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Results for:

When he's not painting, artist Tom Stephens makes fishing rods.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • March 23, 2026
Sarasota artist lives the life aquatic

Sarasota artist and fishing rod craftsman Tom Stephens plugs into the currents of life.

  • Arts + Culture
Plans are to replace the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Newtown with a new building and convert the current structure into outdoor play space.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 30, 2026
Youth club replacement in Newtown wins City Commission approval

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved three measures to permit Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties to replace the McBean club location in Newtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Observer Staff |
  • March 26, 2026
2026 sports summer camps in Sarasota, Manatee

Check out the sports camps available in Sarasota and Manatee counties this summer.

  • Summer Fun Guide
Indigo's Amber Hanratty, who was in the building industry for 25 years, now has her own business called Dirty Sara-Soda.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage

The "dirty soda" mobile business is owned by Lakewood Ranch's Amber Hanratty, who saw an opening in the market.

  • East County
  • Business
  • By One Park Sarasota |
  • March 18, 2026
A Sarasota Townhome Collection Designed for Rooftop Living

The idea of lounging by a pool or taking a quick dip is always enticing, especially when that pool is in one’s private backyard or roof! This was the vision behind the development of One Park Sarasota’s Townhouse Collection. These three-story townhouses, located on the north side of the luxury condominium with views of The Bay, are redefining downtown Sarasota living.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Drew Smith (left) and Chase Smith (right) are a sophomore and senior, respectively, at The Out-of-Door Academy. They lost their father, Scott Smith, to esophageal cancer in October of 2023.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 9, 2026
Brothers fundraise in their father's memory

Chase and Drew Smith held their third annual track and field fundraiser for pediatric cancer research.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
An eVTOL manufactured by Joby Aviation flies over Monterey Bay in California.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 11, 2026
Air taxis: An alternative to sitting in Longboat Key's traffic jams?

The Jetsons maybe had the aesthetic wrong, but the flying car idea? Spot on.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Vern Buchanan has announced his retirement following 20 years in Congress.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • January 27, 2026
Longtime local legislator announces retirement from Congress

Vern Buchanan, who represents Florida's 16th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, has announced his retirement following 20 years in Washington.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ava DiPasquale is ranked sixth in Florida among girls age 13-14 for the 2025-26 season, as well as 67th nationally in that regard, per Swimcloud.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 17, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Ava DiPasquale

The 14-year-old from Mill Creek won big at the Florida Age Group Swimming state championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research

Dick Vitale, a four-time cancer survivor, hosted the event at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.

  • East County
  • Sports
This year the Sarasota Opera House is turning 100. To celebrate, the Sarasota Opera is holding a special concert and dinner on April 11.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • April 8, 2026
Sarasota Opera fetes Opera House on its centennial

The Opera plans an epic celebration for the Med-Rev masterpiece's 100th anniversary.

  • Arts + Culture
They are goons who don't understand Jesus
  • By Letters to the Editor |
  • March 23, 2026
They are goons who don't understand Jesus

Readers respond to our March 5 editorial with mixed views on the U.S.'s conflict with Iran.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Jenna Jahn notched a pair of top-two finishes at the Eddie Starling Memorial Invite on March 13 — including a record-breaking performance.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Jenna Jahn

As a freshman at Lakewood Ranch High, she broke the program record for the 400-meter hurdles.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cooper Jones is one of seven freshmen additions for Braden River this season. The third baseman/catcher leads the team in RBIs and ranks second in batting average, as of March 10.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 18, 2026
Freshmen talent takes center stage for Braden River High's softball team

The Pirates were off to a fast start with seven freshmen having an immediate impact.

  • East County
  • Sports
Alderman Oaks currently has 60 assisted living units. It is seeking to add kitchens to convert them to independent living.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • March 9, 2026
Retirement center zoning change will allow business model shift

The Sarasota City Commission was divided in its approval to rezone Alderman Oaks Retirement Center, allowing a shift from assisted to independent living.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Greg Dauer is the most productive sophomore on the Sailors' roster. Only junior guard Johnny Lackaff and senior forward David Young average more points per game than him.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 4, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Greg Dauer

As the game's leading scorer, the sophomore guard powered Sarasota boys basketball to a regional title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The view of the field at LECOM Park from the Section 16 grandstand. Opened in 1923, it's the oldest ballpark in the Grapefruit League and second-oldest in the minor leagues.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 25, 2026
MLB spring training under my microscope

Comparing the parking, concessions and more at three local ballparks.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A conceptual rendering of the planned expansion of Plymouth Harbor. The new residential tower is at the right.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • March 25, 2026
Rezoning clears the way for Plymouth Harbor expansion

Rezoning will permit Plymouth Harbor continuing care retirement community will build 153 new independent living apartments at its campus on Coon Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Verdi's "Il Trovatore" is one of four operas in the Sarasota Opera's Winter Festival, which runs through March 29 at the Sarasota Opera House.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • March 17, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for March 19-25

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The Broadway revival of Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall April 10-11.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 7, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 9-15

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
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