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Results for:

One of things that makes Lakewood Ranch unique? The family behind it.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • February 19, 2026
Lakewood Ranch: How it all began

Although it may seem relatively new, Lakewood Ranch's beginning is rooted in a founding family that came to the area more than 100 years ago.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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
Ed Ference is running for the District 6 at-large Manatee County commission seat.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • March 24, 2026
Lifelong East County resident enters Manatee County Commission race

Ed Ference grew up along the Upper Manatee River Road and spent 30 years working for Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs

The fundraiser has been held 11 years and brings the community together through music, food, and beer,

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota City Engineer Sage Kamiya (left) and Public Works Director Nikesh Patel presented the federal offshore oil and gas leasing opposition resolution to the City Commission.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 26, 2026
Sarasota joins Florida communities to oppose renewed offshore oil drilling

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved a resolution against a new federal offshore oil and gas leasing program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marc and Susan Benjamin are all smiles on the dance floor as they groove to the Aloha Sharks band March 14 at The Sanctuary.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 16, 2026
The Sanctuary celebrates season with annual poolside party

The upscale outdoor barbecue featured live music from Aloha Sharks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Angese Rudzite Kirillova works on "Playground" during the 2025 Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 8, 2026
Mark your calendars for these Sarasota events in 2026

Whether you love collecting stamps or petting reptiles, there's something for just about everyone in Sarasota's event offerings in this coming year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 10, 2025
Water and sewer fee increases considered on Longboat Key

The town of Longboat Key considers simplifying the process to raise fees to keep up with rising costs of hookups for the services.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Suspect caught after shooting near Palmer Ranch
  • By Observer Staff |
  • February 3, 2026
Suspect caught after shooting near Palmer Ranch

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office says the domestic incident sent one person to the hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nate Jacobs directs the gospel revue, "How I Got Over," for Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe from Feb. 19 to March 29.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • February 17, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Feb. 19-25

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair

Ron Cutsinger will serve as chair of the Sarasota County Commission in 2026 and Mark Smith will serve as vice chair.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A scale model provided by Renzo Piano Building Workshop shows the positioning of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center at the bottom, flanked by two parking garages. The Van Wezel (upper right) parking lot converted into elevated park space.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • March 5, 2026
Leaner Performing Arts Center plan presented to City Commission

Reduced in size and scope, Sarasota Performing Arts Center Concept 2.0 is greeted with enthusiasm by the Sarasota City Commission while funding concerns remain.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer defeated East Lake in sudden-death penalty kicks Feb. 17 to win the FHSAA Class 6A-Region 3 title.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • February 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer advances to state semifinals

The Mustangs survived two overtime periods and two series of penalty kicks to claim the regional crown.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ava DiPasquale is ranked sixth in Florida among girls age 13-14 for the 2025-26 season, as well as 67th nationally in that regard, per Swimcloud.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 17, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Ava DiPasquale

The 14-year-old from Mill Creek won big at the Florida Age Group Swimming state championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
This rendering illustrates the plan for three youth baseball fields at Country Club East Park.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • March 11, 2026
$7.2M youth baseball fields move forward in Lakewood Ranch

Regardless of the Manatee County Commission's decision, Country Club East residents are not finished raising concerns.

  • East County
  • News
Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota will offer views of Sarasota Bay and beyond from its Five Points location.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • February 12, 2026
Developer introduces luxury-branded downtown condo tower

Waldorf Astoria Residences is the latest hospitality-branded condominium tower to come to Sarasota, joining world-renowned global locations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the interior of Payne Park Auditorium with seating in the round.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • February 17, 2026
Payne Park Auditorium renovations set to begin soon

Now leased by a refocused Sarasota Players, work on Payne Park Auditorium will begin soon with plans to bring the nearly century-old troupe back to downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ashlan Guengerich will return for Sarasota softball this season after helping the Sailors to the FHSAA Class 7A state semifinals as a junior.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • February 18, 2026
What to know about local prep softball as season begins

The Sarasota area's five teams are back in action this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
These dishes have delighted Sarasota-area barrier islands for decades.
  • By Su Byron |
  • April 2, 2026
These one-of-a-kind dishes are signatures of the keys

The plates locals return for, visitors remember and kitchens have perfected for decades.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lengthy search concludes for new Sarasota city manager
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • March 5, 2026
Lengthy search concludes for new Sarasota city manager

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously agrees to hire Karie Friling to lead the city staff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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