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Results for:

Kelly Gilliland grew up in Sarasota and has now lived in Lakewood Ranch for 25 years.
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • February 16, 2026
Resident's long-lasting heart for Lakewood Ranch stems from a mother's love

Kelly Gilliland wears many hats, but giving back to those in need is the one that fits her best.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key’s social media presence is thanks in large part to Tina Adams, whose duties include leading a communications team who regularly post infographics, flyers and breaking news alerts to its Facebook, Instagram and X pages. On a Thursday afternoon, Adams walked over to the police station to meet with Police Chief Russ Mager to film the latest video series shared by the town: A Minute with Mager. Adams helped get the right take with the chief, tweaking the script and discussing what was important to include and what could be left out.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 10, 2026
Tina Adams' role with Longboat has grown over 26 years

A snapshot of the duties and life of the person who works to keep residents and media updated about services on the Key, both big and small.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Director of Finance Kelly Strickland talks fiscal year 2026 budget with the Sarasota City Commission as Budget Manager Tyler Harris looks on.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • September 17, 2025
Sarasota approves budget for fiscal year 2026 with millage increase

The Sarasota City Commission has given final approval of the $303 million fiscal year 2026 spending plan that includes money earmarked to rebuild fund balance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gardeners Out East president Nancy Schneider gives the plaque for the Japanese blueberry tree that the group donated to Simone Rose, who works as the office manager for Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • January 19, 2026
Japanese blueberry tree serves as gift to LWR celebration of life center

Gardeners Out East thanks Robert Toale and Sons Celebration of Life Center for donating use of its facility.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Barista Claudia Aridus pours a latte while Sara Rountree rinses a cup at Sips this January. The popular north-end coffee shop is expanding with a second location on Longboat Key.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 16, 2026
Longboat Key coffee shop's success brews expansion

A second Sips, with the exact name still to be determined, will open where Turtle Coffee Bar once operated.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Unicorp National Development President Chuck Whittall made his case for allowing an arched sign to remain on a pier at St. Regis Longboat Key to Town Commissioners Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. “I think it’s not only good for St. Regis. I think it’s good for the entire town of Longboat Key,” he said.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • November 12, 2025
Unicorp president addresses LBK commission on St. Regis arched sign

The Longboat Key Town Commission signaled it might reconsider amending an enforcement code after the resort owner made his case.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High football coach Scott Paravicini looks on during an Oct. 30 game against Bayshore. Per the FHSAA's tentative classifications, the Mustangs are bound for Class 6A-District 12 after finishing the 2025 season at 4-6 in 6A-11.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 16, 2025
More reclassification won't help area football teams

Lakewood Ranch High and Braden River High might be facing an even tougher lineup of opponents in reworked districts.

  • East County
  • Sports
Chad Sobotka, a Riverview High graduate, last played for the Atlanta Braves in 2020. He spent parts of three seasons in the MLB as a right-hander.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • February 25, 2026
A reflection on recent major-leaguers from Sarasota

MLB spring training games began Feb. 20, and in years past, local talents have been active.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Southside Polo's Mason Wroe talks to fans about the basics of his sport in a short clinic before the Jan. 4 match.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • January 4, 2026
New seating option a hit at the Sarasota Polo Club

The Mallet Club at midfield has been packed each week since the Dec. 21 season opener.

  • East County
  • 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
Myakka City Elementary first graders Delanee Verly and Emma Kelly check out the wide variety of books for sale during the CommUNITY Night.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • February 1, 2026
Myakka City Elementary hosts Community Night

In honor of Literacy Week, Myakka City Elementary families gathered to play games, paint a mural, and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
Weizhen Jiang Wolf and Yuhong Wan of Zen Rhythm Dance Group perform a Mongolian Dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • February 20, 2026
Sister Cities of Sarasota hosts Lunar New Year celebration

With an estimated 400 attendees, the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota hopes to expand the celebration even more next year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The winners of an essay contest had the chance to read out their essays during the event, and they included fourth grader Lorelei Martin, second grader Olivia Batista, kindergartener Logan Hernandez, third grader Petronius Boles, first grader Jade Rivers and fifth grader Amara Berry, pictured here with Assistant Principal Jennifer Kahler.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • February 22, 2026
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus celebrates centennial anniversary

The school, founded in 1926, hosted a celebration on with speeches and performances honoring its history.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K

The event supports the Big Bill Foundation and the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Norma Fox shows her enthusiasm.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • February 12, 2026
Aerialist and trapeze artist La Norma celebrates 100th birthday

Visitors gather at Showfolks of Sarasota to celebrate the 100th birthday of Norma Fox, whose career includes performing with Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus and in the film "The Greatest Show on Earth."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview High baseball player-mentors pose for a photo on Dec. 9 with their kindergarten mentees at Southside Elementary School. Danielle Sobolewski, a kindergarten teacher at Southside, asked for some silly faces.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 25, 2025
Riverview High baseball mentors next generation

The Rams' longtime partnership with Southside Elementary School is centered around learning, fun and building connections.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Property owner accuses contractor of stealing equipment
  • By Observer Staff |
  • February 18, 2026
Property owner accuses contractor of stealing equipment

The owner of a commercial property says HVAC employees stole equipment while the contractor calls it a repossession. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Will some of us say goodbye to property taxes?
  • By Adrian Moore |
  • December 10, 2025
Will some of us say goodbye to property taxes?

A proposed cut to property taxes sounds like a good idea, but, as always, it comes with unintended consequences.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Gabriella Brinceanu, 14, and her sister, Alaina Brinceanu, 3, work together to pop the bubbles at the Fourth of July All-American Cookout at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Attendees enjoyed the bubble show by Blaise Ryndes, who has appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”
  • By Observer Staff |
  • January 1, 2026
Sarasota's top moments of the year, in pictures

There were plenty of ups and downs in the past 12 months, and the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer was there to capture it all. Here are some of our favorite moments of 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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
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