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Results for:

The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

Pastor Phil Derstine and his fellow carolers bring hugs and music to taverns on Christmas Eve.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Jay Heater |
  • December 24, 2025
All I want for Christmas for the Lakewood Ranch area …

Observer readers talk about things that could make our home an even better place to live.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Newton, a 9-month-old lab, is being raised by Nick and Brenda Paradiso through the LWR Puppy Raisers club. Brenda Paradiso described him as "quite the character" who is a "love bucket."
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 2, 2025
LWR Puppy Raisers help train dogs for important service careers

The volunteers say the program is rewarding, even if they shed some tears when sending the puppy to Dogs Inc.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
About 130 Longboaters turned out to join "Choirpalooza" at the Feb. 15 service at Christ Church of Longboat Key to sing "The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune."
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • February 15, 2026
'Choirpalooza' unites 100-plus community members in song

Longboaters lent their voices to the musical event on Feb. 15, singing one of Christianity's best-known tunes.

  • 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
Tipsea Gypsea, a 45-foot Catalina sailboat, lies beached on a sandbar near the Harbor Acres neighborhood, posing a risk to the neighborhood’s seawall and dozens of nearby moored boats. Sarasota Police Department Marine Patrol Officer Michael Skinner said the registered owner is working to get a specialized bolt to re-attach the steering wheel.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 10, 2026
Law enforcement agencies tackle removing wrecked, abandoned boats

When a boat washes up on a sandbar or crashes into a seawall, law enforcement agencies step in.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tara Piedra, and Ariel Betancourt and Michael Matheis of Station 9, prepare chili.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • October 20, 2025
Firefighters turn up the heat at chili cook-off

The 25th annual Morton's Firehouse Chili Cook-Off brought together various fire departments for chili-making competition and camaraderie.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager didn’t start in law enforcement until he was 30 years old.
  • By Eric Snider |
  • October 28, 2025
Longboat welcomes its new chief

The new Longboat Key police chief takes pride in never accepting the status quo, seeking to always "make things at least a little bit better."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County Day is celebrated in Tallahassee Feb. 5.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • February 25, 2026
Local legislators and businesses come together on Manatee County Day

The inaugural event welcomed over 80 attendees and 24 businesses and nonprofits.

  • 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
Longboat Key Police Department Customer Service Specialist Ivan Zunz shakes hands with Police Chief Russ Mager at a Town Commission meeting Monday, Feb. 2. Zunz was recognized for 10 years with LKPD at the meeting.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 5, 2026
Ivan Zunz recognized for a decade with LKPD

The Zunz family have been involved in the Longboat Key community for decades. Ivan, a 10-year employee with the police department, wears many hats and is appreciated by town leaders.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Anthony and Katherine Van Wezel Stone, grandchildren of the late Lewis Van Wezel.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 14, 2026
Van Wezel heirs join with SPAF to support new Performing Arts Center

Grandchildren of the late Lewis Van Wezel have joined the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation in support of a new venue and a "unified cultural campus."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Yoga instructor Angela Mali has been leading by-donation sunset yoga classes on Longboat Key for three years. Whether she will be able to continue the classes is in question as she and town leaders debate usage of the beach.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • October 8, 2025
Yoga instructor, town officials at odds over beach classes

Longboaters debate beach usage after a yogi faces new fees and regulations for sunset classes at Bayfront Park beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Paul Hoback started as president and CEO of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on Oct. 19.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • November 13, 2025
New airport CEO finds 'paradise' in first month in Sarasota

New Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Paul Hoback equates SRQ and the region to living and working in paradise.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork

The Pirates recorded 20 wins in the regular season and hope to continue that success in the postseason.

  • East County
  • Sports
A rendering of the proposed 333 Cocoanut condominium development.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • November 12, 2025
Second development emerges for Sarasota's Cocoanut Avenue site

On the same parcel a prior development attempt failed, a new investor is planning an 11-story condo building at Cocoanut Avenue and Fourth Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The “A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser will benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry. Harbor 58 broke ground on its new housing development for teens aging out of foster care in November.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • December 10, 2025
Harbor58 breaks ground on $4.5 million housing project in Manatee County

The East County nonprofit supports young adults who have aged out of foster care.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis' compensation package including salary, benefits and pension contribution is $460,000.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • October 29, 2025
Commissioners lament top county officials' evaluation process

Expressing disdain for the public evaluation process of the county administrator and attorney, Sarasota County commissioners award a token bonus as a tough budget season looms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The boathouse and events center planned for Nathan Benderson Park is expected to cost between $60 million and $70 million.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • July 16, 2025
Nathan Benderson Park boathouse, events center begins to take shape

Nathan Benderson Conservancy board member says 2026 will be an important fundraising year for the $60 million to $70 million project.

  • East County
  • News
Fixed-span bridge is the right choice for Longboat for many reasons
  • By Letter to the Editor |
  • February 28, 2026
Fixed-span bridge is the right choice for Longboat for many reasons

In addition to being a lower-cost, more fiscally responsible option to construct, a fixed-span bridge is cheaper to maintain and operate over the long run as well.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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