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Your Observer

The Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant can filter 84 million gallons of water per day.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 10, 2026
Manatee County changes plans for water supply needs

Current demand projections indicate the need for an additional 5 million gallons of water per day by 2030.

  • East County
  • News
Sweetwater's Whit and Taylor Wesenberg founded Humu's Island Treasures after selling five handmade art pieces within a day of being posted on Facebook marketplace.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch small business carves out good vibes

Humu's Island Treasures sells carved and painted art pieces via social media and art shows.

  • East County
  • Business
Gemma Mulhollen boasts a 4-0 record for Sarasota softball through the team's first five games of 2026. As of March 8, the junior has thrown seven times as many strikeouts as earned runs allowed.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 10, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Gemma Mulhollen

The junior has been dominant in the circle early this season for Sarasota softball.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lynne Short, chair of the Centennial Committee at the Sarasota Yacht Club, shares how the club dove into its own history to produce a book and a full year of events based on the past 100 years. She stands beside a model of the Zalophus, a 125-foot yacht John Ringling purchased in 1922.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 10, 2026
Uncovering stories from 100 years of Sarasota Yacht Club history

After navigating a history that includes a wartime government occupancy, the Sarasota Yacht Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a big yearlong bash.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A Lakehouse Cove at Waterside home at 7947 Waterbend Trail sold for $1,827,000. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,654 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 10, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 23-27 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lakehouse Cove at Waterside home on Waterbend Trail tops the week's sales at $1.83 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The town of Longboat Key is considering a new code addressing solar panels, which would clarify regulations around them. This home in the Village installed solar panels before the 2024 hurricanes and relied on them for backup power after the storms.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 10, 2026
Longboat Key considers rules on solar panels

If approved, the town will add a chapter to its code dedicated to solar panel regulations to help owners understand what is and isn't allowed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of Artscape, an affordable housing artist community planned for the 2300 block of North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 10, 2026
Affordable housing project takes center stage for the arts community

One Stop Housing and the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County are teaming up on Artscape, an affordable housing development for members of the arts community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police respond to marina where boat owner was stowing away contractors
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 10, 2026
Police respond to marina where boat owner was stowing away contractors

The owner of a boat slip hid painters on his boat to evade marina staff trying to enforce a no painting rule. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Rex Jensen welcomes Fabienne and Brett Hutchens to the party at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 9, 2026
Having fun makes horse sense at the Sarasota Polo Club

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch hosts a "fun day" Polo Brunch party with 250 guests.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Temple Beth Israel Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates holds up artwork by Nathan Hilu, an artist who primarily depicted the post-WWII Nuremberg Trials. The temple hosted a free screening of the documentary about his work, "Nathan-ism," on March 6.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 9, 2026
Post-WWII art film and gallery unveiling touches Longboat viewers

Temple Beth Israel hosted a free showing of "Nathan-ism," a documentary showcasing the artwork of a veteran centered on the post-WWII Nuremberg trials.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • March 9, 2026
For Sale: 14215 Kinglet Terrace, Lakewood Ranch

A Private Poolside Sanctuary in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Al Van Iten helps out shopper Jenny Phillips with her purchase of a teak shower set at the Royal Rummage Sale. Van Iten said he appreciates helping out the charitable effort while getting to meet interesting people.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 9, 2026
Crowds come out en force for Royal Rummage Sale

The fundraiser sale at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church saw pre-opening lines extending to Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan, Meals on Wheels Plus President and CEO Maribeth Phillips, and Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation President Jeffrey Toale gather together after Phillips accepted a $25,000 grant to beautify Daybreak.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 9, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation honors 2025 grant recipients

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation gave $90,000 worth of grants to 22 nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mark Daunt from The Resort at Longboat Key Club doles out a sweet pick-me-up from the organization’s booth at the 3rd annual Town of Longboat Key Open House on March 7 at the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 9, 2026
Longboat town open house features nearly 40 reps

Organizations from local departments, businesses, nonprofits and more connected with community members at the March 7 open house.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A Sleepy Lagoon resident takes a look at engineering plans at a public meeting at Bayfront Park Wednesday, March 4.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 9, 2026
Engineering firm presents Longboat road-raising, drainage plans

Water bubbling up from storm drains during high tide has prompted the town to spend on stormwater improvements and road raising in the Sleepy Lagoon neighborhood.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Leighton Paul holds team-high marks for batting average, runs and hits through the first six games of the Pirates' 2026 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 9, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Leighton Paul

With red-hot hitting, the junior has been an offensive force for Braden River High softball.

  • East County
  • Sports
Alderman Oaks currently has 60 assisted living units. It is seeking to add kitchens to convert them to independent living.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 9, 2026
Retirement center zoning change will allow business model shift

The Sarasota City Commission was divided in its approval to rezone Alderman Oaks Retirement Center, allowing a shift from assisted to independent living.

  • Sarasota
  • News
18 of the 30 Citizens Academy graduates pose for a photo at Town Hall after being recognized by town leaders at the March 2 Town Commission meeting for completing the seven-week program.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 8, 2026
Longboat Citizens Academy graduates celebrated

Citizens Academy participants completed a seven-week program to learn how the town of Longboat Key operates and the services it provides to residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Olivier Latry takes a bow.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 8, 2026
Notre-Dame organist offers concert dedicating pipe organ at SAKLC

Olivier Latry visited Sarasota to provide the concert that dedicated the St. Armands Lutheran Church's Schantz pipe organ installed in 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Madison Hokanson, 5, and Jaxson Hokanson, 2, came dressed for the occasion to the Irish Celtic Festival at Greenbrook Adventure Park on March 7.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 8, 2026
Irish Celtic Festival paints the park green in Lakewood Ranch

The Irish Celtic Festival featured Irish music, dance, food and more at the Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This map shows the potential routes considered to replace the aging metal subaqueous wastewater pipeline which connects Longboat Key's wastewater to a Manatee County treatment center across Sarasota Bay. The line in solid light green is the route that was chosen, and the solid red and purple lines show where the existing pipe is located.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 8, 2026
Town to apply for loan for subaqueous project

Longboat Key is making moves in preparation for the beginning of the subaqueous wastewater pipeline replacement, expected to break ground this summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Scholarship recipients CJ Conaway and Amaury Castillo-Acevedo
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 7, 2026
Teen Court of Sarasota gives out record scholarship dollar amount

The organization issued $40,000 worth of scholarships to 20 students at its annual dinner March 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kiana Nahale, 3, meets a hawksbill turtle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 7, 2026
Attendees discover the 'wonders of water' at Bay Fest

Now in its third year, the event brought together various conservation organizations to showcase the life found in Sarasota's local waterways.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 7, 2026
Bankrupt Saks Fifth Avenue to close Sarasota-UTC store

A Saks has been in the Sarasota-Manatee market for at least three decades.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A boat is attached by a red strap to land as it lies under a dock in disrepair in a canal off General Harris Street. Longboat Key Fire Department determined the vessel is not leaking fuel.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 7, 2026
Boat sinks in Longboat canal

A boat behind a house that has been vacant since the 2024 hurricanes has now sunk completely.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The former Mixon Fruit Farms store is being discussed as a future site for a library.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 7, 2026
Monthly farmers market coming to Mixon Farms site

The first round opens March 15, with dates in April and May. A nine-month season will resume in September.

  • East County
  • News
Jim and Ellen Kelleher take in the breeze from Sarasota Bay while socializing at the March 3 St. Armands Key Residents Association dinner at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 6, 2026
St. Armands residents hone long-term, community-based vision

The annual dinner recognized residents Mike Adkinson and Mary Lynn Cheatham for their contributions to the St. Armands community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gracie, who was trained at Dogs Inc., has returned happiness to the life of Lakewood Ranch's Mark Thornsbrough.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 6, 2026
By the Grace of Dogs Inc., Lakewood Ranch resident sees the light

Detached retinas sent Mark Thornsbrough into darkness and depression, but Gracie the guide dog has restored his passion for life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Medallion Home's Kellie Reith (left) and Mark Santiago (right) chat with Judy Athari (center) of Berkshire Hathaway during the 2026 Manatee Realtor Preview event March 5 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 6, 2026
Realtors, builders ready for the parade in Lakewood Ranch-area

The Suncoast Builders Association runs its 2026 Parade of Homes from March 7-29.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Concession Golf Club is hosting the Senior PGA Championship April 16-19.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 6, 2026
Sarasota OKs $1.5 million for golf tournament tourism promotion

Visit Sarasota County has been allocated $1.5 million for tourism promotion during the PGA Senior Championship tournament April 16-19 at The Concession.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This photo offers an idea of what the townhomes would have looked like if approved.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 5, 2026
Manatee County commissioners deny 232 townhomes off Lorraine Road

During the same land use meeting, commissioners approved a freestanding ER on State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
Gail Cristello will be a featured artist at the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch's Spring Art Show and Sale March 14 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 5, 2026
Late start doesn't keep Lakewood Ranch artist from success

Country Club's Gail Cristello will be a featured artist at the Creative Art Association's Spring Art Show and Sale.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Map shows the three areas of Sarasota's draft traffic calming plan.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 5, 2026
City plans community meetings about draft traffic-calming plan

Three community meetings are planned to introduce and gather input about the city's draft neighborhood traffic calming plan maps.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pink Milkweed is a native, re-seeding plant, dormant in winter, that draws monarch and queen butterflies.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 5, 2026
Test your knowledge of native plants

These are some of the plants adapted to Florida's soil conditions and environment.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lengthy search concludes for new Sarasota city manager
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 5, 2026
Lengthy search concludes for new Sarasota city manager

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously agrees to hire Karie Friling to lead the city staff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Coach Ty Bryant cuts down the net Feb. 27 after Booker girls basketball's FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship. The Tornadoes have now reached the state semifinals in four of six seasons under his direction.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 5, 2026
Booker girls basketball rallies behind midseason turnaround

The Tornadoes struggled early in 2025-26 but corrected course and are headed to the state semifinals.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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