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Results for:

Chip Bennett, lead pastor of Grace Community Church in Lakewood Ranch, says his church sees 4,000 worshippers on a typical Sunday during season.
  • By Jim DeLa |
  • September 12, 2024
Churches mirror huge growth in Lakewood Ranch

Faith communities say rapid expansion is a blessing and a challenge

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lawns and homes are tidy in Country Club Shores.
  • By Lauren Tronstad |
  • January 25, 2023
Maintaining town aesthetic drives new property standards

Longboat leaders are considering updated rules on a variety of property maintenance fronts.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Artists Court is one of three downtown Sarasota developments that will include affordable housing units.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • March 21, 2024
Attainable housing is 'happening' downtown, says Sarasota planning director

A city incentive has developers including a percentage of affordable housing in downtown residential project plans.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Windjammers Unlimited, more formally known as the Circus Music Historical Society, will perform with the Sailor Circus on Jan. 11 after their weeklong convention in Sarasota.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • January 7, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 9-15

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
A study done by the Florida Department of Transportation estimated that the current drawbridge is raised about 100-300 times a month.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • June 19, 2024
What's the right size for a new Longboat Pass Bridge?

With new bridge alternatives on the table, FDOT returned to Longboat Key after community members raised concerns about size and scale.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Newly adopted property maintenance codes requires all garbage cans and dumpsters to have their lids and gates closed, when applicable.
  • By Lauren Tronstad |
  • March 13, 2023
Longboat adopts new property maintenance standards

The Town Commission adopted the International Property Maintenance Code with additional town-specific provisions at its March 6 regular meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Enzo Frascone, 4, asks Debby Alexander to help him identify a shell.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • February 10, 2025
Shell show provides education and shell spectacle

The event, hosted by the Sarasota Shell Club, combined artistic and scientific displays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Man starts verbal disagreement over lost pairs of pants
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • February 4, 2025
Man starts verbal disagreement over lost pairs of pants

A check to replace one pair of pants was not enough for the owner of the pants. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
FPL and Pike electric trucks at Tuttle Avenue and Fruitville Road head out on their calls on Aug. 5, 2024, following Hurricane Debby.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • October 9, 2024
FPL customers in Sarasota, Manatee face post-Milton outages

In a note to customers on its website, Florida Power & Light says its crews are in the hardest hit areas. "We ask for your patience as we work around-the-clock to get Florida back to normal."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River sophomore guard Jerrod Long (front) has a laugh during practice with junior forward Sebastian Rivera.
  • By Dylan Campbell |
  • December 3, 2024
Braden River High basketball is hungry for more

The Pirates look to defend their district title in the 2024-25 season.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was built over fill, which created land on what was formerly Sarasota Bay.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • November 13, 2024
Van Wezel damage may reach $10 million

With multiple shows hanging in the balance, Executive Director Mary Bensel tells the city's Purple Ribbon Committee the race is on to reopen on Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lorraine and Tommy Rheinlander with Gary Hagen at Donuts By Design
  • By Petra Rivera |
  • August 23, 2024
Summer Night Out builds community between new and longtime Longboaters

Whitney Plaza businesses hosted a night of shopping, free samples and relationship building for residents in the area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Woman's Exchange, located at 539 S. Orange Ave., wanted to build a single-story expansion at 526 Rawls Ave.
  • By David Conway |
  • December 6, 2016
Judge rejects Woman’s Exchange appeal

On Monday, Circuit Court Judge Brian Iten ruled the city was justified in its decision to reject plans to expand the Woman’s Exchange.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Temple Beth Israel Music Director and Organist Ann Stephenson-Moe and Choir Soloist Kei Sulhi
  • By Petra Rivera |
  • January 8, 2025
Temple Beth Israel plans to honor its music director and soloist

At its annual gala on Jan. 26, Temple Beth Israel Music Director and Organist Ann Stephenson-Moe and Choir Soloist Kei Sulhi will be honored after almost 30 years of dedication.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photograph of the pipe lying on its side at the Town of Longboat Key's Public Works Department. The breach was in the bottom invert of the pipe.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • July 9, 2024
To tackle urgent infrastructure projects, Longboat faces $27M debt

Due to rising project costs, two necessary utility projects come with a price tag of almost $40 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Blackburn Point Swing Bridge was built in 1925.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • November 4, 2024
A decision looms for the Longboat Pass Bridge's replacement

Transportation officials are studying options for a new bridge on the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Observer Staff |
  • November 23, 2024
Shore to leave St. Armands Circle; Tommy Bahama to lease its space

Shore owners say flooding issues are prompting the brand to leave Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Holly Ye recently completed a software engineering bootcamp through the State College of Florida Coding Academy. She is an educator transitioning to a career as a fullstack web developer.
  • By James Peter |
  • July 21, 2023
The road to higher education for Sarasota and Manatee students has changed

Students face more competitive college admissions, shifting career pathways and increased expectations from employers.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Nathan Benderson Park’s dragon boat program is the second largest in the country.
  • By Susan Burns |
  • August 22, 2024
Local dragon boat teams dig in for their next competition in waters overseas

Nathan Benderson Park's dragon boat program has become one of the largest and most competitive in the U.S. In September, its athletes are headed to the world competition in Italy.

  • East County
  • Sports
Left side: Holly Braun, Brent Piersma, Ann Quackenbush, Dennis Piermont and the Rev. Julia Piermont.
Right side: Sue Wertman, Mike McCullough, Michael Gardiner and Andy Sawyer at the Christ Church food drive.
  • By Petra Rivera |
  • November 4, 2024
Christ Church of Longboat Key host annual food drive for hurricane relief

Longtime volunteers of Our Daily Bread were amazed at the amount of donations church members and Longboaters brought.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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