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Your Observer

Jeremy Croteau tends to his livestock on his Myakka City farm that will host the Sarasota Medieval Fair.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 20, 2021
Dark clouds hover over Sarasota Medieval Fair in Myakka City

Sarasota Medieval Fair in Myakka City goes forward despite special permit questions from Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sergio Di Sarro said his patrons have given him positive feedback since he took over Main Street Trattoria.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 20, 2021
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch has a new chef in town

Former surfer Sergio Di Sarro brings Argentinian flair to Main Street Trattoria in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The COVID-19 protocols at Longboat Key facilities have fluctuated throughout the pandemic. File photo
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 19, 2021
Longboat Key updates mask policy at town facilities

Masks are now voluntary inside of town of Longboat Key facilities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 19, 2021
Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch hosts Putts Fore Mutts

Guests enjoy golf, pickleball and tennis tournaments to raise money for the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gail Loefgren, right, hands an award to virtual winners D'Arcy and Ray Arpke in January, 2021. File photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2021
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce names Small Business Awards nominees

Awards will be handed out at a luncheon on Nov. 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Phillips, right, welcomed sponsors Steve Branham and Kathleen Wingate from Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2021
You Observed: Longboat Key Garden Club hosts Dinner and a Movie at Bayfront Park

The club hosted one of its biggest fundraisers for the first time since before the pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2021
Late Longboat Key tennis icon Bob Ruff honored with one last set

Friends and family came together to play a game of tennis to honor the island icon after his death.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • October 19, 2021
Lt. Colonel USAF (ret) R S “Bud” Freeman

Lt. Colonel USAF (ret) R S “Bud” Freeman, of Longboat Key, FL, passed away Oct 3 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The Longboat Key Town Commission held its retreat Monday at the Seaplace Association.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 18, 2021
Longboat Key commissioners discuss Town Center site at retreat

Longboat Key leaders discussed several projects, including the future of the Town Center site and a Sarasota County-operated library on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 18, 2021
Town of Longboat Key launches photo contest

The winner will have their photo displayed in Town Hall until the end of the year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 18, 2021
You Observed: The Paradise Striders took to the streets of Longboat Key to walk for breast cancer awareness

During October, the team usually participates in a local walk but organized their own this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bob Gault
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 18, 2021
Longboat Key residents keep moving forward after retirement

You won’t find island residents propping up their feet and watching the days go by.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Goldfarb and Isaac Azerad. File photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 18, 2021
TBI Education Center launches inaugural season

The newly rebuilt education center on Longboat Key is bringing back old favorites and new classes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • October 18, 2021
LaVerne Stellas nee Tountas

LaVerne Stellas nee Tountas, age 92, of Northfield, IL.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 18, 2021
Longboat Key staff recommends approval of St. Regis revised parking plan

Commissioners expected to discuss, vote a second time on residential and resort proposal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Terry Phelps of Lakewood Ranch loads some tree trimmings onto a cart for disposal at Dream Oaks Camp. Phelps was one of more than 20 volunteers that took part in the event. Photo by Scott Lockwood.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • October 18, 2021
LWRBA members volunteer for local causes

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance continues its annual Giveback campaign with dozens of events.

  • East County
  • News
The waterfront home at 4300 Higel Ave. sits back from the road. It offers six bedrooms, six full baths and three half-baths and more than 8,200 square feet of living space.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 18, 2021
Siesta Key home on Higel Avenue sells for $12 million

Property in Fiddler Bayou is the top seller of the week of Oct. 4 for the Sarasota and Siesta Key area.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 17, 2021
Sarasota Rocktoberfest brings the jams

The annual music show was held Oct. 15-17

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Two people died in a boating accident April 13 on Ward Lake in east Manatee County, authorities say.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 17, 2021
Motorcyclist dies in Myakka City accident

Motorcycle collides with van in Myakka City leaving one man dead

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 17, 2021
Firefighters return for annual chili cook-off

North Port team wins competition that attracted hundreds to the 21st annual competition on Oct. 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 8495 Lindrick Lane in The Concession sold for $3.6 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 5,314 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 17, 2021
Concession home in Lakewood Ranch area sells for $3.6 million

Twelve million-dollar-plus sales light up Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton area residential real estate transactions for Oct. 4-8.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Going to the Pumpkin Festival is a tradition for Myakka City 12-year-old Collette Armstrong, 8-year-old Jeanette Armstrong, Cristina Rosas and 21-month-old Lincoln Armstrong.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 17, 2021
Hunsader Farms' 30th annual Pumpkin Festival begins in east Bradenton

Families enjoy shows, food and activities at annual Hunsader Farms' Pumpkin Festival in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 16, 2021
Newtown celebrates culture at Big Mama's Collard Greens Fest

The annual festival was held Oct. 16.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
According to the 2020 census, Manatee County had population of 406,945 residents. District 5, which encompasses the Lakewood Ranch area, had the highest number of residents with 97,536. Graphic provided by Manatee County.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • October 16, 2021
Manatee County commissioners set to discuss redistricting

Growth in eastern Manatee County has make the districts' populations uneven.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 15, 2021
Mooney uses strong second half to beat Cambridge Christian

The Cougars outscored the Lancers 20-0 in the second half to win 27-7.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
East County football roundup: 10.15.21
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 15, 2021
East County football roundup: 10.15.21

East County football roundup: 10.15.21

  • East County
  • Sports
Norma and Tom McCarthy stand outside of their Gulfshore home. The couple has lived in Longboat Key since 2001. They made Gulfshore their full-time residence in 2009.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 15, 2021
Gulfshore residents oppose proposed height requirements

Owners of mobile homes worry that potential new rules on flood-elevation could make fixing up or replacing their residences difficult to live with.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Brooks and Matthew Jones
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 15, 2021
Firefighters prepare for Sunday chili competition

21st Morton's Firehouse Cook-off pits first-responders against each other in a culinary conflagration.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Town Projects Manager Charlie Mopps, Longboat Key Turtle Watch Vice President Cyndi Seamon, Omar Lopez of Taylor Engineering, 360 North resident Roger Field and Planning and Zoning Board member Paul Hylbert met Friday
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 15, 2021
Plans begin to take shape for new North Shore beach entrance

North-end residents have advocated for improvements to the beach entrance at 100 N. Shore Road.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 15, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: No supply-chain crisis here

Police reports around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The blue-gray gnatcatcher is the only gnatcatcher native to Florida. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 15, 2021
Bird of the week: Blue-gray gnatcatcher

Tiny birds keep moving, so they are often hard to spot in the wild.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
James Badge Dale in "The Empty Man." Photo via HBO Max.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 14, 2021
Cringe Blog: "The Skeleton Key" and "The Empty Man" bring the atmospheric horror

"The Skeleton Key" is on Peacock, and "The Empty Man" is on HBO Max.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Todi Garay in Crisp Waffle Company. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 14, 2021
Crisp Waffle Co. opens on St. Armands Circle

Owner Todi Garay is making liege waffles out of dough rather than batter.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michael Bodnyk and Justin Kaiser, who runs audio and video for the church. Kaiser's role has magnified in the past year and a half, and the bigger scope is here to stay. File photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 14, 2021
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church implements plans for post-COVID world

The church has implemented task forces whose planning is coming to fruition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 14, 2021
East County weather page photo: October 14

Marty Franssen captured this reflective sunrise over a lake in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 14, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: October 14

Luann LaRussa captured this photo of an anhinga dockside on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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