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Your Observer

Al Earnst, Don Tersigni and Cliff Hornsby perform at the first Comedy Night fundraiser, part of this year's "Arts in April" on April 17 at the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 18, 2025
Comedians bring impressions, anecdotes to Longboat Key venue

New this year to Arts in April, a comedy night fundraiser went off on Thursday at the Pavilion.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rev. David Svihel stands before the crowd.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 18, 2025
Big gathering heads down Main Street for stations of the cross

The annual walk invited all denominations to celebrate a Good Friday tradition, with 14 stations representing the story of Jesus' crucifixion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jose Fernandez Valdes watches his tee shot on No. 14 at Lakewood National Thursday. He shot 2-under 69 and is tied for the tournament lead through two rounds.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 18, 2025
Leaderboard tightens on cut day at LECOM Suncoast Classic

Jose Fernandez Valdes and Michael Johnson are tied for the lead at 12-under-par.

  • East County
  • Sports
Visit Sarasota County names new visitor experiences coordinator
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2025
Visit Sarasota County names new visitor experiences coordinator

Jennifer Manzanilla Dolgetta joins Visit Sarasota County from First Watch Restaurants group where she was customer care manager.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Two Sarasota apartment projects clear preliminary hurdle
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 18, 2025
Two Sarasota apartment projects clear preliminary hurdle

A multifamily development at the Temple Beth site is one of two apartment projects that have received partial sign-off from the city's Development Review Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Store manager Jessica Siriphokha celebrates the reopening of the Lilly Pulitzer on St. Armands Circle on April 17.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 17, 2025
Longtime Lilly Pulitzer fans share approval of remodeled shop

Six months post-storm, Lilly Pulitzer celebrates reopening on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Larry Thompson has served as president of Ringling College of Art and Design since 1999.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2025
Ringling College president announces retirement plans

Larry Thompson will continue to serve through the 2025-26 academic year, planning to step down in May 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Impact100 SRQ held its fundraising reveal event on April 16 at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2025
Impact100 SRQ raises $864,000 for grants to nonprofits

Grants of $108,000 will be awarded later in 2025 to nonprofits working in five areas of philanthropy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Spencer Levin watches as his ball rolls toward the pin on the par-3 No. 15 at Lakewood National. Levin shot 75.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 17, 2025
Low scores dominate in first round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic

Jorge Fernandez Valdez leads the Korn Ferry Tour event with a 61.

  • East County
  • Sports
Death of Palm Aire couple likely homicide-suicide, investigators say
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2025
Death of Palm Aire couple likely homicide-suicide, investigators say

A weapon and a note were found in connection with the death of a couple in their late 80s, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

  • East County
  • News
Through the new building-permit system, contractors and citizens alike would have added access to construction data on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2025
Longboat rolls out building-permit upgrade

The new system allows deeper access and a standardized approach to the process.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch suggested starting the city manager search over again, including with possibly a new search firm.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 17, 2025
Sarasota retreats back to the full city manager candidate slate

Eschewing the search firm's recommend list of semifinalists, the Sarasota City Commission now wants to scrutinize all 47 remaining candidates for city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota High junior Cooper Robinson placed sixth in the olympic lift and eighth in the traditional lift for the unlimited weight class at the 3A boys weightlifting state championships on April 12 at RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 17, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Cooper Robinson

Sarasota High junior placed top 10 in two categories at boys weightlifting state championships.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 1340 Harbor Drive was built in 1950 and has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,313 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 17, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 31 to April 4 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Bay Island home on Hanson Bayou Road tops the week's sales at $7.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Cynthia Paris
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 17, 2025
Community members laugh together at laughter yoga event

The Florida Day of Laughter was held the weekend of April 5, spanning the Hyatt Place Sarasota Airport and the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Staff members Cesar Huertas, Fredy Sepulveda Ramos, and Johan Guerrero gather with 12th grader Nicolo Moschini on the track.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 17, 2025
Oak Park School cuts the ribbon on new athletic track

The school for students with disabilities received the track through a partnership between the school district and Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
An illustration by E. H. Shepard from "Winnie-the-Pooh"
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 17, 2025
Bookstore1Sarasota to host Winnie the Pooh live radio-style performance

The Gothic Library's adaptation of "The House on Pooh Corner" will be performed April 17 and 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney's No. 1 pairing, Kelsey Fisher and Izzy Russell, celebrate scoring against Bradenton Christian in a 2-0 win on April 9.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 17, 2025
Cardinal Mooney beach volleyball rises to the challenge

A new coach and a depleted roster hasn't changed the Cougars' winning ways.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Riverview girls tennis No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles player Julia Piotrowska plays with unreserved passion on the court.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 16, 2025
Riverview girls tennis star leaves it all on the court

Julia Piotrowska, a senior at Riverview High, brought fiery play with her from Poland.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Chris Wood, the youth minister at Church of the Redeemer, carries the cross during the 13th annual Good Friday Morning Stations of the Cross walk.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 16, 2025
Sarasota's Good Friday procession a seasonal tradition on Main Street

Some government offices are closed, and there will be no classes for public school students.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Laurence Russell Humphreys Parry (1938-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • April 16, 2025
Laurence Russell Humphreys Parry

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Laurence Russell Humphreys Parry on January 7, 2025, at the age of 86.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Fifth graders Charlie Cavallaro and Guadalupe Jaraz created a Medieval-themed car, although some of its components were lost during the races.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 16, 2025
Students race remote-controlled cars of their own design at Faulhaber Fab Lab

Students created vehicles themed after different time periods for the 10th Annual Remote Control Car Competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Rippy's house is in the process of being elevated about 12 feet.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer, Andrew Warfield
  • April 16, 2025
Permitting drastically increases as residents rebuild and repair

Six months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Longboat Key and Sarasota residents scurry for permits during remodels and rebuilds of damaged properties.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
LWRCF's Mark Clark and Kate Mulligan stand with former humanitarians of the year Philip Reber (representing Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's selection in 2021), Bob Smith (2022) and Heather Hackett (2024) in front of the now up-to-date plaque.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 16, 2025
LWR Community Foundation makes a statement by taking care of little problem

Its plaque to honor the humanitarian of the year is once again up-to-date.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Let kids be independent
  • By Adrian Moore, Zachary Christensen
  • April 16, 2025
Let kids be independent

Florida lawmakers are on the verge of giving parents more leeway in deciding how much independence to give to their children and not be charged with neglect.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Volunteers traversed to Sister Keys by kayak and boat for the 2025 Sister Keys cleanup.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer, Dana Kampa
  • April 16, 2025
Longboaters come together for annual Sister Keys Cleanup

A total of 48 volunteers traveled out to the "adopted islands" to haul back about 4,453 pounds of trash and debris on April 12.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lynn Christensen says she's grateful her family and staff have been able to rebuild from the storms as well as they have.
    By
  • Dana Kampa, Ian Swaby
  • April 16, 2025
Residents learn from hurricane damage

After facing widespread infrastructure damage, local business owners and residents are finishing the last of their rebuilding and looking ahead to next season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Derek Robinson beat out Jonathan Leatt by .02 seconds in the 1,600-meter run in the Manatee County Championships on April 10 at Manatee High School.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 16, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High runners' rivalry fuels success

Derek Robinson and Jonathan Leatt push each other to faster times.

  • East County
  • Sports
The real estate market on Longboat Key continues to evolve, including in residential areas like the Village.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 16, 2025
Post-hurricane real estate market hard to pin down

Generally, metro area's prices take a tumble, but that's not true everywhere.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A May 2024 rendering of the Sarasota County library on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 16, 2025
With $2.3M in pledges, Longboat Key's library vision comes closer to reality

Town officials are leading a final push to “Complete the Green” and raise the remaining $1.2 million needed for the larger meeting space and outdoor terrace.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Regent Place home has three bedrooms, four baths and 3,564 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 16, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 31-April 4 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Regent Place on Longboat Club Road tops the week's sales at $3.9 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Shelley Stone (center) accepts her ODA Athletics Hall of Fame award alongside Head of School Debra Otey and current Athletic Director Andres Parra on April 10.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 16, 2025
The Out-of-Door Academy honors its first Hall of Fame class

Former Athletic Director Shelley Stone helped lead ODA to early success in sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
Artists Laurie Foote, left, and Deb Tucker, right, join business owner Heather Rippy at an open house for the newest addition to Driftwood Beach Home and Garden.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 16, 2025
Boutique featuring Longboat artists expands

Driftwood Beach Home and Garden now has two storefronts on the plaza, one catering to decor and the other furniture.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The City of Sarasota is hosting a tree giveaway as part of Earth Month activities at The Bay park.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2025
Free canopy trees to be given away at The Bay

The city of Sarasota's shade tree giveaway event will be held April 25 and 26 with free trees available to city residents as part of environmental awareness events at The Bay park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River senior Anthony Dela Cruz placed sixth in the olympic-style lift and eighth in the traditional-style lift in the 119-pound weight class at the 2A boys weightlifting state championships at RP Funding Center in Lakeland on April 11.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 16, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Anthony Dela Cruz

The Braden River senior placed in traditional and olympic lifts at the 2A state championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
Which is greater: Christ’s birth, resurrection?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 16, 2025
Which is greater: Christ’s birth, resurrection?

Which is the greater: Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, or Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
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
2
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
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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