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Your Observer

Dr. Jonathan Hoffberger is the chief of cardiovascular surgery at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 14, 2025
Sarasota Memorial achieves heart surgery milestone

The hospital recently performed its 1,000th minimally invasive cardiac surgery that reduces pain, infection risk and recovery.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bob Waechter donated 2.2 acres to The Pines Foundation, sale proceeds from which will benefit the Sarasota organization.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 14, 2025
Land donation benefits Pines of Sarasota

Proceeds of the 2.2-acre parcel's sale will benefit organization.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ann Gwendolyn Sweet (1935-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • November 13, 2025
Ann Gwendolyn Sweet

Her Legacy… Ann Gwendolyn Sweet, aged 90 years, passed away on November 2, 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center has 120 beds and is operated by a subsidiary of national health care provider Universal Health Services.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center scores third A in a row

Leapfrog's top score in twice-a-year schedule is the first under the management of new CEO Robbert Anderson.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Police officer Mike Mathis gives his order to Brandon Clark while Sgt. Adam Montfort waits in line at Rotary Club of Longboat Key’s Food for Gratitude event where all town employees received free lunch to recognize their hard work after dual hurricanes in 2024.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 13, 2025
Rotary provides thank-you lunch to town employees

After months of storm cleanup that continues even today, Rotary Club of Longboat Key wanted to recognize the hard work of town employees.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 13, 2025
Life in Sarasota is back to normal for the 2025-26 season

With recovery from the 2024 hurricanes largely complete, the Sarasota you return to is largely back to normal, among other news to catch up on from while you were away.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kay Kochenderfer, president of the Women's Guild, and Bonnie Schneider said holiday-seekers have plenty to explore at this weekend's Christmas bazaar at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 13, 2025
St. Mary Catholic Church to host Christmas bazaar

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church is hosting a Christmas bazaar this weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marcus Liberty poses for a photo on Nov. 10 at Edgewater Park in Lakewood Ranch. He featured as a forward for the King College Prep boys' basketball team which won the Illinois High School Association’s 1985-86 Class AA state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 13, 2025
Marcus Liberty adds jersey retirement to legacy of impact

The Sarasota resident and former NBA player, now committed to mentorship, sees his jersey raised to the rafters at his alma mater.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Paul Hoback started as president and CEO of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on Oct. 19.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 13, 2025
New airport CEO finds 'paradise' in first month in Sarasota

New Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Paul Hoback equates SRQ and the region to living and working in paradise.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Unit 920 condominium at 1299 Tamiami Trail was built in 2003 and has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,849 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 13, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 27-31 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Sara Sands home on Sandy Shore Avenue tops the week's sales at $2,875,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
A conceptual rendering of the planned Learning Pavilion Terrace Garden for Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 13, 2025
Selby's second phase breaks ground Dec. 2

The next round includes new Conservatory Complex and education facilities at the downtown Sarasota destination.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 13, 2025
Bruce Myer Group – BMG® carries forward a family tradition built on Longboat Key.

Bruce is writing a new chapter, joined by his son, Chase Myer. They have rebranded as The Bruce Myer Group – BMG®.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
  • By Tidewell Hospice
  • November 13, 2025
Hugo's Sunset Cruise

Hugo, a 105 year-old veteran in the care of Tidewell Hospice, he cherishes the memories of time spent boating on the open water.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Longboat Key Tennis Center held an event welcoming back seasonal residents Tuesday, Nov. 11. A tennis clinic demonstration was held, food was served and music played as Longboaters mixed and mingled on a chilly Tuesday afternoon.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 12, 2025
Longboat Key Tennis Center hosts chilly event for snowbirds

More than 50 returning visitors show up in sub-60 temperatures to attend the Tennis Center 2025 welcome back event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the proposed 333 Cocoanut condominium development.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 12, 2025
Second development emerges for Sarasota's Cocoanut Avenue site

On the same parcel a prior development attempt failed, a new investor is planning an 11-story condo building at Cocoanut Avenue and Fourth Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 12, 2025
'Whew! Back on Longboat Key, what did I miss?'

Street signs, Mote's City Island exodus and business shake-ups dominated headlines over the summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
It's Read Everywhere winner finds high ground in Swiss Alps
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2025
It's Read Everywhere winner finds high ground in Swiss Alps

This year's winner of the Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest enjoyed the "trip of a lifetime" and showed that the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer is as well traveled as Agent 007.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The T/S Motorsports / Marine Technology boat piloted by Taylor Scism of Missouri and Johnny Tomlinson of North Miami, Florida passes crowds of spectators on the beach.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 12, 2025
Uncertainty engulfs Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix for 2026

The P1 Offshore event celebrated its 40th anniversary here in 2024 but was canceled for 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Students and instructor Elisha Byerly perform "Pennies from Heaven" with Sarasota Contemporary Dance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2025
'You Raise Me Up' puts local arts education on stage

The finale of the 2025 Living Arts Festival in Sarasota highlighted arts education in the local area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
In memoriam: Remembering the Longboat friends we lost in 2025
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 12, 2025
In memoriam: Remembering the Longboat friends we lost in 2025

Longboat Key remembers the friends and family we lost from April through October.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lawyer gets propositioned by pretend pervert client
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 12, 2025
Lawyer gets propositioned by pretend pervert client

A female attorney reports receiving lewd texts. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
An aerial view of Longboat Key, looking north from the southern tip.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 12, 2025
For 70 years, Longboat has always been Longboat

Since its inception in 1955, Longboat Key has obviously grown, but there is always a sign that remains a single constant.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Taryn Nguyen gets ready to tee off at Heritage Isles Golf and Country Club on Nov. 5 in the regional tournament. She tied for 12th, which qualified her for a fourth-straight state tournament berth.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 12, 2025
Braden River High senior golfer etches a legacy of consistency

Taryn Nguyen heads to the state tournament again after winning her fourth consecutive district title.

  • East County
  • Sports
A rendering of the Mira Mar preservation and redevelopment project shows two new residential towers positioned behind the restored historic buildings.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 12, 2025
Mira Mar redevelopment makes its first appearance before city staff

The project to restore the Mira Mar building funded by two new condo towers makes its submission before the Sarasota Development Review Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Angela Long coaches the veterans team at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 12, 2025
Veterans find camaraderie in paddling at Nathan Benderson Park

The veterans dragon boat team operates under the umbrella of the park's nonprofit conservancy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 749 Penfield St. was built in 1968 and has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,905 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 12, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 27-31 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Longboat Shores on Winslow Place tops the week's sales at $2 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Unicorp National Development President Chuck Whittall made his case for allowing an arched sign to remain on a pier at St. Regis Longboat Key to Town Commissioners Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. “I think it’s not only good for St. Regis. I think it’s good for the entire town of Longboat Key,” he said.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 12, 2025
Unicorp president addresses LBK commission on St. Regis arched sign

The Longboat Key Town Commission signaled it might reconsider amending an enforcement code after the resort owner made his case.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Florida lawmakers need to be aware of long-term pension strategy
  • By Zachary Christensen, Adrian Moore, Steven Vu
  • November 12, 2025
Florida lawmakers need to be aware of long-term pension strategy

The state pension fund is still in a deficit and policymakers should avoid financial risks.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Students from the Riverview High School Kiltie Band march along the parade route.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Generations honor sacrifices at Sarasota Veterans Day Parade

Amid cold weather, the parade featured various local organizations and clubs, schools and government departments.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
From left, Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche, retired Capt. Demetri Konstantopoulos and Deputy Chief Scott Mayforth following Konstantopoulos' retirement ceremoony.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 11, 2025
Retiring SPD captain gives tribute to his extended police family

Sarasota Police Department Capt. Demetri Konstantopoulos flips his retirement ceremony to credit his law enforcement family during his 28-year career.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A team from the community of Heritage Oaks volunteered at the event and included Sandi Merrill, Pauline St. Martin, Gary Chapin, Sheri Abramson, Alice Chapin, Ruth Scribner, Steve Ronis, Linda Trageser and Sharon Boss.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Bowls of Hope event helps fight hunger in the community

The Sarasota event brought around 50 area restaurants to offer samples of their meals to guests, while also raising funds for All Faiths Food Bank.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sue Ann Miller, Regina Negrycz and Sue Glass represent the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, which won the award for the Group/Club of the Year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 11, 2025
Youth fishing volunteer hooks big award in Lakewood Ranch

Ed Van Stedum snags Volunteer of the Year award at the Community Appreciation Awards.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Front row: Vickie Miller-Yanics, Elliott Metcalfe and Becky Metcalfe. Back row: Tom Smith, Tom McElheny and Ben Knisely
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Marine vets celebrate 250th birthday of US Marine Corps

This year's Marine Corps Birthday Luncheon in Sarasota hosted Elliott Metcalfe, the former public defender who founded the event in 2003.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
During field trips at Mote Marine Laboratory, students are given the opportunity to see sea creatures up close and explore whether or not a career in science is for them.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 11, 2025
Freshwater education grants awarded to two East County schools

The Southwest Florida Water Management District presented $3,000 to Lakewood Ranch High School and $2,500 to Bashaw Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Donovan Plakyda poses for a photo on Oct. 27 with the FHSAA Class 3A District 11 trophy. The junior has dropped 14 strokes in an 18-hole format since his freshman season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Donovan Plakyda

The junior for Lakewood Ranch boys' golf tied for fourth at the FHSAA Class 3A Region 3 championship on Nov. 4 as the Mustangs advanced to the state tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Man peels out, slinging shells and prompting police response
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 11, 2025
Man peels out, slinging shells and prompting police response

A disagreement between a man and a security guard highlights this week's edition of Longboat Key Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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  • December 14, 2025
Eat, drink and be merry like you're in a 'Home Alone' movie
2
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
3
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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