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Your Observer | All

Florida shines fiscally
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • January 15, 2025
Florida shines fiscally

Measured against all states, Florida’s total liabilities per capita are among the lowest, thanks to Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature paying down debt. But local governments’ debt is another story.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
P1 Offshore has announced that Sarasota has been dropped from its 2025 schedule of races.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 14, 2025
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix canceled for 2025

Finances and uncertainty about construction around Sarasota Bay have sunk the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix for this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will hold a celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Sarasota Opera House.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 14, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 16-22

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Instructor Terri Noyes talks with Pete Clausen about the basics of scoring in pickleball.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 14, 2025
Pickleball clinic teaches newcomers basics of the growing sport

The Jan. 13 clinic hosted at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key gave people the opportunity to learn from two certified instructors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Pomello home sold for $2,825,000. It has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,943 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 14, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 30-Jan. 3 in Lakewood Ranch

A Pomello home on 77th Avenue East tops the week's sales at $2.83 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Shannon Hunt
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 14, 2025
Wellness lounge, cacao cafe opens in Rosemary District

The space, established by nonprofits Conscious Cause and Streets of Paradise Inc., is intended to foster contributions from the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Town staffer finds balance with tiring work and passion for weightlifting
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 14, 2025
Town staffer finds balance with tiring work and passion for weightlifting

Matthew Ballew's busy days working for Longboat Key Public Works are paired with a lifestyle of weightlifting and bodybuilding, which has taught him important life lessons.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kevin Van Ostenbridge sits through one of his last meetings as commissioner on Oct. 22, 2024. He's since filed two lawsuits claiming defamation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2025
Former Manatee commissioner sues another commissioner for defamation

Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who was the District 3 commissioner in Manatee County, is suing former at-large Commissioner Betsy Benac.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch junior midfielders Paolo Morales (front) and Ryan Johnson have been essential in helping transform the Mustangs' offensive strategy this season.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch boys soccer charges toward the postseason

The Mustangs look to rectify last season's loss to North Port High in the district tournament later this month.

  • East County
  • Sports
Couple found enjoying 'snuggle time' in business lot after hours
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 14, 2025
Couple found enjoying 'snuggle time' in business lot after hours

An officer investigated a suspicious vehicle parked in a business lot after hours and found a couple enjoying some quality time. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A proposed cross-section of 10th Street between Central and Lemon avenues.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 14, 2025
City wins federal grant for Complete Streets projects

A $12 million RAISE grant will provide the bulk of the funding to convert several blocks of 10th Street and Boulevard of the Arts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Don O'Leary and East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst celebrate O'Leary's 2019 retirement as fire commissioner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's No. 1 ambassador dies at 90

Don O'Leary was a pillar of the community who advocated for more fire stations.

  • East County
  • News
The upcoming project with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program will focus on 300 feet of seawall at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 14, 2025
Future seawall panels at Bayfront Park will improve marine ecosystem

The town of Longboat Key and Sarasota Bay Estuary Program hope this seawall addition will start construction by the end of 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cynthia Sayer plays the Glenridge Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Jan. 19.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 13, 2025
Cynthia Sayer brings her hot banjo show to Sarasota

A recent winner of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize, Cynthia Sayer got her start by performing in a nursing home.

  • Arts + Culture
Weston Schurr, 8, and his brother Parker Schurr, 6, build a snowman.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 13, 2025
Snow comes to First Sarasota

The church's third annual "Snow Day" drew many attendees from outside the church for snowball fights, snow slides and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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