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Your Observer

Officer Ryan Block and K-9 Partner Kodak have become Sarasota Police Department's second certified explosive detection team.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2026
SPD K-9 team earns explosive-detection certification

Officer Ryan Block and K-9 partner Kodak have completed a rigorous 300-hour certification program for explosive detection certification.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Entering this season, Braden River softball hadn't won a district title in seven years. The squad is now two wins away from a state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 14, 2026
Braden River High softball advances to state semifinals

With a wire-to-wire effort from Kaydence Evans, the Pirates are FHSAA Class 5A-3 regional champions.

  • East County
  • Sports
A lane closure will affect traffic on the John Ringling Causeway during an FDOT maintenance project.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2026
Roadwork will close Ringling Causeway lane at Bird Key

One westbound lane expected to be shut down after 7 p.m.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Holiday House SRQ's Megan Micale, executive director, and Sepi Ackerman, co-founder and executive president, say a grant would allow for 350 Title I students to receive school uniforms, shoes and a holiday experience.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 14, 2026
Sisterhood for Good hosts annual Grant Expo in Lakewood Ranch

Of the 129 applicants who applied for grants this year, 23 were represented at the Grant Expo May 11.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Richard Frank Wokoun
    In Memoriam |
  • May 14, 2026
Richard Frank Wokoun

Richard Frank Wokoun, age 69, of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, passed away on April 26, 2026.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Karie Friling makes brief comments to the Sarasota City Commission during her visit to the May 4 commission meeting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 14, 2026
New city manager calls career in public service 'most noble of professions'

Karie Friling has made several fact-finding visits to Sarasota in preparation for assuming her new role as city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Instructor Suzy Brenner leads her "Stretch and Strengthen" class for the first official activity following The Paradise Center reopening on Sept. 29 at Longboat Island Chapel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 14, 2026
The Paradise Center expands digital classes

New livestreams of movement classes will be available online to members of the community center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Among the proposals for the Main Street complete street project includes converting dozens of angle parking spaces to parallel parking.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 14, 2026
What should Sarasota's Main Street look like in 20 years?

The public will get its first look at proposed design concepts for the Main Street complete street project at a May 21 workshop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 507 Casey Key Road was built in 2008 and has five bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,595 square feet of living area. It sold for $4.75 million in 2019.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 14, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 27-May 1 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home on Casey Key Road tops the week's sales at $5.45 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Vance Freeman became the 10th different state champion in Sarasota boys weightlifting program history May 7. The senior hit all three of his lifts in the bench press to secure gold.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 14, 2026
Sarasota High lifter crowned at state championship

Vance Freeman won an individual state title to conclude his high school weightlifting career with the Sailors.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dan Moriarty, community liaison and board member of the Tree Foundation, and Community Relations Co-Chair Janie Pratt stand on the campus.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 14, 2026
Siesta Key Chapel welcomes community to help in unique forest restoration

A multiorganizational partnership is aiming to bring new life to the church's campus, which was damaged during hurricanes Helene and Milton.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
A rendering of BayCare HealthHub on Moccasin Wallow Road.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 14, 2026
Health care expands in the area in a big way

Health care systems are expanding in and around Lakewood Ranch — for both the short- and long-term.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Sertoma Club of Sarasota
  • May 14, 2026
The Moments We Take for Granted—Until They’re Out of Reach

Helping children and families overcome speech, language, and hearing challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Trouble begins when new girlfriend contacts his ex
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2026
Trouble begins when new girlfriend contacts his ex

Angry man wisely keeps his distance when his beach day date admits to asking his ex about a protective order against him. This and other tales from the files of the SPD in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 13, 2026
Monopoly to make special Sarasota County edition

Monopoly: Sarasota County Edition is tipping its top hat to favorite county locations by seeking nominations of established businesses, nonprofits and landmarks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Daryl Cherry (left) and Jamar Byrd (right) battle with a medicine ball during practice. Byrd, at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, was an offensive/defensive lineman as a sophomore in 2025.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 13, 2026
Uphill climb coming for Booker football

After graduating the most talented class in program history, the Tornadoes will have to build back this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kananga and Dominic spend time in Kananga's pool.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 13, 2026
Sarasota Jungle Gardens has big hopes for its cohabitating crocodiles

Dominic and Kananga, the resident American crocodiles at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, have the potential to produce offspring, according to staff.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Retired Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo's name is now emblazoned on the airport loop road at SRQ.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 13, 2026
Airport roadway named for former SRQ president and CEO

Airport Circle at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has been officially renamed Rick Piccolo Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Seniors Eliana Yeboah, Suzan Ikele, Jeffrey Crabtree and Sara Johnson are among the first class of graduating seniors to complete all four years at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 13, 2026
East Manatee seniors prepare for final assignment: A graduation speech

The chosen speakers for the various Manatee County commencement ceremonies are eager to connect with their peers.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gary Hagen, owner of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor, recently published his first book, "Romancing Hollywood."
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 13, 2026
Longboat sweets shop owner pens Hollywood-centric book

Gary Hagen, owner of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor, has brought his love for Hollywood from the shop to the written page with his first book.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Witness breaks up a fight in a rolling vehicle
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2026
Witness breaks up a fight in a rolling vehicle

A man who says another driver robbed him of cash in a store parking light jumped in and fought as he tried to drive away. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Longboat Key has dozens of canals, 88 according to a report by the town’s costal engineering consultant firm First Line Coastal.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 13, 2026
Canal payment plan gets first approval by Longboat commission

The first of two votes passed unanimously to establish flat fees and ad-valorem assessments to dredge and maintain Longboat Key's canals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sophie Bell had never rowed until middle school. From May 16-17, she'll return to the place where her career started, now a sophomore competing at the NCAA Division I level.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 13, 2026
Local rower-turned-Division I athlete returns to area for Big 12 Championships

Old Dominion's Sophie Bell, a Lakewood Ranch High graduate, will be competing at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
The home at 6841 Longboat Drive S. sold for $900,000. Built in 1935, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,180 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 13, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 27-May 1 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Regents Place condominium on Longboat Club Road tops the week’s sales at $4.95 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A great egret perches on a mangrove that fronts Longboat Pass. Mangroves are an important habitat for birds and juvenile sport fish while providing erosion protection.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 13, 2026
30 years after mangrove law passed, enforcement still relies on citizen reporting, education

Mangrove health statewide has slightly increased since the law was passed, but violations are going unpunished, advocates say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioner George Kruse stops to greet Chula, a 2-year-old mastiff mix, during a walk-through of the Bishop Animal Shelter May 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 13, 2026
Animal activists continue complaints despite efforts to improve Bishop shelter

The Manatee County expansion project is up to $12 million, but some residents say it's not enough.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering of 1899 Fruitville from the corner of North Osprey Avenue and Fruitville Road.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 13, 2026
Fruitville apartment plan to replace cottages makes second appearance

Multiple comments remain as block-long apartment development on Fruitville Road requires third submittal to the Sarasota Development Review Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The main building at the Bishop Animal Shelter has 52 dog kennels. The expansion adds 120 more kennels.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 13, 2026
Dog tired of spending money on Manatee County's animal shelters

After $12 million of improvements at the Bishop Animal Shelter, some county residents aren't satisfied with the conditions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lessons on how not to do it
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 13, 2026
Lessons on how not to do it

The Sarasota tax collector-school board dispute has reached a partial resolution. Taking the high road can bring it to the best ending.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota Schools Superintendent Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon in April.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 12, 2026
School-tax fee reversal slated to come before county commissioners this week

Sarasota is ready to reassume responsibility for paying the tax collector's 2% commission, but question remains on whether it should be charged at all.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kaleb Exume has taken his talents from Parrish Community to Cardinal Mooney football for his senior season this fall. But beyond the gridiron, he's dominated in the weight room.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 12, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kaleb Exume

Competing in the unlimited weight class, the Cardinal Mooney junior placed second at the FHSAA Class 1A boys weightlifting state championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
My-Lien Truong and Dwight Fitch, the radiation oncologists at Advocate Radiation Oncology in Lakewood Ranch, both studied chemical engineering before pursuing radiation oncology.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 12, 2026
Radiation, oncology center opens Lakewood Ranch office

Advocate Radiation Oncology has opened at 8946 77th Terrace E., to go with its previous location on S.R. 64 in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Business
Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • May 12, 2026
Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College

The fate of USF Sarasota-Manatee depends on the Legislature's special budget session. It will decide whether to shut down the college and transfer the buildings to New College.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Carol Erker and Terri and Jeff Driver, board members with the Rotary Club of Longboat Key, gave an overview of the leadership positions they hope to fill next year at the May 5 meeting.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 12, 2026
Longboat Rotary welcomes new board members

The community service organization is welcoming back its president and hopes to involve new board members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rick Farmer carries plenty of experience calling plays on defense, but his new role leading the Pirates represents his first head-coaching appointment in high school football.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 12, 2026
No time to waste for new Braden River High football coach

Rick Farmer, the team's former defensive coordinator, was hired on the first day of spring practice.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Country Club Village home at 6963 Westchester Circle sold for $3,025,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,897 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 12, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 27-May 1 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue home on Blue Shell Loop tops the week's sales at $3.68 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
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Latest News

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No good deed goes unpunished
  • May 28, 2026
No good deed goes unpunished
2
Cash grab in Manatee, too
  • May 28, 2026
Cash grab in Manatee, too
3
Benderson Development is wrapping up its latest phase of construction at the business and industrial park off Toledo Blade Boulevard.
  • May 28, 2026
County economic development agency contract approved for 2027
4
A Kobi Karp Architecture rendering of the 18-story Adagio luxury condo tower as viewed at the northwest corner of South Palm Avenue and Ringling Boulevard.
  • May 28, 2026
Adagio receives partial staff sign-off; adjustments still required
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James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo give Harry Noordzy a lift, just as they did five years ago at Station 12.
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka's Station 12 remains a part of Harry's world

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