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Results for:

Tom Bergerat (center) was presented with a $3,500 scholarship at Polo with the Pros after being named the Junior Humanitarian of the year while Waterside's Audrey Luke (left), a junior at The Out-of-Door Academy, and Parrish's Mia Polseno (right), a senior at Parrish Community High, each received $750 scholarships.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • February 10, 2026
Junior humanitarian honored by the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation

The Out-of-Door Academy junior Tom Bergerat stood tall when it came to giving back to his community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs are facilitating the search for the next Sarasota city manager.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • November 5, 2025
New city manager may be named by March 2026

The search firm hired by the Sarasota City Commission lays out a schedule for advertising, applications and interviews for a new city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In will open this spring at 1701 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • January 23, 2026
Hob Nob to reopen in Sarasota with new owner

The Original Hob Nob Drive-In will be operated with support from The Breakfast Company founders.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Athletics and Aquatics Center at Premier Sports Campus North is pictured Oct. 17 under construction. Soon to offer the only long-course pool in Lakewood Ranch, it figures to be the main destination for the area's top swimming talents.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • December 3, 2025
Hey Santa, how about a finished Premier park for Lakewood Ranch?

The wish is for the long overdue park project to be finished in the next couple years.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Opera artistic director will step down after 44 years

General Director Richard Russell will add artistic director to his role after Victor DeRenzi's departure in May.

  • Arts + Culture
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
Longboat Key Town Commission meets at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • November 19, 2025
Longboat Key Town Commission election will be uncontested

The three seats will go to incumbents Gary Coffin and Sarah Karon, while Nick Gladding will assume District 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Passion for Fashion show, the Palm Aire Women's Club's biggest fundraiser of the year, took place Feb. 13 at the Palm Aire Country Club. Katherine Pike, Susan Romine and Kay Kwenski's last looks from Darci's boutique are cocktail attire.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • February 14, 2026
Palm Aire Women's Club raises funds for charity with Passion for Fashion

Members gathered to raise funds for student scholarships along with local charities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Donovan Plakyda poses for a photo on Oct. 27 with the FHSAA Class 3A District 11 trophy. The junior has dropped 14 strokes in an 18-hole format since his freshman season.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • November 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Donovan Plakyda

The junior for Lakewood Ranch boys' golf tied for fourth at the FHSAA Class 3A Region 3 championship on Nov. 4 as the Mustangs advanced to the state tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Women prevent man from obeying restraining order
  • By Observer Staff |
  • October 29, 2025
Women prevent man from obeying restraining order

A man tries to leave a bar in compliance with a protective order but is blocked. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Leaders from the Longboat Harbour Yacht Club participate in the swearing-in ceremony during the Jan. 17 Change of Watch. From left, John Shea, dockmaster; Susan Luke, purser; Herb Ritchell, scribe; Mike Perez, vice commodore; and Jeff Hecklau, commodore.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 19, 2026
Commodore Jeff Hecklau returns to lead Longboat Harbour Yacht Club

Club leaders participated in a Change of Watch ceremony Jan. 17, reaffirming their commitment to helping the boating community thrive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Junior Max Taken and sophomore Carter Atwood of Berkeley Prep are on the tail of senior Tyren Wortham of Booker High School.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • October 22, 2025
More than just talent has produced winning Booker football

The Tornadoes have hit their stride at 7-1 entering Week 10 by embodying "mutuality."

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
  • By Florida Power & Light (FPL) |
  • December 11, 2025
Florida Families Can Help Neighbors and Celebrate an Energy-Efficient Holiday

Tips to Save Energy All Season Long and a Chance to Win Holiday Energy-Efficiency Kits for 80 Floridians

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Longboat Key water main break cuts north-end service
  • By Observer Staff |
  • January 28, 2026
Longboat Key water main break cuts north-end service

North end residents between Broadway Street and Reclinata Drive are affected, the town says.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • 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
J. Paul Nicholas and David Cantor star in "A Tailor Near Me" at Florida Studio Theatre through Feb. 15.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • December 18, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's 'A Tailor Near Me' stitches threads of friendship and art

An altered suit leads to altered lives in the regional premiere of Michael Tucker's play.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Samuel Shamsey poses for a photo on Dec. 1 outside the entrance to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The striker leads a senior-heavy pack of Cougars for the 2025-26 season.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Samuel Shamsey

The senior leads Cardinal Mooney boys soccer in goals scored entering December.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Firefighter paramedic Aaron Maness and Training Captain David Eggleston raise their hands to recite an oath before receiving their badges. The two had already completed their training but had not officially received their badges in a ceremony. Maness was later awarded the Medal of Honor by Fire Chief Paul Dezzi.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 10, 2025
Longboat firefighter receives rare Medal of Honor award for action

Given only twice in the past 15 years, the medal was one of several awards given out at the Longboat Key Fire Department's annual program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Newfound romance ends abruptly over jealousy
  • By Observer Staff |
  • January 28, 2026
Newfound romance ends abruptly over jealousy

An officer drives a heartbroken woman back to her hotel after she was ditched for talking to another man in a hot tub on Lido Key. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
AAA High School, which is located near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, is set to open to freshmen and sophomores in August 2027.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • February 17, 2026
Manatee school district seeks feedback on new LWR high school's name

Currently named AAA High School, the new school broke ground at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch on Jan. 21.

  • East County
  • Schools
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