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Results for:

Mr. Swindle is the character who gives an adults-only circus its name.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • January 21, 2026
The circus gets naughty at Mr. Swindle's Traveling Peculiarium

Allison Blei and Ivan España's mom-and-pop circus is full of adult fun and laughter.

  • Arts + Culture
Longboat Key Cops Corner: The Best of 2025
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 28, 2025
Longboat Key Cops Corner: The Best of 2025

From back-from-the-dead raccoons to mysterious knives in the ground and a near HOA coup, Longboat Key police had a memorable year responding to calls.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
U.S. Rep. Greg Steube at Sarasota Military Academy in July 2025.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • November 4, 2025
Rep. Steube to headline 2025-26 speakers for Longboat Republican Club

After taking the slow summer season off, the Republican Club of Longboat Key is kicking off its slate of monthly meetings on Nov. 12 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball fans cheer from the stands at RP Funding Center in Lakeland. They witnessed the Cougars bring home the first state championship in program history last season, and now, can watch the team vie for a holiday tournament title.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 24, 2025
Holiday hoops make for a merry time

The area's high school basketball teams will travel across the state and beyond for tournament play.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Director of Government Relations Stephanie Garrison leads the work session Dec. 3.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • December 10, 2025
Changing millage review process a top priority among Manatee commissioners

Finding a way to cut taxes is a top priority, but finishing improvements on Lorraine Road is not.

  • East County
  • News
Maddox and Lou Towery have packed up shoeboxes during the Community Holiday Shoebox Collection Drive for the last seven years.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • December 15, 2025
Lakewood Ranch community rallies to support seniors with shoebox event

Community Holiday Shoebox Collection Drive heads toward another record year in donations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dennis Brock works on a Magiscope in his workshop.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 15, 2026
Local creator of children's microscope works to make science more accessible

Since 1987, Sarasota's Dennis Brock has been producing the Brock Magiscope, which draws from ambient light and minimizes breakable components.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Douglas Grierson said he is amazed by how talented the artists, including painter Thomas Legault, are at the Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • January 24, 2026
Artists showcase their talent during Lakewood Ranch Fine Arts Festival

Those strolling Lakewood Main Street appreciate the event for several reasons.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The SMHF Board of Trustees held its annual gala on Jan. 10 with more than 650 guests in attendance.
  • By Janet Combs |
  • January 11, 2026
Hospital Gala guests make it a record-breaking night in raising funds for innovation

In its ninth year, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation's annual gala focused on raising money to bring new technologies to the SMH system.

  • Black Tie
As Sarasota baseball seeks success under first-year coach Sterling Pell, it will have senior right-hander Cesar Garmendia back on the mound. He posted a sparkling 1.02 ERA in 2025 across 12 appearances.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • January 28, 2026
What to know about local prep baseball as season approaches

The FHSAA regular season begins Feb. 9, but preseason classic tournaments will be underway even sooner.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Palm trees and a white sand beach provide a classic tropical setting.
  • By Robert Plunket |
  • February 5, 2026
Natural forms inspired by the sea add drama to a Longboat Key showplace

This Longboat Key estate has classic charm, graceful style and spectacular vistas that elevate every room.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo

The senior midfielder/forward is the leading scorer for The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer through nine games.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Waldorf Astoria Sarasota will include more than 40,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • November 25, 2025
Zenith building redevelopment will carry Waldorf Astoria brand

Waldorf Astoria Residences is named as the redevelopment of the Zenith tower at Five Points. The mixed-use project will include seven attainable housing units.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parents have 3 days to excuse kids with new Sarasota Schools policy
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 25, 2026
Parents have 3 days to excuse kids with new Sarasota Schools policy

The new policy specifies a three-day window for Sarasota County parents to send in an attendance note following an excused absence, while outlining clearly what counts as an excused absence.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club members Mike Mulwani and Greg Pogue lost their first scrimmage 11 to nothing in 2023, but that didn't stop them from pursuing the sport to better their skills.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • January 14, 2026
At 2,300 members, Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club continues to grow

The club, which provides opportunities for novice to advanced players, was founded by Bob Haskin in 2018 with 40 members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
With a hearty collective effort, community members help “push in” the newest fleet addition at Fire Station 92 during a March 25 open house. The public was invited to see the facility, which opened in 2021, as well as check out the station’s new $600,000 ambulance.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 31, 2025
With equal doses of grit and fun, we review 2025 on Longboat Key in photos

From political kerfuffles to heartwarming moments of community celebration, the Longboat Observer captured it all in the past year. Here are our top moments of 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This year's New to You art sale promises some unique, larger finds for art enthusiasts, according to Linn Torres, All Angels by the Sea administrative assistant and art sale coordinator. Torres showcases a Grecian-style, three-dimensional piece of art.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 27, 2026
Big surprises await at New to You art sale

The popular Longboat Key art sale begins Feb. 2 at All Angels by the Sea and benefits Turning Points of Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade

This year's Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade was the original organizers' "swan song," who hope new blood will take on the parade and keep the Christmas spirit alive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

The issue came to the forefront when three of four Manatee County commissioners voted to deny a Lakewood Ranch school site plan.

  • East County
  • News
Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor speaks on the district's plans to maximize utilization.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • January 18, 2026
Details firm up for Sarasota schools plan

A K-8 and magnet school conversion begins next year at five Sarasota County campuses.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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