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Your Observer

"My wife said the other day that I’ve excelled at everything except retirement," Mark Pentecost says. "I’m really bad at retirement."
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 22, 2024
Entrepreneur Mark Pentecost is good at a lot of things. Retiring isn’t one of them.

The charmed life of Mark Pentecost includes nice houses in multiple states, a 10,000-acre East County ranch, tens of millions given away to cancer organizations and even his own private island. Getting to the top required a combination of grit, guts and good old-fashioned hustle.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rich mix of textures and colors creates an intriguing atmosphere in the living room. The paintings are all by prominent Latin American artists; the coffee table is from Crate and Barrel. Muse believes in mixing mainstream pieces with antiques and one-of-kind finds.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • August 22, 2024
A life well-lived is curated and on display in this dramatic home

In a divergence from the ubiquitous coastal palette, this Country Club home dazzles with perfect taste and subtle artistry.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A truck was found by a Lido Shores homeowner after it crashed into their privacy wall. The driver apparently fled the scene, police say.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 21, 2024
Hit-and-run crash damages Lido Shores home

The driver of a truck disappears after hitting a privacy wall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Once a staple of The Colony, The Monkey Bar was reimagined as a beach bar in the new St. Regis Longboat Key resort.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 21, 2024
From 2010 to present, here's how the St. Regis Longboat Key became reality

From legal battles to construction hiccups, the St. Regis navigated countless hurdles to reach opening day.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A conceptual rendering by Hoyt Architects of Orange Pineapple LLC's possible plans for Cross Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2024
Sarasota OKs vacating Cross Street right of way

Developer Orange Pineapple plans to turn the one-way street into an upgraded two-way plaza through its 3.1-acre site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County School Board candidate Liz Barker waves to voters arriving at a polling site at Sarasota Baptist Church Aug. 20.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 21, 2024
Dissenting voices increase on school board as Edwards, Barker claim seats

Liz Barker claims a seat in the Sarasota County School Board District 2 race while Tom Edwards retains his seat in the District 3 race.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sara and Zota are the two giant ibises who greet you at the Ibis Playground at The Bay.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 21, 2024
Ibis Playground reopens at Sarasota's Bay Park

A new era of play spreads its wings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The center of the St. Regis Longboat Key is full of pools and the winding river.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 21, 2024
Fun facts and features about the new St. Regis Longboat Key

With a grand unveiling on Aug. 16, the St. Regis Longboat Key opened its doors to locals and newcomers. The resort is filled with luxurious feats and nods to The Colony's legacy.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nude woman found sleeping it off near Marina Jack
  • By None
  • August 21, 2024
Nude woman found sleeping it off near Marina Jack

All-night drinking binge leaves a woman naked and lying beneath a tree. Read this and more tales from the files of the SPD in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Steve Spurrier spoke about his coaching career at Grove restaurant in Lakewood Ranch on Aug. 17.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 21, 2024
The 'Head Ball Coach' shares his wisdom in Lakewood Ranch

Former University of Florida Head Coach Steve Spurrier provides words of wisdom in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Summerfield's Maureen Flaherty receives kisses from Mina, who recognized "Auntie Mo" within five seconds of seeing her. It's been at least two years since Flaherty last saw Mina.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 21, 2024
Doggy siblings reunite in Lakewood Ranch after 10 years apart

The cocker spaniels, now 11, were adopted out and haven't been together since a 1-year anniversary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School's Maya Gilkison, Maya Kopija, Isaiah Schulz and Ryniah Milner work in the blood lab at SunCoast Blood Centers.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 21, 2024
SunCoast Blood Centers give Lakewood Ranch students glimpse at medical field

The students started as volunteers and were hired to work in the blood lab.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tatyana Sharoubim Stewart, Katherine Harris, Margaret Wise and Dayle Hoffmann
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 21, 2024
Women In Philanthropy of Sarasota announces honorees for its first soiree

The new nonprofit hopes to honor the legacy of charitable women while also inspiring a new generation to get involved with the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
George and Holleh Poulos, of Sarasota, sold their home at 470 E. Royal Flamingo Drive to Michael Wallace Liddle and Sally McGee Abraham, of Sarasota, for $1,675,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 21, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 5-9 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home on Bird Key tops the week's sales at $1.7 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Steve Spurrier spoke about his coaching career at Grove restaurant in Lakewood Ranch on Aug. 17.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 21, 2024
Steve Spurrier talks at Rams football fundraiser

The "Head Ball Coach" shared stories and advice from the sideline.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Jon and Teresa Mast
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2024
Two new faces will join Sarasota County Commission this fall

In a study of contrasts, Teresa Mast wins District 1 as Tom Knight ousts incumbent Neil Rainford in District 3 Republican primaries.

  • Sarasota
  • News
George Kruse celebrates with family, friends and constituents his win of the republican nomination for the District 7 seat on the Manatee County Commission.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer, Liz Ramos
  • August 20, 2024
Grassroots candidates dominate Manatee County's primary election

Bob McCann upsets incumbent Ray Turner in District 5 Commission race while Carol Felts wins in District 1.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County primary election results
  • By Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2024
Sarasota County primary election results

Complete results from the Aug. 20 Sarasota County primary election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Primary election results
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 20, 2024
Manatee County Primary election results

George Kruse, Bob McCann, Carol Felts big winners in Commission races

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key outages leave up to 4,000 residents without power
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 20, 2024
Longboat Key outages leave up to 4,000 residents without power

Outages were reported throughout the afternoon on Aug. 20, and were possibly caused by an issue in FPL’s main feeder in Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 20, 2024
Paid lobbyists won't have to register in Sarasota

City commission denies Erik Arroyo's proposal to separate those paid to advocate from genuine activism.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Flooded neighborhood debris collections begin Aug. 27
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2024
Flooded neighborhood debris collections begin Aug. 27

City announces final collection pass through the heavily damaged Bellevue Terrace neighborhood.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A forest of campaign signs fill the space along Fruitville Road at the polling place at the Knights of Columbus hall on Fruitville Road.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • August 20, 2024
Sarasota voters head to the polls on primary election day

Balloting off to slow start countywide

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High girls sophomore golfer Phoenix Scanlan.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 20, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Phoenix Scanlan

The Lakewood Ranch High sophomore girls golfer wants to get the Mustangs back to the state tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Students’ complaints fall on deaf ears
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 20, 2024
Students’ complaints fall on deaf ears

Things to consider in voting for Sarasota County School Board.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Wilderley Mauricette
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 20, 2024
Ringling College graduate harnesses Sarasota’s Black history for feature film

Wilderley Mauricette was granted the opportunity by the Mometu College Short Film Festival in Los Angeles to adapt his short film 'Spare Me' into a feature-length production.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Senior quarterback Lucas Despot will act as a stabilizing force for Braden River High in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 20, 2024
Braden River High football hits the reset button in 2024

A new coaching staff will lead a group of inexperienced players.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Savanna home at 13709 American Prairie Place sold for $1.3 million. It has seven bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,280 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 20, 2024
Lake Club home tops sales in Lakewood Ranch area at $1,925,000

Four home sales top $1 million in East County residential transactions.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 20, 2024
Remains found on Longboat beach determined to not be human

A resident called police to report suspicious remains found on a dune, which a medical examiner said weren't human. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Stephanie Nygro's dog Marathon enjoys the park for many reasons, one of which is to search for geckos.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 20, 2024
Overhead lighting coming soon to Longboat’s dog park

Three solar overhead lights will be installed in the coming weeks, which were paid for by donations to the Longboat Key Foundation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House general manager Leslie Carmody and division manager Dacie Broshears show the variety of seafood available in the restaurant's fresh food market.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 20, 2024
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House open in Waterside Place

The restaurant offers upscale coastal casual dining with fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.

  • East County
  • Business
Seniors with qualifying incomes who own homes in Sarasota are now eligible for a $50,000 city homestead exemption.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 20, 2024
Sarasota approves property tax break for some homeowners

Seniors with qualifying household income can double their local homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rick Erbacci, Stacey Fredericks and Donna Karasic
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 19, 2024
Second Toast Local event serves up craft beers and spirits for a cause

The event provided a tasting of craft beers and spirits while also supporting the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Austin Chen, a Robert E. Willis Elementary School fourth grader, and Superintendent Jason Wysong are fully engaged on a group discussion about careers relating to science.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2024
Support system key to 'best first day' in Manatee schools

Jason Wysong says he wants to sustain the momentum he established leading the district.

  • East County
  • Schools
The former S.H. Kress store in downtown Sarasota is an example of a property that would be eligible to transfer its by-right developable height and density to a developer of a receiving site.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 19, 2024
Sarasota explores air rights transfer program to preserve historic properties

The program would allow owners of historic downtown properties to sell their buildable air rights to developers of non-historic sites.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gary Hagen makes donut sundaes at the new Donuts By Design.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 19, 2024
Longboat cheesecake parlor becomes donut shop

Gary Hagen plans to shift the focus of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor to serve up unique donut flavors on the island.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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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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