of furry companions

Faith leaders at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church and Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key teamed up to offer a special blessing to the community's animals.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The town of Longboat Key and partners celebrated the installation of a "Living Wall" at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 3, 2025
Living seawall begins to make waves in Longboat

Concrete panels affixed to the seawall of Bayfront Park are already home to many varieties of marine life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Woman suspects property damage stems from lawsuit
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 2, 2025
Woman suspects property damage stems from lawsuit

A condo owner has shattered glass door, suspects it is the result of a suit against her HOA. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
A 1970 Plymouth Superbird draws a few admirers.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 2, 2025
Lakewood Ranch car show drives donations to St. Jude's

The Knights of Columbus host the annual Car Show and Cookout at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Evan Percoco, co-owner of Twisted Pit BBQ of Lakewood Ranch, dishes out samples at the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's Suncoast Food and Wine Fest, Nov. 1 at Premier Sports Campus.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 2, 2025
A Premier feast served by the Rotary club, with charity for dessert in Lakewood Ranch

For the 23rd year, the Suncoast Food and Wine Fest raises funds for the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Raccoon walks away after hit by car as police look on
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 2, 2025
Raccoon walks away after hit by car as police look on

A security guard chased a group of fishing kids for three-plus hours. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Tiffany Ranieri and 10-month-old Eli White patrol for mischief-makers during his first time trick-or-treating on Halloween at Fright Night on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 2, 2025
Fright Night makes robust return to St. Armands

Trick-or-treaters said they were overjoyed to see Fright Night on St. Armands make a triumphant return.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 2, 2025
Sarasota block party combines Day of the Dead and Halloween

Clasico hosted a downtown the Day of the Dead and Halloween Block Party.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andre Herke, Thomas Herke, 3, and Jennifer Herke dressed as pumpkins.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 2, 2025
Families head to Sarasota's Cherokee Park for trick-or-treating

The neigborhood is one of Sarasota's most popular locations on Halloween night.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A large crowd of Florida Studio Theatre supporters participated in the Oct. 29 ceremonial groundbreaking for the McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 1, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre starts Arts Plaza construction

Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza will include three new performance venues, structured parking and residential units.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A new Outback Steakhouse opens Nov. 11 on the corner of State Road 70 and Crossland Trail.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 1, 2025
Outback Steakhouse opens in Lakewood Ranch on Nov. 11

The popular Australian-themed restaurant will open on the corner of State Road 70 and Crossland Trail on Nov. 11.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Phillippi Creek at Blossom Brook Canal
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2025
Follow Phillippi Creek dredging updates with new county website

With the new webpage, residents can monitor the project to dredge Phillippi Creek from Tuttle Avenue to Little Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sweetwater's Monica Zacour and 5-month-old Everly curl through the parade route at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Oct. 29.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 31, 2025
Little Nippers Parade is prescribed for fun at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

Moms who have used the Little Nippers support program get a chance to catch up with their new friends.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Registered Nurse Clara Rock started at Sarasota Memorial Hospital as an assistant in high school. She poses with her Labor and Delivery team at the celebration.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2025
SMH celebrates 100 years of service

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System recalls its humble beginnings and looks to the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Market on Longboat Key will not be returning in 2025, the organizer announced.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 31, 2025
Longboat Key farmers market canceled for 2025-26 season

A push to finalize enough vendors for the seasonal event came up short for the only farmers market on the barrier island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2025
SMH participating in global atrial fibrillation device trial

Sarasota Memorial Hospital is among 100 sites testing a new device for long-term medication use for atrial fibrillation patients.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bank OZK's Lisa Lawler and Kate Mulligan, executive director of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation, are among those who dressed in Western attire for the 36th annual Hob Nob Oct. 29 at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 30, 2025
Hob Nob event continues to connect businesses in Lakewood Ranch area

The event, presented by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, presents a "networking on the Ranch" atmosphere.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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