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Your Observer

State and local commitments help preserve the timeless beauty and ecological integrity of the only Florida State-designated Wild and Scenic River.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • March 29, 2025
Myakka Act protects wild and scenic river values

Upland river buffers help preserve and enhance this quintessential natural treasure.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Community members help "push in" the newest fleet addition at Fire Station 92.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 28, 2025
Longboaters lend hands to 'push in' for new fleet addition

Families packed Station 92 for this year's open house hosted by the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Charles Stottlemyer (1929-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • March 28, 2025
Charles Edward “Charlie” Stottlemyer

Charles Edward “Charlie” Stottlemyer, devoted husband, loving dad and “Poppi”, faithful friend, successful businessman, and generous community leader, was called home to his Lord on March 20, 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Cirque St. Armands Beachside is at 233 Benjamin Franklin Drive on Sarasota's Lido Key.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 28, 2025
Circus-themed hotel opens on Lido Key near St. Armands

Cirque St. Armands Beachside, a 135-room luxury property, pays tribute to Sarasota's history as a circus town with its design and name.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bo Mortensen's dog Rocko stands amid the dust in his Rye Wilderness Estates backyard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 28, 2025
Manatee County revisits construction dust control issue

It's been a year since commissioners first addressed the issue, but residents say not much has changed.

  • East County
  • News
Casey Key suffered extensive damage from the 2024 hurricane season.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 28, 2025
After a battering from Helene and Milton, Casey Key roars back to life

The past hurricane season hit Casey Key hard. Yet a sign things are getting better lies in the renewal of a popular beach pastime: parking hassles. "The biggest complaint I've seen from people," says one business owner, "is (lack of) beach parking."

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Anne Essner, board chair of Architecture Sarasota, is a passionate advocate for the preservation of mid-century architecture.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • March 28, 2025
Anne Essner works to preserve Sarasota’s notable buildings for all to enjoy

When she moved to Lido Shores, Anne Essner fell for the Sarasota School's aesthetic. Now, as board chair of Architecture Sarasota, she leads the preservation and celebration of mid-century design.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brothers Dom and Vince Marino and their friend and colleague Matt DeMasi seek to grow the profile of Oyster Boys Conservation.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • March 28, 2025
Two brothers clean up Sarasota's waterways — one oyster shell at a time

Oyster shells can create habitat for all kinds of water-cleansing critters. Two brothers — both under 30 — have made it their mission to spread them far and wide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chef Damian Manfré is known for his expertise in curating innovative menus and creating unforgettable dining experiences.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 28, 2025
With 6 restaurants to helm, St. Regis chef shares his favorites

Culinary mastermind Damian Manfré keeps one eye on the traditions of the past and another eye on the innovations of the future.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sarasota County has issued a burn ban to help prevent wildfire.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 27, 2025
Sarasota County issues burn ban

Because of local drought conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards, Sarasota County has issued a countywide burn ban.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Damascus awes the crowd by lifting himself up after a command from Rebecca McCullough.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 27, 2025
Lipizzan Stallion stalwart finds time to pen a novel in Myakka City

Rebecca McCullough's love of horses in Myakka City isn't fiction. But her "Planet of Equus" is, indeed, fiction.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
L.L. Bean has long been known for its rugged outdoors clothing, but the company says its first Florida store at UTC in Sarasota will sport plenty of tropical wear that the locals will love.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 27, 2025
L.L. Bean sees exciting new market as it opens at UTC

The store at 111 North Cattlemen Road in the University Town Center of Sarasota will be L.L. Bean's first Florida location.

  • East County
  • Business
East County's Seth Heiland launches a bean bag during a game of cornhole.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 27, 2025
Waterside Place offers more than food trucks on Wednesdays

Ranch Nite Wednesday offers cornhole, volleyball, miniature golf and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire Rescue responded to an accident near Sloop Lane around 5:15 a.m. on Thursday, March 27.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 27, 2025
Gulf of Mexico Drive reopens after accident in construction area

The road was temporarily closed near Sloop Lane due to a two-vehicle accident that occurred around 5:15 a.m. on Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering by PSDW Architecture of the proposed new Sarasota Youth Sailing facility at City Island.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 27, 2025
Sarasota Sailing Squadron makes big plans for growth

As the Sarasota Sailing Squadron faces hurricane damage repairs and builds a new youth sailing education facility, the city of Sarasota is extending the organization a longer lease on life.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cards are set out for pickup at the Sarasota Philanthropy Center.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 27, 2025
Gulf Coast Community Foundation's 'You Matter' campaign gets underway

The "You Matter" cards are intended to inspire kindness in the community by showing appreciation for others.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 4201 Palacio Drive was built in 1993 and has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,708 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 27, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 10-14 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Robert Sanderling Road tops the week's sales at $8.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
From left, Sarasota County EDC's Josh Ewen, Erin Silk and board member and County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 27, 2025
Sarasota EDC adapts to county funding cut

The Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County is responding to the business tax elimination by employing greater efficiencies.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michael Deshield sings on the balcony.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 27, 2025
Balcony opera performances share the music form with the public

Apprentice artists have joined the lineup in the Sarasota Opera's weekly performance for the public, held each Saturday on the balcony.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Eric Fleming is fond of saying the chamber, and Siesta Key, is open business.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • March 27, 2025
Siesta Key Chamber gets back to business in its new office

An all-in-this-together mindset is prevalent at the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce as it, and the community, gets back to business after the storms of 2024.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A loggerhead hatchling heads to the water after being released.
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • March 27, 2025
Sea turtles have a successful season

Sea turtles love our area as much as people do — but they need a little help from their human friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cheryl Taub has been drawing since she was old enough to hold a crayon.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • March 27, 2025
These Key artists take inspiration from their surroundings

Local creators share how their home bases on Sarasota's barrier islands give them an artistic boost.

  • Arts + Culture
Crystal Waters, a custom-built West Indies-style residence on Siesta Key, hit the market at $31.5 million.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • March 27, 2025
Why $30 million listings have come to our area, and why they're here to stay

The high-end waterfront market in the area is getting pricier and pricier, with multiple homes listed for $10 million and up. A few top $20 million — and even a few more are hitting $30 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brandon and Colton Hyde have spent spring training together every year that Brandon has been on an MLB coaching staff.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 27, 2025
Cardinal Mooney pitcher shares bond with father, Orioles manager

In the spring, Colton Hyde is a pitcher for the Cougars before heading north to be a batboy for the Baltimore Orioles.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Noah Shadowens
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 27, 2025
Ringling student sculpts facial reconstruction bust to help solve cold case

The Forensic Art of Facial Reconstruction Workshop led by Joe Mullins, at Ringling College of Art and Design, helped lead to the resolution of a case with the Medical Examiner's Office in Fort Myers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joel and Gail Morganroth have lived on Siesta Key for about 12 years.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 27, 2025
The Morganroths use their involvement — not just their checks — to make an impact

It's hard to remain low-profile when you have donated more than $30 million to some of the region's iconic institutions: Selby, Ringling and SMH. Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth have nearly pulled it off.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A beach cabana provides the perfect spot for lazy afternoons on the sand.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • March 27, 2025
Memories and more fill a lavish Casey Key estate

This beachfront mansion, complete with guest suite, gives a nod to its origins as the house that pretzels built.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Devaney Iglesias, Manager of External Affairs for Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Florida Power & Light Company
  • March 27, 2025
Building a Brighter Future: How Volunteerism Powers Southwest Florida

FPL celebrates 100 years in the community, one truth remains clear: the strongest communities are those where people come together to support one another.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Latham Pools
  • March 27, 2025
Get Out of the Stone Age with a Latham Fiberglass Pool

Say goodbye to labor-intensive upkeep and hello to stress-free relaxation that lasts for decades.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Anisa Mycak, Tania Vitvitsky and Christine Mariconda
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 26, 2025
Humanitarian recounts late 2024 trip to Ukraine, at Selby Library

Tania Vitvitsky shared her observations in the Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv and Lviv regions in August and September 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
'Quite appalling' to call Dr. Fauci 'dishonest'
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • March 26, 2025
'Quite appalling' to call Dr. Fauci 'dishonest'

The scientific community regards COVID vaccines as not perfect, but they save lives.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Senior catcher Ella Trandem smiles as she helps her teammates practice their hitting with some soft toss.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 26, 2025
Winning is no sweat for Riverview softball

An undefeated start has been secondary for a Rams team focused on fun.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche reported a double-digit drop in overall crime rates for the second straight year in 2024.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 26, 2025
Sarasota crime rate drops 40% in two years

Police Chief Rex Troche attributes the downward trend in overall crime — a reduction of 22.2% in 2024, not including the homicides — to continued advancements in using technology.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Playful hair pulling reported as battery
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 26, 2025
Playful hair pulling reported as battery

Platonic friends face police scrutiny after a man pulls a woman's hair because "she likes it," he said. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Nine-year-old Joey Wolf, a member at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, has qualified for the national finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition at Augusta National Golf Club.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 26, 2025
9-year-old Lakewood Ranch golfer to compete at Augusta

Joey Wolf has qualified for the national finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kathy Schimmoller making a quilt during A Stitch & A Prayer.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 26, 2025
Living Lord Lutheran stitches together important quilt program

The Lakewood Ranch church is seeking new members to help its quilting club thrive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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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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