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Your Observer

    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 12, 2018
Jazz Sunday takes a bow

The final Longboat Island Chapel Jazz Sunday worship service took place Feb. 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Players' Cassandra Santiso sets the atmosphere with songs such as "Unforgettable."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 10, 2018
Lakewood Ranch smitten with The Players

The Players Centre for Performing Arts sells out its first gala in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 10, 2018
Art lovers enjoy Sarasota's downtown festival

Warm, sunny day brings out crowds.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Allison Imre, the owner of Grapevine Communications, enjoys her role as a celebrity bartender as she serves Venice's Lynn Massaroni during "Bartending for a Cause" at the Polo Grill & Bar in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 10, 2018
Important tips lead to a good cause in Lakewood Ranch

Guest bartenders at Polo Grill & Bar advise community to support The Food Bank of Manatee.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 10, 2018
Kids tackle fishing

Seminar draws great cast of volunteers to Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 9, 2018
'Lion King' roars to Lakewood Ranch stage

Lakewood Ranch High School theater students perform 'Lion King Jr.'

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 9, 2018
St. Martha dads and daughters dance it out

About 375 St. Martha Catholic School and St. Mary Academy fathers and daughters walked the red carpet at the annual Father Daughter Dance on Feb. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Cougars will be manned on the sidelines by Paul Maechtle next season
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 9, 2018
Cardinal Mooney High names new football coach

The move comes a week after the departure of Drew Lascari.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Christopher Culton is the new football coach at Lakewood Ranch High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 9, 2018
Lakewood Ranch football names new head coach

He brings 14 years of experience from the Naval Academy.

  • East County
  • Sports
The City Commission expressed interest in using any damages from the lawsuit to help fund social programs.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 9, 2018
City Commission approves opioid lawsuit

The city of Sarasota has selected a team of attorneys to take action against pharmaceutical firms doing business in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Craig Fugate, former head of FEMA, is leading the county's after-action review about how it handled a major hurricane.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 9, 2018
Former head of FEMA presents fixes for county's emergency management weaknesses

The key points: Open more shelters earlier and simplify communications to the public.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In addition to the Benjamin Gilkey Fund for Innovation and Pediatric Research, Micael and Laura Gilkey focus on the future and their 13-year-old son, Banyan.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 9, 2018
After loss, Arlington Park family moves forward

A year after losing their son to leukemia, the Gilkey family finds solace in memories - and a fund for future research.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 9, 2018
Garden Club travels to Cuba in style

The club hosted "Shivoo Havana" on Feb. 9 at the Hyatt Regency.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 9, 2018
Willis Elementary dance is flurry of fun

The Snowflake Ball celebrated the love between fathers and their daughters.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mote President and CEO Michael Crosby announces plans for the $130 million aquarium.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 9, 2018
A Conversation with Mote President and CEO Michael Crosby

Following his announcement of plans for a $130 million aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park, Crosby shares Mote's next steps.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 8, 2018
People and pooches mingle at unique happy hour

The Humane Society of Sarasota County's Smoochy Poochy Yappy Hour is back for the second year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alex Stoks with HR&A Advisors speaks to attendees at a Tuesday open house for The Bay Sarasota, held at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 8, 2018
Residents share visions for bayfront

The Bay Sarasota is working with the community to compile ideas for redeveloping the land around the Van Wezel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 8, 2018
Chamber meets, greets and eats with residents

The annual invite, which took place on Feb. 8, brought the chamber to the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The clubhouse sports a resort-like pool area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 8, 2018
Del Webb opens its clubhouse in Lakewood Ranch

New Lakewood Ranch community will host an open house for its "crown jewel" Feb. 10.

  • East County
  • News
An preliminary rendering shows the proposed Mote aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park.
  • By David Conway and Katie Johns
  • February 8, 2018
Mote plans $130 million aquarium at Benderson Park

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium intends to relocate its aquarium facility from City Island to land near University Parkway and I-75.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The V Foundation for Cancer Research and Dick Vitale have announced that the 13th-annual Dick Vitale Gala, to be held on May 11 at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, will honor Jim Harbaugh, Leonard Hamilton and Mike Greenberg.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 8, 2018
Dick Vitale Gala announces honorees for 2018 event

The 13th-annual Gala will celebrate Jim Harbaugh, Leonard Hamilton and Mike Greenberg.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 8, 2018
Women's Guild of St. Mary welcomes new members

New members and old met for a luncheon on Feb. 8.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 8, 2018
A closer look at county budget reductions

Here are the big cuts from each department, approved on Jan. 31 by the County Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • February 8, 2018
Siesta Key nonprofit donates equipment to fire station

The donations will help firefighters better assist people on the beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • February 8, 2018
Inez Stopher

Inez Black Stopher, 88, passed away on January 8, 2018.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Nicholas Bravo
    In Memoriam |
  • February 8, 2018
Nicholas James Bravo

Nicholas James Bravo, 34 years old of Sarasota, passed away Monday, Jan. 29, 2018.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 8, 2018
1-800-Ask-Gary founder Kompothecras charged with DUI

Siesta Key resident stopped on Interstate 75 in Manatee County.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Lisa Hagerman
    In Memoriam |
  • February 8, 2018
Lisa Hagerman

Lisa Jo Hagerman, (June 23, 1956 - Jan. 27, 2018), 61, of Sarasota, Fla., passed away on Jan. 27, 2018.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 8, 2018
Sarasota County Schools receiving security upgrades

As Sarasota County Schools begins a $21 million effort to improve security at schools, officials must overcome unique challenges to keep students safe.

  • Sarasota
  • News
PE teachers Jeff Horr and Mike Young, along with Jessica Banks, assistant head of the lower school and Tanna Horne, head of the lower school, swallowed their pride and a insect.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 8, 2018
ODA kids succeed, so school leaders snack on bugs

Rope jumping challenge exceeds fundraising goal.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
New Sarasota High football coach Spencer Hodges knows learning the history of the program will be vital to his success.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 8, 2018
Sailors' new admiral wastes no time in making a mark

Spencer Hodges had his team sweating on his second day in command.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney High volleyball coach Chad Sutton said he coaches because of the impact coaches had on him as a young athlete.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 8, 2018
'Know your why': Coaches dish on why they do what they do

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
County Administrator Jonathan Lewis
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 8, 2018
Conversation with Jonathan Lewis

Sarasota’s new county administrator discusses his approach to the never-boring job.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A condominium at Summer Cove on Siesta Key recently sold for $2,215,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 8, 2018
Siesta Key condominium sells for $2,215,000

Residential real estate transactions for Jan. 22-26.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Parks and Recreation Manager Jerry Fogle encouraged residents to participate in the master planning process.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 8, 2018
City offers online parks survey

Staff plans to develop of community parks and recreation needs in time for a May meeting with the City Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Alvin's Island will install a new facade if the city approved planned renovations.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 8, 2018
Alvin’s Island plans include new restaurant

The souvenir shop will close to facilitate a series of renovations designed to improve the St. Armands Circle property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
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Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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