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Your Observer

    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 12, 2021
Longboat condo project sells all 16 units

Sage Longboat Key Residences is expected to be completed in late 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Drew Clark.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 12, 2021
East County Athlete of the Week: Drew Clark

The Lakewood Ranch rising senior kicker talks his origins in football and

  • East County
  • Sports
The incident caused a closure on Benjamin Franklin Drive for more than eight hours Saturday morning. Photo courtesy Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 12, 2021
Police continue investigation of Lido Key shooting

The Sarasota Police Department is still gathering information on a Friday night incident that culminated in officers finding the suspected shooter dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dozens of dead fish were washing up on the shores of Quick Point Nature Preserve on Monday.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 12, 2021
Longboat Key receives reports of red tide

The town has received reports of small fish kills, water discoloration and some odor.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Michelle Ditzig, Anna Ditzig, Chris Barstow, Jessica Stevens, Rebecca Stevens and John Kurz. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 12, 2021
Freedom filth finishers

A group of Longboat Key residents and volunteers worked with Surfrider Foundation to clean up the beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Samantha Malcolm is a new board member for the Manatee Literacy Council.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 12, 2021
Lakewood Ranch teen joins Manatee Literacy Council's board

ODA rising senior hopes to bring a new perspective to the Manatee Literacy Council.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 10, 2021
Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival a hit at Benderson Park

The festival featured races and a ceremony in honor of those diagnosed with breast cancer

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Ella Hoy enjoys seeing her 7-year-old son, Enzo, and husband, Matt, who are car fanatics marvel over the various cars at Coffee and Cars.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 10, 2021
Car enthusiasts see vintage to new cars at Sarasota's Coffee and Cars

Dozens of cars are on display at the University Town Center's Coffee and Cars.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 9, 2021
Siesta Key's Fire Station 13 ready for action

New two-story facility can house up to six firefighters and is built to withstand hurricanes.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Hoyt Architects estimated a stage at the Town Center site will cost between $500,000 and $600,000.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 9, 2021
Longboat Key to spend up to $50K on Town Center stage designs

Longboat Key town commissioners are set to review design work in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Riverdale home at 4015 Hawk Island Drive sold for $1.95 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4.623 square feet of living area. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 9, 2021
Riverdale home tops sales at $1.95 million to lead Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton areas

Here are the residential real estate transactions for the Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton areas for June 28-July 2

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Ron and Betty Jo Baca show their Baca Bread products to Lucy Dowd of Venice.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Market vendors look forward to Waterside Place move

Despite delayed opening of Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch, vendors excited about move.

  • East County
  • News
Jack Zimmerman is attempting to recruit more Lakewood Ranch seniors to his Sarasota Senior Softball Association leagues.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch senior softball players forced to travel to compete

Sarasota Senior Softball Association gives Lakewood Ranch players an option.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Interim Police Chief George Turner, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, Town Manager Tom Harmer and Making An Impact Chair Victoria Kasdan met in June. Photo courtesy of Making An Impact.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 8, 2021
Longboat Key first responders begin using resource guide

The guide helps connect people in need to special service organizations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bill and Tina Gardner (center) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their children, Jennifer Shimkonis, Doug Gardner, Julie Warren and Billy Gardner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 8, 2021
Lakewood Ranch couple celebrates 60th anniversary at the Country Club

Lakewood Ranch octogenarians celebrate their 60-year marriage at the Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 8, 2021
First segment of Legacy Trail opens

The segment extends from Proctor Road north to Bahia Vista Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hal Porter purchased Whitney Beach Plaza for about $3.24 million. Brian Mathae purchased LBK Liquors.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 8, 2021
Whitney Beach Plaza sells for $3.24 million

Ryan Snyder had ownership of Whitney Beach Plaza since 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Jim Hill performs on the cornet in preparation for American Fanfare that was held July 4 at the Sarasota Opera House.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 8, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble ends long pandemic layoff

American Fanfare at the Sarasota Opera House was the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble first performance since the pandemic began.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2021
East County weather page photo: July 8

Marvin Crepea captured this deer behind his home on Thornhill Court in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: July 8

Niki Muller captured this photo of Sarasota Bay at dawn.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 8

Jane Novacek captured this photo of a tree-lined Longboat Key beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Crews are working on building a new home in the 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 8, 2021
Longboat Key property values officially rebound

The Property Appraisers Offices in Sarasota and Manatee counties provided the town with official values on July 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Michael Halflants, the architect for the planned Bath and Racquet Club redevelopment depicted in this rendering, has said adding more residences would be beneficial for a city facing housing challenges. File image
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 8, 2021
City approves revised Bath and Racquet Club proposal

Despite some opposition from residents, the City Commission authorized a change that could allow up to 277 apartments on the redeveloped site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • July 8, 2021
William R. (“Bill”) Korp

William R. ("Bill”) Korp. Born November 29, 1932; died June 25, 2021.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
More than two years after the final race at the Sarasota Kennel Club, a developer is advancing plans to build up to 380 apartments on the site.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 8, 2021
Developer outlines plans for apartments at Sarasota Kennel Club site

The prospective buyer of the Sarasota Kennel Club has plans to redevelop the property as an apartment complex with up to 380 units, which has some neighbors worried about traffic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Charter Review Committee is scheduled to produce its recommendations to the City Commission for consideration in March 2022.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 8, 2021
Commissioners appoint residents to Charter Review Committee

For the first time in a decade, an advisory board will assemble to discuss potential changes to the city’s most significant governing document.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Water floods a sidewalk and pours onto River Club Boulevard across from Braden River Elementary School in East County. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 7, 2021
Tropical storm/hurricane Elsa packs little punch in Lakewood Ranch area

Tropical storm/hurricane Elsa only causes minor flooding in some Lakewood Ranch area neighborhoods.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • July 7, 2021
Lt. Col. John “Sean” McGrath, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Lt. Col. John “Sean” McGrath, U.S. Army (Ret.) passed away June 28, 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Selia Rodriguez, a rising eighth grader, and Miriam Castrejon, a rising freshman, demonstrate how their ferris wheel works. Castrejon says building the ferris wheel was more fun than she expected.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 7, 2021
Lakewood Ranch students rise to STEM camp challenges

Summer STEM camp brings new experiences for migrant students at Nolan Middle School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Palms sway along the Sarasota bayfront on Wednesday morning.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 7, 2021
Elsa leaves minimal damage in Sarasota County

Airport resumes operations and city, county offices reopen for business.

  • Sarasota
  • News
On Wednesday morning, water sat on Bayside Drive in the Longbeach Village neighborhood after Hurricane Elsa.
  • By Mark Bergin and Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 7, 2021
Longboat Key dodges most of Elsa's wind and waves

It appears Tropical Storm Eta in November 2020 caused Longboat Key more damage than Hurricane Elsa.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Connor looks forward to developing relationships with students as the new interim head of schools at the Out-of-Door Academy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 7, 2021
Out-of-Door Academy hires new interim head of school.

New ODA interim head of school uses lessons he's learned from books as inspiration for his educational career.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota shooter Mary Tucker, here competing with the University of Kentucky, will participate in three Rifle events at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo courtesy NCAA Photos.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 7, 2021
Sarasota Olympic shooter's specialty, explained

A breakdown of the Olympic sport kicking off the games, plus news on another Sarasotan headed to Tokyo — in a management capacity.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Participants of the 2017 VIP Program put on a show. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 7, 2021
Florida Studio Theater to offer camp to youth on the autism spectrum

The Puzzle Project will be offered to children ages 7-12 who are on the autism spectrum.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Robert Turner, Ben Guth, Trevor Garofalo, Ray Sullivan and J.T. Bacigalupi are Myakka City Fire Department firefighters. East Manatee Fire Rescue District is discussing how their benefits will transfer post-merger. File photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 7, 2021
Governor approves East Manatee-Myakka fire rescue merger

East Manatee and Myakka City fire rescues can begin discussing how to combine buildings, vehicles and personnel.

  • East County
  • News
Lt. Josh Dillard, born and raised in Manatee County, won East Manatee Fire Rescue District's Firefighter of the Year award for his work before he was promoted from engineer.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 7, 2021
Born-and-raised local firefighter wins East Manatee award

Josh Dillard was awarded as East Manatee Fire Rescue District's Firefighter of the Year.

  • East County
  • 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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