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Your Observer

Cale Zeltwanger has been with the Blazers' boys volleyball program since its inception ahead of the 2024 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 28, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Cale Zeltwanger

The junior for Sarasota Christian boys volleyball has stuffed the stats sheet this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Swan parents Donald and Lydia shepherd their six cygnets, pictured only about 72 hours after hatching.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 28, 2026
Swan's cygnets hatch on Longboat Key

Caretakers are closely monitoring the days-old hatchlings and proud parents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Forward Jonathan Bolanos (right) dribbles with a defender on his tail during the Sarasota Paradise's match vs. Corpus Christi FC on April 22. It was the team's first win this month, and second in seven games played.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 28, 2026
Sarasota Paradise learn some professional lessons

The Lakewood Ranch-based soccer club has struggled early with its move to USL League One.

  • East County
  • Sports
James Kleiner, who is working at Jiggs Landing for his grandmother, concession owner Denise Kleiner, made fast friends with Shiloh, the lost pet parrot.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 28, 2026
After a flight to Jiggs Landing, dancing pet parrot reunited with distraught owner

Bradenton teen James Kleiner cares for Shiloh, a sun conure who had been missing for almost a month.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Country Club East Park, a place of both community and convenience for Willis Elementary families, will be closed off starting May 29 for nine months to build three youth baseball fields.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 28, 2026
Manatee delays construction at Country Club East Park after parents state concerns

The park, which will have three new youth baseball fields built, is a secondary pick up and drop off spot for students.

  • East County
  • News
A vehicle representing the Historic Aircraft Society arrives at the Main Street and Orange Avenue roundabout during the Memorial Day parade in 2024.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 28, 2026
Memorial Day Parade set for May 25

Sarasota's annual Memorial Day Parade will will be held May 25, concluding with a ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 15421 Anchorage Place sold for $5.65 million. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,892 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 28, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 13-17 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Anchorage Place topped the week’s sales at $5.65 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Albert Miano Jr. is sworn in as the newest officer of the Longboat Key Police Department Wednesday, April 15.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 28, 2026
Longboat Key Police Department swears in newest officer

Northeast native Albert Miano Jr. has two decades of law enforcement experience and is a Navy and National Guard veteran.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Spilled water in parking lot culminates in heated confrontation
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 28, 2026
Spilled water in parking lot culminates in heated confrontation

Water did not put out the fire in a feud between neighbors. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
City's free events need better organization
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 27, 2026
City's free events need better organization

The city of Sarasota's free events, held to benefit residents, need to be thought out better to actually serve them.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Surrounded by members of the Leadership Sarasota Class of 2026, staff from Save Our Seabirds and a cloud of confetti, Lisa Charles cuts the ribbon at the unveiling of an updated outdoor space at the bird sanctuary.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 27, 2026
Leadership Sarasota spruces up Save Our Seabirds space

With the sponsorship and hands-on work of local leaders, the bird sanctuary has a new look for its outdoor education center and landscaping.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Paxton Hermann, who specializes in the pole vault, has been a standout sophomore for the Thunder.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 27, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Paxon Hermann

The Out-of-Door Academy track and field sophomore placed top-three in four events at the FHSAA Class 1A-District 11 meet.

  • East County
  • Sports
Zachary Papper and Dillon O'Callaghan carry Tatiana Moskalenko, who plays Tanya, as she sings "Does Your Mother Know" in The Out-of-Door Academy production of "Mamma Mia!"
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 27, 2026
'Mamma Mia!' graces the stage at The Out-of-Door Academy

The students filled 27 acting roles, nine orchestra assignments and 14 jobs on the crew behind the scenes.

  • East County
  • Schools
An artistic rendering by Hoyt Architects of the street level of the proposed Obsidian at 126 N. Palm Ave.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 27, 2026
Controversial downtown tower comes back before City Commission

A mediated agreement between city staff and the developer of the previously rejected Obsidian tower will be considered by the Sarasota City Commission on May 4.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Susan Phillips, board chair of the Longboat Key Foundation and a Longboat Key Garden Club member, contemplatively peers through a clue-finding magnifying glass at the murder mystery-themed Dinner and a Movie fundraiser on April 24 at Bayfront Park. The event closed out this year's Arts in April programming.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 27, 2026
Arts in April closes out with mystery movie night

The popular Dinner and a Movie night included live music, an auctioneer and a Daniel Craig flick.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Artist Cheryl Moody, who participated in Artists in the Garden earlier this month, joins the local creators showcasing their work at the 10th annual artists' reception and exhibition at Longboat's Town Hall on April 23. The display of works by the featured artists will be up and open for purchases until June.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 27, 2026
Town celebrates 10th year of spotlighting local artists

This marks the 10th year the town of Longboat Key has held an artists' reception and exhibition at town hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Raising roads in several Longboat Key neighborhoods is a priority for town leaders, but paying for the neighborhood resiliency projects is a more difficult ask than originally anticipated with a new $30 million price tag.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 27, 2026
Town forms 'steady as we go' budget as revenues uncertain

The 2027 fiscal year budget formation process continued with a strategic planning retreat meeting April 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioner Mike Rahn is running for reelection in Manatee County's District 4.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 27, 2026
Manatee County commissioner says he has more work to do in District 4

Mike Rahn says he will be knocking on as many doors as possible to find out residents' concerns.

  • East County
  • News
Driver pronounced dead after Lakewood Ranch crash
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 26, 2026
Driver pronounced dead after Lakewood Ranch crash

Florida Highway Patrol says a 69-year-old might have experienced a medical episode.

  • East County
  • News
Rebecca Resinski and Amy Stevens show their support.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 26, 2026
Runners cross Ringling Bridge to raise support for students and teachers

The third annual Education Foundation's Ringling Bridge Run drew around 1,300 participants.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Emma Mandzick, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, plays Elsa and also choreographed the whole show for "Frozen."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
'Frozen' a red-hot hit at Lakewood Ranch High School

The students worked countless hours to put on the production.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota's Axel Neff is glad to welcome community members who are both familiar and unfamiliar with Tim Horton's brand to bond over food and coffee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
Tim Hortons blazes a Florida path with Manatee County restaurant

Tim Hortons, a Canadian breakfast chain, wants customers both familiar and unfamiliar with the brand to walk away with a smile.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Out-of-Door Academy's Chase Smith, Hays Wilson, Zachary Papper and Mason Chase are all National Merit Finalists after earning high test scores and going through the application process.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
Five Lakewood Ranch-area students earn National Merit Finalist status

Four students from the Out-of-Door Academy and one from Braden River High School have the opportunity to earn exclusive scholarships.

  • East County
  • Schools
The house at 501 General Harris Street has received attention from neighbors, city code enforcement, banks and courts as foreclosure of the property inches along while maintenance is lacking.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 26, 2026
Pink house draws ire from neighbors

A Longboat Key house under foreclosure with a cluttered and unkempt yard has led to frustrations from Sleepy Lagoon neighbors and $50,000 in code violations from the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Molly Biter, Winfred Van Workum and Katie Moulton get the meal sizzling.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 25, 2026
Parents and staff cook up meals in support of arts education

The fourth annual Cooking for the Arts supported the Southside School Foundation for the Arts, which funds various arts initiatives at the elementary school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In is back at 1701 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 25, 2026
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In reopens in Sarasota

The open-air restaurant on Washington Boulevard has returned and has future plans to offer online ordering.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Longboat Library is currently seeking book donations, particularly in fiction published within the last 10 years.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 25, 2026
Longboat library seeks book donations

Drop off your past reads and find new ones at the community library.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Boat, pedestrian and vehicle traffic are expected to be unaffected by a $4.3 million maintenance project on Siesta Key's north bridge.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 25, 2026
Siesta Key's north bridge undergoes maintenance project

Most work will take place below the deck of the 50-year-old drawbridge.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
34-year-old truck driver Stavan Albert Facey was killed in the crash.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 24, 2026
Hit-and-run suspect pleads not guilty in fatal I-75 wreck

The family of the truck driver killed on Monday has opened a GoFundMe page.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract has been extended until February 2027.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 24, 2026
Manatee County administrator's proposed contract raises concerns

Instead of signing a new contract before the election, commissioners extended Charlie Bishop’s current contract through February 2027.

  • East County
  • News
The gazebo-style pavilion at Joan M. Durante Park just had a $138,000 facelift as the base of the structure was mostly replaced.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 24, 2026
Durante Park gazebo, boardwalk repairs complete

A gazebo repair cost $138,000, while boardwalk, overlook replacement and debris clearing totaled $329,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Barbara Geldbart (1930-2026)
    In Memoriam |
  • April 24, 2026
Barbara Geldbart

Barbara Geldbart passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, at the age of 95.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Workers carry one of two storm surge poles Sarasota County has installed at Siesta Beach and Manasota Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2026
Storm surge poles installed at Sarasota County beaches

Colorful poles to educate the public about the dangers of storm surge have been installed at two Sarasota County beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee teen seriously hurt when hit by SUV
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2026
Manatee teen seriously hurt when hit by SUV

The victim was riding an e-bike in a crosswalk at the time of the incident, FHP says.

  • East County
  • News
Neal Mason Hall (1939-2026)
    In Memoriam |
  • April 23, 2026
Neal Mason Hall

Neal Mason Hall, 86, of Longboat Key, FL, passed away on April 16, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Zach Johnson hits a sand shot during the Senior PGA Championship, which last week, became the first senior major golf tournament contested in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 23, 2026
Pro golf has disappeared from Sarasota

Despite the PGA's strong presence in Lakewood Ranch, this area hasn't hosted a tournament since 2017.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Latest News

1
No good deed goes unpunished
  • May 28, 2026
No good deed goes unpunished
2
Cash grab in Manatee, too
  • May 28, 2026
Cash grab in Manatee, too
3
Benderson Development is wrapping up its latest phase of construction at the business and industrial park off Toledo Blade Boulevard.
  • May 28, 2026
County economic development agency contract approved for 2027
4
A Kobi Karp Architecture rendering of the 18-story Adagio luxury condo tower as viewed at the northwest corner of South Palm Avenue and Ringling Boulevard.
  • May 28, 2026
Adagio receives partial staff sign-off; adjustments still required
5
James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo give Harry Noordzy a lift, just as they did five years ago at Station 12.
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka's Station 12 remains a part of Harry's world

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