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Your Observer

From left, Renzo Piano Building Workshop's Kerry Joyce, Todd Sweet, RPBW's Ronan Dunphy and Jerry Sparkman during the July 16 "Meet the Architects" workshop.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 30, 2024
Architects to reveal first look at Sarasota's new performing arts center Sept. 18

Renzo Piano Building Workshop and theater design group will hold two community workshops to show an initial concept and receive public input.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jamie Engel, Carolyn Nielsen, Connie DiMaggio, Valerie Evanko and Anne Summers at the August Gather and Give.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 29, 2024
Longboat Island Chapel donates $5,000 to Turning Points

The church's charitable outreach committee hosted the new special events coordinator of the nonprofit Carolyn Nielsen at its monthly charity happy hour.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bradenton man arrested for February fatal hit-and-run
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 29, 2024
Bradenton man arrested for February fatal hit-and-run

Devan Shaun Carroll was apprehended by Manatee County deputies and charged with the killng of an 81-year-old woman in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Artists Court is planned as a 242-unit apartment community with 26 units priced as affordable and attainable.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 29, 2024
Affordable housing efforts gain traction and attention

With several projects in the pipeline, the city has earned a Local Action Award from the Florida League of Cities for its attainable housing density bonus program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The unit 945 condominium at 340 S. Palm Ave. was built in 1998 and has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 4,534 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 15-19 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A Sarabande condominium tops the week's sales at $2.97 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Former Riverview High wideout Jaron Glover, seen making a catch against Richmond University in 2023, is expected to be a starter for Michigan State University in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 29, 2024
Sarasota football alums primed to make an impact on Saturdays

These athletes and others will be on your television screens starting this weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Shark teeth are on display at Sherri's Shark Shop.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2024
Shark tooth collecting finds its way to Sarasota

Local interest in shark tooth hunting prompted the recent Sarasota Sharks Tooth Festival.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the first phase of Pilatus Business Aircraft's planned facilities at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 29, 2024
Swiss-based aircraft maker picks SRQ for major expansion

Pilatus Business Jets will invest $40 million-plus to build new factory and service facilities at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By JL Bainbridge Family Wealth Advisors
  • August 29, 2024
7 Steps to Successful Financial Planning for Retirement

How to work effectively with your financial advisor.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lakewood Ranch residents Marilyn and Marty Munce are regulars at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 28, 2024
Manatee Community Concert Band rocks Waterside Place

The band played classics including "Moon River" for the August installment of Sights and Sounds.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Just off the Legacy Trail north of Bahia Vista Street, the entire neighborhood was flooded from rain from Hurricane Debby.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • August 28, 2024
Sarasota County staff explain causes of flooding from Hurricane Debby

The presentation led commissioners and residents to question whether the county's stormwater regulations are stringent enough.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High freshman cross country runner Madie Muller established herself as one of the top athletes in the state in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 28, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Madie Muller

The Riverview High cross-country freshman won the Lemon Bay Invitational on Aug. 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sea turtle hatchling released on Longboat Key after being rehabbed at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 28, 2024
New sea turtle lighting issues arise for St. Regis Longboat Key

According to town staff, the resort has received $6,850 in fines since May 10, and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium reported three sea turtle hatchling disorientations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
ODA football junior linebacker Heath DeRusso.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 28, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Heath DeRusso

The ODA football junior caused two turnovers in the Thunder's shutout win against Faith Christian.

  • East County
  • Sports
Janet Reardon was at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Aug. 20 to show support for Scott Farrington and George Kruse.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 28, 2024
Angry Manatee taxpayers release their wrath by voting

The new commission must embrace smart growth and bring environmental issues to forefront.

  • East County
  • Opinion
New swan cygnets hatched on Longboat Key in May 2024.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 28, 2024
LBK swan keeper seeks to create community to keep their legacy alive

After 17 years of being the swan keeper of Longboat Key, David Novak hopes to pass his knowledge and passion to a new caretaker on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
How did Longboat Key votes fall in the 2024 primary election?
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 28, 2024
How did Longboat Key votes fall in the 2024 primary election?

Results from both of the island’s precincts show that Longboat Key residents voted similarly to the counties at large.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bill Curphey was honored by The Florida Bar in June in Orlando for his 50 years as an attorney.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 28, 2024
Attorney isn't ready to rest his case

Mill Creek's Bill Curphey is still active after 50 years as an attorney.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's David Perkowski will co-host two events and participate in Men Wear Pink to support the American Cancer Society.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 28, 2024
Love, advocacy inspire Lakewood Ranch resident to join Men Wear Pink

David Perkowski will hit the runway to support American Cancer Society in honor of family members who have survived cancer,

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Todd Richardson, the principal of B.D. Gullett Elementary School, helps third graders Oliver Bates and Dylan Berg with a reading assignment.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 28, 2024
What will it take for Manatee schools to earn an A?

School District of Manatee County leaders say sustained progress key to becoming an A district.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dream Oaks Camp offers outdoor activities like canoeing and horseback riding.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 28, 2024
Foundation for Dreams strikes a deal with Manatee County on 62-acre property

The nonprofit that serves children with disabilities signed a 10-year license agreement with Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
The rendering of Pier 550 by MHK Architecture shows two residential towers separated and boat slips along the west side of Golden Gate Point.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 28, 2024
Another new development planned for Golden Gate Point

Pier 550 is set to bring 54 more luxury condos to the residential enclave on the edge or Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 425 Partridge Circle has two bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,308 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 28, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 12-16 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Partridge Circle tops the week's sales at $1.68 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Teen boaters disrupt fishing outing by making a splash
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 28, 2024
Teen boaters disrupt fishing outing by making a splash

Bickering with anglers on a dock, a boatful of male juveniles attempt to soak them with a raised motor prop. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Booker High junior quarterback Joel Morris launches a pass to junior Dylan Wester for a touchdown against Cardinal Mooney High in a preseason clash. Morris threw three touchdowns against Lely High on Aug. 23.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 28, 2024
Sarasota football takeaways after week one of the 2024 season

There was good, and there was bad, for area teams to kick off the season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Backlash and affirmation
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 28, 2024
Backlash and affirmation

Negative campaigning backfired in the Manatee primary, while Sarasota voters showed rejection of two incumbents and affirmation for two others.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Andy Guz, the chief executive officer for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, has led the hospital through several expansions.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 27, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO takes new post

Andy Guz was promoted to CEO of Manatee Memorial Hospital.

  • East County
  • Business
Commissioners Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard Ray Turner and George Kruse sit at the dais. Kruse is met with silence on March 12 when proposing call-in comments return.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 27, 2024
Residents can again call in to Manatee County commission meetings

Call-ins were ended in December 2022 without a vote.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2024
Frontier adds SRQ route to Cincinnati

It will be the low-cost airline's third route at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboater Ron Tirapelli shares about his life-long love for tennis.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 27, 2024
Longboat tennis player reminisces on his career

Ron Tirapelli shares about his long tennis career and his secrets to winning.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former Braden River High tight end Carson Goda will spend his senior collegiate season at the University of Illinois after three years at Saint Anselm College.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 27, 2024
East County sports alums begin their fall seasons at the college level

These athletes are ones to watch over the next few months.

  • East County
  • Sports
Resident not happy with service dog on Longboat beach
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 27, 2024
Resident not happy with service dog on Longboat beach

A complainant called to report a dog, and even after it was discovered to be a service dog, the complainant wasn’t happy. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
This Country Club East home at 7512 Crosshill Court sold for $2,225,000. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,970 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 27, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 12-16 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Crosshill Court tops the week's sales at $2.23 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A rendering shows the Brista Homes office and Couch space in the Brista Commons plaza.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 27, 2024
Developer ready to make commercial plaza a reality on Longboat Key

The project will provide over 14,000 square feet of commercial space among six spaces in a prime mid-Key location along Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Margery and Charles Barancik
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2024
Applications open for TIME Fellowship grants

Sarasota County Schools educators are eligible for grants of up to $12,000 awarded by the Barancik Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
M/I Homes of Sarasota employees and representatives from Pelotonia cheer for the $140,248 M/I Homes' Benefit Home raised for Pelotonia.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 27, 2024
Builder presents check to Pelotonia for Lakewood Ranch Benefit Home

M/I Homes of Sarasota raised more than $140,000 to support cancer research through proceeds of the sale of a Sweetwater home.

  • East County
  • News
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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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