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Your Observer

Sophomore Johnny Lackaff (No. 12) should be a key returner for the Sailors after leading the team in scoring this season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 12, 2025
Sarasota-area prep basketball teams look to the future

The Tornadoes and Sailors have what it takes to be back in the state tournament next year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A new historical marker was dedicated at Gillespie Park.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 12, 2025
New Gillespie Park historical marker honors Sarasota's first mayor

The new marker honors the contributions of John Hamilton Gillespie, the "father of Sarasota," in the park bearing his name.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Adult Soccer Club's Over 50 team poses together with a trophy after winning its league championship 3-2 over Saint Petersburg FC Aztecs on March 9.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Adult Soccer Club embraces its differences

The club features 38 nationalities among its 145 members.

  • East County
  • Sports
Numbers for SPAC are not adding up
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • March 12, 2025
Numbers for SPAC are not adding up

The burden of overbuilding performance centers will fall on the Sarasota taxpayers.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Gulf Coast Leadership Institute Class of 2024.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 12, 2025
Applications now accepted for 2025 Gulf Coast Leadership Institute

The annual initiative of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation is designed to develop leadership skills in service to community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota softball player Sommer Speers is coming off a week in which she delivered six hits, five runs and seven RBIs to help the Sailors go 3-2.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 12, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Sommer Speers

The senior Sailors softball player is batting over .500 this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee County previously planned to bring a learning center and community space to Whitney Plaza.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 12, 2025
Longboat, Manatee County officials discuss options for north-end center

Manatee County officials expressed interest in continuing the project in a new, permanent location and potentially entering a short-term lease in the interim.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Florida’s lawsuit against Target: hypocrisy
  • By Adrian Moore, Ari Cohn
  • March 12, 2025
Florida’s lawsuit against Target: hypocrisy

In February Florida’s attorney general filed a federal lawsuit against the Target Corp. on behalf of the State Board of Administration.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Azario's Bob and Ann Kasperski raise puppies for Dogs, Inc.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 12, 2025
Retired Lakewood Ranch couple raises puppies for Dogs Inc.

The puppies Bob and Ann Kasperski raise turn into working dogs that assist people with disabilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hotel hijinks highlight busy weekend by the bay
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 12, 2025
Hotel hijinks highlight busy weekend by the bay

Officers respond to a valet area fight, an abandoned woman and a deserted man at three bayside Sarasota hotels. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Construction on Upper Manatee River Road has been underway since August 2024, so it's hit commissioners' "point of no return."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 12, 2025
Will more lanes solve traffic concerns in Manatee County?

Commissioners say their priority should be to improve existing infrastructure as opposed to adding more lanes.

  • East County
  • News
The Yawl Lane property has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 7,374 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 12, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 24-28 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Country Club Shores home on Yawl Lane tops the week’s sales at $4.56 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
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
  • March 12, 2025
City to decide on Hyatt appeal, SPAC agreement on Monday

The SPAC implementation agreement and the appeal of Hyatt Regency redevelopment approval highlight Monday's Sarasota City Commission agenda.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Edward Pinto, one of the minds behind the development of St. Armands Circle's attention-grabbing sculptures, says there is a renewed effort underway to restore some of the damaged pieces.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 12, 2025
Restoration project to bring St. Armands statues back to life

Edward Pinto is leading a renewed effort to restore the damaged statues on St. Armands Circle to their former glory, calling on the public to show its support.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The town of Longboat Key honored Vice Mayor Mike Haycock with a plaque to celebrate his nine years of service to the town.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 12, 2025
Vice Mayor Mike Haycock reflects on nine years of service to Longboat Key

Haycock reaches his term limit for commission but hopes to continue giving back to the community after some world travel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key's Bayfront Park is one of Suncoast Waterkeeper's weekly sampling sites.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 12, 2025
Suncoast Waterkeeper releases 2024 water quality report

The report shows trends in the region's concentrations of enterococci, a bacteria that is a fecal matter indicator.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Back row: Seniors Baron Dennis, Amari Lopez, Elias Juckett-Malone, Marisa VonBender, Matthew Crawford, Parker Wilding and Shen Miller. Front Row: Seniors Ella Collier, Emma Grimes, and Alexa Smith, junior Camila Diaz and senior Chase Wanless
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 12, 2025
Teen Court of Sarasota honors largest group of scholarship recipients

The annual awards dinner celebrated 18 young members of the organization, who received scholarships.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The end of property taxes?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 12, 2025
The end of property taxes?

Gov. DeSantis has achieved extraordinary results in his six years. Ending property taxes would be the clincher.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lyn Haycock, Mike Haycock, Susan Phillips and Steve Branham celebrate Branham's win at his home on March 11. Branham will take over the at-large seat currently held by Mike Haycock.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 11, 2025
Steve Branham wins race for Longboat Key at-large commission seat

Branham will take over the at-large seat currently held by Mike Haycock. The town's subaqueous loan referendum and two charter amendments passed, as well.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The purple line running from the Key to the orange dot represents the town-owned wastewater pipeline.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 11, 2025
Longboat Key voters approve loan option for wastewater main replacement

The referendum asked voters if the town should be allowed to pursue a low-interest loan option to pay for the required underwater force main replacement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Salads, bowls and wraps are on the menu at Flower Child.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 11, 2025
National healthy restaurant to make Florida debut in Lakewood Ranch

Flower Child offers a menu filled with fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Longboat Island Chapel is the Manatee County precinct for Longboat Key voters.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer, Dana Kampa
  • March 11, 2025
Longboat Key voters cast their ballots for March 2025 election

The first contested commission ballot since 2018, plus three other ballot measures, drew a small but steady crowd at the island’s two polling locations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kim Hinkle and Erin Guzzo
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 11, 2025
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto celebrates 2025 Youth of the Year

The nonprofit highlighted the achievements of all of its Youth of the Year finalists at the event March 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rider Mia Bagnato clears the new sandcastle jump at TerraNova Equestrian Center. TerraNova hosts the Split Rock Jumping Series Finale March 15 in Myakka City.
  • By Eric Garwood
  • March 11, 2025
Top jumpers come to TerraNova Equestrian Center for Split Rock Finale

The Myakka City facility continues to grow in reputation in equestrian sports.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Built in 2007, the home at 213th St. E. has four bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,501 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 11, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 24-28 in Lakewood Ranch

A Pomello Park home on 213th Street East tops the week's sales at $4.28 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch junior centerfielder Carter Sprague leads the Mustangs in hits, runs, batting average and stolen bases this season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Carter Sprague

The Lakewood Ranch junior centerfielder leads the Mustangs in several offensive statistics.

  • East County
  • Sports
Resident Lenny Nelson, who said he was pleasantly surprised by the community open house, picks up a free book and checks out other local resources.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 11, 2025
Second Town Green open house on Longboat Key unites community

Nonprofits, religious groups, small businesses and educational services all came together for a community open house on Saturday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
First-time author brings psalms to life with poetry, essays
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 11, 2025
First-time author brings psalms to life with poetry, essays

Stephen Huebner said he hopes readers are enlightened by his pithy yet informative reflections on ancient writings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A preliminary conceptual rendering by Kobi Karp Architecture of Adagio as viewed from the intersection of South Palm Avenue and Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 11, 2025
Big downtown Sarasota project faces big adjustments

The city's Development Review Committee tells the developer of Adagio it must reduce apartment density and height to comply with zoning codes prior to formally submitted plans.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioners Mike Rahn and Tal Siddique vote against terminating the contract with Red Speed.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 11, 2025
Manatee commissioners shut down speed cameras, fine collections continue

A motion by Commissioner Robert McCann to refund $100 citations was changed to terminate the speed detecting program entirely.

  • East County
  • News
Learning from previous disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton will likely be a topic at Longboat Key's Disaster Preparedness Seminar on March 26.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 11, 2025
Longboat Key disaster prep seminar set for March 26

Guests will hear from a panel of guest speakers about emergency preparedness during one of the island's most well-attended events.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Liliana Torres and Jennifer Hache cuddle a pair of the 2-month-old boston terrier puppies that Nate's Honor Animal Rescue brought in its puppy wagon to the Bird Key dog parade.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 11, 2025
Bird Key Women's Association smashes doggy fundraising goals

The Bird Key Women's Association said it more than doubled the money raised at its last dog parade to support Nate's Honor Animal Rescue.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gulfside Road, which is usually flooded with large storms, was no different in Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 11, 2025
Longboat Key updates resiliency plan after back-to-back hurricanes

The 2025 revision includes updated information about the town's progress toward resiliency goals and how the hurricanes changed some aspects of the plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Led by Danielle Gladding, the models of this year's St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church take a last lap on the catwalk at Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 10, 2025
St. Mary show on Longboat Key benefits fashionistas, fauna

This year's St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church fashion show drew about 250 people.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jacob Fuentes, left, and Matthew Ireland were two of several Braden River wrestlers who helped each other stay sharp during after-school practice ahead of the state championships.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 10, 2025
Braden River HS sends program-record 8 wrestlers to state championships

Learn more about the wrestlers who had a record-breaking season.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation is helping Manatee County upgrade the ball hockey rink at Lakewood Ranch Park with an $87,000 donation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 10, 2025
Tampa Bay Lighting adds upgrades to Lakewood Ranch hockey rink

The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation donated $87,000 to Manatee County to make improvements to the outdoor rink.

  • East County
  • News
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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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