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Results for:

Couch LBK joined neighboring Brista Commons businesses in celebrating their official opening on Jan. 20.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 22, 2026
Meet the people behind Brista Commons' new opening

Longboat's new "one-stop shop" for homeowners officially opens at the mid-Key plaza, covering realty, flooring, furniture and windows.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
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
Hermitage Artist Retreat names theater award winner
  • By Observer Staff |
  • March 2, 2026
Hermitage Artist Retreat names theater award winner

The Hermitage Major Theater Award includes a $35,000 cash prize, a residency and a workshop.

  • Arts + Culture
Together, John and Shannon Barton make the "Roaring '20s" at the Great Gatsby-themed annual dinner for members of the Friars Club. Attendees shared their favorite memories from the season and gave out awards at the March 24 celebration at the Harbourside Ballroom.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 27, 2026
Friars golfers throw back to Roaring '20s

The annual dinner recognized longtime members of the golfer social group.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Margarita Lenk, Ari and Stephanie Weiner pick out their slices at the Longboat Harbour annual farewell pizza party on April 16.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 17, 2026
Longboaters bid farewell to seasonal neighbors

Residents greeted the end of season with farewell events across the island, including at Longboat Harbour.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah

Sisterhood for Good's Tropical Escape presents the ultimate luau at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Danielle Ziegler is the shelter director. She's cuddling with Lyza, a 9-year-old Catahoula mix with chronic ear infections.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • January 21, 2026
Struggling for funds is a way of life at the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch

Grants, like the $20,000 received through the Manatee Community Foundation, are essential to the nonprofit's survival.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church Pastor Ken Blyth poses for a photo in his office Tuesday, March 10, less than a week after he and a group of pastors had their pilgrimage to the Holy Land cut short as war erupted in the Middle East.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • March 13, 2026
Sarasota pastor home safe after war breaks out during Holy Land pilgrimage

St. Armands Lutheran Church Pastor Ken Blyth was one of 23 American clergy on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land whose trip turned into a journey to escape a war zone.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rangeland High School, previously referred to as AAA High School, is being built near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and is set to open to freshmen and sophomores in August 2027.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • April 17, 2026
New high school in Lakewood Ranch is getting closer to being named

Now referred to as AAA High School, the School District of Manatee County has been gathering feedback on what the school should be named.

  • East County
  • Schools
Theo Chien and Peter Ginsburg test out their fire helmets at the Longboat Key Fire Rescue open house on March 25 at Station 92. The pair picked out some fire station-themed toys while meeting first responder staff at the annual event.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 27, 2026
Longboat families connect with first responders

Visitors of all ages got the chance to check out new first responder equipment and the big rigs at the Station 92 open house.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By The Sarasota Ballet |
  • January 23, 2026
Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

The Sarasota Ballet presents the world premiere of "The Waiting Room" January 30 to February 2 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
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
Laura Frye stars in Florida Studio Theatre's "A Night With Janis Joplin," which runs through April 12.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • March 30, 2026
'A Night with Janis Joplin' is a full-tilt boogie you won't soon forget

Florida Studio Theatre celebrates the singer's soulful artistry with part-concert, part character study.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Sarasota's Downtown Neighborhood zone district, which includes Gillespie Park, was omitted from the citywide expansion of its vacation rental ordinance.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • March 12, 2026
Vacation rental rules expand to downtown neighborhood zone district

When the Sarasota City Commission expanded the city's vacation rental ordinance citywide, it left out the mixed-use district that includes Gillespie Park and Park East.

  • Sarasota
  • News
SPD Chief Rex Troche (left) and Deputy Chief Scott Mayforth (right) with (from left) Lt. Andrew Combs, Officer Nate Lynn, Officer Nick Bruno, Officer Ridge Collins, Officer Brenton Bieker, Det. Laura Bobitz and Officer Tim Dederick. They and others were involved in stopping a suicide threat on the Ringling Bridge.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • February 24, 2026
Sarasota police officers receive Life Saver Awards

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche has honored several officers for their actions in two lifesaving incidents that occurred in 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Yvette Brown directs the offense for Booker girls basketball Feb. 27 against DeSoto County in the FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship. The Tornadoes outscored regional competition by an average of 31 points per game, but lost by 33 in the state semifinals.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 11, 2026
Another season ends in state semifinals for Booker girls basketball

The Tornadoes again knocked on the door of a state championship berth but, like in years past, ultimately fell short.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Many Manatee County residents don't want to deliver large items to the landfill themselves. They want bulk pickup service to return.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • January 31, 2026
Trash talk continues in Manatee County

The county is trying to work within its current contracts to make residents happier with the garbage collection.

  • East County
  • News
David Crawford is 2026 president of Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 29, 2026
Real estate market conditions show signs of a more robust 2026

As memories of 2024 storms fade, insurance and mortgage rates stabilize and in-migration continues, the Sarasota-Manatee region's real estate organization points to a growth in sales.

  • 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
From left to right, Maya Carpentiere, Amanda Gonzalez, Christiana Allison, Grayson Buchanan, Sheila Wallis and Ryan Duga star in Florida Studio Theatre's children's production, "The Pirate Ship and the Sea Monster and Other Winning Plays."
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 7, 2026
Three Sarasota theaters jump on the trolley

Asolo Rep, Florida Studio Theatre and the Van Wezel will offer a free family tour.

  • Arts + Culture
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