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Your Observer

Breeze OnDemand operates in three zones of Sarasota County much like private ride-sharing services and delivers riders door to door, though not necessarily solo or non-stop.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 4, 2025
New fares for Sarasota's Breeze OnDemand begin July 1

The proposal to make rides free for 80-and-older passengers could reappear in 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Teens terrorize motorists by tossing tennis balls, other objects at their cars
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 4, 2025
Teens terrorize motorists by tossing tennis balls, other objects at their cars

Young males reported throwing objects from their car at passing vehicles were identified by the license plate. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
School board member Cindy Spray said "students are students to me." She has the most charter school students in her district. She made a visit to ¡HOLA! Elementary School on April 1. Spray was walking through the hallways and saw Dalba Lopez's music class dancing and they performed a special routine for her.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 4, 2025
Manatee school board will vote to give charters a cut of half-penny tax

Since 2023, charter schools have not received funding from the half-penny sales tax.

  • East County
  • Schools
Interim superintendent Kevin Chapman's contract was finalized in a special board meeting May 29. He will be interim until January 5, 2026 or whenever the school board hires someone in his place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 4, 2025
Manatee school board wants fast process to find new superintendent

The School Board of Manatee County aims to have a new superintendent in place by the time the 2025-26 school year begins in August.

  • East County
  • Schools
The East County spring prep players of the year
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 4, 2025
The East County spring prep players of the year

These athletes made a difference on and off the field.

  • East County
  • Sports
Becky Lietzau and Rev. Brock Patterson explain how the church's medical supply closet helps community members get the resources they need.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 4, 2025
Chapel lends a helping hand with medical supplies

Longboat Island Chapel helps community members get needed support through free medical supply gift closet.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brian Walton, executive director of Save Our Seabirds, points out some improvements made to a mural centrally located at the facility as part of a wider revitalization effort.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 4, 2025
Mural refurbishment just the beginning for Save Our Seabirds updates

Save Our Seabirds is working on several projects to enliven its facilities, most recently refurbishing an avian mural in the middle of its grounds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Pat and Bob Geraci join Longboat Harbour Condominums' recognition of American heroes for Memorial Day. Bob served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 4, 2025
Navy doctor veteran reflects on 20 years of service

Longboat Harbour Condominiums honored those who served and sacrificed for the country as part of its Memorial Day program.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Residences at The St. Regis Longboat Key is at 1591 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 4, 2025
New construction leads to 5.39% increase in Longboat Key property values

Notable projects like the St. Regis Longboat Key sparked the increase in property values in 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Starbucks is planned to come to Longboat Key sometime in 2025 or 2026, depending on permitting and construction.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 4, 2025
Starbucks still planned for Longboat Key plaza

Despite common beliefs, Longboat Key has no prohibition on franchises or chains, but the property would need a special exception from the Planning and Zoning Board to put in a restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Downtown Sarasota has developed into a mix of historic one- and two-story buildings along Main Street set against the backdrop of towering condo buildings in accordance with the current Downtown Master Plan 2020.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 4, 2025
Sarasota downtown plan committee gets a history crash course

The Sarasota Downtown Master Plan 2020 Update Committee heard from five presenters who played key roles in the development of the current guide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Actually, we're in safe zone
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 4, 2025
Actually, we're in safe zone

Over a 125-year period, Manatee and Sarasota counties have been among the safest coastal counties in Florida when it comes to hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Graduate Jayvian Johnson (second from left), his girlfriend Alyssa Harris, brother Will Johnson and father Terrence Johnson
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 3, 2025
Booker High School celebrates 2025 graduates

Some 340 graduates of Booker High School walked the stage on May 31.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mary Bilkie and Clay Wakefield have been long-time volunteers with Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies, which recently received a $40,000 grant from Christ Church of Longboat Key to built a permanent facility.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 3, 2025
Longboat church gives major boost to fight childhood hunger

Christ Church of Longboat Key selected Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies to receive a $40,000 grant.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Graduate Ninabella Worhacz, her sister Rosemary Worhacz, her father Robert Worhacz, and her mother Josephine Worhacz.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 3, 2025
Riverview High School graduates take the next step

Some 470 graduates took to the stage at Robarts Arena.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Concession Golf Club has been working to land the Senior PGA Championship for the past three years, General Manager Brian Weimann said.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 3, 2025
Sarasota commits $4.5 million to promote Senior PGA Championship

The major tournament is coming to The Concession for three years, beginning in 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Haile Middle School teacher arrested on charge of lewd contact
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 3, 2025
Haile Middle School teacher arrested on charge of lewd contact

The student told deputies that the teacher sent an explicit photo.

  • East County
  • News
Man claims found powdery white substance is not his
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 3, 2025
Man claims found powdery white substance is not his

When police returned the found belongings, the man claimed the bag of white powder found with the wallet was not his. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sandra Smith and Ziggy, the firm's official public relations specialist, get settled after Secur-All Insurance's relocation to 510 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 3, 2025
Secur-All Insurance returns to Longboat Key's Bay Isles area

Having served Longboat Key residents for 15 years, the insurance agency explains how close community ties have led to its longtime success on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Gordon Silver took this photo of a male and female bald eagle in a nest in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 3, 2025
Eagles’ nest delays construction on 44th Avenue East extension

Manatee County staff made several accommodations for wildlife during the planning and construction of the roadway.

  • East County
  • News
A Country Club Village home at 6809 Belmont Court sold for $2.2 million. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,701 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 3, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for May 19-23 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Baycross Drive topped the week’s sales at $4.8 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The first phase of Cypress Square apartments, legally Amaryllis Park Place Phase 2. Future phases of Cypress Square will replace The Courts.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 3, 2025
Housing Authority project sails through development review

The Sarasota Housing Authority's final phases of Amaryllis Park Place wins partial sign-off from the city's Development Review Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch area soccer player Sky Commissar will represent Great Britain at the 2025 Maccabiah Games.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 3, 2025
Lakewood Ranch soccer player selected to 'Jewish Olympics'

Sky Commissar will represent Great Britain at the 2025 Maccabiah Games.

  • East County
  • Sports
The main observation deck of Quick Point Nature Preserve offered guests a prime view of Sarasota Bay. The structure disappeared after the hurricanes.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 3, 2025
After Longboat nature parks receive cost-saving bid, staff prep for construction

The repairs were originally slated to cost $2 million but will now cost around $700,000. Bids for other projects, like the town docks, are still pending.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Booker High rising senior Chauncey Kennon is being recruited by many of the best college football programs.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 3, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Chauncey Kennon

Kennon, a top football recruit, scored in Booker's spring game.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Carole Salmon (1943-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • June 2, 2025
Carole Salmon

Carole Salmon, A longtime resident of Longboat Key, FL and Active Member of the Sarasota/Longboat Key community, passed away on May 31, at the age of 82.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Brandy Britton of Bringman Roofing and Monica Carruth snap a photo during the Longboat Chamber of Commerce's latest "Off the Clock" networking event at Zota Beach Resort.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 2, 2025
Zota Beach Resort sets the scene for local business connections

Longboat Key businesspeople visited Zota Beach Resort for the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce's latest networking event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Killdeer are dedicated parents known for their 'broken-wing' display, feigning injury to lure intruders away from their chicks or nest.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • June 2, 2025
Myakka River thrives with restored floodplain

New life embraces Myakka’s habitat restoration zone.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Eddy Thomas, Kylie West, Kylah Scheetz and Charlotte Humlicek are among the 34 seventh grade students that will skip the eighth grade and start taking high school level classes next school year through the SOAR program.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 2, 2025
Students begin high school early with Lakewood Ranch Prep Soar program

Students in the Soar program have the opportunity to earn as many as 60 college credits during their five-year high school career.

  • East County
  • Schools
Willow and Winnie take a rest in the shade.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 2, 2025
Myakka City welcomes two baby warthogs

Willow and Winnie are 7 weeks old sisters who now live at the Sarasota Parrot Conservatory.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch rising senior Aiden Getschow made eight tackles including three for a loss of yards in the Mustangs' 27-14 win over George Jenkins on May 15.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 2, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Aiden Getschow

Linebacker Aiden Getschow helped Lakewood Ranch football win its spring game with eight tackles.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mary Oquendo, the recycling coordinator for Manatee County, shows off the "big bin."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 1, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Farmers' Market offers produce and information

The Farmers Market is a year round event held every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pine Island is located near the mouth of the Braden River.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 1, 2025
Manatee buys 13 acres to complete its ownership of a Braden River island

The county already held the deed to 66 acres of Pine Island.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota City Hall.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2025
Sarasota wins Smart City award

The city of Sarasota has been recognized for its smart city initiatives by Smart Cities Connect.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Oct. 9, 2024.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 31, 2025
What to know for the 2025 hurricane season

In previous seminars to prepare the community, Longboat Key officials and others emphasized the importance of staying prepared and heeding directions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alexsandra Santos and Jeffrey Zamarripa
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 30, 2025
Graduates walk the stage in record numbers at Sarasota High School

The class looked back at a time of both positivity and challenges during the school's 111th graduation.

  • Graduation
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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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