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Your Observer

Spanish Main Yacht Club in Longboat Key is comprised of 212 units and is situated on Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 18, 2025
Spanish Main Yacht Club faces $13M lien from restoration company

The Servpro company from Michigan filed the lien due to unpaid invoices from the Longboat Key condominium community.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Some parts of Longboat Key's beaches were lined with dead fish on Feb. 17.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 18, 2025
Red tide effects pop up on Longboat Key beaches

Piles of dead fish added to the foul odor on some parts of Longboat Key beaches around Feb. 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
John Neal, with Neal Land & Neighborhoods, is building North River Ranch in Parrish.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • February 18, 2025
Big projects to keep an eye on in Parrish

With bulldozers and (lots of) building permits in tow, a pair of communities a short car ride away from Lakewood Ranch are in boom mode. "Coming soon" signs dot the landscape.

  • East County
  • News
Charles Joseph Nager (1930-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • February 17, 2025
Charles Joseph (“C.J.”) Nager

C.J. Nager died peacefully at his home at Freedom Village of Bradenton, in Bradenton, Florida, on February 3, 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
A cardio dance routine requires students to move forward and back, side to side and remember specific steps, which helps improve memory.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • February 17, 2025
Cardio dance: Healthy heart, healthy mind!

A cardio workout promotes heart health but also creates a disciplined routine that improves memory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Michael Garey, Linda Olsen, Rev. Phillip Schweda and Luan Morrow
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 17, 2025
Reverend reflects on 45 years of service

The Longboat community joins in jubilee for Rev. Phillip Schweda, who was ordained in 1979.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mary Bock accepts an award from Mark Spillersi, representing the Longboat Harbour Men's Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 17, 2025
Longboat Harbour names woman of the year

Mary Bock, a resident of Longboat Harbour Condominiums, received recognition for her work to revitalize facilities and other community contributions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Michael Saunders & Company
  • February 17, 2025
For Sale: 8388 Catamaran Circle, Lakewood Ranch

A resort-styled residence situated on .72 acre in The Lake Club.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
The Urban Air Adventure Park location in Lakewood Ranch will be its largest in the country.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 17, 2025
Urban Air Adventure Park flies into Lakewood Ranch this summer

The 60,000-square-foot indoor adventure park is anticipated to open July 25 on Professional Parkway.

  • East County
  • Business
This boardwalk used to start flush to the ground. Now, it's raised about 2-3 feet.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 17, 2025
Longboat nature parks still need major repairs before reopening

Caused by the hurricanes, the replacement of park boardwalks, the town boat ramp and the town dock could cost around $2 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Olivia Hadad, right, has led the Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team to the state semifinals with 35 goals in her senior season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer vies for first state championship

The Mustangs will play the state's No. 4 overall team in state semifinal round

  • East County
  • Sports
Ilee Finocchiaro and Danielle Curtis met in 2023 and began to formulate a plan to merge the two nonprofits they helped run.
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • February 17, 2025
SMART joins forces with a similar nonprofit

Two nonprofits with a similar focus — helping people through horse therapy — have merged into one organization.

  • East County
  • News
Case Taylor of makes a leap while practicing for the stunt show.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 16, 2025
Motorcyclists ride in for camaraderie and charity at Thunder by the Bay

The music and motorcycle festival, held from Feb. 14-16, brings bikers, stunts and entertainment and support for the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rich and Blakely Williams are camping with their four children: 4-year-old Blake, 3-year-old Briley, 9-year-old Brayden and 7-year-old Blaine.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 16, 2025
Have S'more fun at Lakewood Ranch Community Campout

About 130 people pitched tents in Greenbrook Adventure Park for the annual campout.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This year is the 25th year for Art in the Park, set for March 14-16 at the University Park Country Club.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 16, 2025
Art in the Park set to celebrate 25 years of community talent

The 25th annual juried show showcases creativity within University Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Charles Bosserman views one of the many Highwaymen Artists paintings being displayed at The Education Center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 16, 2025
Art enthusiasts get up-close view of famous Florida artists

Works by 22 of the renowned 26 Highwaymen artists are on display at The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel for one week only.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Russ and Carol Hoffman of Osprey renew their vows. They have been married 33 years and have been coming to the cermony almost ever year since 1999.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2025
Couples head to Siesta Key Beach to renew vows

The Say "I Do" Again vow renewal ceremony, held at sunset on Siesta Beach, has continued to draw couples for over 35 years.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Shopping pals Stella Kelley and Mary Lou Ivaska peruse the selection at the early bird Trash to Treasure rummage sale.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 15, 2025
Annual Gulf Shore rummage sale focuses on rebuilding

The Trash to Treasure rummage sale that took place at Longboat Key's Gulf Shore Park will help residents with hurricane recovery projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bob Bunting, Tracie Troxler, Karen Holbrook, A.G. Lafley, David Kotok and Elizabeth Moore
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2025
Climate Adaptation Center honors resilience efforts in the community

The ceremony honored four individuals and their contributions to local resilience initiatives.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A pair of osprey have made a busy intersection their home this nesting season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 15, 2025
Nesting osprey pair captures attention of Longboat drivers

Keen-eyed drivers may be able to see the nest before the season comes to a close at the end of the month.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jon Mast’s Buck Shot Chili gets a stir at the Suncoast Builder’s Association’s third annual Chili Cook-off Feb. 13.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 14, 2025
Spicy showdown at Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook-off

The annual event in Lakewood Ranch is increasing in popularity with more entries.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tidewell Foundation Grief Care Counselor Carly Weiss and President Delesa Morris offer a free presentation on grief management.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 14, 2025
Community learns about managing grief in loss

Seminar attendees learned about recognizing the symptoms of grief and how to move forward in a meaningful way.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The proposed location of Obsidian at 1260 N. Palm Ave.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 14, 2025
Planning Board reluctantly rules in favor of Obsidian tower plan

Despite their stated dislike of the 342-foot condo tower, by a 4-1 vote the Sarasota Planning Board found no legal basis to deny the project moving forward.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Drywall is removed in Nicole Eveloff's River Club home after Hurricane Debby flooded the home Aug. 5, 2024. At the time, Eveloff was told it could be four to five months before her family could return home.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 14, 2025
Deadline approaches for 2024 catastrophic property tax refund

Residents can now report property damage and file applications through the Manatee County Property Appraiser's website.

  • East County
  • News
Mary Ann Robinson (1928-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • February 13, 2025
Mary Ann Robinson

Mary Ann Waters Robinson, 97, passed peacefully at home on January 2, 2025, attended by her devoted caregivers.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Kathy Surma and Jorge Varcelotti admire an oil painting by Richard Boyer at the "Art for the Heart" show on Feb. 11.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 13, 2025
Debut St. Mary art show becomes standout creative showcase

The church's Women's Guild organized its first "Art for the Heart" fundraiser and showcase.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Allegiant Air celebrates the opening of Concourse A at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport with a custom wrap on one of its aircraft.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2025
Allegiant embarks on seven new routes from SRQ this week

Allegiant Air adds seven new routes from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airports following the airline's opening of five new gates in Concourse A.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2025-26
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2025
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2025-26

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2025-26 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Before talking to any prospective school, Cardinal Mooney senior Zoe Kirby wrote down a list of pros and cons. Despite not coming from a military background, the U.S. Air Force Academy had all pros for Kirby.
  • By Dylan Campbell
  • February 13, 2025
Cardinal Mooney volleyball star appointed to the Air Force Academy

Senior Zoe Kirby excelled in four varsity sports throughout her high school career.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 907 Pomelo Ave. was built in 2006 and has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,289 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 13, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 27-31 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

a two-house Siesta Key property on Ogden Street tops the week's sales at $6.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Carmen Ciricillo performs at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 13, 2025
Nationally touring comedian finds a sweet spot in Sarasota

Carmen Ciricillo was always in search of positivity and laughter. After he visited Sarasota in 1992, it was the place he wanted to call home.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A Renzo Piano Building Workshop conceptual rendering of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center as viewed from the 10th Street Canal.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 13, 2025
SPAC proposal pared to two buildings estimated at $407 million

Instead of four structures, the architect for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center has scaled plans back to two buildings with an option for a future second, smaller theater.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The sculpture Poly now stands in the roundabout at North Tamiami Trail and 14th Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 13, 2025
City dedicates 14th Street roundabout sculpture

Poly's shades of blue represent the water and sky of the Sarasota area, said artist Josh de Sousa at Tuesday's dedication ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Tidewell Hospice
  • February 13, 2025
Why Supporting Tidewell Hospice Matters

No matter how deeply empathetic we may be when hearing about someone’s loved one nearing the end of life, we can never truly understand the weight of that loss until we experience it ourselves.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lidar data shows a 3- to 4-foot difference in a portion of the embankment underneath the bridge on River Club Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's response to Hurricane Debby flooding was immediate

Engineers identified and fixed issues inside Lakewood Ranch within months, but problems still exist beyond its boundaries.

  • East County
  • News
Elizabeth Lawson is a junior weightlifter on the Sarasota High girls varsity weightlifting team.
  • By Dylan Campbell
  • February 12, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Elizabeth Lawson

The Sarasota High junior weightlifter punched her ticket to the state championships with a fifth place performance at regionals Feb. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
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
5
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

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