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Your Observer

Residents of some buildings in the redeveloped Bath + Racquet Residences & Club will have views of the courts and members' pool.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 23, 2026
Reimagined Bath + Racquet club expects condo occupation by fall

Bath + Racquet Residences & Club expects to move in its first residences and have the club partially opened by early fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 3550 Flamingo Ave. was built in 2025 and has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,901 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 23, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 6-10 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Bay Island Siesta Key home on Flamingo Avenue tops the week's sales at $5.8 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
1000 North will feature a floating staircase connecting the downsairs dining room with the walnut-lined second-floor lounges.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 23, 2026
Exclusive club complements developer's Sarasota evolution vision

Already expanding before it opens, 1000 North augments the vision of developer Kevin Daves to make Sarasota among the country's "most refined" cities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A crowd gathers outside as the Driveway Drifters perform. The members pictured include Angie Eason, Gary Bowen, Debbie and Ron Fellman, Bill Green, Gary Eason, Lynn Cassell, Mike Lawless and Michael Cohen. One band member, Eugene Moleiro, was not in attendance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 23, 2026
Driveway band brings neighbors together through music

The Driveway Drifters started gathering to perform during the COVID-19 pandemic and have not stopped since.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By World Class Dentistry
  • April 23, 2026
Rethinking the Dental Chair

For a lot of people, going to the dentist has always been pretty straightforward: fix the tooth, handle the issue, move on. And for some, that works just fine. But for others—especially those dealing with bigger health concerns—it can start to feel like something’s being missed.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Reported kidnapping debunked by video evidence
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 22, 2026
Reported kidnapping debunked by video evidence

A witness told officers she saw a child "thrown" into a car trunk, which video showed was "horse play." This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch's Mateo Orlandini and East Bradenton's Alex Molina both have a passion for soccer and love to play with new people at the Lakewood Ranch Residents Soccer Club.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 22, 2026
Soccer club provides free space to grow and socialize

With soccer being such a popular sport in Lakewood Ranch, Carrie David wanted to provide a free option for players of all ages and skill levels to play together.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Terri Driver is a long-time volunteer with Longboat Key Turtle Watch, seen here caring for a nest in 2016.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 22, 2026
Turtle patrol walks begin on Longboat Key

The duties of Longboat Key Turtle Watch can be broken down into five verbs: patrol, mark, report, dig and educate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An aerial view of Coquina Beach.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 22, 2026
Coquina Beach parking egress reintroduced as idea to fix congestion

While Longboat leaders propose changes to the number of exits at the 857-space lot, county leaders aren’t sold on the idea.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sixth grader Jaleeyah, seventh grader Arianny, Young Chefs Academy owner Dennis O'Sullivan, seventh grader Meadow, fifth grader Ryker, fourth grader Mia, and Bill Villafranco, a trustee of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, stand together as the group of Girls Inc. members graduates.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 22, 2026
Girls from Girls Inc. graduate Young Chefs Academy program

The girls received one-year scholarships to Young Chefs Academy from the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lieutenant Jack Gamble loads a set of bunker gear into the Speed Queen Extractor at Station 1 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 22, 2026
Laundry is priority, not chore, at East Manatee Fire Rescue

Firefighters cut on-the-job cancer risk with face washing and laundry.

  • East County
  • News
Built in 2000, the home at 70 Lighthouse Point Drive three bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,979 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 22, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 6-10 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Lighthouse Point home on Lighthouse Point Drive tops the week’s sales at $13,505,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sharon Godlewski stands by the pool at Springlake in The Meadows. Only the owl and CDs remain, but it's enough to keep the ducks away.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 22, 2026
Snowbirds and mallards fight over pool in The Meadows

The homeowners association at Springlake in The Meadows went to great lengths to evict the ducks.

  • East County
  • News
Stewart Cink (left) embraces his caddie after winning the Senior PGA Championship on April 19 at The Concession Golf Club. It marked his first major title on the PGA Tour Champions.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 22, 2026
PGA of America, The Concession reflect on Senior PGA Championship

It was the first senior major golf tournament in Lakewood Ranch, and is scheduled to return for 2027 and 2028.

  • East County
  • Sports
Love local news? There's an app for that. The Observer recently rolled out a smartphone application that makes it even easier to stay connected.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 22, 2026
App makes local news even easier to find

The Observer rolls out a new digital feature to connect with the community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Alderman Oaks currently has 60 assisted living units. It is seeking to add kitchens to convert them to independent living.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 22, 2026
Assisted-living facility near downtown wins rezoning approval

On second reading, a divided Sarasota City Commission approves Alderman Oaks rezoning without a site plan, opening the door for proposed renovation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Layla Obaseki is a newcomer to Riverview girls track and field, and already has two district titles under her belt.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 21, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Layla Obaseki

The Riverview freshman won two events at the FHSAA Class 4A-District 12 track and field meet.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The local chapter of the National League of American Pen Women Inc. awarded the 2026 winners of the Launching Leaders in the Arts program at an April 15 luncheon at the Prestancia Country Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 21, 2026
Pen Women awards Launching Leaders winners

The local chapter of Pen Women recognized this year's scholarship winners on April 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Murder suspect arrested on Longboat Key
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 21, 2026
Murder suspect arrested on Longboat Key

A 44-year-old Parrish man was arrested on second-degree murder stemming from a cocaine overdose.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
FHP troopers arrested an 18-year-old Cocoa man and impounded a 2022 Ford Mustang after a deadly crash on Interstate 75 Monday morning.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 21, 2026
Man arrested in deadly Manatee County crash

An 18-year-old from Cocoa was booked on vehicular homicide charges in Monday's Interstate 75 incident.

  • East County
  • News
At least 60 community members of all faiths joined in a clean-up of the island on April 18, celebrating the anniversary of Paul Revere's famed ride. Volunteers collected approximately 140 pounds of trash before coming back together for a breakfast and morning service hosted by Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 21, 2026
Togetherness at heart of Faith 250 community cleanup

Community members with all of Longboat Key's religious organizations united for an interfaith roadside cleanup, breakfast and morning service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Team Thunderbolts members Kenny Van Slyck, Avery Szuma and Matteo Saviano won a Create Award, which rewards unique approaches to gameplay over the standard design, to qualify for The VEX Robotics World Championship.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 21, 2026
Three east Manatee elementary teams head to worldwide robotics competition

Through trial and error, fourth and fifth graders from Willis and McNeal are gearing up to put their robots to the test.

  • East County
  • Schools
The golf course at Longboat Key Club, which is accessible by membership or stay at the resort, has 45 holes to play.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 21, 2026
Charity golf tournament will return to Longboat Key

The Phil Galvano Golf Classic benefits Manatee County public schools and is being held for the 30th year in 2026.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key officials are taking an in-depth look at tree regulations on the island, bearing in mind the effects of the 2024 hurricanes.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 21, 2026
Longboat's tree ordinance revamp moves along

The town’s Planning and Zoning Board invited subject matter experts to discuss potential improvements to the town’s tree code.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Country Club East home at 15621 Linn Park Terrace sold for $2,525,000. Built in 2012, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,671 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 21, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 6-10 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Linn Park Terrace tops the week's sales at $2.53 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The 2026 Longboat coconut heist
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 21, 2026
The 2026 Longboat coconut heist

Men hopped a fence, stole coconuts and made a clean getaway. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Carol Ann Felts' sons Kiel and Nicholas Felts unveil the new sign at David J. Crane Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 21, 2026
Manatee County remembers Carol Ann Felts at Crane Park memorial

The late commissioner had a Myakka City preserve named in her honor.

  • East County
  • News
John Daly, an icon in professional golf, was one of many fascinating subjects for my camera at The Concession Golf Club.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 21, 2026
Letting pictures do the talking at the Senior PGA Championship

A behind-the-lens look at Lakewood Ranch's first senior major golf tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
The town of Longboat Key is taking steps to condemn and demolish the house at 6541 Gulfside Road, nicknamed the Half Moon House.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 20, 2026
Town sends compliance agreement to Half Moon house owner

The town of Longboat Key proposed a June 1 deadline for repairs to avoid forced demolition.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Truck driver killed in Interstate 75 wreck
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 20, 2026
Truck driver killed in Interstate 75 wreck

Troopers are looking for the black Mustang that drove away after the crash near State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
Patrick Robinson at the dais with Interim City Manager Jennifer Jorgensen during a recent City Commission meeting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 20, 2026
Sarasota deputy city manager announces retirement

Sarasota Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson has informed the City Commission and senior staff of his retirement effective May 26.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Awardees joined members of the Longboat Key Garden Club's grant committee on April 17 to celebrate receiving funding for their community environmental education and outreach programs. Members raised money all year to support local organizations and fund student scholarships given at the annual meeting.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 20, 2026
Garden club uplifts environment, education with record funding

From one student to a dozen, the club worked to dramatically expand its outreach to support continuing education.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gabbie Hotaling is 11 goals shy of 200 in her career with Lakewood Ranch girls lacrosse, as of April 19, and 17 points away from 300.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 20, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Gabbie Hotaling

The senior midfielder powered Lakewood Ranch girls lacrosse to a maiden district title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Glen Gibellina stands at the entrance of a tiny house he built using a shipping container.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 20, 2026
Affordable housing advocate builds campaign for Manatee commission

Glen Gibellina is challenging incumbent Mike Rahn for the District 4 seat.

  • East County
  • News
Volunteer Jane Webb joins approximately 40 other volunteers in packing jalapeño seeds on April 13 at Christ Church of Longboat Key. This was the final monthly meet-up of the season, and contributors celebrated their milestone of packing 500,000 seed packets this year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 20, 2026
Hope Seeds reflects on charitable milestone

Community members joined in packaging seeds for worldwide farmers for the last time this season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Stand-up comedian Al Ernst opens the second-annual Comedy Night performance through Arts in April, made possible through the Longboat Key Foundation. He and three fellow comedians performed April 16 at the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 20, 2026
Comedian quintet brings jokes to Longboat listeners

The stand-ups joked about everything from dating misadventures to life on the road.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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No good deed goes unpunished
  • May 28, 2026
No good deed goes unpunished
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  • May 28, 2026
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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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