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Your Observer

Camryn Duley has loved snakes since the age of 5. She takes Ghost, her cinnamon pied ball python, in public often to debunk the idea that snakes are dangerous and scary.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 14, 2025
This Ghost, a cinnamon pied ball python, shows off in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High sophomore Camryn Duley takes her cinnamon pied ball python out in public to show that not all snakes are dangerous.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Printmaker Zerbe Sodervick contemplates which pieces to include in her first showcase at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 14, 2025
Inventive print artist debuts at All Angels for spring

Artist Zerbe Sodervick captures fleeting impressions on paper with her unique style of printmaking, featuring botanical clippings and lost items.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Fired workers threaten damage at construction site
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2025
Fired workers threaten damage at construction site

Three men fired for not showing up for work were accused of threatening to shoot their former boss and make holes in drywall. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Manatee County commissioners hold the second of two required public hearings May 8 to request "extraordinary circumstances" from the state to raise impact fees.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 14, 2025
Manatee County collects data it hopes will raise impact fees

Commissioners hope reports can prove the county is experiencing economic extraordinary circumstances.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch graduate Parker Severs won a six-man playoff at Waterlefe Golf & River Club on May 8 to advance to the final round of qualifying for the 125th U.S. Open.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch graduate advances to US Open final qualifier

Parker Severs won a six-man playoff at Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Amy Steinhauser, executive director of The Paradise Center, said there are plenty of activities for people to enjoy throughout the year, including the free meditative sound bath sessions she leads.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 14, 2025
Keep an eye out for these Longboat Key summer events

While the peak season is winding down, Longboat residents and visitors can look forward to events continuing throughout the summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Interim City Manager Doug Jeffcoat, left, confers with Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson during a City Commission meeting in 2025.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 14, 2025
Sarasota prepares to line up new interim manager

As search begins again following Marlon Brown's 2024 retirement, a new face may temporarily lead City Hall staff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The building located at 540 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 14, 2025
Former Tidewell building under new ownership after $2.1M sale

The new owner, a full-time Longboat Key resident, will continue with a commercial lease business model and plans to make renovations to upgrade the property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Riverview junior Anthony Miller threw a personal-best 58.76 meters in the javelin at the 4A state championships on May 10.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 14, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Anthony Miller

The Riverview junior placed second at the 4A state championships in javelin.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The three-bedroom home on Mourning Dove Drive sold for $245,000 in 1986.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 14, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for April 28-May 2 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Mourning Dove Drive tops the week’s sales at $4 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The possible terrace is shown on the back end of the rendering of the enhanced library.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 14, 2025
Longboat library project inches closer to funding goal as deadline nears

The town's next meeting with Sarasota County is set for June 4, and Town Manager Howard Tipton hopes to have the $3.5 million raised.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Robert McCann
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2025
Manatee County makes U-turn on roundabout

Manatee wants to cancel its contract for a roundabout at University Parkway and Deer Drive.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee does it again
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 14, 2025
Manatee does it again

Learning Manatee commissioners voted to pursue voiding a contract was too much for SMR’s Rex Jensen.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Out-of-Door Academy junior Kevin Gyurka placed fourth in the 1,600-meter run and eighth in the 3,200-meter run at the 1A state championships on May 10.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 13, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kevin Gyurka

The ODA junior placed fourth in the 1,600-meter run at the 1A state championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Sarasota Style is a new lifestyle shop featuring apparel and more that is slated to open on St. Armands Circle at the end of the year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 13, 2025
New retail, lifestyle shop to open on St. Armands Circle

Co-owner Malia Price eagerly anticipates the opening of her new store, The Sarasota Style, a lifestyle brand to feature clothes, accessories and items by local artisans.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Kava bed is crafted with purpose.
  • By Copenhagen Imports
  • May 13, 2025
5 Hot Furniture Trends Elevating Modern Living

Discover the sleek, smart, and stylish furniture trends transforming today’s homes into havens of modern design and intentional living.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Longboat Key Rotarians gifted the Longboat Key Police and Fire Rescue Departments several items to help make the first responders' jobs easier.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 13, 2025
LBK Rotarians gift Longboat first responders wishlist items

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key presented about $5,500 worth of work-related gifts to Longboat Key’s first responders.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
County should study traffic before buying admin building
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • May 13, 2025
County should study traffic before buying admin building

Give animals on University Parkway a brake, one Observer reader says.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Longboat Key commissioners traveled to Bradenton for a joint meeting with Manatee County commissioners on May 7.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 13, 2025
Infrastructure, beaches among top projects for Manatee, Longboat collaboration

Manatee County and Longboat Key commissioners discussed several overlapping projects and issues at the May 7 joint meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy is one of four schools in the nation to have an agreement with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) to provide high school seniors an opportunity for provisional early acceptance into the medical school.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 13, 2025
LECOM strikes deal with Lakewood Ranch Prep for future acceptance

Lakewood Ranch Prep is the fourth high school in the nation to strike such an agreement with LECOM.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sandra Tapfumaneyi speaks at the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 13, 2025
Sarasota County hosts community conversation on hurricane preparedness

The event welcomed local and federal officials to speak on ways to be prepared for the next hurricane season, starting June 1.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch football has several returning players who are champing at the bit for their first playoff win.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High football hopes to turn the corner

A senior-laden Mustangs team is hungry for its first playoff win in 23 years.

  • East County
  • Sports
Police investigate suspicious knives stabbed in the ground
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 13, 2025
Police investigate suspicious knives stabbed in the ground

The intention of the act was unclear, but a resident called to report the odd sighting in front of a residence. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The home at 16407 Clearlake Ave. has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,967 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 13, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for April 28-May 2 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue topped the week’s sales at $5.78 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Zoto is being developed by James Beard-nominated restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2025
Upscale Japanese restaurant and bar coming to University Town Center

Zoto is being developed by James Beard-nominated restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Bryan Shuerger of the 501st Legion's Tampa Bay Squad came dressed as Darth Vader
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 12, 2025
Siesta Con brings together characters and community members

The event, now in its second year, featured costumes, celebrity guests, vehicles, vendors and other offerings.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
David Curran and Shannon Fortner of MeteorEYES
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 12, 2025
Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest celebrates LGBTQ+ community

The event, which celebrated 15 years, found a renewed visibility as it returned to the location of Selby Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Honoree Paula Sharp places the May flower crown atop the statue outside St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church on Mother's Day.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 12, 2025
Despite rain showers, St. Mary celebrates May flowers

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church recognized member Paula Sharp at this year's May flower crowning on Mother's Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A vehicle representing the Historic Aircraft Society arrives at the Main Street and Orange Avenue roundabout during the Memorial Day parade in 2024.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2025
Sarasota prepares for annual Memorial Day parade, ceremony

The procession down Main Street concludes at J.D. Hamel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A partially destroyed home in the Twin Shores community on Longboat Key after Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 12, 2025
What to keep in mind as hurricane season approaches

Longboat Key’s Fire Chief and Emergency Manager Chief Dezzi recently shared insights and best practices to help the community prepare for the season that starts June 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In addition to benefiting native flora and fauna, wetlands within and upstream of urban areas are particularly valuable for flood protection.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 12, 2025
Manatee County's efforts to reinstate wetland buffers challenged

Commissioners take stance that they eventually will reinstate the buffers no matter the opposition.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County's OnDemand service debuted in 2021.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 11, 2025
Proposed changes to Sarasota's on-demand transit fares add mileage fee

Sarasota County will consider a July shift at a public hearing next month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Waterside's Andrew and Kristine Santucci hold their 2-month-old twins Scarlett and Zayden during the Mother's Day event May 10 at Waterside Place. At 38, Kristine said she was blessed to be celebrating her first Mother's Day as a mom.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 10, 2025
Waterside Place honors moms with a special event

The Petals and Poses fashion show in Lakewood Ranch highlighted the program that drew hundreds.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Artist Stephen Muldoon paints live at Wyland Gallery Sarasota on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 10, 2025
Artist depicts dreamy scenes in works at Longboat gallery

Stephen Muldoon, who held a live painting demonstration at Wyland Gallery Sarasota this week, explained how his metal medium lends itself to creating serene scenes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michael and Dee Bennett have relocated from Bradenton to Sarasota's Plymouth Harbor.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 10, 2025
Veteran politician files for Sarasota City Commission

Former Florida legislator and Manatee County elections supervisor Michael Bennett has moved to Sarasota and wants to provide "senior leadership" to the Sarasota City Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Team USA's David Toms and Brett Quigley look over the green on the No. 9 hole at The Concession Golf Club during the World Champions Cup at The Concession.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 10, 2025
Released easement bolsters Concession's shot at a major golf tourney

The Concession Golf Course is making improvements to court the Senior PGA Championship and the PGA Championship.

  • East County
  • News
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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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