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Your Observer

(From left to right) ‎Neal Signature Homes Building Division President Randy Turkovics, CEO Pat Neal, PureStyle President Charlene Neal, President Michael Storey and Southwest Florida Regional President Michael Greenberg
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 10, 2018
Neal Communites sets record sales mark in 2017

The Lakewood Ranch-based homebuilder saw a 6% increase in home sales from 2016.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Clockwise from top left: Gil Waters in victory after the opening of the new Ringling Bridge, August 2003. Waters and city engineer Alex Davis-Shaw. Waters and his wife, Elisabeth. “The Old Coots Lunch Bunch.”
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 10, 2018
Tribute to a visionary

For nearly 60 years, Gil Waters was a force in Sarasota. Thanks to his passion, vision and determination, we have the ‘Gil Waters Bridge,’ the Van Wezel and FCCI Insurance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
A condominium in Grand Bay II topped recent real estate transactions, selling for $1.65 million
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 10, 2018
Grand Bay II condo sells for $1.65 million

Residential real estate transactions for Dec. 25-29.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The home at 7710 Sloane Gardens Court recently sold for $1.25 million.Â
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 10, 2018
Sloane Gardens home tops local sales at $1.25 million

Residential real estate transactions for Dec. 25-29.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Ed Smith Stadium. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 10, 2018
Orioles spring training tickets go on sale Jan. 13

The team recommends that fans purchase their tickets online.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Keegan Martin (left), Landon Martin (below), Darren Martin, Simeon Brubacher (below), Steven Brubacher and Taylor Rahn.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 10, 2018
Anna Maria native rescues five from Sarasota Bay near Longboat's north end

Two men and three boys were transported to local hospitals with symptoms of hypothermia, Longboat Fire and Rescue say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ron Basque and Ryan Modjeski, 13, sing "Believe" from "Finding Neverland."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 10, 2018
Final act for Players Centre?

The performing arts group announces upcoming season, which could be its final at the current theater.

  • East County
  • News
Three-year-old Emily Mercurio, of Central Park, makes a craft after story time at the Braden River Library Jan. 2.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 10, 2018
It's time to make friends for the library

Meeting aims to form a Friends of the Library group for Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The Flying Espanas created new standards for trapeze artists after incorporating ballet and gymnastics into their routine. Photo courtesy of Carolina Espana Nock
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 10, 2018
Circus greats head to Ring of Fame

The Circus Ring of Fame will inductee five new performers and groups to its ranks on Jan. 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch senior Damien Gordon drives for a layup against Venice High. He's one of three players on the team with playoff experience.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 10, 2018
Mustangs hope tough losses prepare them for state championship run

Jeremy Schiller wants his young Lakewood Ranch team to be "battle tested."

  • East County
  • Sports
Outgoing Town Manager Dave Bullock after his first year in office.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 10, 2018
Longboat staff, business people and residents say farewell to outgoing Town Manager

Outgoing Town Manager Dave Bullock joined town staff in 2011 and lead the town through multiple island-changing projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Michael Jordan Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 10, 2018
Mystifying murders inspire Longboater to write first book

Michael Jordan’s book, ‘The Company of Demons,’ is a psychological thriller with its basis in Cleveland’s notorious Torso Murders.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 10, 2018
Penny for a peacock?

Birds of Paradise is looking for sponsors for the former Village peafowl.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Caitlin Sollazo, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High, loves her Brown Swiss dairy cow, Dallas. It is the offspring of the first cow she owned.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 10, 2018
It's fair to say she loves cows

Lakewood Ranch senior Caitlin Sollazzo shows off her passion at the Manatee County Fair.

  • East County
  • News
The 12,000-square-foot ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota full.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 10, 2018
Proposed ballroom at Longboat former Colony site sparks debate

Unicorp National Developments Inc. has proposed a 10,000-square-foot ballroom in its application for a new hotel at the site of the former Colony Beach and Tennis Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 10, 2018
Making waves

The Longboat Key Club Moorings was named a winner in Marinas.com’s Boaters’ Choice Awards for 2017.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chanie Bukiet, program director for Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, is most excited about the first phase of expansion, the mikvah, a bath for women used in Judaism to achieve ritual purity.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 10, 2018
Chabad readies for expansion

Leaders hope to start construction on first of three planned buildings in the spring.

  • East County
  • News
This preliminary site plan shows a large 16 acre wetland that will dominate the project. Residences will be clustered to the east to avoid wetland impacts. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 10, 2018
Lockwood Ridge housing project approved

Neal Communities plans villas for new neighborhood.

  • East County
  • News
James Pinski Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 10, 2018
Longboat Key Obituaries: Jan. 11, 2018

Dr. John Reynolds III, James Bernard Pinski, Elizabeth Adams and Paulette Keagle Eframson died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County hopes to be more prepared to face a major hurricane in 2018.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 10, 2018
Is Manatee County better prepared to face a hurricane after Irma?

Officials say shelters and roads need improvement.

  • East County
  • News
Carolyn Lowry-Nation was pleased her bougainvillea weren't affected by the cold snap.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 10, 2018
Lakewood Ranch residents don't chill when it comes to plants

Covering plants with sheets can stop damage due to cold weather.

  • East County
  • News
Cheyenne Stubbs.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 10, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Cheyenne Stubbs

The Braden River girls basketball freshman talks creating shots and the Los Angeles Lakers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Emma Paliotta. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 10, 2018
East County High 5 Moments: 01.10.17

East County High 5 Moments: 01.10.17

  • East County
  • Sports
Hunter Jelsch and his mare, Storm, compete during the second chukker of the Jan. 7 polo match.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 10, 2018
Spotlight on horses at polo's 'hub'

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
This conceptual rendering shows the future boathouse looking northeast. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 10, 2018
Benderson boathouse dream still afloat

SANCA, foundation officials say boathouse construction was never promised.

  • East County
  • News
One of many pictures taken of Reef. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 10, 2018
East County Great Dane shines in the spotlight

Reef has become a mainstay of Lakewood Ranch events.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rudy Sandberg joined the crowds at the 2018 opener at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 10, 2018
Polo opener offers new perspective

6-year-old Rudy Sunberg was among the captivated fans at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
About 20 parents attended Tuesday night's meeting at the school district's administrative building.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 9, 2018
Manatee School Board postpones redistricting vote

No date has yet been set but officials hope to solicit more public input.

  • East County
  • News
Maddy Boehm with the Boys & Girls Club Member Ambassadors, Amy, Sara, Naomi, Maisey and Nicole
    By
  • Kayleigh Omang
  • January 9, 2018
Becoming a real life Disney princess

Miss Florida Junior High teaches youth about drugs thanks to Disney grant.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This note was left on the Ranch Grill's front door on Tuesday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 9, 2018
Ranch Grill closes in Lakewood Ranch

Note on the front door thanks the community for its support.

  • East County
  • News
Resident Mike Gasper outlines his questions about the Palsar proposal at a workshop at City Hall Monday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 9, 2018
Questions surround proposed downtown land changes

The timing of a city project is accelerating a request that would give a property owner the right to build a taller, denser development in the future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Two ports are available at the charging unit located in the Sarasota City Hall parking lot.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 9, 2018
Sarasota installs additional electric vehicle chargers

The city has installed 16 electric vehicle chargers, which are free to use for residents and visitors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mick Koczersut.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 9, 2018
Lakewood Ranch football coach resigns

Mick Koczersut led the Mustangs to a 14-22 record over four seasons.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 9, 2018
Siesta Drive safety campaign asks for resident support

Part of the road is slated to be restriped, but Make Siesta Drive Safer has more plans in the works.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The northern face of the former Colony Beach and Tennis Resort sign before it was removed.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 9, 2018
'Actively deteriorating' Colony sign removed, Longboat code enforcement says

Colony Beach and Tennis Resort Association and Unicorp National Developments arranged to have the sign removed, although exactly when it happened is unclear to them and town staff.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Foreign Service veteran Bob Deutsch and Longboat Key Democratic Club President Ken Marsh
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 9, 2018
Longboat Democrats host first 2018 meeting

Foreign Service veteran Bob Deutsch addressed the group on Jan. 9.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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
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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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