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Results for:

Sarai Castro gave up on softball in 2023. Now, she's the Pirates' leading hitter in her first season at the high school level.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 5, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Sarai Castro

The freshman center fielder/left fielder led Braden River High softball to a district championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi explains how robust community education contributes to the island's success in responding to cardiac distress calls. He touched on response times, disaster response and more at the April 30 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 30, 2026
Fire chief explains Longboat's high cardiac rescue success rates

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi spoke about how vital it is for community members to learn CPR and be ready to act.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dick Vitale, 86, has been with ESPN since the 1979-80 season and has called over 1,000 games for the network. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • April 14, 2026
Vitale reveals a new cancer diagnosis

The 86-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident and sports announcer says treatment begins next week.

  • East County
  • News
Spilled water in parking lot culminates in heated confrontation
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 28, 2026
Spilled water in parking lot culminates in heated confrontation

Water did not put out the fire in a feud between neighbors. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The Concession Golf Club is hosting the Senior PGA Championship April 16-19.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 18, 2026
Final preparations underway for The Concession to host Senior PGA Championship

The Lakewood Ranch golf club has officially begun its one-month countdown to the tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Circus Trail currently runs along the east side of Circus Boulevard before crossing over the road to the east and then back again.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 6, 2026
Circus Trail envisioned to connect Fruitville to 17th Street Park

The Sarasota City Commission has authorized FDOT to design a realignment of Circus Trail into and through Bobby Jones Golf Course and Nature Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The town of Longboat Key is considering a new code addressing solar panels, which would clarify regulations around them. This home in the Village installed solar panels before the 2024 hurricanes and relied on them for backup power after the storms.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • March 10, 2026
Longboat Key considers rules on solar panels

If approved, the town will add a chapter to its code dedicated to solar panel regulations to help owners understand what is and isn't allowed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 9, 2026
Tax reform could mean 41% hit to city revenue fund

If a bill to reform property tax in Florida reaches the November ballot, Sarasota may be seeking ways to make up tens of millions in tax revenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brooks Bartram improved his fastball velocity from 84 miles per hour in September 2025 to 94 mph by February. Now, he'll play NCAA Division II baseball in the fall.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 11, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooks Bartram

After one season with Braden River, the senior right-hander has signed with Eckerd College.

  • East County
  • Sports
Geordie Rauch (1980—2026)
  • In Memoriam |
  • March 31, 2026
Geordie Rauch

George Washington Rauch IV, known to everyone as Geordie, passed away unexpectedly on March 4, 2026, in Sarasota, Florida, after suffering a sudden cardiac event. He was 45 years old.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Commissioner George Kruse proved you can govern without letting special interests influence your decisions after substantial campaign donations.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • May 6, 2026
Don't judge Manatee County candidates solely on campaign contributions

Developers and builders have every right to contribute to candidates that represent their best interests.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lessons on how not to do it
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • May 13, 2026
Lessons on how not to do it

The Sarasota tax collector-school board dispute has reached a partial resolution. Taking the high road can bring it to the best ending.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Chamber youth leadership program accepting applicaitons
  • By Observer Staff |
  • March 15, 2026
Chamber youth leadership program accepting applicaitons

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the Youth Leadership Sarasota program class of 2027.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The gazebo-style pavilion at Joan M. Durante Park just had a $138,000 facelift as the base of the structure was mostly replaced.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 24, 2026
Durante Park gazebo, boardwalk repairs complete

A gazebo repair cost $138,000, while boardwalk, overlook replacement and debris clearing totaled $329,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC

Commissioners chose to partner with the EDC and approved a $292,450 annual contract.

  • East County
  • News
Karie Friling makes brief comments to the Sarasota City Commission during her visit to the May 4 commission meeting.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 14, 2026
New city manager calls career in public service 'most noble of professions'

Karie Friling has made several fact-finding visits to Sarasota in preparation for assuming her new role as city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Barbara Geldbart (1930-2026)
  • In Memoriam |
  • April 24, 2026
Barbara Geldbart

Barbara Geldbart passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, at the age of 95.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Asolo Repertory Theatre Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • March 10, 2026
Asolo Rep to premiere a circus musical in its 2026-27 season

"The Day the Circus Came to Town" will be one of five mainstage shows in "The Greatest Season on Earth."

  • Arts + Culture
The Stickney Point Road property contains commercial condominiums, 700 feet of bay frontage and 390 feet of canal/boat basin access.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • May 6, 2026
Nearly $21M Stickney Point project moves forward

Sarasota County commissioners authorized the acquisition and loan to finance the property purchase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In is back at 1701 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • April 25, 2026
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In reopens in Sarasota

The open-air restaurant on Washington Boulevard has returned and has future plans to offer online ordering.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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