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Your Observer

Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan (left) and President Mark Clark (right) present Heather Hackett with the C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year award.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 11, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation awards 20 grants

At Refreshments and Recognition, the foundation also honored its Humanitarian of the Year.

  • East County
  • News
Fort Hamer road, bridge widening to cost $190.5 million
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 11, 2024
Fort Hamer road, bridge widening to cost $190.5 million

Manatee County held a public hearing to share its plans for the corridor from Upper Manatee River Road to U.S. 301.

  • East County
  • News
A Tempo Hotel by Hilton is proposed to be built on Fruitville Road from the Downtown Hair Studio to the left through the end of the block.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 11, 2024
New Tempo Hotel by Hilton planned for Fruitville Road

A 10-story, 125-room Tempo Hotel by Hilton is proposed to replace a row of one-story merchant spaces, providing multiple adjustments are granted.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Unit 205 condominium at 4310 Falmouth Drive sold for $390,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 11, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 25-29 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Emerald Harbor tops the week's sales at $2.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A study done by the Florida Department of Transportation estimated that the current drawbridge is raised about 100-300 times a month.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 11, 2024
Mobility improvements coming to the barrier islands

Focused more on implementation, the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization plans to complete a Barrier Island Implementation Plan next year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High wrestling junior Shawn Maestre is very aggressive on the mat said Head Coach Pat Ancil.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 11, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Shawn Maestre

The Lakewood Ranch junior wrestler is primed for a breakout season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney junior quarterback Devin Mignery reacts his team's 31-21 loss to Cocoa High in the semifinal game of the Class 2A FHSAA State Championship tournament. Mignery had one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown in the defeat.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 11, 2024
Cardinal Mooney, Booker High football both fall in the semifinals

After falling just short of competing for a state title, Cardinal Mooney and Booker High look toward building on what they have for next season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
One of the boats that was moved from its lift near Lands End on the north end.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 11, 2024
Boat lift restrictions under review after residents experience losses

Longboat Key residents spoke up about how boat lifts under current restrictions didn’t stand a chance with the storm surge from Hurricane Helene.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Prominent national restaurateur Cameron Mitchell is opening Ocean Prime at The Quay on Dec 21.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • December 11, 2024
Ocean Prime is ready to open at The Quay

The $10 million, two-story restaurant featuring waterfront views will debut on Dec. 21.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Cafe L'Europe renovated its private and semi-private dining areas ahead of the restaurant's 50th anniversary in 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 11, 2024
Café L'Europe becomes The Café on St. Armands with new dining theme

The St. Armands Circle staple will reopen in January 2025 with a reimagined dining theme and new name following damages from Hurricane Helene.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
How to stop hurricanes
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 11, 2024
How to stop hurricanes

Research has demonstrated that turbine-driven wind farms in the gulf and ocean can produce energy and dramatically reduce hurricane damage.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Talia Busser is a junior guard on the Cardinal Mooney girls varsity basketball team.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 10, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Talia Busser

The Cardinal Mooney junior is averaging 10.5 points-per-game this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2024
Stickney Point Bridge tests scheduled for Dec. 11-12

The bridge will be continually opened and closed between 7 p.m. and midnight Dec. 11 and 12.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Manager Samantha Lemmer and employee Laurie Buckel
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 10, 2024
Siesta Key Oyster Bar offers dollar bill decor to employees

The dollar bills that guests leave on the walls of Siesta Key Oyster Bar will be given to employees as hurricane relief.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Owen Han is joined by his sister Olimpia Ruzbacki and her children Hawk, Haze and Cypress.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2024
'Sandwich King' Owen Han returns to Out of Door Academy

Han graduated in 2016 and went on to become a culinary influencer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Michelle Sanchez, a paraprofessional at William H. Bashaw Elementary School, is able to spend more time with her son Tiago Sanchez now that she works at his school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 10, 2024
Manatee finds success recruiting from within school communities

Parents have been inspired to become paraprofessionals, teachers and administrators.

  • East County
  • Schools
The south entry of the new Selby Botanical Gardens Welcome Center.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • December 10, 2024
Selby Gardens named in 'Best of Architecture' by Wall Street Journal

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens was one of only five projects selected.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River girls varsity soccer Head Coach Don Engelberger has been leading the program since 2009.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 10, 2024
Braden River girls soccer looks like a contender again

The varsity girls soccer team looks to avenge its district championship loss last season to Parrish Community High.

  • East County
  • Sports
A Concession home at 19443 Newlane Place sold for $3,082,500. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,020 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 10, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 25-29 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Newlane Place tops the week's sales at $3,082,500.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Dr. Mona Jain Middle School's new agriculture program gives seventh grader Jaiden Morgan and eighth grader Cooper Burke an opportunity to work hands on with plants.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 10, 2024
Dr. Mona Jain Middle School starts FFA program

Students begin to work with plants and rabbits and will start with chickens next semester.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Sarasota Orchestra plans to build a new music center on the 32-acre parcel at 5701 Fruitville Road.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 10, 2024
Sarasota Orchestra completes design ensemble for new Music Center

The orchestra has selected Houston-based OJB Landscape Architects to work with the design firm to create the Music Center's "sense of place."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County is putting the finishing touches on the new recreation center at John H. Marble Park, which will be opening toward the end of February 2025.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2024
John H. Marble Park prepares to reopen

The 27,000-square-foot recreation center is expected to be open by the end of February.

  • East County
  • News
Todd Schlorf keeps the tradition strong in honor of his parents Dick and Donna Schlorf.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 10, 2024
National tennis tournament hosted titleholders from around the country

In its 21st year, the Masters Clay Courts National Tennis Tournament hosted players from ages 50 to 90 years old.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man claims he 'owns the road,' wants construction workers fined
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 10, 2024
Man claims he 'owns the road,' wants construction workers fined

A citizen called to report after-hours construction work and proceeded to become argumentative. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Participants biked the distance of GMD during the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16, 2016.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 10, 2024
Longboat Key PD to increase public outreach on pedestrian, bicyclist safety

Officers recently completed a course designed to be an overview of state laws and best practices related to pedestrian safety, which came with a grant to allow for directed patrols.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Blues artist Dylan Triplett gets into his work during his set at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2024
Should Lakewood Ranch music fans be singing the blues?

side of ranch

  • East County
  • Opinion
Hans Ocampo, Oliver Ocampo, 2, Yahoira Ocampo and Dominic Ocampo, 4, meet Santa Claus.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 9, 2024
Community spirit goes on display at Sarasota Holiday Parade

The annual parade features many local organizations and businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch CERT Director of Community Outreach Jim Curran said he wants the organization to be more involved in the community to spread awareness before disaster strikes.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 9, 2024
Busy hurricane season enforces need for community aid

Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team will focus on growing awareness before disasters hit.

  • East County
  • News
Pat Marschke poured Prosecco for Connie DiMaggio.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 9, 2024
Longboat Harbour put new twists on its annual Lighting of the Docks

Holiday cheer spread across the docks at Longboat Harbour Condominiums with friendly competition, festive decorations and many Florida-themed Santas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota volunteer Ken Junkins helps stabalize the RE/MAX balloon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 9, 2024
Hot air balloons come to Sarasota in Balloon Glow & Laser Show

The event showcased hot air balloons, giving the community a chance to enjoy something rarely seen in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dave and Shannon Eakle join Mary and Al McNicola at the River Club's Rockin' Reindeer Ball Dec. 8 at University Park Country Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2024
Rockin' Reindeer Ball brings River Club residents together

The semi-formal event, held this year at University Park Country Club, is a purely social affair.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Rev. Kenneth Blyth, Rev. Julia Piermont, Rev. David Marshall, Rabbi Stephen Sniderman, Rev. Brock Patterson and Rev. Jeffrey Nunes processed together in the church for the Interfaith service.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 9, 2024
Where to worship on Longboat Key for the holidays

The Interfaith Ministerium of St. Armands and Longboat Keys host services for all Longboaters to celebrate the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Florida Studio Theatre Arts Plaza will be built next door to the current building on First Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 9, 2024
FST's expansion has first meeting before city staff

Florida Studio Theatre is proposing apartments, hotel rooms, parking deck and new performance spaces in its new Arts Plaza.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch boys golf seniors Henry Burbee, Parker Severs and Luke Wilson led the team to a second place finish in the state championship golf tournament at Mission Inn Resort and Club on Nov. 20.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 9, 2024
3 seniors keep Lakewood Ranch High a dominant golf program

The Mustangs finish second in the state tournament for the second consecutive year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Naples' Kaata Mrachek and Bradenton's Laurence Lederer dance to the beat during the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival Dec. 7 at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 8, 2024
All smiles after blues festival in Lakewood Ranch

Top talent, perfect weather leaves music fans thrilled at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lauren and Kim Smith, visitors from Pennsylvania, pose for a selfie in front of the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2024
Downtown Sarasota lights new Christmas tree

The "Light Up The Night" Fresh Fridays event offered live music, a giant snow globe and more, but the focus was the new, larger Christmas tree at Selby Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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