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Your Observer

Julie Bianchi, the head of the middle school, talks about the garden feature and virtual reality studio in the new building.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 26, 2020
Out-of-Door Academy building for a better future in Lakewood Ranch

Out-of-Door Academy expands middle school with new facility and quad

  • East County
  • News
Barry Napshin retired from Alta Vista 25 years ago.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 26, 2020
Teachers throw 90th birthday surprise party for former Alta Vista principal

Barry Napshin turns 90 on Feb. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County commissioners meet at the county administration building downtown. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 26, 2020
Right-of-way acquisition could be a county priority in Manatee County

County executives, commissioners believe land for road projects needs to be purchased sooner.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota civil engineer Steve Suau told attendees of the Feb. 18 LWR Talks event Lakewood Ranch is about two weeks away from starting construction on a pilot program meant to improve water quality.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 26, 2020
Lakewood Ranch filtration project set to begin

Engineer says SMR will break ground in March on the water filtration pilot study.

  • East County
  • News
Terry Wilson, a Waterlefe resident, paints stripes on her sheepshead fish. "I was shocked when I found out we were painting with a real fish," Wilson says. "It sounds like fun."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 26, 2020
Painting on a grand scale in East County

Waterlefe residents learn how to paint with a fish

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Dick Amesbury said events like the expo have helped him keep up to date on Parkinson's developments, as well as products to assist with life changes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 26, 2020
Learning to live with Parkinson's in Lakewood Ranch

Seminars, workshops keep local man on course despite Parkinson's disease.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Ted Lindenberg, director of the Books for Kids program, celebrate the program's success.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 26, 2020
A success story in Manatee County

Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch celebrates growth of Books for Kids program

  • East County
  • News
Braden River junior O'Mariah Gordon cuts down the nets after defeating Fort Myers High in the regional finals Feb. 21.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 26, 2020
Braden River star tries to balance her life outside of basketball

O'Mariah Gordon, a top-30 recruit nationally, uses work and family to keep her mind off the on-court pressure.

  • East County
  • Sports
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan nominated 10 Sarasota students to U.S. Service Academies on Feb. 25.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 26, 2020
Buchanan submits 22 service academy nominations

Each year, members of Congress nominate seniors for admission to U.S. Service Academies.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Summerfield resident Betsy Hall walks from her home to Greenbrook Adventure Park daily and said safety has become a problem. She said the district's plan to create separate pathways for walkers and vehicles will improve safety.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 26, 2020
Improved path for community park in Lakewood Ranch

CDD 4 plans safety improvements at Greenbrook Adventure Park in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Tiffany Yu wears a dress by Debbie Dannheisser Threads while Debbie Dannheisser shows a painting by her late daughter Nichole. She incorporates Nichole's artistry into her fashions.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 26, 2020
Spring Sensations hits fashion runway in Sarasota

Sisterhood for Good lights up the fashion runway with its annual fundraiser in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 26, 2020
He should be fired

FDOT is not the one to blame for the traffic backups on the Ringling Causeway. The city is. It controls the timing of the projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Zachariah Fike (center), a major in the Vermont National Guard, has returned more than 800 medals of valor to families of the soldiers.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 25, 2020
Lakewood Ranch event delivers lost medals of valor back to families

Purple Hearts Reunited returns medals of valor during Lakewood Ranch event.

  • East County
  • News
The ordinance would allow occupied RVs to be attached to single family residences from occupied RV would only be allowed from December 1 through March 31.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 25, 2020
Commission approves RV ordinance to Pinecraft overlay

On a trial period, the Sarasota County Commission approved an oridnance that would allow residents to use RVs as accessory units to single family residences.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hunter's 7th birthday
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 25, 2020
Happy birthday, Hunter!

Hunter the service dog turned 7 last week.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Faucets can waste water, but the home toilet is the top residential water user.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 25, 2020
Longboat hosts free classes on sustainability

The workshop, which focuses on practical tips to save energy and improve local water quality, will be offered twice.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Billy Rice Band will kickoff the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce's Savor the Sounds series.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 25, 2020
Billy Rice Band to kick off Savor the Sounds concert series Saturday

The outdoor concert will serve as an introduction to Town Center Green, which the town hopes will become a popular hub.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 25, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: It's breakfast time, right?

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 24, 2020
Longboat Key Foundation establishes nonprofit status

The longtime foundation is finally an independent organization.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Workers have installed equipment pads and conduit on Sloop Drive in the southern end of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 24, 2020
Utility work heads off GMD and into neighborhoods

Underground project enters a new phase as workers begin installing underground conduit on side streets.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Seven-year-old triplets Madison, Dylan and Quinn Damato
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 24, 2020
Siesta Key Village gets artsy during its 26th annual craft festival

Ocean Boulevard was lined with vendors from Feb. 22-23.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Erick Barnard, 20, and Brianna Trecartin, 19, started the race for their CAS project.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 24, 2020
SMA students, community 'Rise and Run'

Sarasota Military Academy hosted its third annual Raiders Rise and Run 5K on Feb. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Baskfield treats a customer.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 24, 2020
Helping the ache

Lisa Baskfield, a lifelong Longboater, opened her CBD shop to try to help as many people as possible.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Congestion up and over the Ringling Bridge in the afternoons has been a common complaint among residents of the barrier islands.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 24, 2020
Spoll's letter calls for delay to major Sarasota roundabout

Longboat mayor also requests St. Armands crossing guards begin work sooner than planned.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The store had been liquidating assets since early February and closed today.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 24, 2020
Earth Fare now closed in Lakewood Ranch

Earth Fare at Lakewood Ranch closed at The Green today.

  • East County
  • News
Harold Ronson, Michael Garey and Milton Harr
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 24, 2020
Iwo Jima vets dine on 75th anniversary

75 years to the day of the attack, the Lazy Lobster hosted two veterans.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tito's Stuart Campbell and James Uihlein and Hillcroft's Pippa Campbell have to put on the breaks as the ball changes direction.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 24, 2020
Another edition of Observer Cup in Lakewood Ranch

Another edition of Observer Polo Cup in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 23, 2020
Christ Church of Longboat Key hosts Scottish dinner

The dinner brought dozens of guests to the gathering hall for the evening.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A unit in the Tower Residences was the top real estate sale in Sarasota for the week of Feb. 10-14.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 23, 2020
Casey Key home sells for $3.5 million

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 10-14.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
A sunset view over the Gulf of Mexico from The Beach Residences. Unit 1102 was the top seller in the Longboat Key area for the week of Feb. 10-14.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 23, 2020
Condo at Beach Residences sells for $3.8 million

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 10-14.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 23, 2020
Lakewood Ranch fires up fun

S'mores, live music and science on agenda for Lakewood Ranch community campout.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club member and beach fisherman Steve Herich teaches the children how to be "good anglers" by caring for the environment and handling fish correctly.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 23, 2020
Lakewood Ranch youth hooked on fishing

Seminar at Greenbrook Adventure Park preps children for fishing tournament in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 22, 2020
Lakewood Ranch boys soccer falls in state semifinal

The Mustangs lost 2-1 to Boone High.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 22, 2020
Temple Emanu-El welcomes new members, celebrates tenured

The temple held its New Member Shabbat Dinner on Feb. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A series of buttons make navigation from the home page easy.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 21, 2020
Longboat rolls out new website design

New features include ADA options, access to town's social media feeds, mobile features.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Houle, futurist, and Heather Kasten, Chamber CEO and President
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 21, 2020
Chamber of Commerce looks to future at annual breakfast

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce held its annual breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota on Feb. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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