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Your Observer

Dr. Devon Diaz of Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch demonstrates how to check a dog for a pulse during a pet first aid presentation at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on the morning of Jan. 25.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 30, 2025
Lakewood Ranch CERT hosts pet-preparedness clinic

Preparing pets for disaster isn't as simple as some might think.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Scott Collins plays bass at a Timeless Tributes concert.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 30, 2025
Staff carry on tribute concerts amid Sarasota Classic Car Museum closure

A series of tribute concerts is now being held at Columbus Banquet Hall on Fruitville Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nicholas Haas, the Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch Teacher of the Year, is a longtime guitarist who has parlayed his passion for music into a career in teaching.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 30, 2025
Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch honors its Teacher of the Year

Nicholas Haas adapts to the times to keep students excited.

  • East County
  • Schools
Booker High junior J.P. Lattimore has emerged as a leader this season on the boys varsity basketball team.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 30, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: J.P. Lattimore

The junior forward is leading Booker High in scoring this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A view of the courtyard area of the Colson Hotel from the adjacent property where developer JDMax plans to build an infill residential development.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 30, 2025
Colson Hotel purchase ensures preservation of Black history landmark

A coalition acquired the century-old former hotel for Black residents in the Rosemary District from a developer with plans sell it for adaptive reuse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 1664 Waldemere St. was built in 1998 and has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,124 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 30, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 13-17 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Higel Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.8 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Gulf Drive is indistinguishable from the beach on Anna Maria Island following Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 30, 2025
Manatee County to receive over $252 million for disaster recovery

Residents will have 30 days to weigh in on the project plans.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • January 30, 2025
Take a trip back to Longboat Key's humble beginnings

From pirates to luxury resorts, discover the fascinating facts behind Longboat Key's unique history as it approaches its 70th anniversary.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rod Hershberger says his success in life and business can be traced to faith, family and work.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 30, 2025
Friends and co-workers of Rod Hershberger shed light on his wisdom

When Rod Hershberger, founder and former CEO of PGT Innovations, speaks, people listen. With a genuine pay-it-forward philosophy, his north star is helping others — a testament to his reputation as a truly nice guy.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • January 30, 2025
Local restaurants dish up an assortment of international cuisine

Skip the hassle of airports and long flights. A culinary odyssey awaits in our area’s islands in the sun.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
This Longboat Key estate provides a ready escape to the water.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • January 30, 2025
Longboat Key estate boasts features that make it a boater's dream come true

Set on two acres overlooking peaceful Bishop’s Bayou, this waterfront masterpiece is both eye-catching and private.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Larry G. Bedsole, Sr. (1941-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • January 29, 2025
Larry G. Bedole, Sr.

Larry G Bedsole, Sr., passed away on January 22, 2025, at the age of 83, following an acute illness.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Kindergarteners Milan Brown and Calem Smith pose with their new shoes.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 29, 2025
Holiday House holds shoe drive at Alta Vista Elementary School

The nonprofit's shoe drive supplied every student in the school with a new pair of shoes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ava Horne, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate, dances her way across the field.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 29, 2025
East County high schools finish above state average in graduation rate

Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish high schools excel through individual attention and identifying at-risk students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Payton Mangay-Ayam helped propel the Braden River High girls varsity weightlifting team to its third straight title with individual wins in the 154-pound weight class at the Class 2A District 12 meet on Jan. 23.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 29, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Payton Mangay-Ayam

Braden River junior helps weightlifting team win its third consecutive Class 3A District 12 title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Stock Development Sales Associate Dominick Giallombardo stands in front of the final new home to sell in the Lake Club at 15315 Anchorage Place. It sold for $6,295,000.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 29, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's elite home market continues to grow

Stock Development closes out Lake Club with a $6.3 million sale.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sara and Danny Abercrombie show support for their daughter Allyson by wearing marching band T-shirts and volunteering for the Boosters.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 29, 2025
Braden River High band boosters do more than fundraise

The high school's band director says the parent-led nonprofit is "crucial" to the program's success.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Meals on Wheels Plus-Manatee's Maribeth Phillips and Daybreak Adult Day Center's Stefanie Guido hope the community continues to support the programs in 2025.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 29, 2025
Challenges remain imposing for Meals on Wheels Plus-Manatee

COVID, inflation and hurricanes leave more residents than ever in need of food and support.

  • East County
  • News
The unit at 3030 Grand Bay Blvd has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,369 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 29, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 13-17 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Grand Bay condominium tops the week's sales at $2.2 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Kei Sulhi and Dr. Ann Stephenson-Moe receive recognition for their musical contributions to the community.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 29, 2025
Temple's 46th gala celebrates the arts

Temple Beth Israel celebrated musical talents of Kei Sulhi and Dr. Ann Stephenson-Moe at its annual gala.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bogdan Godlevskyi, a sophomore forward at Lakewood Ranch, drives to the basket against Braden River's Charlie Wilson on Jan. 21. Godlevskyi scored a season high 11 points in the game, which Lakewood Ranch lost 65-45.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 29, 2025
Playoffs look like tough prospect for high school basketball teams

The Braden River High Pirates' win over the Lakewood Ranch High Mustangs on Jan. 21 shows they are on an upward trajectory.

  • East County
  • Sports
Columbia Restaurant is known for its authentic Cuban sandwiches, vibrant paella and signature sangria.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 29, 2025
Columbia Restaurant preserves family tradition while evolving with the times

A staple for visitors and locals alike, the Columbia Restaurant shares the legacy behind its tasty traditions.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A freestanding emergency room is now open at 7250 University Parkway.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 29, 2025
Lakewood Ranch-area medical services expand with population

Hospital and safety officials say more facilities can mean better outcomes for the patients due to proximity.

  • East County
  • News
The town's wastewater system relies on lift stations and the control panels attached to each one.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 29, 2025
Town aims to upgrade resiliency of lift stations on island

The lift stations, which control water and wastewater flow on the island, needed to be replaced after the latest hurricanes, costing the town about $800,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Just off the Legacy Trail north of Bahia Vista Street, the entire neighborhood was flooded from rain from Hurricane Debby.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 29, 2025
Breach may be main culprit of Hurricane Debby flooding in Sarasota

A breach discovered east of Interstate 75 combined with more than a foot of rain to brought catastrophic flooding to miles along Phillippi Creek during Debby.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Julie Fanning holds the ceremonial gavel in taking over as the 2025 chair of the board for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 29, 2025
Maintaining a positive direction is key to new LWRBA chair

Julie Fanning will guide the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance through its 20th anniversary year.

  • East County
  • Business
A rendering shows the terrace, which would be a possible enhancement to the Sarasota County library.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 29, 2025
Longboat Key has new April deadline for library fundraising

The town now has until the end of April to raise the $3.5 million needed for an enhanced version of a Sarasota County library.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Linn Torres, All Angels by the Sea administrative assistant and art sale coordinator, shows one of the pieces that will be available at the 'New to You' art sale starting Feb. 3.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 29, 2025
Find treasures at 'New to You' art sale

All Angels by the Sea is holding its fifth annual art sale, starting Feb. 3, to support the nonprofit Turning Points, which helps residents avoid homelessness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The 50-year decision
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 29, 2025
The 50-year decision

The Karins report on the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall brings to the fore many dilemmas. The Van Wezel needs $17 million to keep going . It’s worth $80 million. Should the city be in the theater business?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Stephen Norman, senior event manager at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, interviews job fair candidates.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 28, 2025
St. Regis job fair adds employees front to back

St. Regis Longboat Key Resort recently sought recruits within the community at an in-house job fair

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A March 2022 development concept plan for the planned Lakewood Ranch Southeast property. (Image via Sarasota County)
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota County approves plan for major Lakewood Ranch expansion

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch plans to develop 5,000 homes on 4,100 acres near Old Miakka as Lakewood Ranch Southeast.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota High senior Aaron Clark (left) and junior Oliver Boyle work on defensive rotations during practice.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota teams get ready to tip-off in district tournaments

How will Sarasota's teams fare in the boys and girls district tournaments next week?

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Musician Billy Lindsey, performing as Elvis Presley, gives lei necklaces to all the ladies in the audience, including Sharyn Ford.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 28, 2025
Elvis kicks off Longboat Harbor social calendar

Longboat Harbour Condominiums has a full slate of social events planned for 2025, and the events kicked off Jan. 25 with a performance by musician Billy Lindsey.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota County criminal justice campus area map shows city- and county-owned parcels.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota county jail expansion could cost upward of $700 million

Already well in excess of operational capacity, county commissioners learn an expansion of the county jail will likely cost a least a half billion dollars.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A funding source is one of the challenges in developing a canal maintenance program.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 28, 2025
Commissioners choose not to impose canal maintenance tax in 2025

Still lacking an agreed-upon taxing method and not wanting to impose an additional tax after hurricanes, the commission decided to push the program down the road.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Former Riverview High baseball coach and athletic director Larry Altier had a massive impact on the baseball community of Sarasota. His life will be celebrated with a Naval service on Feb. 7 at 2:30 p.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota area legend left his mark on the field

Longtime Riverview High baseball coach and athletic director Larry Altier leaves behind a legacy that will live on long beyond his passing.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Hunter Eichhorn watches his approach shot fly on the ninth hole. He already has four top-10 finishes this season on the Korn Ferry Tour, and leads the LECOM Suncoast Classic after round one at nine under par.
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Colin Montgomery, a two-time winner of the Senior PGA Championship, is in the 135-player field committed to play April 16-19.
  • April 3, 2026
All-star field set for Senior PGA Championship
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