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Your Observer

Lakewood Ranch sophomore Liam St. John set the school record for the longest javelin throw (53.36 meters) at the 4A Region-3 meet on May 3.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 6, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Liam St. John

Lakewood Ranch sophomore sets the school record for longest javelin throw at regional meet.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Sarasota County Fire Department and EMS agencies have are gold-tier honorees from the Florida Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Recognition Program.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 6, 2025
Sarasota County emergency agencies earn statewide recognition

Sarasota County Fire Department and EMS earn top-tier status from the Florida Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Recognition Program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brando Fetzek, vice president and project executive for NDC Construction Company and Jessica Roddenberry, the project manager from HKS Architects & Designers led the tour.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 6, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 school is set to open for elementary students in August

HKS Architects and Designers along with NDC Construction Company are working to ensure they deliver phase one in time for the 2025-2026 school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bradenton's 7-year-old Ensley Rondenne learns archery at Rye Preserve May 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2025
Youth archery program hits the mark at Rye Preserve

Spots are still available for summer camp. Monthly classes will resume in September.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 6923 Westchester Circle has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,010 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 6, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for April 21-25 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club Village home on Westchester Circle tops the week’s sales at $4.45 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Foulmouthed driver starts verbal dispute after parking in private lot
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 6, 2025
Foulmouthed driver starts verbal dispute after parking in private lot

After calling the complainant profanities via text and in person, police action was warranted. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The Out-of-Door Academy football team has made a habit out of setting high expectations just four years removed from not having enough players to finish a season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 6, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy football readies for 'best season'

The Thunder are armed with seasoned seniors and promising underclassmen.

  • East County
  • Sports
An updated rendering of the Broadway Roundabout from the May 1 public discussion.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 6, 2025
Town presents Broadway Roundabout updates to Longboat community

The project team expects to receive bids in early 2026 as the Broadway Roundabout project heads toward preliminary construction milestones.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering by SB Architects of 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, which will include 117 condominiums in the west tower (right) and a Hyatt Centric Harborside hotel in the east.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 6, 2025
Hyatt redevelopment adjustment upheld

The Sarasota City Commission affirmed its confirmation of the Planning Board approval of a driveway relocation for the Hyatt Regency redevelopment, paving the way for site plan consideration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former county administrator Scott Hopes has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2025
Former Manatee County administrator faces additional charges

While four additional charges were filed, Scott Hopes filed a motion to dismiss three of the charges.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota residents Larry and Susan Siebl were fans of O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill before hurricanes Milton and Helene, and they were thrilled to join staff in celebrating the official reopening on Friday.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 5, 2025
Rum runner fans rejoice at O'Leary's reopening

Say goodbye to the boat wrecked on this Sarasota Tiki bar's dock and hello to a revamped bay-side experience.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Joe Cartelli and Rhonda Daniels show off their moves on the dance floor at FemCity's latest Egyptian-themed fundraiser for Teen Court.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 5, 2025
Teen Court benefits from latest FemCity fashion fundraiser

Artists walked the runway at Marina Jack on Friday evening to help raise funds for offering young offenders a second chance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Juice Pod serves cold press juices, smoothies, bowls, wellness shots and specialty toasts.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 5, 2025
The Juice Pod is open on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

After a series of setbacks, owners Tali and Jeremy Williams are up and running with the brand's first Florida franchise.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Debbie Coulter, Beth Otto, Jana Pendery and Terri Guthier get in the Kentucky Derby spirit on Saturday at Lo' Key Island Grille.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 5, 2025
Kentuckians in Longboat Key root on derby contestants

Lo' Key Island Grille owners said considering one hails from Lexington, they couldn't pass up hosting a watch party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Obsidian condo tower appeal set for May 13
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2025
Obsidian condo tower appeal set for May 13

Opposition to the approved 348-foot, 14-unit condo tower will go before the Sarasota City Commission on Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Corvettes on the Circle returned on Saturday to St. Armands Circle after last year's hiatus, celebrating 26 years of bringing together fans of the brand.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 5, 2025
Corvette fans rejoice at return of beloved car showcase

Fans of Corvettes on the Circle applauded the event's return this year, which they missed last year due to logistical disputes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Karen Hall and her partner Paul Voloshen watch the musical performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 5, 2025
Art Ovation Hotel celebrates Kentucky Derby with Derby Day

With live music and elegant hats, the event combined the sporting event with the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The archry show concludes, with Attila Toth at the center of the group.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 4, 2025
Hungarian festival connects people of different nationalities

The event, now in its 18th year, features archery, falconry shows, live music and dance, and other offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artist April Davis puts finishing touches on a painting.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 4, 2025
Downtown Sarasota hosts Spring Craft Fair

The event showcased works by artisans such as jewelry, photography, painting.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
"Have a good time and forget about what people think," said Jerry Wood. He and his wife of 56 years Carol Wood dance to the blues music, being the only ones dancing at the time.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 4, 2025
Main Street comes alive for Music on Main

Music on Main consisted of live musical entertainment, inflatable games for kids and food and business vendors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County is considering purchasing 9000 Town Center Parkway for a new administration building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 4, 2025
Manatee County government looks at moving east

Staff is proposing to move the administration building to Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Ecological connectivity is critical for imperiled native species such as Florida scrub jays, who were last observed at Myakka in 2005.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • May 4, 2025
Connectivity key to healthy habitats

Wildlife corridors help maintain natural processes that support clean air, rich soil and freshwater.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Benjamin Hansen plays Scar.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 3, 2025
'The Lion King Jr.' pounces onto the stage

Students at the Woodland Fine Arts Academy have been working on the production since August.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kenneth Ordonez and his elementary teacher Joadie Durfee got to reunite at the gathering. Ordonez described Durfee as not only a teacher, but a good friend.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 3, 2025
Past Braden River Elementary students gather before graduating high school

Seven years after graduating elementary school, Manatee County seniors reunited with old friends and teachers to reminisce before graduating high school and heading separate ways once more.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Longboat Key Police Department.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 3, 2025
Longboat Key starts search for new police chief

The town hopes to have the best candidate selected by mid-June while Frank Rubino continues in the interim role.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Just off the Legacy Trail north of Bahia Vista Street, the entire neighborhood was flooded from rain from Hurricane Debby.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 3, 2025
Several approaches to Phillippi Creek flooding, dredging in play

Federal spending and local financing form the basis for projects moving forward.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Second-degree murder warrant issued in Sarasota homicide
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2025
Second-degree murder warrant issued in Sarasota homicide

Shooting took place Thursday evening near the intersection of 17th Street and U.S. 301.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Blues musicians Miguel Primero and Steve Arvey play at Jiggs Landing April 24.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 2, 2025
Thursdays are for the blues at Jiggs Landing

The preserve offers live music every day for three hours before sunset.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The rear of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall stands just feet away from Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 2, 2025
Early draft reports suggest the Van Wezel is 'obsolete'

Purple Ribbon Committee members submitting their draft portions of the final report lean toward no reuse of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall if replaced by a new facility.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Laura Muth celebrates landing her first hole-in-one shot at the Women's Golf Association end-of-season party with Terry O'Hare, director of golf.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 2, 2025
Women's Golf Association celebrates end of season

The Women's Golf Association of Longboat Key closed out the season with a luau-themed luncheon and a few rounds on the green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
John Hettler, principal and founder of SOSA said he is very grateful to the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation for their generous donation towards the new playground equipment and necessary repairs. Executive director Kate Mulligan and president Mark Clark were amongst the members of the foundation present.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 2, 2025
Sea of Strengths Academy receives grant for new playground

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation presented them with a grant for $8,700 to go towards the playground after Kelly Gonzalez, a parent at the school, wrote approximately 30 different ones.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Former Longboat Key Garden Club president Susan Phillips and current president Melanie Dale thoughtfully map out a phased approach to rebuilding Bicentennial Park from hurricane damage.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 2, 2025
Longboat Key Garden Club digs into Bicentennial Park renovation

After working hard to raise funds through the Taste of the Keys, Arts in April and other efforts, the Longboat Key Garden Club is moving ahead with fixing up Bicentennial Garden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Peachey's Baking Co. is at 4800 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. It is located in the Landings shopping center.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 2, 2025
Peachey's Baking Co. sets opening date in Sarasota

The wildly popular donut business is coming to the Landings shopping center.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Layla Vaughn and Aureliano Mora are student council members at McNeal Elementary that acted as announcers for the leadership day event.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 1, 2025
McNeal Elementary nurtures student leaders through Leader In Me program

The seven habits are “Be Proactive,” “Begin with the End In Mind,” “Put First Things First,” “Think Win-Win,” “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood,” “Synergize” and “Sharpen the Saw.”

  • East County
  • Schools
Damage to the Sparito Pier beneath the Ringling Bridge is estimated at $1.3 million.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 1, 2025
Sarasota estimates $17 million remains in post-storms damage

According to a city report it will take two years and $17.4 million to repair hurricane damage and replace lost piers in Sarasota parks along the waterfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This home on Hudson Pointe Drive was built in 1953 and has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,738 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 1, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for April 14-18 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A two-home property at 1610 Hudson Pointe Drive tops the week's sales at $2,527,000.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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