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Results for:

  • By Letter to the editor |
  • May 20, 2026
Take a long look at contributions

East County Observer Editor writes fiction

  • East County
  • Opinion
Entering this season, Braden River softball hadn't won a district title in seven years. The squad is now two wins away from a state championship.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 14, 2026
Braden River High softball advances to state semifinals

With a wire-to-wire effort from Kaydence Evans, the Pirates are FHSAA Class 5A-3 regional champions.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Bruce Stamm says residents in District 1 are being denied due process because of a lack of representation.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 22, 2026
Felts' Manatee County Commission seat remains empty

The district has lacked representation since Commissioner Carol Ann Felts died in February.

  • East County
  • News
Bay Park Conservancy Founding CEO AG Lafley makes his case to the Sarasota County Commission for funding Phase 3 work at The Bay Park.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 29, 2026
Sarasota County takes cautious approach to The Bay park funding

Rather than commit to a funding its portion of the The Bay Phase 3 project, the Sarasota County Commission approved half its share of the fiscal year 2027 debt service payment from TIF funds.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Frank Biondello, Jr. has been overseeing the transformation of The Dock on the Bay's hurricane-damaged marina as the marina manager for the past year.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • May 25, 2026
Dock on the Bay makes progress on 'long road to recovery'

The small condominium facility has operated on Longboat Key for 46 years, and this year is one of significant transformation at its marina and beyond.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sophia Wiley makes her way down the row to shake hands after she receives her Lakewood Ranch High School diploma at Lecom Park May 18.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • May 19, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High graduates eager for what's ahead

LRHS graduation

  • East County
  • Schools
With an eye on lawsuit, county commissioners formalize tax-fee vote
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • May 20, 2026
With an eye on lawsuit, county commissioners formalize tax-fee vote

Sarasota leaders agree to pay 2% commission on school tax while legal action plays out between school district and tax collector.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Daniel Sanchez, Christopher Schrum and Griffin Shay head onto the field.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • May 19, 2026
Another record graduation rate at Sarasota High School

Students headed to Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field to turn their tassels and toss their caps on May 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
  • By Observer Staff |
  • May 21, 2026
Sarasota gunfire remains under investigation

Police looking into a Wednesday shooting into an unoccupied vehicle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Artist Cheryl Moody, who participated in Artists in the Garden earlier this month, joins the local creators showcasing their work at the 10th annual artists' reception and exhibition at Longboat's Town Hall on April 23. The display of works by the featured artists will be up and open for purchases until June.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 27, 2026
Town celebrates 10th year of spotlighting local artists

This marks the 10th year the town of Longboat Key has held an artists' reception and exhibition at town hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Molly Reichenbach, Caio Menegardo and Brian Scanlon cheer for their classmates as they receive their diplomas from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy May 20.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • May 21, 2026
First class of seniors ready to soar from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy

In the inaugural commencement ceremony, 66 seniors from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy walk the stage at The Ora in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By Observer Staff |
  • March 26, 2026
2026 education summer camps in Sarasota, Manatee

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

  • Summer Fun Guide
Gary Hagen, owner of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor, recently published his first book, "Romancing Hollywood."
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • May 13, 2026
Longboat sweets shop owner pens Hollywood-centric book

Gary Hagen, owner of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor, has brought his love for Hollywood from the shop to the written page with his first book.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff |
  • March 25, 2026
Your Next Extraordinary Summer Vacation Awaits

Discover luxurious Alaska in 2026 and Southern Africa in 2027.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
The house at 501 General Harris Street has received attention from neighbors, city code enforcement, banks and courts as foreclosure of the property inches along while maintenance is lacking.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 26, 2026
Pink house draws ire from neighbors

A Longboat Key house under foreclosure with a cluttered and unkempt yard has led to frustrations from Sleepy Lagoon neighbors and $50,000 in code violations from the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
John Dunn is a former U.S. Air Force medic. He's also a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 5, 2026
'Dunn' with special interests, Duette resident enters District 1 race

John Dunn wants the people to run Manatee County, not special interests or even commissioners.

  • East County
  • News
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 Sarasota County side of Gulf of Mexico Drive will be repaved in 2027 or 2028, Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman said.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 20, 2026
Longboat repaving projects planned

Side roads will get fresh asphalt over the next few months, and Gulf of Mexico Drive will be repaved in the coming years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A floating day dock has been built along the refurbished south seawall in the 10th Street boat basin as part of The Bay park Phase 2.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 21, 2026
No fees for day docks at The Bay park

Use of federal funds to build day docks at The Bay means the city cannot charge boaters, but a time limit remains in effect.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The oval median at Bay Isles Road will be refreshed in a landscaping project that will uproot the unkempt plants in the median.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 19, 2026
Bay Isles landscaping project begins

The medians along Bay Isles Road should be refreshed in time for an Independence Day parade.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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