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Your Observer | All

Mika Elovaara (center) high-fives two of his players during prematch warmups with the Richmond Kickers. The Oulu, Finland native and UNC Wilmington alumnus will guide the Paradise into USL League One in 2026.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 15, 2025
Sarasota Paradise names head coach for their first professional season

Former Richmond Kickers lead assistant Mika Elovaara brings his expertise to spearhead a new era.

  • East County
  • Sports
Danny Slavin and Michael Miller, owners of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii on University Parkway, donate $5,000 to the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Fund Oct. 10.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 15, 2025
Dick Vitale aims to surpass $120M for pediatric cancer research in 2026

In 20 years of hosting an annual gala, the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund has raised $105.4 million.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Residents in Summerfield Bluffs are rescued after the Braden River flooded their street following Hurricane Debby in 2024.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 15, 2025
Manatee County inches toward initiating stormwater fees

Despite public pushback in 2019, Manatee County is taking another shot at implementing a stormwater program.

  • East County
  • News
A banner announcing a new Starbucks location still sits inside the storefront of 3174 Gulf of Mexico Drive, but interior work is yet to begin.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 15, 2025
Longboat Starbucks 'on hold' with build-out yet to start

It has been eight months since the arrival of Starbucks to Longboat Key was announced, and interior work is yet to start.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Daniela and Giuseppe Fornieri, owners of La Norma, recently brought some homegrown design touches to the Italian restaurant on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 15, 2025
La Norma brings homey feel to restaurant renovation

The Longboat Key restaurant brings an authentic Sicilian flair to the restaurant scene, backed by thorough financial planning.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The home at 121 N. Boulevard of the Presidents was built in 1998 and has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,491 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 15, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 29-Oct. 3 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A John Ringling Estates home on North Boulevard of the Presidents tops the week's sales at $2.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Connail Jackson poses for a photo on Oct. 14 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The junior running back paced the Cardinal Mooney offense last Friday, accounting for four of the Cougars' five touchdowns.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 15, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Connail Jackson

The junior running back had four touchdowns and over 200 rushing yards in Cardinal Mooney's Week 8 victory over Lakewood

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kingston Kokoefer poses for a photo on Oct. 13 at Out-of-Door Academy. He cut multiple Seffner Christian drives short in their Oct. 10 matchup as the Thunder held off the 39.5-points-per-game Crusaders for a sixth straight win.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 14, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kingston Kokoefer

The sophomore safety had two interceptions in The Out-of-Door Academy football's Week 9 win over Seffner Christian.

  • East County
  • Sports
Don Walker, production manager of the 2025 Theatre Odyssey One-Act Play Festival, and Olivia Yagy starred in “Tagged” by Jim Moss, winner of Theatre Odyssey's 2018 One-Act Play Festival.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • October 14, 2025
Theatre Odyssey revives its One-Act Play Festival

The festival returns to the Jane B. Cook Theatre after a two-year hiatus.

  • Arts + Culture
"Twilight in Concert" comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Oct. 17.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 14, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Oct. 16-22

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Greg Crawford, area president of M/I Homes, Erika Walker, Pelotonia's philanthropy and stewardship manager and Chase Knopt and Ashtyn Crockett, construction managers at M/I homes pose with the $141,000 check at the Sweetwater benefit home.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 14, 2025
M/I Homes donates $141,000 toward cancer research

The sale of the M/I Homes dwelling in Lakewood Ranch is going to Pelotonia, a nonprofit that supports cancer research.

  • East County
  • News
The Gulf Islands Ferry launched in 2023 and has experienced growing ridership and increased investment from Manatee County.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 14, 2025
As Manatee County looks to grow ferry, Longboat stop discussed

Longboat Key leaders see a potential traffic benefit from the Gulf Islands Ferry but no suitable location for a stop on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bayfront Dog Park visitor Coco is a Havanese dog turning 5 years old this month. Any sort of squeaky toy is their favorite.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 14, 2025
Meet the morning crew at Bayfront Dog Park

The early morning crew at Bayfront Dog Park welcomes new visitors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bootleg parasailing prompts police response on Longboat Key
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 14, 2025
Bootleg parasailing prompts police response on Longboat Key

Help with a lost laptop, suspiciously present tree trimmers and resourceful fun highlight this week's edition of Longboat Key Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Del Webb's Jerry and Karyn Waxman organize an annual golf tournament to raise money for polycystic kidney disease research.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch transplant survivor tees up for kidney disease research

Del Webb's Karyn and Jerry Waxman are hosting the PKD Applied Underwriters Invitational on Oct. 27 at Lakewood National Golf Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Justin Gomlak helps bring big city glamour to the Sarasota stage in "A Very Broadway Christmas," which plays Monday, Dec. 22, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
  • December 17, 2025
The Van Wezel wants you to have 'A Very Broadway Christmas'
2
Online romance ends in trespassing warning
  • December 17, 2025
Online romance ends in trespassing warning
3
Manatee County administrators address the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Dec. 8. From left to right: Deputy county administrators Corey Stutte, Bryan Parnell, Courtney De Pol and County Administrator Charlie Bishop.
  • December 17, 2025
Convention Center expansion tops 'state of Manatee County' presentation
4
A Goodwill bookstore and donation center will occupy the new outparcel building at 3160 Gulf of Mexico Drive by the end of the year.
  • December 16, 2025
Goodwill to open Dec. 18 on Longboat Key
5
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents

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