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Your Observer

Stoneybrook's Eileen Wright says that after seeing how much Korn Ferry Tour caddies earn, she wanted to help them with a place to stay during the LECOM Suncoast Classic
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 2, 2025
Suncoast Classic needs locals willing to host Korn Ferry Tour golfers and caddies

Host families in the Lakewood Ranch area do not need to be golfers or fans to lend a hand.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteers spent about two days painting over the stakes with a fresh coat for the upcoming nesting season.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 2, 2025
Longboat Key Turtle Watch prepares for 2025 nesting season

Volunteers started by repainting about 500 stakes that will be used to mark nests this season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Riverview senior Caroline Steinwachs has scored 3.4 goals per game as the top scorer on the Rams girls lacrosse team this season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 2, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Caroline Steinwachs

Steinwachs scored four goals to help Riverview snap a losing skid.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Architecture Sarasota President Marty Hylton, and Project Manager Marni Burns and Chief Purpose Officer Richard Roark of OLIN pose as Roark holds the award.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 2, 2025
OLIN accepts Philip Hanson Hiss award at Selby Gardens

The award honored the firm's innovative design work, including its work on Selby Gardens' Master Plan.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Round and about on LBK
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 2, 2025
Round and about on LBK

Longboaters sent $102 million across the bay in 2024. Susan Phillips will be missed. Mayor Schneier is setting records.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
New College-USF: Hey, someone make the case
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 2, 2025
New College-USF: Hey, someone make the case

Ah, yes, the never-ending debate: What to do about New College of Florida and the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Clark Road traffic slowed as diesel fuel spill is cleaned up
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2025
Clark Road traffic slowed as diesel fuel spill is cleaned up

Two eastbound lanes near Honore Avenue are closed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Three-car crash on Longboat slows traffic
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2025
Three-car crash on Longboat slows traffic

One lane of Gulf of Mexico Drive initially closed on the south end of the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch freshman Bella Toscano has helped the Mustangs win four straight games to climb back to a .500 record.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 1, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano

Lakewood Ranch freshman has led Mustangs to a four-game win streak.

  • East County
  • Sports
Participants in the walk head down the path at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 1, 2025
All Faiths Food Bank hosts Walk to End Summer Hunger

The annual walk kicked off the food bank's Campaign Against Summer Hunger.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Allen Brown of Embracing Our Differences, Chantima Kaewvichian of Bangok, Thailand, the painter of "Hide or Shine," and its sponsors Tobi Leanna Schneider and Steven Neumeister, gather in front of the art piece. The quote by Kim Howard of Bloomington, Indiana, reads, "Choosing to speak when others are silent is an act of bravery this world needs." "My inspiration for this painting is so simple. It's the feeling to be ourselves, like everybody deserves to be themselves, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone," Kaewvichian said. "I'm very happy, and I'm honored to be the part of this amazing exhibition," she also said.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 1, 2025
Embracing Our Differences hosts celebration of kindness at Bayfront Park

The celebration honored the organization's outdoor art exhibition at the park, and its message of inclusivity and understanding.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program said the 19% increase in seagrass coverage from 2022 to 2024 is an important indicator of the bay's recovery.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 1, 2025
New seagrass survey shows promise for Sarasota Bay's recovery

The results showed a 19% increase in seagrass coverage from 2022 to 2024, and preliminary observations indicate the bay was resilient enough to withstand 2024 storms.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
12th grader Gregory Pech, of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band, plays the bagpipes.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 1, 2025
Gillespie Park celebrates 100th anniversary

The neighborhood honored Sarasota's Scottish heritage as the park and neighborhood celebrated 100 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 7928 Mainsail Lane has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,938 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 1, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 17-21 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Newlane Place tops the week's sales at $4.05 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A Sarasota County employee plants a tree as part of the effort to replace invasive plants at county parks.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2025
Invasive plants removed from Ted Sperling Park

With the help of a $75,000 federal grant, Sarasota County has replaced invasive species with native plants.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Darlene Quiala enjoyed the experience with her friend Areana Thompson.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 1, 2025
Attendees enjoy the vibes at Sarasota Reggae & Food Festival

The event featured food vendors, live music and a vendor market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alleged HOA coup draws Longboat PD response
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 1, 2025
Alleged HOA coup draws Longboat PD response

Officers responded to a report of individuals starting a coup by speaking loudly and delaying a meeting. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The blueberries ripen at different times and are sold at $7/pound.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 1, 2025
Blueberry season begins at Manatee County farms

Manatee County is part of Florida's south central blueberry production region, contributing to approximately 25% of the state's commercial blueberry acreage.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch sophomore Gigi Canali has scored a team-leading 48 goals in a breakout season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 1, 2025
Lakewood Ranch girls lacrosse players have a secret weapon

The Mustangs are hunting for their first regional playoff appearance.

  • East County
  • Sports
Riselle Bain, a voice for inclusion in the cantor tradition, joins Temple Beth Israel for a Passover Seder for women.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 1, 2025
Longboat Key's Temple Beth Israel features special guest at Passover Seder

Cantor Riselle Bain brought her musical talents to Longboat Key on March 25 for a holiday service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The town of Longboat Key's new GIS dashboard gives residents access to data on districts, zoning, condominium construction history and sea level rise predictions.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 1, 2025
Longboat Key goes live with new public-facing GIS mapping tools

New GIS databases give residents access to information about evacuation routes, zoning maps and sea level rise estimates.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The KSA Architecture rendering of Saravela shows two towers of varying heights.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 1, 2025
Sarasota Planning Board rejects alley vacation for multifamily development

The two-tower Saravela application moves on to the City Commission without an endorsement from the Planning Board, which cited a lack of a site plan in its recommendation to deny the vacation of Fourth Way.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Anne and Frank Folsom Smith in 2013.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 31, 2025
Sarasota architect Frank Folsom Smith dies at age 93

The Virginia transplant designed Plymouth Harbor and helped shape downtown.

  • Arts + Culture
Commissioner Jason Bearden calls the Planning Commission a 'recruitment tool' for developers.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 31, 2025
Manatee County commissioners consider booting planning commissioners

Commissioner Jason Bearden says planning commission seats are used as a recruitment tool toward commission seats.

  • East County
  • News
Sue Rinaldo introduces the setlist for the Key of Sea choir performance at the Player's Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 31, 2025
Key of Sea Choral closes out season with uplifting message

Still recovering from its loss of members amid the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the choir invites fellow residents to join.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
With costumed "friar" Rich Irr at the center of it all, members of the Longboat Key Club Friars ring in their annual dinner and awards ceremony.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 31, 2025
Don Kreiss honored at annual Friars Club gathering

The tight-knit cohort of Longboat golfers celebrated a year of increased membership and kinship among existing members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Models prepare to walk to runway at Sarasota Yacht Club's 2025 fashion show.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 31, 2025
Sarasota boutique showcases athleisure with a twist at fashion show

Designer Tatyana Stewart and event chair Karen Kent organized a fashion show with fringe and fun.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sales of Waterside homes, such as this Lakehouse Cove home that sold for $1,775,000 in January, continue to go to contract much faster than the countywide average.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 31, 2025
Lakewood Ranch is still a seller's paradise

With its lifestyle draw, Lakewood Ranch has been insulated against trends in other parts of Sarasota and Manatee counties that have seen real estate sales slow down.

  • East County
  • News
Ukrainian clarinetist Yurii Padkovskyi accompanies pianist Jessé Martins for a performance at The Education Center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 31, 2025
Clarinet, piano duo delight audience at penultimate concert

Chamber musicians celebrate Ukrainian and Brazilian cultures at The Education Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Giroux holds a photo of a senior dog while stressing to the audience to consider adopting older dogs, not just puppies.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 30, 2025
A delightful day for divas and dogs in Lakewood Ranch

The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch hosts its annual Divas and Dogs fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the pedestrian promenade along North Tamiami Trail, regarded as the "front door" of The Bay park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 30, 2025
New light shed on the fate of The Bay's Sunset Pier

Requirements by the Army Corps of Engineers for The Bay park's Sunset Pier inflates the cost by some $20 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brianne Brown provides a "Watch Stander" training at Manatee County's Emergency Operations Center March 26.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 30, 2025
Manatee County strives to become a veteran safe place

The county has partnered with The Fire Watch to provide free training so residents can spot veterans in crisis.

  • East County
  • News
Personnel recruiter Rick Conner speaks to the Sarasota City Commission as city Human Resources Director Stacie Mason looks on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 29, 2025
Sarasota city manager search expands to full field of candidates

Dissatisfied with the culled list, the Sarasota City Commission has asked its recruiting firm to provide background materials on all applicants for city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Guest speakers at the 2025 Disaster Preparedness Seminar spoke about the importance of preparedness and collaboration before and after storms.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 29, 2025
Speakers recount lessons learned, prep methods at disaster prep seminar

Longboat Key's 2025 Disaster Preparedness Seminar included insights into the town's lessons learned as well as advice from local meteorologists and emergency coordinators.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County office formed to oversee housing programs
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2025
Sarasota County office formed to oversee housing programs

The Housing Enhancement and Redevelopment Office is accepting applications for block grants and deferred-payment loans.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Prominent Sarasota nonprofit leader to retire after 10 years
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 29, 2025
Prominent Sarasota nonprofit leader to retire after 10 years

Teri Hansen, the president and CEO of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, was initially hired as the organization's first employee.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
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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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