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Results for:

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
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • February 4, 2026
Building safer roads for cyclists worth a discussion in Manatee County

The death of a Village Idiots Cycling Club member leaves the community in shock.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Mary Baker, board president of the Longboat Library, says guests can plan a fun book date for Valentine's Day to shop the annual sale.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 30, 2026
Plan a book date for Valentine's Day on Longboat Key

Longboat Library is bringing back its annual book sale on Feb. 14, which organizers say is the perfect time for couples to make a book date.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rustic yet sophisticated, a Myakka farm provides an enviable lifestyle for a prominent Sarasota couple.
  • By Robert Plunket |
  • February 19, 2026
An organic farm highlights the pleasures of life in the country

Long rooted in the region, Lee and Caroline Wetherington have created their custom, clean-leaving oasis on a 30-acre farm full of animals, organic gardens and wide-open spaces.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding, Salvation Army Capt. Jim Curry and bellringing coordinator Chris Sachs, a former club president, celebrate a stand-out year for donations.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • February 10, 2026
Longboat bellringers ring in record contribution

The drive for the Salvation Army topped charts in Sarasota County, tipped by an anonymous $50,000 Christmas Eve donation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wild pigs look for food near Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • December 17, 2025
Manatee County's River Club has a pig problem

Neighbors and the homeowners association have hired trappers to reduce the number of wild hogs.

  • East County
  • News
The Tides of Longboat is one of several condo complexes in Manatee County where the first floor units saw a significantly reduced property tax assessment despite being undamaged by the 2024 hurricanes due to the first floor units’ elevations.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 10, 2025
Town of Longboat has questions after property valuations decrease

Drastic reductions in property appraisal evaluations for undamaged condo units have raised the alarm for Longboat leaders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Artist Jonell Yoekel showcases her nature photography at the Women's Guild Valentine's Day-themed art show on Feb. 10 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • February 16, 2026
Valentine's Day-themed art show gives back to community

Women's Guild members hosted a packed house for their second-annual art show to support student scholarships.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Only commercial properties will be assessed if House Bill 4091 passes.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • January 27, 2026
Legislators to decide if a taxing district could solve UTC's stormwater problems

If passed, House Bill 4091 will make the University Town Center area a special district that can pay for infrastructure using bonds.

  • East County
  • News
Chefs Justin Kurtz and Ismael Flores showcase some of Mar Vista’s signature dishes.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • February 6, 2026
Innovative chef at Mar Vista honors tradition — and keeps reinventing it

Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub Executive Chef Justin Kurtz shares how he reinvents the classics at the iconic Longboat Key restaurant.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Rendering of the proposed Shore restaurant as viewed from North Boulevard of the Presidents.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 2, 2026
FEMA '50% rule' could be key factor for return of Shore to St. Armands

The popular restaurant might be required to shore up flood resiliency as it pursues plans to return to St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Democratic Club President Lucie Lapovsky (right) updates the 160 attendees on new initiatives the Club is starting soon at a luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 10.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 14, 2026
Longboat Key Democratic Club to launch newsletter, raise funds for flippable races

Club President Lucie Lapovsky shared new initiatives with about 160 attendees at the most recent luncheon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 29, 2025
Black Tie highlights top moment of 2025, in photos

The Sarasota social scene was full of photogenic moments during the past year. It was a tough job, but we picked some of our favorites.

  • Black Tie
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
LaMichael Leonard Jr.'s dance career has taken him to New York and Paris and back to Sarasota.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • February 10, 2026
International dance star comes home to Sarasota

Booker High alum LaMichael Leonard Jr. debuts his "Hot, New Dance" at The Ringling.

  • Arts + Culture
Trevor Stalcup and Jessica Assef star in George Balanchine's "Mozartiana," in Sarasota Ballet's Program Three, "Masters of Movement," which runs Dec. 19-20 at the Sarasota Opera.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota Ballet taps a Balanchine disciple to stage his final major work

Maria Calegari is staging "Mozartiana," which she danced when she was a principal at New York City Ballet.

  • Arts + Culture
Warren Hutmacher is owner and principal of Sumter Local Government Consulting.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • February 11, 2026
City commissioners cut manager field to six

Finalists will visit Sarasota on Feb. 23-24, and a final decision could come Feb 27.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After allowing four goals in regulation, Avary Shirley held her own in penalty kicks, helping the Mustangs become back-to-back regional champions.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • February 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Avary Shirley

The junior goalkeeper made the save that sent Lakewood Ranch girls soccer to the state semifinals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Artist Michelle-Marie Heinemann recently created the non-profit Flower Tree Foundation to facilitate bringing art installations to public spaces. She stands next to a larger-than-life statue that is part of her daisy series of statues, the first public installation she brought to the New College of Florida.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • February 18, 2026
Sculptor explores the power of the flower for community unity

Artist Michelle-Marie Heinemann brings her towering flower statues to New College of Florida, Hawaii, Paris and beyond.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Pass Bridge was originally constructed in 1957 and reconstructed in 2005 and 2020.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 27, 2026
Hearings planned for north-end Longboat bridge project

The Longboat Pass Bridge was built in 1957 and will need to be rebuilt, according to FDOT.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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