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Your Observer

Sarasota High sophomore Braedon Mackay and the Sailors would have had to defeat Venice, the No. 4 team in Florida, twice to advance past the regional playoffs.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 10, 2025
The 2025 prep softball and baseball stars of Sarasota

These players have been the best on the diamond this spring.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
  • By JL Bainbridge
  • April 10, 2025
Navigating Tax Changes in 2025 and 2026

How J.L. Bainbridge Helps Secure Your Financial Future

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By None
  • April 10, 2025
Construction rises along Tampa Riverwalk on Pendry Hotel & Residences

A refined expression of the polished comfort and contemporary luxury of the esteemed Montage Hotels & Resorts lineage, Pendry Tampa offers unrivaled amenities and a renowned culture of hospitality, amid one of the nation’s hottest downtowns.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Top white rectangle: Hi Hat is donating 10 to 17 acres of its property so the county can widen Fruitville Road. Bottom rectangle: Hi Hat has agreed to pay half the cost of widening Bee Ridge along the blue line; it will pay 100% of widening the green strip, as well as the road leading into Hi Hat Ranch.
    By
  • Eric Garwood, Matt Walsh
  • April 9, 2025
Officials OK controversial roads proposal for large east Sarasota County project

Commissioners vote 3-2 to move ahead with Hi Hat Ranch agreement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lannie Fineman, 17, and Sophie Huralde, 17, created Positively Sweet.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 9, 2025
Young entrepreneurs sell their creations at The Bazaar

The Young Entrepreneur Market highlighted the creativity of some of the community's entrepreneurs ages 8 to 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Family discovers a surprise tenant in condo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 9, 2025
Family discovers a surprise tenant in condo

A couple entering a family-owned rental finds a man living there, later learning their agent signed the lease for them. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Six months ago, hurricanes Helene and Milton flooded St. Armands Circle. Today, a sense of normalcy has returned.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield, Carter Weinhofer, Dana Kampa, Ian Swaby
  • April 9, 2025
Helene and Milton Six Months Later: Back to normal, except people aren't here

Longboat Key, St. Armands Key, Siesta Key and Sarasota are climbing out of the hurricanes hole as residents continue to rebuild.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lido Beach welcomes plenty of visitors near the end of the busy season despite challenges posed by the hurricanes six months ago.
    By
  • Dana Kampa, Ian Swaby
  • April 9, 2025
Moving forward from hurricanes takes united community effort

Leaders in the tourism industry celebrate successes in recovery and encourage both visitors and residents to support local businesses along the road to full recovery.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mote Ranch's Carolann Garafola is handing out blue and silver pinwheels to family and friends throughout the month of April in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 9, 2025
Taxpayer fund doles out millions to Manatee County nonprofits

Each year, members of the Children's Services Advisory Board pour over grant applications to divvy up about $14 million.

  • East County
  • News
Martin and Diana Rosansky, of Sarasota, sold their home at 495 McKinley Drive to Sea Dancer LLC for $4.83 million. Built in 1993, it has two bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 3,903 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,135,000 in 1998.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 9, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 24-28 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Lido Beach home on McKinley Drive tops the week’s sales at $4.83 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Samantha Casanueva, Parker Poplaski, Matthew Jackson and Trenton Horne of Blue Lightning with their robots and awards.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 9, 2025
Three East County schools headed to Vex Robotics World Championship

Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School, Virgil Mills Elementary School, Carlos E. Haile Middle School and Dr. Mona Jain Middle School are going to compete in Dallas, Texas.

  • East County
  • Schools
Crews remove debris in the wake of Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 9, 2025
Debris removed to sites across the state

Some of it recycled, the rest buried in landfills, the debris removed across the county numbered in the millions of cubic yards.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Joe Neunder cuts the ribbon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 9, 2025
Sarasota County cuts ribbon on Historic Keith Farmhouse restoration

The farmhouse, built in 1916, is considered one of Sarasota County's most significant historic structures.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A crowd gathers on the No. 18 hole at Lakewood National Golf Club to watch 15-year-old junior golfer Miles Russell play in the 2024 LECOM Suncoast Classic on April 21. Russell finished tied for 20th at 14 under par.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 9, 2025
A golf fan's guide to watching the LECOM Suncoast Classic

Lakewood National offers some challenging shots to Korn Ferry players.

  • East County
  • Sports
Some boardwalks around Joan M. Durante Park and Quick Point Nature Preserve remain impassable after hurricanes Helene and Milton.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 9, 2025
Town works to rebalance funds after estimated $7.6M in hurricane expenses

Longboat Key Finance Department staff are working through FEMA claims and managing the town’s budget to complete hurricane-related expenditures that total.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
AI: The next new frontier?
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • April 9, 2025
AI: The next new frontier?

While some media organizations are clamoring to be leaders in artificial intelligence, the Observer is following a different approach.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Morgan Peggs has a 2.88 ERA across 41 1/3 innings in his senior season for Riverview baseball.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 9, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Morgan Peggs

Peggs held the No. 20 team in the nation in check in a 4-1 Riverview win at CoolToday Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Fifth graders Jaleeyah and Journee mix the coffee cake.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2025
Girls Inc. girls bake coffee cakes in honor of Virginia B. Toulmin

Girls Inc. members cooked the dessert, a favorite of philanthropist Virginia Toulmin, in honor of their one-year scholarships to Young Chefs Academy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jack Brill, chair of the Republican Party of Sarasota County, Sen. Joe Gruters, Sen. Jim Boyd, Graci McGillicuddy, Rep. Fiona McFarland, Rep. James Buchanan and Rep. Will Robinson.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2025
Graci McGillicuddy presented with Lifetime Achievement Award

Republican Party of Sarasota County recognizes her work on behalf of abused children, including through her co-founding of All Star Children's Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
From left, Marilyn Davol, Mary Del Pup, Susan Gilmore Clarke, Kay Kochenderfer and Lynn Kennelly swear to uphold their duties as the officers of the Women's Guild at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 8, 2025
Women's Guild leaders prepare for new term

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church installed its officers for the Women's Guild.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Artist Series Concerts names new executive director
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2025
Artist Series Concerts names new executive director

Keren Shani-Lifrak succeeds Marcy Miller, who is retiring after six years with the cultural group.

  • Arts + Culture
Rose Marie Stieber (1928-2024)
    In Memoriam |
  • April 8, 2025
Rose Marie “Rosie” Stieber

Rose Marie “Rosie” Stieber, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at age 96.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Lakewood Ranch senior Savannah Adams placed first in the 800-meter run, first as part of the 4x800 relay team and third as part of the 4x400 relay team on April 3 at the Wally Keller Invite.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Savannah Adams

Lakewood Ranch senior placed first in two track events at the Wally Keller Invite.

  • East County
  • Sports
Electric dirtbikes have become a popular mode of transportation for Lakewood Ranch teenagers and a nuisance to Lakewood Ranch adults.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2025
Teens on electric bikes 'taunt' Lakewood Ranch residents

Residents in neighborhoods along White Eagle Boulevard are fed up.

  • East County
  • News
Sylvia Abdelsalam, vice president of the Lakewood Ranch Garden Club and Garden Fest Committee Chair with Penny Kress, a Garden Fest committee member.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Library to host Garden Fest

The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club's Garden Fest will have 50 vendors, educational speakers and crafts for kids.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John Woodman, a division manager for Homes by Towne, sits on a swing at the new Midway Park. A grand opening is being held April 12 at the park that connects the Wild Blue and Shellstone communities.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 8, 2025
Two Waterside communities unveil a park at their midway point

Wild Blue and Shellstone combine to build an exceptional athlete and social facility.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
10309 Riverbank Terrace, built in 2003, was sold for $2.55 million. It has 6,136 square feet of living area, including four bedrooms. Photo courtesy of Steve Slocum.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 8, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 24-28 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Lindrick Lane topped the week’s sales at $2.85 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Man unable to find car calls for emergency backup
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 8, 2025
Man unable to find car calls for emergency backup

The man first presumed the car was stolen, and officers showed up to search for the missing vehicle. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Children wait to dive for eggs during a previous Aqua Egg Hunt at Arlington Park pool.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2025
Aqua Egg Hunt set for April 12

The annual event will be held at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
An aerial picture of the beach near Bayfront Park in October 2024 shows how storm surge washed over the beach and impacted dune height and vegetation.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 8, 2025
Major progress toward rebuilding Longboat's beaches still far out

Longboat Key’s flatter beaches — thanks to hurricanes Helene and Milton — will need federal funding to assist the town in rebuilding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Andrew Jensen is the fourth head coach of Lakewood Ranch softball in the past four seasons.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch softball team chases a return to its glory days

The Mustangs struggled after losing Coach T.J. Goelz but are showing signs of contending again.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota County has approved funding to widen a 1.5-mile stretch of Legacy Trail with a bifurcated path.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 8, 2025
Legacy Trail bridges, widening projects advance

Overpasses at Clark Road and Bee Ridge Road expected to wrap up in June.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 7, 2025
Manatee County launches water meter replacement project

Work begins this month on installing remotely read devices.

  • East County
  • News
Frank Folsom Smith (1931-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • April 7, 2025
Frank Folsom Smith

Frank Folsom Smith was an influential member of the Sarasota School of Architecture and the lead architect for Sarasota’s landmark Plymouth Harbor retirement community.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the Sarasota Police Department will take part in the 2026 Torch Run.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 7, 2025
Special Olympics Torch Run hits Sarasota streets on Friday

County and city law enforcement officers will carry the flame in support of the May event.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Artist Erica Ferguson incorporates preserved mosses into her work, which she shared with visitors at the debut "Artists in the Garden."
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 7, 2025
Arts in April officially kicks off with garden party

Community members had the opportunity to connect directly with local artists at this weekend's Artists in the Garden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Pianist Michael Stephen Brown will replace Robert Levin as a faculty member at the Sarasota Music Festival and will perform on June 6 at Holley Hall.
  • June 1, 2026
A slimmer Sarasota Music Festival aims to be as satisfying as ever
2
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office mobile crime units set up shop on Leonard Reid Avenue following the discovery of partial human skeletal remains on Friday, May 29.
  • June 1, 2026
Skeletal remains discovered in north Sarasota
3
Louisen Desinor posted an 81.8% completion rate in Braden River's jamboree May 22 against Charlotte and Sarasota.
  • June 1, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Louisen Desinor
4
Cyclist killed on Sarasota causeway
  • June 1, 2026
Cyclist killed on Sarasota causeway
5
The pools are waiting on water, and the shaded pickleball structure behind them is waiting on paint for the courts.
  • June 1, 2026
Pool, pickleball facilities close to opening at Premier Sports Campus North

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