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Your Observer

The home at 4833 Featherbed Lane was built in 1956 and has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,978 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 5, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 16-20 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Harmony home on Featherbed Lane tops the week’s sales at $3.33 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
A scale model provided by Renzo Piano Building Workshop shows the positioning of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center at the bottom, flanked by two parking garages. The Van Wezel (upper right) parking lot converted into elevated park space.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 5, 2026
Leaner Performing Arts Center plan presented to City Commission

Reduced in size and scope, Sarasota Performing Arts Center Concept 2.0 is greeted with enthusiasm by the Sarasota City Commission while funding concerns remain.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's
  • March 5, 2026
For People with Parkinson's, Movement Is Medicine - And Community Is Everything

Neuro Challenge Foundation offers support and therapeutic programs for those navigating Parkinson's Disease.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Longboat Key Fire Department personnel extricated the 80-year-old driver from a wrecked SUV on Tuesday on the north end of the island.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 4, 2026
Driver's medical issue likely led to Longboat Key crash, police say

Tuesday's wreck on the north end of the island also knocked out power to a few homes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
From left, SPD officers Anthony Zappone, Nick Bernier and Daniel Stevens were the first responders to a house fire on Feb. 20.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 4, 2026
Nighttime fire rescue just another day on the job for officers

Sarasota police officers didn't wake up "expecting to be a hero" on Feb. 20, but a house fire pressed them into action.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Magpie is in training to seek out nests for Sea Turtle Inc.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 4, 2026
Dog from Satchel's Last Resort in training to search out sea turtle nests

Magpie will be one of only three dogs in the country trained to search out sea turtle nests for conservation purposes, according to Satchel's Last Resort.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 1356 Harbor Drive includes more than 100 feet of bayfront.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 4, 2026
Harbor Acres home sells for $14.75 million

The property on Sarasota Bay offers more than 6,700 square feet and five bedrooms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier struck the gavel for the last time Monday after 14 years of volunteer service on town boards and the commission.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 4, 2026
Ken Schneier strikes gavel for final time

Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier struck the gavel for the last time Monday after 14 years of volunteer service on town boards and the commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Linda Medina and Aliana Donald, second graders at Daughtrey Elementary, are eager to answer any questions Miss Gina might ask about the books she reads.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 4, 2026
Books for Kids continues to bring reading passion to elementary students

The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch program provides reading volunteers to 10 schools in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The view through a window wall in Concourse A at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 4, 2026
Particulate, air quality tests scheduled to determine flight path impacts on Longboat

Resident concerns about a black powdery residue found on patio furniture and roofs were raised to the town, and particulate and air testing is scheduled to proceed in April.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Curran Foundation's flagship project in Wake County, North Carolina is the Triangle Aquatic Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2026
Curran Foundation is new to Lakewood Ranch but not to giving

The foundation has made a nearly $13 million investment in Wake County, North Carolina, and now is investing in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Doug Melcher is the co-owner of BellaBlue Berry Farm and Winery in Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2026
Myakka City bee and berry farms still standing after historic cold snap

Two Myakka City farms experienced little to no losses, but it took a lot of strategizing.

  • East County
  • News
Junior Freedom McDaniel of the 215-pound weight class is one of eight Braden River wrestlers headed to the FHSAA individual state championships. He's also one of three who have won both regional and district crowns this postseason.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 4, 2026
Braden River High wrestling qualifies eight for state championships

The Pirates matched their all-time program record, which was set last season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Diners sit outside at Lazy Lobster. Owner Michael Garey said business really starts to ramp up in February before March, April and May, the busiest months of the year for the restaurant.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 4, 2026
Seasonal upswing back to 'normal' on Longboat Key

As spring break approaches, Longboat Key business owners are optimistic that business will continue to ramp up.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Infinity on Longboat Key condominium Unit B202 sold for $5.3 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 4, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 16-20 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

An Infinity condominium on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week’s sales at $5.3 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Included in artist Christine Hales' new exhibition at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church is a series centering on the crucifixion of Jesus. The display is open to the public through the end of April.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 4, 2026
Iconography artist returns with new pieces at Longboat gallery

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church is featuring the works of Christine Hales through April.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
At a St. Armands Visioning Session held at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Keating Marine Education Center Thursday, Feb. 26, participants were asked to write on and place note cards on a vision board. On one side, participants wrote on yellow index cards what their favorite things about St. Armands Circle were, and on the other side the most significant areas for improvement were written on blue note cards.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 4, 2026
What should St. Armands Circle look like in 20 years?

Some 160 stakeholders and others participate in the first of two visioning sessions for the future of St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Charlie Cannon, Jim Leish, Charles Eldridge, Matt Zito, Dean Friedman and Harold Seegmiller are some of the newest and longest-serving members of the Longboat Key Club Friars, a cohort of golfers who enjoy the game, but also the camaraderie.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 4, 2026
Friars golfers reflect on value of connection ahead of annual gathering

This gathering of golfers has been finding ways to give back to the community over the years, while forging friendships to last among members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Greg Dauer is the most productive sophomore on the Sailors' roster. Only junior guard Johnny Lackaff and senior forward David Young average more points per game than him.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 4, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Greg Dauer

As the game's leading scorer, the sophomore guard powered Sarasota boys basketball to a regional title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Ex-con tells his mother she has to move out
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 4, 2026
Ex-con tells his mother she has to move out

A man claimed his federal probation prohibits co-habitation and that his mother must move out. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Several residents report checks mailed from the post office in Lakewood Ranch have been stolen and washed.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2026
Officials release few details in Lakewood Ranch check washing scam

Multiple residents have reported checks being stolen from the post office in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
This is justified retaliation
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 4, 2026
This is justified retaliation

The leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran declared war on the U.S. in 1979 and continued ever since. We always had the right to respond.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Perez may pull off an extraordinary feat
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 4, 2026
Perez may pull off an extraordinary feat

Plus: Why the Senate hasn’t touched the bill that would cut property taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2026-27
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 4, 2026
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2026-27

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2026-27 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Karl Bryan Helbig and Marlohe Helbig
    A time to celebrate |
  • March 3, 2026
Karl Bryan Helbig and Marlohe Helbig

Karl Bryan Helbig and Marlohe Muse were married in Palm Beach, followed by an intimate celebration at The Breakers Palm Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
Brigette Kubin, owner of Three Island Monkeys, hosted a book signing by author James Langstaff on Feb. 28 for its latest "Meet the Artist" pop-up event.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 3, 2026
Art boutique features local author

The part-time resident author plans to host additional talks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Forward Chase Koski (86) and defenseman Jackson Ellis (4) celebrate a goal Feb. 6 for Lakewood Ranch boys hockey in the Lightning High School Hockey League's title game. The Mustangs have become the premier high school-level team for skaters in the region.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 3, 2026
Olympic success for USA Hockey will translate to Sarasota and Manatee counties

Even more enthusiasm for hockey is coming to an area where the sport is already on the rise.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman said his department would likely meet spending goals set last year by the County Commission, but he added additional positions are in the offing in subsequent budget years.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 3, 2026
Early start gets Sarasota leaders thinking about the next budget

Elected officers deliver mixed predictions on hitting spending goals.

  • Sarasota
  • News
About 14,000 of raw wastewater spilled into Sarasota Bay at Ringling Causeway Park.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 3, 2026
City sewage spills into Sarasota Bay

Sarasota reports 14,000 gallons escaped from a broken component in Ringling Causeway Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Susan Phillips retired in 2025 from her role as the town manager's assistant.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 3, 2026
Phillips named chair of Longboat Key Foundation

The organization's founder, Jim Brown, announces retirement from the position.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Brian Taylor, who works as executive vice president for Perform[cb], has been working from CoworkLWR since 2021 in order to have a separation between work and home life. He enjoys the opportunities to network with fellow remote workers at the new location.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 3, 2026
CoworkLWR moves to a new, larger Lakewood Ranch location

Keith Pandeloglou's business had spent the past 10 years on Lakewood Main Street.

  • East County
  • Business
Bradenton's Stillpoint Mission has outgrown its current building and hopes to bring in enough funds to purchase a new building to better serve clients.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 3, 2026
15th annual Stillpoint Mission Appeal has a new goal

Lakewood Ranch's Bob Smith and friends have been a huge source of funding for the nonprofit, which hopes to purchase a new building.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
By avoiding littering, driving slow and keeping a safe distance from manatees, humans can help the threatened species stick around.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 3, 2026
Manatees travel to manmade, natural water bodies during cold snaps

Manatees that call Sarasota Bay home head north to Apollo Beach during cold weather, using the warm waters discharged from the TECO Power Plant to keep warm.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Country Club Village home at 7216 Pasadena Glen sold for $3 million. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,038 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 3, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 16-20 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Pavia Way tops the week's sales at $3.15 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
With scissors in one hand and a whip in the other, Commissioner Carol Felts cuts the ribbon on a historical marker for The Florida Cracker Trail Feb. 13 at Manatee Village Historical Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 3, 2026
Manatee County mourns the death of its 'feisty' commissioner

Carol Ann Felts, a citizen activist who scored a stunning political victory in 2024, died Feb. 24.

  • East County
  • News
Wilma Davidson, president of the Sarasota branch of the National League of American Pen Women, said the group's artists decided to embrace the March 12 celebration of art as an annual tradition.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 3, 2026
Art and Found Day to return, surprising finders with gifts

The Sarasota Pen Women-led outreach brings surprise, free artwork to Longboat Key, Sarasota, Venice and beyond.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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