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Your Observer

Ed Ference is running for the District 6 at-large Manatee County commission seat.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 24, 2026
Lifelong East County resident enters Manatee County Commission race

Ed Ference grew up along the Upper Manatee River Road and spent 30 years working for Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Byeong Hun An, who won the 2022 LECOM Suncoast Classic, is ranked No. 129 in the world, as of March 23. He tied for 21st place at the 2025 Masters Tournament and played in all four majors of the PGA Tour that season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 24, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic title doesn't guarantee PGA Tour success

However, previous winners have won millions following their wins at Lakewood National.

  • East County
  • Sports
From left to right: Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith, Gulf Coast Community Foundation Senior Vice President Jon Thaxton and One Stop Housing CEO Mark Vengroff made up a panel hosted by Miracle on the Key Thursday, March 19 on the subject of affordable housing.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Panel discusses the thorny problem of affordable housing

Although there are developments that provide affordable housing in the area, the need is not nearly met.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Lake Club home at 16336 Daysailor Trail sold for $3.1 million. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,859 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 24, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 9-13 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Daysailor Trail tops the week's sales at $3.1 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Wearing her mother's favorite color, Abby Ferreira, one of Cathy Ann "Cam" Maddox's children, raises a glass in memory of her mother on March 21 at Harry's Continental Kitchens with Brian Maddox. He said his late wife wanted a celebration of life that brought together loved ones and friends to smile, share fond memories and show their support for the Longboat Key Turtle Watch, a conservation program she passionately championed.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 24, 2026
Longboat volunteer supports conservation through celebration of life

Cathy Ann "Cam" Maddox, a passionate supporter of the Longboat Key Turtle Watch, spotlights conservation in her memory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fourth graders Leona Killion and Michael Chmielarski created business cards as a dancer and a soccer player for the Project T.E.A.C.H. activity on March 12.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 23, 2026
Project TEACH volunteers work to inspire young minds in Manatee County

Fourth grade classes all over the district were joined by local business people to talk about careers and dreams.

  • East County
  • Schools
They are goons who don't understand Jesus
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • March 23, 2026
They are goons who don't understand Jesus

Readers respond to our March 5 editorial with mixed views on the U.S.'s conflict with Iran.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Jenna Jahn notched a pair of top-two finishes at the Eddie Starling Memorial Invite on March 13 — including a record-breaking performance.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Jenna Jahn

As a freshman at Lakewood Ranch High, she broke the program record for the 400-meter hurdles.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lockwood Ridge Road was closed near Gocio Road early Monday morning after a fatal incident between a vehicle and a pedestrian.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2026
Pedestrian killed crossing Lockwood Ridge Road

A man was pushing a bicycle while on foot near Gocio Road, the Florida Highway Patrol says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Deborah DiCarlo and approximately 150 fellow celebrants raise a glass to toast Longboat Island Chapel's 70th anniversary. Attendees shared memories and cake at the festivities March 22 at Shook Hall.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 23, 2026
Longboat Island Chapel celebrates 70 years

Congregants who have been part of the church for decades and new members alike joined in the celebration of 70 years serving the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tasha Robinson has played the harp for 35 years. On St. Patrick's Day, she performed with two of her instruments at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church before attendees enjoyed an Irish-themed holiday dinner.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 23, 2026
Tunes of the highlands come to Longboat Key

All Angels welcomes harp player Tasha Robinson for St. Patrick's Day celebration.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board at a November meeting. Nick Gladding, third from the right, is stepping down as he prepares to take his oath of office for Town Commission on March 23.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 23, 2026
Town to host meet and greet with board applicants

Longboat Key has three open positions for boards and committees that have attracted nine applicants.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County staffers flew DJI drones in 2021 to help the town of Longboat Key monitor red tide blooms in the gulf.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 23, 2026
Drone replacement costs add to Manatee County expenses

Chinese-made models are no longer allowed by state to fly for governments, prompting new purchases.

  • East County
  • News
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park

This year, the Sarasota Wine Festival supported Operation Warrior Resolution, which offers holistic health care to veterans and their families at no cost.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs

The fundraiser has been held 11 years and brings the community together through music, food, and beer,

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Kathleen Flesch, Sonia Levy, Jane Imperiale and Peri Ann Aptaker dress for the Palm Royale-themed Divas and Dogs fundraiser that will benefit The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 21, 2026
Divas and Dogs brings together fashion and animal lovers

Divas and Dogs is in its 16th year raising funds for The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mary Schultz shows off the latest Lilly Pulitzer style on the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Women's Guild spring fashion show March 16 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 20, 2026
Spring fashion comes to life on Women's Guild runway

Members of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild walked the runway in Lilly Pulitzer's seasonal styles.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April

Swimming and rowing championships expected to attract more than 5,000 athletes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled

The event where residents can show off their cars and meet and greet with officers while having a coffee will now be held in April.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • March 20, 2026
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism

The city of Sarasota should end its program to charge for parking to remain competitive with other tourism areas.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Dolores M. Stevens (2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • March 19, 2026
Dolores M. Stevens

Dolores M. Stevens died suddenly on November 27, 2025 in Ridgewood, NJ.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The the site of the proposed 1899 Fruitville apartment development is outlined in red.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 19, 2026
Proposed apartments would replace Breakfast House and more on Fruitville

Adjacent to Gillespie Park, a 324-unit building would cover an entire block on Fruitville Road between North Osprey and Gillespie avenues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Storytelling is one of the events planned at the Enchanted Gardens Family Festival at Historic Spanish Point.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 19, 2026
Selby Gardens sets dates for Enchanted Garden Festival

The event is planned March 28-29 at Historic Spanish Point.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The property at 1690 Arlington St. was built in 2004 and has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,340 square feet of living area. The property at 1688 Arlington St. was built in 2004 and has one bedroom, one bath and 625 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 19, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 2-6 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Bay Island property on Norsota Way tops the week’s sales at $2.95 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Paul Dezzi is the fire chief of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department and the town's emergency manager.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 19, 2026
Longboat Key fire station to host open house March 25

Longboat Key Fire Rescue hosts an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Station 92.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mike Hutchinson repairs a laptop.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 19, 2026
Local nonprofit repairs over 25,000 laptops to help community members in need

The Sarasota Technology Users Group hopes to bridge the digital divide with its initiative to repair laptops for those in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Well Sarasota would include 28 condominiums and 72 hotel/condo units.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 19, 2026
Is the hotel/condo trend coming to Sarasota?

Two projects working through the city approval process would combine condominium and hotel uses, signaling a possible shift in the Sarasota condo market.

  • Sarasota
  • News
On Feb. 20, 2026, Florida Power & Light Company(FPL)volunteers beautify and conduct maintenance at The Ranch of Easterseals Southwest Florida. Volunteers removed posts, helped with landscaping and maintenance efforts–supporting the organization’s mission to help people with disabilities discover new strength, improve balance and unlock potential through therapy, learning and recreation on horseback. Now in its 18th year, FPL’s Power to Care program reinforces the company’s long-standing commitment to powering strong communities making Florida an even better place to live, work and raise a family. This year, FPL’s Power to Care week consists of more than 30projects led by hundreds of employees in over 10 counties across Florida.
  • By Devaney Iglesias, Manager of External Affairs for West-Central Florida, Florida Power & Light Company
  • March 19, 2026
Why year-round volunteer support matters for southwest Florida’s nonprofits

According to the Florida Nonprofit Alliance, about 40% of nonprofit organizations say they need more volunteers to meet current demand.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Pendry Residences Tampa
  • March 19, 2026
2026 Brings Exciting Progress at Pendry Residences Tampa

Pendry Residences Tampa's impressive tower is taking shape as one of Downtown's most anticipated residences.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Edward Lyon, Excel Empire's chief tax planner and the 'funniest tax guy in America,' shares tips with residents as they gear up for tax season at a March 10 workshop at Lido Beach Resort.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 18, 2026
America's 'Funniest Tax Guy' offers tips to Longboaters

Ahead of the approaching tax season, finance expert Edward Lyon held a workshop with book co-author Michael Jaspan.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cooper Jones is one of seven freshmen additions for Braden River this season. The third baseman/catcher leads the team in RBIs and ranks second in batting average, as of March 10.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 18, 2026
Freshmen talent takes center stage for Braden River High's softball team

The Pirates were off to a fast start with seven freshmen having an immediate impact.

  • East County
  • Sports
Beachgoers set up near and rest on one of two concrete permeable adjustable groins on the north end of Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 18, 2026
Town eyes Gulfside Road for next beach groin project

Longboat Key spends a lot on beach renourishment but also uses engineering to reduce erosion.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Esplanade residents have an assembly line to stuff Comfort Cases backpacks to be delivered to foster kids.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 18, 2026
Esplanade pulls together to support foster kids

The residents fill 1,000 Comfort Cases backpacks with basic essential needs for the foster care community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ted Lindenberg thanks students from Rogers Garden Elementary for singing a couple songs during the Books for Kids annual luncheon at Lakewood Ranch Country Club March 12.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 18, 2026
Books for Kids' passion runs cover to cover

Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's reading program spells out success.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Condos and single-family homes for sale dot the map of downtown Sarasota and its adjacent neighborhoods.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 18, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee real estate market a mixed bag

Prices are up but not everywhere.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's Tony Mullet, Dianne Gardner, Annelle Mullet, Dave Gardner and Denise Miller get their green on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Lakewood Main Street on March 17.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 18, 2026
A green day on Lakewood Main Street to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Community members gathered to celebrate St. Patricks Day with music, beer, costumes and more on March 17.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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