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Your Observer

Following up on the recent publication of their co-authored book, "I Am the Other," Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key member Robert Gary and Imam Azhar Subedar invited community members to join a discussion about local approaches to bridging divides in beliefs. Rabbi Peter Kasdan moderated.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 3, 2026
Longboat writer shares process of co-authoring book on bridging divides

Robert Gary of Longboat Key welcomes discussion on the book he co-authored with Imam Azhar Subedar, titled "I Am the Other."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man dropping off business card gets police called on him
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 3, 2026
Man dropping off business card gets police called on him

Longboat police responded to a suspected burglary that, upon further review, was just a solicitor. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A car carrier sits in the median of Gulf of Mexico Drive Tuesday, Oct. 14. Many seasonal residents fly down and have their cars shipped on carriers to Longboat Key, and the return of the car transporters has become known as one of the first signs of the more busy winter season.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 2, 2026
Car carrier drop-off enforcement discussed

A fatal accident brought about a change to regulations surrounding car carrier drop-offs, but cars continue to be dropped off on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rev. Phil Woods stands in the newly renovated 10,000-square-foot sanctuary.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch church wraps up $7.7 million expansion

Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch now worships in an artful 10,000-square-foot sanctuary.

  • East County
  • News
Cooper Pote has already been a shortstop, center fielder, third baseman and pitcher this season for the Thunder. At the plate, his contributions have been second-to-none among his teammates.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 2, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Cooper Pote

The sophomore has been busy in the batter's box for The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • Sports
Spike the bearded dragon was a popular guest at the 2024 Community Open House.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 2, 2026
Community open house scheduled

The Town Green will welcome Longboaters with food trucks, bounce houses, community organizations, live music and town staff March 7.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Little Buoy wasted no time dragging herself into the Gulf Thursday, Feb. 26 after being rehabilitated at Mote Marine Laboratory’s City Island research facility.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 2, 2026
Rehabbed turtles released into Gulf

Little Buoy and Spud, a leatherback and green sea turtle, were rehabilitated by Mote Marine Laboratory and sent back into the Gulf on Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Javaughn Wallace and executive chef Michael from Drift at Lido Beach Resort dish up a poached pear and prosciutto bite at the 15th annual Taste of the Keys on Feb. 26 at the Longboat Key Club Harbourside Ballroom.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 2, 2026
Taste of the Keys bigger than ever in 15th year

The Longboat Key Garden Club fundraiser featured more restaurants and maxed out attendance at this year's event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Magnolia Riner, 10, displays a design she created.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 1, 2026
Church of the Redeemer volunteers work together to build beds for kids in need

Church members worked together to provide beds, with everything included down to handmade quilts, for children in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Suncoast Stars Community's Jenny Audet, Julie Audet and Laurel Audet are grateful for the program that provides a wide array of activities including dance, music, fitness and nutrition, knitting, Bible study, crafts, and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 1, 2026
Suncoast Stars Community shines bright during fundraising event

The Sarasota nonprofit benefits adults with cognitive, physical and social disabilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gideon Demetrious, 6, Hani Demetrious and Jude Demetrious, 10, look through a series of prints.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 28, 2026
Sarasota Festival of the Arts serves up variety for attendees to browse

Held at J.D. Hamel Park, the event showcases work by artists from across the state and country, including Sarasota's community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
University Park's Marilyn Kern reacts after making the winning bid during the live auction for a Hawaiian vacation at Sisterhood for Good's Tropical Escape Feb. 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 28, 2026
Sisterhood for Good of Lakewood Ranch hosts Tropical Escape fundraiser

The nonprofit has raised over $622,427 since it was founded 15 years ago, and not counting the Feb. 27 event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Fixed-span bridge is the right choice for Longboat for many reasons
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 28, 2026
Fixed-span bridge is the right choice for Longboat for many reasons

In addition to being a lower-cost, more fiscally responsible option to construct, a fixed-span bridge is cheaper to maintain and operate over the long run as well.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Whitaker Gateway Park is among the restoration projects paused during the partial federal government shutdown.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 28, 2026
Federal shutdown forces pause in park recovery projects

Sarasota city staff suspends work to restore hurricane-damaged waterfront parks in order to remain eligible for federal reimbursement in the wake of the partial shutdown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Church of the Redeemer volunteers hand made 30 quilts to accompany 30 beds donated and assembled by the church for children at Alta Vista Elementary School.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 28, 2026
Sarasota church makes beds, quilts for Alta Vista children

Church of the Redeemer volunteers work on projects in support of the Title I school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • February 27, 2026
Sand Bucket List: Your Guide to the Ultimate Summer Under the Sun

Explore a curated collection of experiences, destinations and sights for an unforgettable summer in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sponsored Content
From left, Karie Friling speaks with Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch and Argus Foundation CEO Christine Robinson during a Feb. 23 open house event to meet the city manager finalists.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 27, 2026
Sarasota selects next city manager

The Sarasota City Commission voted unanimously to hire Karie Friling of the Chicago area as the city's first female city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • February 27, 2026
Diane Marie Stephan

Diane Marie Stephan (nee Gold) of Bradenton, Florida, formerly Hawaii and Countryside, Illinois.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
David Harold Osborn
    In Memoriam |
  • February 27, 2026
David Harold Osborn

David Harold Osborn, former resident of Perrysburg, Ohio, passed away February 15 at Aviva Senior Living in Sarasota, Florida, at the age of 83.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Peter Stanick (1953-2026)
    In Memoriam |
  • February 27, 2026
Peter Stanick

Internationally recognized pop artist Peter Stanick passed away on February 9, 2026, in Sarasota, Florida. He was 72.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Woman, two children identified in Lakewood Ranch death investigation
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2026
Woman, two children identified in Lakewood Ranch death investigation

Manatee County deputies were called to a residence on Friday night.

  • East County
  • News
The pig on the loose was found by Sarasota Police officers around 1:30 a.m. Friday around Central and Lemon avenues.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 27, 2026
Swine discovery has Sarasota officers seeking pig's owner

A 100-pound porker was taken to Sarasota County Animal Services.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Paradise owner Marcus Walfridson says he expects his team to be competitive immediately in USL League One because "we don't do this to lose games."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 27, 2026
Will pro soccer find paradise in Lakewood Ranch?

Owner Marcus Walfridson says a pro soccer team is just what the region needs to bring everyone together.

  • East County
  • News
Insomnia Cookies is now open at 2264 Gulf Gate Drive.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2026
Late-night cookie chain opens its first store in Sarasota

Insomnia Cookies is now open at 2264 Gulf Gate Drive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Scott Cassell encounters a bull shark.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2026
Marine explorer and conservationist has led a life of daring

Osprey explorer Scott Cassell has done it all, from being attacked by Humboldt squid to breaking world records, but he does it for the ocean.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 5058 Windward Ave. was built in 2020 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,529 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 26, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 9-13 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Sara Sands home on Windward Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.25 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Johnny Lackaff slips by an opponent during the FHSAA Class 7A-Region 3 semifinals Feb. 21 at Sarasota High School. Whether on the court or on the sidelines, he's consistently found a way to impact the game.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 26, 2026
Star guard returns from injury to steer the Sailors

Johnny Lackaff is back at the helm for Sarasota High boys basketball after a nine-game absence.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Residents and community members listen to opening remarks by the finalist candidates for Sarasota city manager.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 26, 2026
Sarasota wraps up two-day city manager interview process

Five finalists for the job of Sarasota city manager undertook an intense 48 hours of education and scrutiny as the City Commission hones in on hiring its next chief executive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Olivia Haynes is the historian of the Sarasota Garden Club.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2026
How the Sarasota Garden Club discovered Ringling's Secret Garden

The Sarasota Garden Club rediscovered Mable Ringling's pride and joy on the Cà d’Zan campus and now works regularly to maintain it.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Real estate agents peer over a balcony on the 15th floor during a tour of the One Park condominium tower.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 26, 2026
One Park tower nears topping off in The Quay

Vertical construction of the 18-story One Park Sarasota condo building is expected to be completed in weeks as the project continues toward early 2027 occupancy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • February 26, 2026
Beyond the Listing: Finding the Perfect Place on Longboat Key

In a real estate landscape dominated by listing sites offering little context or connection (think “Sales” or “Realtor” .com), finding the perfect place on Longboat Key requires something more nuanced: local knowledge. That’s where The Bruce Myer Group stands apart.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Pat O'Connell, Brenda Baril, Beth Scheible and Kim Lawrence said winning the championship Swing for the Cure annual golf day on Feb. 24 was especially meaningful to them, considering Lawrence is a cancer survivor.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 25, 2026
Swing for the Cure unites golfers in fight against breast cancer

The annual golf fundraiser supports Breast Health Sarasota, which recently surpassed $750,000 in contributions to support community members with cancer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Bob McCann pulled the proposed ice arena project at Premier off the consent agenda to be discussed by commissioners.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 25, 2026
Does ice arena project melt your heart?

Lakewood Ranch residents might be surprised about Manatee's proposed plan for Premier Sports Campus North.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Chad Sobotka, a Riverview High graduate, last played for the Atlanta Braves in 2020. He spent parts of three seasons in the MLB as a right-hander.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 25, 2026
A reflection on recent major-leaguers from Sarasota

MLB spring training games began Feb. 20, and in years past, local talents have been active.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Elizabeth Henderson, the founder and president of the Little Free Library Club in Lakewood Ranch, began the group in 2023.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 25, 2026
Little Free Library Club works to keep reading accessible in Lakewood Ranch

Since 2023, the club has built five libraries in local parks. In order to expand, volunteers and books are needed.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Pass drawbridge opens anywhere from 100 to 300 times per month, according to an FDOT engineering study.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 25, 2026
FDOT prefers fixed-span design for Longboat Pass Bridge replacement

The 78-foot clearance design sparked controversy when it was first introduced as one of three options two years ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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