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Your Observer

Trey Hamer, 11, works with other youth soccer players at the new indoor facility, The Fitballer.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 10, 2024
New Sarasota facility brings soccer training indoors

The Fitballer offers professional training for kids and adults.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The 40th Sarasota Grand Prix boat races will be held this weekend at Lido Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 10, 2024
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix returns this weekend

The 40th annual Sarasota Powerboat P1 is the second-longest powerboat race in the country.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
James Griffith, Coral Pleas and Terry McKee will participate in the first event in the Sarasota Speakers Series Sept 23.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 10, 2024
New speaker series in Sarasota hopes to inspire rising entrepreneurs

"Disruption, Innovation & Opportunity" is set for Sept. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High baseball alum Grant McCray is known for providing high-level speed and defense in center field. He made his MLB debut Aug. 14 with the San Francisco Giants.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 9, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High alum Grant McCray gets his MLB moment

The Mustangs grad has made an impact with the San Francisco Giants.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brian, Holly and Austin Highfield at Exotic Cars on the Circle.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 9, 2024
Exotic Cars on the Circle supports Flight to the North Pole

The festival on St. Armands Circle raises funds for the nonprofit, which provides support of terminally ill children.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
According to ABC, Gregg, a contestant on the upcoming season of "The Golden Bachelorette" is from Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 9, 2024
Longboater featured on 'The Golden Bachelorette'

Longboat Key resident Gregg Lassen will be one of 24 suitors on the upcoming ABC show "The Golden Bachelorette."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A rendering by SB Architects of the west (right) and east towers proposed to replace the Hyatt Regency hotel adjacent to The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 9, 2024
Hyatt redevelopment makes first appearance before city panel

Kolter Group plans two towers with 224 condos and 166 hotel rooms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 9, 2024
Tourism numbers continue downward trend

Direct spending is down only slightly despite larger percentage decline in Sarasota County visitors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This is the dam's main spillway.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 9, 2024
Manatee County offers insight into dam operations

With questions lingering since Hurricane Debby, Manatee County gave the media a tour of the dam's spillways.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Chief Deputy Tax Collector Sherri Smith and County Commissioner Mike Moran listen to a question along with moderator Morgan Bentley at the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club candidate forum.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 9, 2024
Surprise debate erupts at Tiger Bay Club candidate forum

Barbara Ford-Coates' chief lieutenant steps up to go toe-to-toe with Sarasota Tax Collector opponent Mike Moran.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bill Sadlo, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties stands with honorees Harriet Moore, director of Strategic Engagement at Sarasota County Schools and Jack Cox, president and owner of Halfacre Construction.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 8, 2024
Boys & Girls Clubs honors community leaders Harriet Moore and Jack Cox

The annual event celebrated contributions to the community's young people while supporting the teen programs at Boys & Girls Clubs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Baird Inc. has acquired the building that includes El Melvin on Main Street.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 8, 2024
Two Main Street restaurant buildings acquired for $8.5 million

Restaurant operations will be unaffected as Baird Inc. purchases El Melvin and Café Amici properties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kim Lane travels from Illinois to be with his granddaughter fifth grader Sadie Nowakowski during Grandparents Night. "It's exciting as long as she's here," Lane says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 7, 2024
Grandparents Night a bonding experience at McNeal Elementary

Students and their grandparents ate dinner, browsed the book fair and decorated a picture frame.

  • East County
  • Schools
Valeria Torres, Brian Guzman-Orozco, Yesica Mojena and Angelinna Lopez Ferrales practice letter sounds with Deb Petti.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 7, 2024
School district revises approach to reading instruction with literacy plan

More literary "coaches" are on the scene to consult with teachers and administrators.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarasota Chamber to host third Fall for Sarasota event
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 7, 2024
Sarasota Chamber to host third Fall for Sarasota event

Business teams collaborate with local non-profits for three days of volunteer service.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
High school football roundup.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 7, 2024
High school football roundup: Sept. 6

Three East County teams and two Sarasota teams took home big wins.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch senior Cullen McRae II dances after scoring a second-quarter touchdown against Braden River. McRae finished with two touchdowns.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 6, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High football sinks Braden River High, snaps rivalry losing streak

The Mustangs had not beaten the Pirates since 2013 before their 41-3 home win Friday night.

  • East County
  • Sports
The store is focused on sourcing fresh produce.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 6, 2024
Sprouts Farmers Market now open in Sarasota

The supermarket chain offering natural, organic and gluten-free foods, is celebrating its grand opening Sept. 6-8.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Lt. JC Rapier, the simulated victim, reaches out for help from Firefighter Paramedics Josh Falcon and David Oliger.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 6, 2024
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department gets refresher on marine rescues

The department's three shifts each recently spent a day on the water to brush up on rescue tactics.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Code Enforcement Officer Cory Hayden speaks to the class on Aug. 28.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 6, 2024
Manatee Citizens Academy offers a look at local government

The Citizens Academy offers residents insight into how Manatee County operates.

  • East County
  • News
A crime scene technician stands in the doorway of a home in the 700 block of S. Boulevard of the Presidents on Lido Key Sept. 3. Two men were found dead at the home which was being rented, police said.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 5, 2024
911 calls regarding Lido condo deaths describe altercation

Police say the two men apparently killed each other with a knife.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Debby passed Sarasota and made landfall Aug. 5, 2024, as a Category 1 hurricane near Steinhatchee in Florida's Big Bend region before being downgraded back to a tropical storm.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 5, 2024
Tropical Storm Debby devastated turtle nests, degraded Sarasota Bay water quality

Mote Marine says approximately half the sea turtle nests were wiped out.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Opening of St. Regis is not all good news
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 5, 2024
Opening of St. Regis is not all good news

Some Longboaters are disappointed in what the St. Regis development could have been.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Take Stock in Children crew includes Scott Atkins and Heather Clark with Bank of America, along with Executive Director Lisa Bechtold and the incoming chair Brittany Lamont.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 5, 2024
Bank of America celebrates Sarasota-Manatee nonprofits

The bank awarded over $450,000 in grants in the past year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Unit 4 at 554 Golden Gate Point has one bedroom, one bath and 670 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 5, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Midnight Pass Road tops the week's sales at $8 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Former Cardinal Mooney High volleyball player Skye Ekes transferred to Mercer University after three seasons at Florida State University.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 5, 2024
Sarasota's nonfootball alums get their due

Watch for these area athletes on the national college sports scene.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Expanding VPK programs set as a top priority for Sarasota schools
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 5, 2024
Expanding VPK programs set as a top priority for Sarasota schools

The school board set its priorities for its lobbying efforts and set guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence by students and staff.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The proposed Bobby Jones Golf Course clubhouse features Old Florida architecture reminiscent of the original Gillespie Clubhouse.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 5, 2024
Bobby Jones clubhouse plans land in the rough

With sudden unease about the scope and cost, Sarasota city commissioners table site plan approval for the $9 million facility at the city-owned golf course.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Denise Kleiner owns the concessions at Jiggs Landing.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 5, 2024
Jiggs Landing expands hours, concessions

Following a slow summer, the lakeside concessions in Bradenton are back to normal.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Kirkplan Kitchen & Bath
  • September 5, 2024
Helping the Community: Kirkplan Kitchen & Bath Crafts amongst the floods

Hard times reveal the true strength of a community, reminding us that we need to lean on each other and work together to restore the place we call home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Kate Mulligan
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 4, 2024
New director for Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation

Kate Mulligan, who was the general manager for EnsembleNewSRQ, has been hired to lead the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation as its executive director.

  • East County
  • Business
This is the latest rendering that shows the aquatics and pickleball complex (top right), the library, a parking garage and a Sheriff's Office substation at Premier Park. Could a events center be next?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 4, 2024
Hopefully, Manatee County is about to rain transparency

Whether it comes to road projects or an indoor facility, the residents need to be better informed.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sarasota High freshman quarterback Hudson West throws a pass to junior Scotty Wells.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 4, 2024
Sarasota football Amped after first 2024 win

Head Coach Anthony "Amp" Campbell has the Sailors playing physical football.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Ringling Trail is an exmaple of a project that may receive funding from multimodal impact fees.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 4, 2024
City development impact fees likely to rise in 2025

Most recently updated in 2016, the multimodal impact fees imposed on developers aren't keeping up with the infrastructure needs brought by growth in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Mike O'Donnell has launched a virtual biographer that will help people preserve their life memories and defining moments.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 4, 2024
Lakewood Ranch businessman uses AI to capture lasting memories

Through the Leaves Legacy Project, Mike O'Donnell preserves and produces life stories that includes a virtual biographer.

  • East County
  • Business
Bobby Burnett (left) and his family go to the beach with his brother Josh Burnett (right) and his family, who were visiting from Nicaragua. Bobby Burnett says his brother and his family have been tremendous support since his daughter Grace Burnett suffered from a brain aneurysm suddenly.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 4, 2024
12-year-old's aneurysm leaves her family living in a 'nightmare'

Grace Burnett remains in intensive care since Aug. 4, and her parents hope to spread awareness about brain aneurysms.

  • East County
  • 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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