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Your Observer

Brian Mariash and Dara Vilar
    A time to celebrate |
  • July 26, 2024
Brian Mariash and Dara Vilar

Sarasota wealth manager and philanthropist Brian Mariash and his fiancée Dara Vilar are celebrating their recent engagement.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge at the Boyd Realty office. Van Ostenbridge is opposing Commissioner George Kruse for the District 7 seat in the primary election on Aug. 20.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 26, 2024
Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge seeks at-large seat

Currently the District 3 commissioner, Van Ostenbridge is introducing himself now to all the county's voters.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's new EcoRover will provide waterside access to the mobility challenged at Lido Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 26, 2024
New all-terrain chair brings waterside accessibility to Lido Beach

Purchased by the city and available free of charge, the EcoRover is a "little tank" that can traverse sandy beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 26, 2024
Selby Botanical Gardens named one of 'World's Greatest Places'

Time magazine releases its annual list of places to visit and stay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
About 20 transformers in flood-prone areas will be raised on 24-inch concrete pads.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 26, 2024
FPL raises some transformers to prevent storm-related outages

Some transformers that failed in Hurricane Idalia will now be on concrete pads. The project as a whole remains on track to wrap up later this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • July 25, 2024
Harvey I. Steinberg

Harvey Steinberg of Framingham, Mass. and Longboat Key was the beloved husband of the late Arline Steinberg.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Christina Smith with HomeWell Care Services checks the blood pressure of Jose Cadalzo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 25, 2024
Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living hosts health fair

Residents earned prizes while learning about health services they could receive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lynn Noel Nieting (née Poerchke), 1940-2024
    In Memoriam |
  • July 25, 2024
Lynn Noel Nieting (née Poerchke)

Lynn Noel Nieting, 84, of Longboat Key and Valparaiso, Indiana, was called to her Lord’s home on July 13 in Valparaiso.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Former Sarasota High baseball players Owen Ayers and Conner Whittaker were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 25, 2024
Former Sarasota High stars head to pro baseball ranks

Conner Whittaker and Owen Ayers were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Mark Carroll of Renzo Piano Building Workshop is the partner-in-charge of the design of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 25, 2024
Meet the team behind the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center

Renzo Piano Building Workshop architect Mark Carroll describes the firm's "light touch" philosophy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tyler Dunn, Regina Ladron DeGuevara, Nyrdia Bonnaire Fils and Chase Matilla
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 25, 2024
Plymouth Harbor employees and their children receive $30K in scholarships

The Doyle Scholarships continue the legacy of late Plymouth Harbor residents Bernard and Mildred Doyle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Unit 701 condominium at 35 Watergate Drive has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,751 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 25, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for July 8-12 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey and Nokomis

A condominium in The Tower Residences tops the week's sales at $3.25 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 25, 2024
Economic impact of tourism stays strong, despite dips in visitor numbers

The Longboat Key Chamber plans on advertising to support local businesses for end-of-season slowdown next year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Guitars hang on display at Divergent Guitar.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 25, 2024
Guitar shop sells instruments with unique histories

Musician Aric Paul's retail space, Divergent Guitar, brings together rare guitars with legacies in Sarasota's Rosemary District.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarasota City Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 25, 2024
City residents will see no millage rate increase next year

The owner of a Sarasota home with an assessed value of $300,000 will pay $900 in property taxes to the city next year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A sand painting for Corpus Christi in La Orotava, Canary Islands.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 25, 2024
Chalk Fest organizers bring a new art to Sarasota — and the US

This year's Chalk Festival will bring international floral artists to Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By JL Bainbridge Family Wealth Advisors
  • July 25, 2024
Financial Planning for Families

A brief guide to thinking about your wealth and legacy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Superintendent Terry Connor addresses the attendees at the 2023 State of the Community Sarasota School Board Update lunch event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 24, 2024
Sarasota County Schools announces 'A' rating

The School Board approved a tentative budget of $1.35 billion.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Harold Ronson
    By
  • Petra Rivera, Kat Wingert
  • July 24, 2024
Longboat's Harold Ronson inspired others through giving, storytelling

The well-known Longboat Key resident and philanthropist died on July 15 at age 98.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 24, 2024
Longboat PD chief attributes increased calls to full staff and training

After recent staff departures, the department needs three more full-time officers to return to full strength.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Beverly Pillot holds up an existing vertical oyster garden from Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 24, 2024
Bayfront Park's new oyster gardens offer homes for marine life

Oyster Boys Conservation's recently installed vertical oyster gardens at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park were built with help from residents at The Summit of Lakewood Ranch.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 80 Lighthouse Point Drive has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,976 square feet of living area,
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 24, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for July 8-12 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Lighthouse Point tops the week's sales at $10.8 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Source of Manatee's strife
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 24, 2024
Source of Manatee's strife

The Manatee County Commission primary races are not elections between liberal and conservative. They are about whether to eliminate antagonizing behavior.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Former Lakewood Ranch High catcher Mike Ohlman made his MLB debut for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 24, 2024
MLB players from East County are an exclusive group

Former Braden River High star Ryan Waldschmidt could be the next one on the list.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Indian Association of Manasota leadership team Manish Agrawal, Rachana Sanghvi, Megha Vaid, Priyanka Gupta amd Kanal Badiyani celebrates Holi.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 24, 2024
Indian Association of Manasota welcomes all with flying colors

Formed in the 1980s by a group of physicians, the association has grown to serve over 350 members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Loud argument over commitment issues causes hotel disturbance
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 24, 2024
Loud argument over commitment issues causes hotel disturbance

After five years, she wants him to put a ring on it, leading to shouting at a downtown hotel. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch's Zachary Keshish spends 20 to 40 minutes creating each of his works of art. Some, like "Need 4 Speed" start with an idea such as the saying "need for speed" while others are simply what comes to his mind at the moment.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 24, 2024
Lakewood Ranch teen wins Congressional Art Competition

For 16-year-old Zachary Keshish, 20 minutes of expressing himself will lead to having his art displayed in Washington, D.C.

  • East County
  • Schools
Susan Singer
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 24, 2024
Longboat women embrace weightlifting for health and longevity

Women from Longboat Key Fitness lift to improve mobility and muscle development.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 24, 2024
Guide dogs take behind-the-scenes stroll down Main Street

While the animated short "Ace" draws attention worldwide, Palmetto nonprofit Dogs Inc.'s trainers go about business as usual.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The new pavilion will be built with steel and cement. It will also feature a more open layout.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 24, 2024
Reserves will pay for pavilion in Greenbrook Adventure Park

The cost to replace the pavilion, which burned in 2023 due to fireworks, is estimated at $500,000.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota swimmer Emma Weyant will swim the women's 400-meter individual medley at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She earned a silver medal in the event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 24, 2024
A Sarasota watch guide to the 2024 Paris Olympics

The games, which feature several Sarasota-affiliated athletes, start July 26 and run through Aug. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Observer recommends: Manatee
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 24, 2024
Observer recommends: Manatee

Recommendations for the Manatee County Commission, School Board, Supervisor of Elections and Property Appraiser races.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Creative Liberties celebrates stainless steel artist
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 23, 2024
Creative Liberties celebrates stainless steel artist

Sarasota's Ralph Berger retires after 20 years of creating distinctive circular steel works of art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A rendering of Amaryllis Park Place III by Hoyt Architects illustrates a apartment buildngs of modern design.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 23, 2024
Funding hiccup downsizes affordable housing project, for now

The city of Sarasota approves Amaryllis Park Place III with one less building than planned because of county funding timing complications.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Town Hall
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 23, 2024
Town receives approval for latest revision of comprehensive plan

Longboat Key's comprehensive plan serves as a road map for the town's community vision.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 20819 Parkstone Terrace in The Concession has generated worldwide interest and is listed at $6,999,000.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 23, 2024
Elite home market increases in Lakewood Ranch area

A $7 million home in The Concession, nicknamed the Magnolia Estate, is the latest listing that will draw international attention.

  • 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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