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Your Observer

Moratorium madness
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 5, 2025
Moratorium madness

‘Overdevelopment’ is not the problem in Manatee, and a moratorium is certainly not the answer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Ripped-up drywall in Carolyn Wedekind's house shows how high the water rose during Hurricane Helene's storm surge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 4, 2025
Construction hours change for storm-related repairs on Longboat

Construction is allowed to commence between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays. No construction is allowed on Sundays or holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A plan is in place to transfer control of The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art from Florida State University to New College of Florida.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 4, 2025
DeSantis plans to bring Ringling Museum under New College control

The transfer of stewardship is seen as part of larger plan to consolidate campuses along U.S. 41.

  • Sarasota
  • News
One of the boats that was moved from its lift near Lands End on the north end.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 4, 2025
Town Commission gives higher boat lift ordinance first approval

The new ordinance would change the way boat lift height is measured on Longboat Key and give boat owners a couple more feet to make lifts more resilient.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The new SPD Mobile Command Center arrived at police headquarters with a motorcycle escort.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 4, 2025
SPD Mobile Command Center reports for duty

The new mobile center goes into action after an 18-month wait following its approval.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kelsey Armstrong first sold jewelry to her Lakewood Ranch High classmates. Now she operates a store in Brooklyn and sells jewelry to celebrities.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 4, 2025
Popular jewelry brand traces roots back to Lakewood Ranch

Kelsey Armstrong says her inspiration for Haricot Vert back goes back to her time at Lakewood Ranch High.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Wendy Peck examines a necklace at the end of the first day of the New to You art sale.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 4, 2025
All Angels fundraising art sale kicks off strong

Community members turned out in droves for the All Angels by the Sea "New to You art" sale on the first day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sales of Waterside homes, such as this Lakehouse Cove home that sold for $1,775,000 in January, continue to go to contract much faster than the countywide average.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 4, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 20-24 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lakehouse Cove home on Waterbend Trail tops the week's sales at $1.78 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Addison Shea is one of 40 finalists for the Science Talent Search finals in Washington, D.C., in March.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 4, 2025
Lakewood Ranch student advances to finals of nation's top science contest

Addison Shea has been named a top 40 finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search.

  • East County
  • Schools
Man starts verbal disagreement over lost pairs of pants
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 4, 2025
Man starts verbal disagreement over lost pairs of pants

A check to replace one pair of pants was not enough for the owner of the pants. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 4, 2025
Longboat's 2025 Citizens Survey opens Feb. 10

The annual survey allows residents to provide input about town priorities and guide the commission's next strategic planning cycle.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
TOPSoccer player Warren Cannon receives advice from LECOM volunteer Hunter Salisbury. Every player in the TOPSoccer program is assigned a personal buddy.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 4, 2025
Braden River's TOPSoccer program is a sanctuary for participants all to enjoy

The recreational soccer program has been serving children with disabilities since 2007.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rev. David Marshall blesses Spike the bearded dragon.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 4, 2025
Longboat Key Community Open House returns March 8

The annual event spotlights local businesses, organizations and town departments at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Temple Beth Israel on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 4, 2025
Longboat Key commissioner forum coming Feb. 9

The forum will include both candidates for the contested at-large commission seat, plus information about the referendum and charter amendments on the upcoming ballot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Midnight Pass on Oct. 17, 2024, looking from Little Sarasota Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricanes Helene and Milton opened up the Pass after it was closed in 1983.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 4, 2025
Midnight Pass effects now visible in Little Sarasota Bay

After three months since Hurricane Milton reopened it, experts say signs point to the pass staying open for now.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Baker Zovath, 4, had his face painted based on the film "Braveheart."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 3, 2025
Highland Games & Celtic Festival honors Scottish culture

The second annual Suncoast Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Festival included games, dancing, music and animals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Maria Cruz dances in the performance by Bomba Yemayá.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 3, 2025
NocheUnidos welcomes bomba group, Mardi Gras Indians to The Ringling

The event, celebrating Hispanic heritage and supporting UnidosNow, welcomed the groups Bomba Yemayá and The 79rs Gang from New Orleans to the Ringling Museum courtyard.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The roundabout at Ringling Blvd. and Pine Place opened on evening of Jan. 31, 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2025
Ringling Boulevard roundabout opens ahead of projected completion date

While the streets are open, some work continues on the project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Susan Gilmore-Clarke catches up with fellow Women's Guild members.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 3, 2025
Women's Guild launches new scholarship program

Among other activities kicking off the year, the Women's Guild welcomed dozens of new members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Maureen Geary reads "Fractured Fairytales" and asked questions to Myakka City Elementary students and their family members who attended Literacy Night on Jan. 30.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 3, 2025
Myakka City Elementary adapts to the times in literacy battle

Literacy Night is one of several efforts teachers use to get actual books in their students' hands.

  • East County
  • Schools
Longboat Key Kiwanis Club President Michael Garey shares memories of the Café on St. Armands.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 3, 2025
Longboat Kiwanis welcomes new members amid busy season

Kiwanis Club members held their first monthly meeting of 2025, making plans for pancake socials and more.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Val Evanko, Joyce Mazurek and Dona Petruccelli run the counter at the Lord's Warehouse reopening.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 3, 2025
Lord's Warehouse reopens to community acclaim

The Lord's Warehouse, badly damaged by last year's hurricanes, fully reopened for the season over the weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Belinda Bauer and Pete Haselhorst join the community cleanup.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 3, 2025
Community cleans nearly 500 bags of storm debris

Longboat Key community members joined a large-scale volunteer effort to clean Gulf of Mexico Drive from remaining storm debris

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure could deploy a sprayer from a vessel to spray the red tide fighting chemicals on the ocean surface.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 3, 2025
Mote unveils new technology designed to combat red tide blooms

The new methods and deployment strategies required years of research and collaboration from Mote and its partners, marking a milestone in red tide mitigation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Eric Fleming, board chair of Siesta Key Chamber, presents a check to Lora Wey and Dana Dalpra for funds raised during the Siesta Key Crystal Classic.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 2, 2025
Siesta Key Chamber honors members at annual Awards Dinner

The event, held for chamber members, celebrated individuals within the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Grant McCray #58 of the San Francisco Giants returns to the dugout during the Giants game at Oracle Park on August 14, 2024 in San Francisco, California.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 2, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High alum enters his biggest season with Giants

After making his MLB debut last August, Grant McCray looks to solidify his role with the San Francisco Giants this spring.

  • East County
  • Sports
Hugh Culverhouse Jr. and Embracing Our Differences President and CEO Sarah Wertheimer.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2025
Culverhouses give $100,000 to Embracing Our Differences

The gift from Hugh and Eliza Culverhouse makes up for a gap in funding as the annual exhibit lost funding from Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chris Pereira, director of land planning and entitlement at Pulte Homes, has to shuttle guests back and forth from their cars because the parking lot is full.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 1, 2025
Hundreds attend Del Webb Catalina grand opening

Visitors from Lakewood Ranch and beyond toured seven model homes in the new 55+ community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rochelle S. asks a question.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 1, 2025
Pine View students speak with astronaut Sunita Williams via radio

Students had the chance to ask questions to astronaut Sunita Williams, one of the two astronauts currently stuck on the space station, via ham radio.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Manatee County commissioners and staff members celebrate the groundbreaking for the Athletics and Aquatics Center at Premier Sports Campus North.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 1, 2025
Athletics, aquatics center breaks ground at Premier Sports Campus North

The center will feature a 50-meter pool and 24 pickleball courts.

  • East County
  • News
A first responder from the Sarasota County Fire Department calls for the evacuation of a "shooting victim" during an active shooter training exercise Jan 30.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 1, 2025
Active shooter training keeps Sarasota's first responders ready

Twice-yearly exercises smooth coordination between fire and law enforcement personnel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vincent Foderingham, Sire Archon of the Gamma Xi Boule Fraternity of Sarasota and Manatee Counties, speaks during the Fraternity's 30th anniversary celebration on Jan. 30.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • January 31, 2025
Gamma Xi Fraternity helps underserved students reach their goals

The local group's foundation has awarded scholarships and works with programs to provide internships to teens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County issues rabies advisory after raccoon tests positive
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 31, 2025
Sarasota County issues rabies advisory after raccoon tests positive

Rabies was found in a raccoon in the Bee Ridge area just outside the Sarasota city limit. The Florida Department of Health-Sarasota County is monitoring.

  • Sarasota
  • News
When temperatures drop to the low 50s or 40s, sea turtles can become cold-stunned and need rehabilitation at a facility like Mote.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 31, 2025
Cold-stunned turtles receive specialized care at Mote Marine

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s recently reopened rehabilitation facility took in the cold-stunned juvenile turtles for care from the east coast of Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioners Tal Siddique, George Kruse and Dr. Bob McCann listen to a caller during the Jan. 28 commission meeting.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 30, 2025
Discussions continue around possible east Manatee County building moratorium

Developments east of county utilities, fluoride in the water and speeding tickets are all on track to be limited.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Devon Diaz of Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch demonstrates how to check a dog for a pulse during a pet first aid presentation at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on the morning of Jan. 25.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 30, 2025
Lakewood Ranch CERT hosts pet-preparedness clinic

Preparing pets for disaster isn't as simple as some might think.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Pianist Michael Stephen Brown will replace Robert Levin as a faculty member at the Sarasota Music Festival and will perform on June 6 at Holley Hall.
  • June 1, 2026
A slimmer Sarasota Music Festival aims to be as satisfying as ever
2
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office mobile crime units set up shop on Leonard Reid Avenue following the discovery of partial human skeletal remains on Friday, May 29.
  • June 1, 2026
Skeletal remains discovered in north Sarasota
3
Louisen Desinor posted an 81.8% completion rate in Braden River's jamboree May 22 against Charlotte and Sarasota.
  • June 1, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Louisen Desinor
4
Cyclist killed on Sarasota causeway
  • June 1, 2026
Cyclist killed on Sarasota causeway
5
The pools are waiting on water, and the shaded pickleball structure behind them is waiting on paint for the courts.
  • June 1, 2026
Pool, pickleball facilities close to opening at Premier Sports Campus North

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