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Results for:

Terri Driver is a long-time volunteer with Longboat Key Turtle Watch, seen here caring for a nest in 2016.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 22, 2026
Turtle patrol walks begin on Longboat Key

The duties of Longboat Key Turtle Watch can be broken down into five verbs: patrol, mark, report, dig and educate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Florida Statute 1001.42(4)(f)2 will require high schools, including Braden River High (pictured) and Lakewood Ranch High, to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork and gets accepted to keep the current start times.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • April 7, 2026
Manatee County School District might fight starting time mandate

A 2025 Florida Statute states high schools cannot start before 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork to prove such a change causes disruption.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bay Park Conservancy Founding CEO AG Lafley makes his case to the Sarasota County Commission for funding Phase 3 work at The Bay Park.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 29, 2026
Sarasota County takes cautious approach to The Bay park funding

Rather than commit to a funding its portion of the The Bay Phase 3 project, the Sarasota County Commission approved half its share of the fiscal year 2027 debt service payment from TIF funds.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Junior Jackson Zackery (left) celebrates with senior Peyton Hens (right) after a goal against Sarasota High on April 9 in the FHSAA Class 2A-District 12 quarterfinals. Lakewood Ranch advanced with a 13-4 victory.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 15, 2026
'Unfinished business' for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse

Guided by a strong senior class, the Mustangs have sought redemption for past shortcomings.

  • East County
  • Sports
Supervisor of Elections Scott Farrington stands next to one of the new voting machines.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 30, 2026
Elections forge ahead with revamped Supervisor of Elections office

Manatee County’s Scott Farrington will get his first major tests after winning a high-profile election in 2024.

  • East County
  • News
The home’s exterior is a carefully balanced geometric composition.
  • By Robert Plunket |
  • May 22, 2026
The Florida lifestyle is glorified in a lavish new home in Waterside

A showstopping model home in Waterside marks a milestone: Modern has arrived at The Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sophia Wiley makes her way down the row to shake hands after she receives her Lakewood Ranch High School diploma at Lecom Park May 18.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • May 19, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High graduates eager for what's ahead

LRHS graduation

  • East County
  • Schools
Zach Zeller co-owns three restaurants in Lakewood Ranch.
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • May 22, 2026
A high-flying spirit has led Lakewood Rancher to adventure, in business and life

Lakewood Ranch restaurant owner Zach Zeller, be it on the ground or in the sky, emphasizes hard work — and helping others.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
With an eye on lawsuit, county commissioners formalize tax-fee vote
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • May 20, 2026
With an eye on lawsuit, county commissioners formalize tax-fee vote

Sarasota leaders agree to pay 2% commission on school tax while legal action plays out between school district and tax collector.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Daniel Sanchez, Christopher Schrum and Griffin Shay head onto the field.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • May 19, 2026
Another record graduation rate at Sarasota High School

Students headed to Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field to turn their tassels and toss their caps on May 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Chamber youth leadership program accepting applicaitons
  • By Observer Staff |
  • March 15, 2026
Chamber youth leadership program accepting applicaitons

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the Youth Leadership Sarasota program class of 2027.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A massing model of The Bay phases 3A and 3B show a parnking deck to the right, to the left the Sarasota Performing Arts Center location flanked by two restaurant spaces and the current parking lot converted to green space. The Van Wezel is at the bottom left corner.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 21, 2026
Bay Park Conservancy reveals final phase concepts for The Bay park

With a time frame for completion in 2029, planning has begun for Phase 3 projects to expand boater access, build a parking deck and convert acres of asphalt into green space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Andrii Padkovskyi plays the titular role in Asolo Rep's "Fiddler on the Roof," which runs through May 24.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • May 20, 2026
A Ukrainian fiddler finds his roof in Sarasota

After a musical family escaped war in Ukraine, two brothers land at Asolo Repertory Theatre.

  • Arts + Culture
Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • April 9, 2026
Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park

A high school event in 2027 joins a college tournament already planned at expanded Sarasota County facility.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota baseball players watch from their dugout during the FHSAA Class 7A-Region 2 quarterfinal April 24 against Plant City. Despite holding the No. 2 seed, the Sailors went one-and-done in the regional tournament.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 30, 2026
Winning season comes to an early end for Sarasota High baseball

Bats go quiet as the Sailors exit in the first round of regional tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Midfielder/attacker Kaitlin Carolan (right) speeds past a Saint Stephen's Episcopal player during the FHSAA Class 1A-District 10 semifinals on April 10. She's one of three sophomores who lead the Cougars in scoring this season.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 16, 2026
Led by sophomores, Cardinal Mooney girls lacrosse hunts history

The Cougars boast their most single-season wins ever as the postseason begins.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Charles Edward Githler
  • In Memoriam |
  • May 6, 2026
Charles Edward Githler

Charles Edward Githler was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 29, in Sarasota, Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
A great egret perches on a mangrove that fronts Longboat Pass. Mangroves are an important habitat for birds and juvenile sport fish while providing erosion protection.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 13, 2026
30 years after mangrove law passed, enforcement still relies on citizen reporting, education

Mangrove health statewide has slightly increased since the law was passed, but violations are going unpunished, advocates say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Traffic headed north off Longboat Key often backs up onto the Longboat Pass Bridge as Anna Maria Island has become a congestion hotspot on the barrier islands.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 1, 2026
Citizen survey shows love of Longboat, but road issues remain

Most takeaways weren’t a surprise, but the data still has value to town leaders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An artistic life in a Parisian garret ends in death for Mimi (Ashley Milanese) in Puccini's "La bohème," which runs at the Sarasota Opera House through March 28.
  • By Gayle Williams |
  • February 18, 2026
Sarasota Opera's 'La bohème' skips sentimentality in favor of realism

Each on- and off-stage decision creates warmth and intimacy in Puccini's beloved tale of love and loss.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
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