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Your Observer

    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 18, 2025
Longboat restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving

The following local restaurants plan to feature turkey-centric menus for the holiday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes events on the beach adjacent to its campus.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 18, 2025
Artist retreat receives more than $300,000 in grants

The grants will help fund Hermitage Artist Retreat's operations, storm recovery and programming.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kaden Knott challenges his players during a practice-opening hustle drill. The first-year coach is tasked with leading the Mustangs to their first winning season since 2021-22.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 18, 2025
Coach brings high energy and intensity to Lakewood Ranch boys basketball

The former Florida State graduate assistant looks the part of a program-changing leader.

  • East County
  • Sports
Fax machine goes haywire, mysteriously places 911 call
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 18, 2025
Fax machine goes haywire, mysteriously places 911 call

Police dispatched to a condo complex learn an abandoned 911 call came from a faulty fax machine. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
St. Armands experienced catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in 2024.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 18, 2025
City seeks resilience funding for St. Armands Key

With the backing of the town of Longboat Key, Sarasota has asked the county for $24.5 million in Resilient SRQ grant funding to mitigate flooding on St. Armands.

  • Sarasota
  • News
John Morrison takes his Gadsden flag down after receiving two notices from his homeowners association saying the flag violates community deed restrictions.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 18, 2025
Preserve at Tara HOA tells resident to remove his Gadsden flag

The homeowner says the flag fits within the community's guidelines, but he removed it when threatened with fines.

  • East County
  • News
This Lake View Estates at Lake Club home at 14831 Como Circle ​sold for $3,725,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,096 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 18, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 3-7 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Lake View Estates at Lake Club topped the week’s sales at $3.725 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Eric Konovalov moved to the Lakewood Ranch area five years ago.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 18, 2025
This Lakewood Rancher has found success. Now he helps others do the same.

Grew up poor in a faltering communist country. Bullied in school. Served in combat zones as a U.S. Marine. Sold copiers. Eric Konovalov has done all that — and a lot more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop and Scott Dudley with the Florida League of Cities Advocacy Committee.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 18, 2025
Longboat Key commissioner appointed to FLC committee

Town Commissioner B.J. Bishop has been appointed by Florida League of Cities President Holly Smith.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bert Wood, Karl Kaminski, Hudson Nesmith and Jane Conrad were among the 120 volunteers helping pack meals for Kids Against Hunger on Nov. 8 at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. Part of the meals went to help local families, and part went to support hurricane survivors in Jamaica.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 18, 2025
St. Armands church lends hand to families and hurricane survivors

The meals volunteers helped pack with Kids Against Hunger went to both local families in need and Jamaica's hurricane survivors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Madison Muller poses for a photo after a Nov. 17 practice at Riverview High School. The record-breaking sophomore will lead the Rams into the FHSAA Class 4A girls' cross country state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 18, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Madison Muller

The sophomore placed first for Riverview girls' cross country at the FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Broden Beorlegui poses for a photo before a Nov. 17 practice at Lakewood Ranch High School. He led the Mustangs in goals and assists during the 2024-25 season en route to an FHSAA Class 6A regional finals berth.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 17, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Broden Beorlegui

The senior forward/midfielder is off to a hot start with the Mustangs, contributing seven goals in four games.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Ohana estate at 6633 Gulf of Mexico Drive, photographed in 2013.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 17, 2025
Longboat Key's Ohana sells for $17.5 million

The property previously sold in May 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Artists including Isabelle Gasse (front) compete during the festival.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 17, 2025
Siesta Key's 'sand manager' has made a career out of sand

Andy Daily grew up on the sands of Siesta Key beach, and now his life involves serving the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Festival.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Riverview boys/girls and Sarasota boys pose for a photo with their medals and trophies on Nov. 14 at Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training in Ocala. Both programs dominated at the FHSAA Class 4A state championships.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 17, 2025
Riverview girls, Sarasota boys win swimming state titles

The two high school programs both extended their respective reigns in FHSAA Class 4A.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee School District shares redrawn zoning maps, seeks feedback
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 17, 2025
Manatee School District shares redrawn zoning maps, seeks feedback

The zones for elementary, middle and K-8 schools will be implemented in the 2026-2027 school year, while high school rezoning begins 2027-2028.

  • East County
  • Schools
Charlie Kirk, left, and Chris Pavlovski share the stage at a Turning Point USA event. Pavloski, chairman and CEO of the video platform Rumble, said Kirk was an early investor in Rumble and played a large part in bringing Rumble's headquarters to Longboat Key.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 17, 2025
Request for Charlie Kirk memorial road approved

The Sarasota County Commission approved a measure requesting the state designate a segment of Fruitville Road as a Charlie Kirk memorial.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Phyllis Black and Andrew Vac flag down hungry diners to join the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's pancake breakfast fundraiser on Nov. 15 at the Lazy Lobster.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 17, 2025
Longboat Kiwanis Club hosts breakfast fundraiser

Volunteers with the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key dished up breakfast for their annual pancake fundraiser.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Elaine Cichon, Lorri Harrison and Claudia Stieber bring their festive spirit to the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church annual Christmas bazaar, held last weekend at the church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 17, 2025
St. Mary market fundraiser on Longboat features holiday finds

Proceeds from the Christmas bazaar go toward supporting the Women's Guild outreach, including through scholarships.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
StandWithUs representatives Dana Kamilar, Julie Paris, Carly Gammill, Alitza Hochhauser and Max Bray spoke to Longboaters on Nov. 16 at Temple Beth Israel about finding ways to protect against antisemitism, especially in school settings.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 17, 2025
Speakers offer antisemitism advice to Jewish families

StandWithUs representatives spoke with the Longboat Key community about pushing back against antisemitism.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hole 14 is one of two greens that was resodded last year. The rest of the course was sprigged to grow new grass.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 17, 2025
Preserve Golf Club ups its game with new greens, restaurant, fitness studio

The public is invited to attend a soft reopening of the Tara club from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22.

  • East County
  • News
During Thanksgiving dinner, we could end up having triple the amount of daily intake of sugar. A workout in the morning can help keep your glucose levels low.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • November 17, 2025
Avoid that sugar rush at your Thanksgiving dinner

Before dinner eat lightly, during dinner have moderate portions and save room for a small sample of dessert.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Morgan Bettes Angell and the company she founded, Independent Jones, has helped put on the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 17, 2025
Blues Festival makes its return on the Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival, primed for its second year, has a varied and voluminous history in the region.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sydney Elliott turns toward an obstacle aboard QC Diamantaire in her final winning run in The Event at TerraNova's CCI4 class.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 16, 2025
Competition season leaps into action at TerraNova Equestrian Center

Some of the world's top equestrian athletes and horses compete in The Event at TerraNova.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Julia Wilhelm and Renee Myers check out the pieces of art for sale at LKM Fanciful Creations by Linda McMillan.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 16, 2025
A 'gift from the heart' offered at Lakewood Ranch art show

The 23rd annual Fall Art Show and Sale showcases artists of many mediums at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Traffic often backs up from the Cortez Bridge intersection onto Longboat Key during peak season.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 16, 2025
Cortez Bridge replacement work set to begin in 2026

Manatee County is busy moving infrastructure to prepare for construction of the $135 million fixed span bridge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Laurie Breslin was named superintendent of the School District of Manatee County in August.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 16, 2025
Manatee School District welcomes a new leader

The new head of the School District of Manatee County brings a local flavor to the job.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maribeth Phillips is the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, and Andy Guz, CEO of Manatee Memorial Hospital, is the board chair.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 15, 2025
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch hosts Empty Bowls

The annual event benefits the Food Bank of Manatee.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Armed man shot in Sarasota neighborhood
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 15, 2025
Armed man shot in Sarasota neighborhood

Deputies kill a suspect responding to a call about a suicide threat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A 200-feet marker and scoreboard are pictured at one of the fields in Twin Lakes Park, the home of Sarasota Little League.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 15, 2025
Little League treasurer charged with theft of more than $200,000

The Sarasota league president tells investigators that vendors first reported debts in July.

  • Sarasota
  • News
More than 200 showed up to the Sarasota Yacht Club Nov. 4 to hear Democratic Gov. candidate David Jolly speak at the Longboat Key Democratic Club’s season kickoff luncheon.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 15, 2025
LBK Democratic Club kicks off season with governor candidate Jolly

David Hogg and Martin Baron are scheduled to speak at LBK Democratic Club luncheons in February and March.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
An average of 4,500 people attend Music on Main each month.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer, Mark Gordon
  • November 15, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Main Street motors past a milestone

Some tenants have left. Others have been there for 10, or even 20, years. Amid the changes, Main Street at Lakewood Ranch maintains its original calling: a go-to gathering spot.

  • East County
  • News
Shawna Hicks-Cranston of PostNet raises her Sandies award for the Community Champion category. The annual Sandies was held by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Nov. 14 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch community leaders are saluted with Sandies awards

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosts its annual awards program at the Grove.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Accidental drowning confirmed in Manatee disappearance
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 14, 2025
Accidental drowning confirmed in Manatee disappearance

A teenager ran from a car traveling along Interstate 75 in August.

  • East County
  • News
A second charter school company has sought campus space at Brookside Middle School in Sarasota.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 14, 2025
New Schools of Hope requests double up in Sarasota, Manatee

A second South Florida company seeks space and says it's casting a wide net for 2027-28 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Rex Jensen, the CEO and president of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, is the 2025 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award winner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's 'visionary' honored by the Community Foundation

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO and President Rex Jensen receives the 2025 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award at The Soirée at the Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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  • December 14, 2025
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Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
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