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Your Observer | All

Ricardo Vasquez and Monica Rodriguez wish their daughter Kiali Vasquez good luck on her first day with a kiss. Kiali is determined to get straight A's.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 opens to students for the first time in Lakewood Ranch

On the first day of school, Principal Todd Richardson was eager to finally have students on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Andre Evans, 11, his mother Heather Abling, and cousin Nyomii Knight, 9, left with backpacks for the school year.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2025
Church of the Redeemer prepares Alta Vista students with Back-to-School Bash

The event offered supplies and services before the start of school including shoes and clothing items, backpacks and vision and dental exams.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Martina Kandrachoff sees off her older sister, Guillermina, for her first day of school at Alta Vista Elementary School on Aug. 11.
    By
  • Dana Kampa, Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2025
Recess is over as school begins in Sarasota

Southside Elementary and Alta Vista Elementary kids make their return for the 2025-26 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Peter and Athena Hotaling enjoy using their phones to connect with friends and family, play games, use social media and more. With the new phone restrictions, they will have to save those things for after school hours.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
New phone policy will be 'learning curve' for Manatee students

Per House Bill 1105, elementary and middle school students will be required to turn off and stow away electronic devices during school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch setter Julia Vendramini is embracing the expectations of being a senior leader this fall.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Julia Vendramini

The Lakewood Ranch volleyball player has become a key player for the Mustangs.

  • East County
  • Sports
An aerial perspective of the 777 Palm Avenue Condos planned to be built across Mound Street from the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens parking structure.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 11, 2025
Mound Street condo project sailing through staff review

On its second submittal to the city's Development Review Committee, the 66-unit 777 Palm Avenue Condos project, with few staff comments remaining, has received partial sign-off.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Demolition began last week on the home at 634 Buttonwood Drive, which was badly damaged by hurricane-related flooding.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • August 11, 2025
Buttonwood Harbour residents on Longboat remain mixed toward rebuild

Some homeowners have homes finished, some are starting from scratch, and others are getting out.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
No positive ID on body found in SR 70 pond near I-75
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 10, 2025
No positive ID on body found in SR 70 pond near I-75

Detectives believe the body to be 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier, who was reported missing from Charlotte County last week.

  • East County
  • News
Evelyn Lucas, 5, and her friends Kevin McGuckin, 3, and his sister Kinsley McGuckin, 5 (front row) pose with Flight Nurse Pamela Young.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 10, 2025
Fire department open house showcases Bayflite medical helicopter

The open house events allow community members to visit fire stations and meet local firefighters and community partners.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A portion of damaged sea wall along the Marina Jack A Dock adjacent to Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 10, 2025
City plans Bayfront Park seawall replacement

A project to replace seawall fronting Bayfront Park and compromising the A Dock area of the marina received partial sign-off from Sarasota's Development Review Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The plan to redevelop the Marian Anderson site includes a medical facility, light industrial and a cell tower.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 10, 2025
Newtown landfill property advances toward commercial development

The developer of the brownfield Marian Anderson site make strides toward rezoning for commercial use.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Island Chapel Chef Chef David Stone, Longboat Key Police Department Training Captain David Eggleston, Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/P) Ryan Corso, Lt. Jose Rivera, FF/P David Oliger, Assistant Chief Mike Regnier, Lt. Ron Koper, Lt. Tim Haas, FF/P Jamison Urch, FF/P William Lewis, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi; front row Rev. Brock Patterson Fire/Rescue Liaison CC Imbriaco, chapel members Carol Peschel and Connie DiMaggio. Members of Longboat Island Chapel provided a special lunch to firefighters at Station 92 on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 9, 2025
Longboat Key first responders enjoy midsummer cheer

Longboat Island Chapel members delivered lunch to firefighters and police officers on the Key last week as a thank you for their service to the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Betsy Friedman, interim executive director, and Andy Blanch, founder and director, of Sarasota Strong, and Sister Kristina Abernathy and her husband Father Paul Abernathy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 9, 2025
Pastor leads trauma-informed community development workshop

A workshop hosted by SRQ Strong is part of a project to build community resources from within the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Peppercorns Steak and Seafood opens on State Road 70
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 9, 2025
Peppercorns Steak and Seafood opens on State Road 70

Owner Justin Boudreau is eager to perfect the menu at the Bradenton restaurant.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Michel Simon and Hayden Wilding talk with Attorney Patrick Iyampillai, who served as the judge, after a February 2024 session of Teen Court.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 9, 2025
Culverhouse donates $25,000 to Sarasota Teen Court

In addition to a $25,000 gift from Hugh Culverhouse Jr., Teen Court of Sarasota is planning its first fundraiser in November.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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1
Pianist and composer Michael Stephen Brown is a faculty member at the 2026 Sarasota Music Festival.
  • June 7, 2026
The bar remains high at streamlined Sarasota Music Festival
2
Cynthia Keough is one of several Manatee County residents to step up to the podium June 4 and ask commissioners for more time to review the updated comprehensive plan.
  • June 6, 2026
Residents have 60 more days to review Manatee County comp plan
3
Steven High is retiring as executive director of The Ringling, a position he has held since 2011.
  • June 5, 2026
Steven High to retire as executive director of The Ringling
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  • June 5, 2026
33rd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival
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The Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is meant to pay for immediate relief and long-term resilience efforts in the four-county area.
  • June 5, 2026
Patterson Foundation donates $500,000 for storm relief

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