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Your Observer

Michael Knapp, stage name Greta Gripp, performs an acrobatic routine at the Silver Pride celebration June 7 at Senior Friendship Centers.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 10, 2025
Sarasota seniors ring in Pride Month

Project Pride SRQ recognized long-term couples and newlyweds at Silver Pride this year, among other activities celebrating Pride Month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
ShimmyBOOM bellydancers, lead by Misha Nell, performed at the SRQCon at the Selby Libraries.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • June 10, 2025
Heroes, villains and cartoon characters come to life at SRQCon 2025

People of all ages were in their best dressed armor, swords and masks for the pop culture convention hosted at the Selby Library.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Ness House, on Sanderling Road on Siesta Key, is considered a landmark example of the design style referred to as the Sarasota School.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 10, 2025
Landmark Siesta Key property on the market for $5.3 million

The Ness House on Sanderling Road was designed and updated by renowned architect Seibert.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Cardinal Mooney rising sophomore Nicholas Brown dreams of being on the PGA Tour one day.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 10, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Nicholas Brown

The Cardinal Mooney golfer has finished top 10 in three golf association tournaments.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Heather Kasten is President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 10, 2025
Sarasota Chamber named finalist for national award

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is among the finalists for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives' Chamber of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 10, 2025
To reconfigure or build more space will be an important question for Longboat staff

Longboat Key officials plan to embark on a facility study to see what space is available, and what may be needed, to accommodate town staff.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Vehicle operations training is underway at the new training center in Myakka City June 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 10, 2025
Law enforcement training center offers everything in one place: Myakka City

Cadets and officers no longer need to travel outside of Manatee County to train.

  • East County
  • News
Man found taking quick nap on roadside after work
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 10, 2025
Man found taking quick nap on roadside after work

An officer stopped to check on the man, who said he was just hoping to rest before biking home. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
John Harshman was selling commercial real estate in downtown Sarasota when there was very little market prior to the adoption of the current downtown master plan.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 10, 2025
Master plan helped lift downtown Sarasota from the Great Recession

Commercial real estate broker John Harshman tells the update committee the downtown plan was the right strategy at the right time for downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Country Club East home 7216 Prestbury Circle sold for $1.4 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,803 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 10, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for May 26-30 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Lake Club on Bounty Lane topped the week’s sales at $2,375,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
RealRail President Allen Novak and club member Doug Neumann work on the O Scale train layout that will be available during the club's special event June 14-15.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 10, 2025
All aboard for Father's Day weekend fun at RealRail in Bradenton

The model railroad club will celebrates its 50th anniversary June 14-15.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Carol Smith lends a hand with the beach cleanup at Siesta Beach for World Ocean Day on June 8, kicking off a week of events by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 9, 2025
Keeping 'America's best beach' sharp for World Ocean Day

Representatives from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and Sarasota County are collaborating for an expanded celebration of World Ocean Week, which kicked off with a cleanup at Siesta Key Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rob Vega shows the aluminum wiring he uses to craft his lightweight, tarnish-resistant jewelry at last weekend's St. Armands Circle Craft Festival.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 9, 2025
From aluminum to acrylic, St. Armands gets crafty

Local craftspeople showcased their work at last weekend's annual St. Armands Circle Craft Festival.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Runners start off on the course.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 9, 2025
Run club at local craft beer bar grows to hundreds in size

99 Bottles' Run Club has become a fitness and social hangout for the local community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key department heads, staff and first responders gathered at Shore Longboat Key on June 6 for an employee appreciation lunch.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 9, 2025
Town department heads, officials recognize staff with lunch and awards

Longboat Key town employees from every department gathered June 6 at Shore Restaurant for an afternoon brunch, trivia and awards ceremony.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
North Washington Drive on St Armands after Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 9, 2025
Maryland Girl Scout donates to Sarasota hurricane relief

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently received a handwritten letter from the fifth-grader, and $77.04. She sold lemonade and hot chocolate to raise the money from last fall until April.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Paddlers based at Nathan Benderson Park celebrated their selection to Team USA.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 9, 2025
Local paddlers to represent Team USA in dragon boat championships

Twenty-two athletes who train at Nathan Benderson Park will race in the IDBF World Championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
Commissioners Bob McCann and Amanda Ballard question the efficiency of Manatee County's hiring practices and budget process.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 9, 2025
Manatee County commissioners debate whether a hiring freeze is needed

As the budget season approaches, commissioners question the current processes.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering of 777 South Palm by Adache Group Architects, planned along Mound Street between Pineapple and Orange avenues.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 9, 2025
Developer plans condo complex across from Selby Gardens

A development called 777 South Palm Avenue Condos is employing both the city's attainable housing density bonus and transfer of development rights for a 66-unit building along Mound Street across from Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota County Administration Center is at 1660 Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 7, 2025
Sarasota County to host job fair June 19

Sarasota County will place a special emphasis on veterans during its job fair on June 19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rachel Ghormley, the new owner of Euphemia Haye with husband Jason, said they were glad to save the 50-year-old restaurant that holds special sentimental meaning for her family.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 6, 2025
New owners of Euphemia Haye excited to save 50-year-old restaurant

Preserving and celebrating this Longboat Key staple is personal for Rachel Ghormley's family.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Michelle Davis, grants division manager for Manatee County, presents the county's Action Plan to residents June 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 6, 2025
Manatee County 'only' granted $253 million for hurricane recovery

Unmet needs from the 2024 hurricane season total over $1 billion.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2025
Sarasota, Manatee counties offer free sandbags

To help residents prepare for hurricane season, Sarasota and Manatee counties will hold self-service sandbag filling at multiple locations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jerry Bickel, founder and executive director of Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre, says his main goal at his shows is to inspire children to immerse themselves in stories and to read books.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 5, 2025
One voice as lifetime puppeteer performs at Lakewood Ranch Library

Jerry Bickel, founder and executive director of Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre, thrills local crowd.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
First Baptist Church Sarasota is planning an expansion of its campus.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 5, 2025
First Baptist Church plans major expansion on Main Street

Expansion plans for First Baptist Church Sarasota include two new buildings, a park and interior renovations to the existing sanctuary and chapel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Monique, a loggerhead sea turtle, crawls into the ocean off Lido Beach.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 5, 2025
Turtle walks start Saturday on Longboat Key

Longboat Key Turtle Watch hosts community walks through June and July.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former MLB player Ian Desmond was hired to coach the Lakewood Ranch High baseball team on May 21.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 5, 2025
Former Sarasota High star returns to baseball at Lakewood Ranch

Ex-MLB player Ian Desmond is back in baseball as a high school coach.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 1658 Hawthorne St. was built in 2005 and has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,944 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 5, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for May 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Lewis Combs home on Hawthorne Street and a two-property sale in Mira Mar Beach on Beach Road top the week’s sales at $3 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Branson Rudeen and Brad Rudeen
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 5, 2025
Riverview High graduate sets up healthy vending machine business

Branson Rudeen wasn't sure where to go after high school, but he's following in his father's footsteps with his own business.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Republicans against Trump must stand up
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • June 4, 2025
Republicans against Trump must stand up

Those who state they don't like him, just sit back and watch without speaking up.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
In keeping with recent gray-sky trends, there is no less than a 50% chance of rain through the coming weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 4, 2025
Recent rains wash away Manatee burn ban

Wildfire risk diminishes with the onset of rainy season.

  • East County
  • News
A draft rendering shows the view from the terrace, overlooking the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 4, 2025
Longboat library will be named for Buchanan

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan since 2007 has donated $1 million to the project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Waterbury Park offers four luxury semi-custom home floor plans, including this Seaside 2 model home.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 4, 2025
Neal launches new home development in Lakewood Ranch

Waterbury Park will offer 21 homesites in the rapidly growing eastern segment of the community.

  • East County
  • News
Cary Cohenour grew up beating the backboard at the Boys and Girls Club before becoming an original player at Bollettieri Tennis Academy.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 4, 2025
Cohenour's Children: Local tennis coach's legend will live on

The Cary Cohenour Tennis Foundation will soon be finished at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lucas Lindbloom, 5, his mother Ana Lindbloom, sister Isabella Lindbloom, 15, and father Thomas Lindbloom
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 4, 2025
Sarasota City YMCA branch kicks off summer camp with pancake breakfast

The breakfast for families preceded the start of the traditional and aquatics summer camps.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 1580 Harbor Cay Lane has five bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,349 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 4, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for May 19-23 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Bay Isles on Harbor Cay Lane tops the week’s sales at $9.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
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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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