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Results for:

Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April

Swimming and rowing championships expected to attract more than 5,000 athletes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Paul Dezzi is the fire chief of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department and the town's emergency manager.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 19, 2026
Longboat Key fire station to host open house March 25

Longboat Key Fire Rescue hosts an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Station 92.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brandon Billings and Katriana Vélez star in FSU/Asolo Conservatory's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which runs through April 26 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • April 21, 2026
'A Midsummer Night's Dream' takes flight at FSU/Asolo Conservatory

MFA students transform Shakespeare’s fever dream into an aerial playground.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Longboat Key’s social media presence is thanks in large part to Tina Adams, whose duties include leading a communications team who regularly post infographics, flyers and breaking news alerts to its Facebook, Instagram and X pages. On a Thursday afternoon, Adams walked over to the police station to meet with Police Chief Russ Mager to film the latest video series shared by the town: A Minute with Mager. Adams helped get the right take with the chief, tweaking the script and discussing what was important to include and what could be left out.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 10, 2026
Tina Adams' role with Longboat has grown over 26 years

A snapshot of the duties and life of the person who works to keep residents and media updated about services on the Key, both big and small.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Redevelopment of The Bay park will reach a critical juncture for
Founding CEO AG Lafley in 2026.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 8, 2026
Will 2026 be another year of 'mights' in Sarasota?

From a new Sarasota city manager (maybe) to an implementation agreement for a new performing arts center (also maybe), 2026 promises to be an eventful year in Sarasota. Maybe.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Preston Bowers volunteers for TOPSoccer, and Chris Collins manages the program.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • March 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit soccer program is tops

TOPSoccer offers fun and camaraderie to children with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Tina Ciaccio | Michael Saunders & Company |
  • February 20, 2026
For Sale: 16111 Daysailor Trail Lakewood Ranch FL

Perfectly proportioned to enjoy the pinnacle of luxury living inside the exclusive gated community of The Lake Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Bird Key Yacht Club members Carol Smith, Amy Lazarus and Beth Nothstine played instrumental roles in keeping the club's lecture series fresh this season by inviting friends to tell their fascinating life stories. Closing out the series, Bobbi Brown shared tales from her journey starting a makeup empire.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 31, 2026
Longtime friendships make Bird Key lecture series possible

The Seafarers Speaker Series brought special guests to tide over Bird Key Yacht Club until the new clubhouse is finished.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wailing punk rocker on a trampoline disturbs neighbors
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 15, 2026
Wailing punk rocker on a trampoline disturbs neighbors

A backyard neighbor takes offense to loud, profane lyrics of a man jumping on his trampoline while singing a 1990s punk band's tunes. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Jim and Ellen Kelleher take in the breeze from Sarasota Bay while socializing at the March 3 St. Armands Key Residents Association dinner at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 6, 2026
St. Armands residents hone long-term, community-based vision

The annual dinner recognized residents Mike Adkinson and Mary Lynn Cheatham for their contributions to the St. Armands community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County has renegotiated its contracts with Waste Pro and Waste Management to bring back limited bulk trash pickup for one year.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 15, 2026
Manatee County launches $3M pilot program for bulk garbage pickup

Regular bulk pickup was eliminated when the "Big Bin Advantage" was introduced in October.

  • East County
  • News
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
Landscaping projects such as the one proposed for South River Road SR 777) in Venice by the state transportation department are accounted for in the state budget. But upkeep is almost always a county responsibility, something Sarasota officials are concerned about.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • April 2, 2026
Costs connected to roadway landscaping concern county

State budget pays to plant in medians and shoulders of state roads, but only if Sarasota agrees to a forever-maintenance deal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fourth graders Leona Killion and Michael Chmielarski created business cards as a dancer and a soccer player for the Project T.E.A.C.H. activity on March 12.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • March 23, 2026
Project TEACH volunteers work to inspire young minds in Manatee County

Fourth grade classes all over the district were joined by local business people to talk about careers and dreams.

  • East County
  • Schools
Screenshot of a body-worn camera video shows the moment SPD Officer Michal Banasiak reaches for a bottle before grabbing the man in distress and pulling him to safety.and
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 3, 2026
Sarasota Police officers rescue man threatening suicide

Sarasota police officers rescued a man threatening to jump from the sixth floor of a downtown parking garage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The cast of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "How I Got Over" raise their hands in praise.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • March 9, 2026
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe sings a hymn of gratitude

Nate Jacobs' theater company educates and inspires with "How I Got Over: A Gospel Revue."

  • Arts + Culture
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
Sarasota residents Erma and Dave Miller were drawn into the world of bicycle motocross because of their son, Doug Miller, and have spent decades in the sport.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • February 5, 2026
Sarasota couple stand side by side with BMX

Involved for nearly 50 years, Dave and Erma Miller have impacted the sport locally and beyond.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Longboat Pass drawbridge opens anywhere from 100 to 300 times per month, according to an FDOT engineering study.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • March 29, 2026
Town reiterates stance against fixed-span bridge

About two years after Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier sent a letter to FDOT advocating against a fixed-span bridge, newly picked Mayor Debra Williams has done the same.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
"La bohème," which runs through March 28 at Sarasota Opera House, is the first of four productions in the Sarasota Opera's 2026 Winter Festival.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • February 18, 2026
For Sarasota Opera, it's a season to remember

The 2026 Winter Opera Festival will be filled with emotion, on and off the stage.

  • Arts + Culture
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