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Results for:

A piece of driftwood that juts from the shallow water off Beer Can Island is decorated with paint.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • June 17, 2026
Art or graffiti? Painting on driftwood at Beer Can Island prompts pushback

Manatee County workers scratch the paintings off the driftwood regularly, but the trend has persisted.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Elliott Mathes grew up watching his older brother, Will Mathes, compete for Sarasota Crew at the USRowing Youth National Championships. From June 11-14, he himself rowed with a junior national title on the line.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • June 16, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Elliott Mathes

Sitting in the sixth seat, Mathes helped Sarasota Crew's U16 Men's Eight to bronze on the national stage.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Owner Heather Rippy checking out a local customer at the Summer Night Out 2025.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • June 13, 2026
Get ready for Summer Night Out's return

Join local businesses at Whitney Plaza for an evening with light bites, shopping and chances to meet local artists.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Among Overland Partners designs at Selby Gardens is the new welcome center.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • June 13, 2026
Architect wins industry award for Selby Gardens design work

Architecture firm Overland Partners was honored with the American Institute of Architects' Committee on the Environment award for its work on Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
James Satcher, a former Manatee County commissioner and Supervisor of Elections, announced and retracted his bid to represent Florida’s 16th Congressional District within a week.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • June 15, 2026
Former Manatee Commissioner Satcher too late for 2026 Congressional bid

Within a week's time, James Satcher announced and retracted his bid for Florida's 16th Congressional District.

  • East County
  • News
The town of Longboat Key distributes yellow and blue stickers for residents and business owners. Red stickers are reserved for police, fire and emergency responders.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 26, 2026
New evacuation re-entry stickers available at Town Hall

Tiered re-entry stickers feature new colors this year, so residents are encouraged to pick their new stickers up ahead of hurricane season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Amanda Boswell has taken over a program with a historically high standard. The Cougars won the 2025 FHSAA Class 3A state championship following four consecutive state finalist finishes.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 28, 2026
First-time high-school coach gets comfortable at Cardinal Mooney

Amanda Boswell, with 17 years of coaching experience, is on a new adventure with the Cougars.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Jaxon Lawhun sat behind Edouard Chaput in 2025 as a junior quarterback for the Thunder. He's now poised to be ODA's starter under center in the fall.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • June 15, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Jaxon Lawhun

The quarterback has a summer full of camps before his senior season with The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bridgewater's Jonathan Mullis, a local dad and business owner, wants to bring his experience and connections to benefit the School District of Manatee County school board.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • June 9, 2026
Bridgewater dad says his connections make him a valuable candidate

Bridgewater's Jonathan Mullis wants to strengthen the relationship between the Manatee school district, the county and nonprofits if he is elected for the District 5 school board seat.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Positano condominium complex was one of the properties in Manatee County that had incorrect property evaluations in the 2026 fiscal year.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • June 17, 2026
Manatee property values rebound on Longboat after mistake in 2025

After a Manatee County Property Appraiser mistake cost the town at least $500,000 last year, town leaders are paying close attention to preliminary values.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dolores Virginia Levy
  • In Memoriam |
  • June 8, 2026
Dolores Virginia Levy (1932-2026)

Dolores Virginia Levy with those beautiful blues eyes, warm heart and great sense of humor passed away May 8th 2026.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Though homesteaded residents would gain property tax savings if Florida's overhaul proposal gains 60% of support in the November elections, even non-homesteaded property owners would see new protections from sharply rising property assessments.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • June 11, 2026
Property tax overhaul: What you should know

Here are the basics of what Florida voters will be deciding in November and what it might mean for property owners.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brody Floyd, 6, his mom Sara Floyd, and brothers Jacob Floyd, 9, and Benjamin Floyd, 6, prepare for the run.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • June 6, 2026
Kids Summer Beach Runs kick off for the year

The beach runs are held every week through July 29.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Madison McKay is in her second and final season with Sarasota Crew. With the club's Youth Women's Eight boat, she'll have a chance at ending her high school rowing career as a junior national champion.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • June 10, 2026
Joining Sarasota Crew propels local rower into the junior national championships

Lakewood Ranch High graduate Madison McKay, who joined Sarasota Crew as a junior, will compete at the USRowing Youth National Championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
Surrounded by members of the Leadership Sarasota Class of 2026, staff from Save Our Seabirds and a cloud of confetti, Lisa Charles cuts the ribbon at the unveiling of an updated outdoor space at the bird sanctuary.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 27, 2026
Leadership Sarasota spruces up Save Our Seabirds space

With the sponsorship and hands-on work of local leaders, the bird sanctuary has a new look for its outdoor education center and landscaping.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gia DePastino was one of five seniors on the Sailors' 13-person roster in 2026. She'll play for Warner University at the NAIA level this fall.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 20, 2026
Despite regional final defeat, Sarasota High softball succeeded

The Sailors posted their most wins in over a decade and were district champions this season under a new coach.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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
An overflow parking lot with 10 spots is open during the day at Bayfront Park accessible via Gulf of Mexico Drive.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 3, 2026
Bayfront Park neighbors express frustrations over parking, litter and more

Residents near Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park have raised the issue with town leaders, who have urged residents to report code violations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Richard Frank Wokoun
  • In Memoriam |
  • May 14, 2026
Richard Frank Wokoun

Richard Frank Wokoun, age 69, of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, passed away on April 26, 2026.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Andres and Liliana Mendez are continuing their family legacy of bronze sculpting, examples of which they shared at the St. Armands Fine Art Festival on May 23 and 24.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • May 26, 2026
Bronze sculpture, 3D paintings and more impress at St. Armands art fest

This Memorial Day weekend fine art festival on St. Armands Circle featured artists who have honed their crafts for decades.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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