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Your Observer

A leatherback turtle hatchling crosses the beach.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 16, 2024
Longboat commissioner creates challenge to support sea turtle programs

Gary Coffin decided to "adopt a nest" through Longboat Key Turtle Watch, which sparked his idea to encourage other local officials to do the same.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chris Kopp is the town's new Support Services Director.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 16, 2024
Chris Kopp returns to Longboat Key as new support services director

Previously with code enforcement, Kopp returns to embrace his passions for public service and training.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Direct library funds to foster care children
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • July 15, 2024
Direct library funds to foster care children

A Longboat resident writes that libraries are redundant in 2024 thanks to technology.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
From left, Capt. Demetri Konstantopoulos, Cory McDonnell of Grassroots K9 Sarasota, Officer Jake Nelson, K9 Brody, Chief Rex Troche, K9 Bruin, Officer Adam Bearden and Lt. Dwayne Shellhammer.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 15, 2024
Two SPD K9 units now qualified for explosives detection

A pair of K9 teams complete training to enhance the Sarasota Police Department's explosive ordnance detection capabilities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Pass Bridge was originally constructed in 1957 and reconstructed in 2005 and 2020.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 15, 2024
Commissioners recommend mid-level option for Longboat Pass Bridge

Longboat Key commissioners sent FDOT a letter to convey the consensus for a replacement bridge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tom Edwards, Thomas Babicz and Liz Barker answer questions from Morgan Bentley.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 15, 2024
Sarasota School Board candidates share stances at forum

Candidates told attendees what they would change in the school district if given a "magic wand."

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Annabeth Howell and James Nicholson at the stingray touch tank at Mote Marine Aquarium in August 2023.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 15, 2024
Longboat Key Garden Club sends 16 students to Mote camp

The club funded its most Mote summer camp scholarships ever for children who live on Longboat or whose parents work on Longboat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Larry Bateman and Sparky Pashkow
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 15, 2024
Longboat Harbour residents host goodbye party for longtime friend

Larry Bateman has been a dedicated member of Longboat Harbour for 25 years who helped cultivated strong bonds between the residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wetlands in Lakewood Ranch are monitored regularly to keep invasive plant species at bay and ensure proper water flow.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2024
Lakewood Ranch's preserved lands face many threats

The stewardship districts battles invasive species like the Brazilian pepper tree on a regular basis.

  • East County
  • News
Cardinal Mooney High rising senior Kali Barrett committed to the University of Cincinnati on July 7.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 15, 2024
East County girls basketball star commits to Cincinnati

Kali Barrett, a rising senior at Cardinal Mooney High, said she values her relationships with Bearcats coaches.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lauren Macri and her husband, Tim Macri, the owners of Beef 'O' Brady's Braden River, love seeing the community support through the restaurants Christmas in July partnership with Tara Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 15, 2024
Tara Elementary partners with Beef 'O' Brady's for Christmas in July

Restaurant patrons fulfill teachers' wishes before a back-to-school luncheon at Beef 'O' Brady's.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch resident Megan Schroeder is a member of the Young Professionals Committee.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 13, 2024
Builders stuff backpacks for Sarasota and Manatee Boys & Girls Clubs

Stuff the Backpack is an annual event for the Suncoast Builders Association.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
CITY Furniture will open in spring 2025 at University Town Center.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • July 13, 2024
Furniture showroom with wine bar coming to UTC

City Furniture will open a 120,000-square-foot showroom complete with a cafe and bar off University Parkway.

  • East County
  • Business
Erin Silk is president and CEO of the Economic Develop Corp. of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 13, 2024
Sarasota County repeals business tax as an EDC funding source

The tax burden of nearly $500,000 will be shifted from businesses to all county taxpayers with a 50% match per private dollar invested.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • July 12, 2024
William 'Bill' Joseph Beckmeyer, M.D.

William “Bill” Joseph Beckmeyer M.D. passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024, at the age of 94.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
County Commissioner Mark Smith cuts the ribbon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 12, 2024
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce cuts ribbon on new office space

The new office, approximately three times larger than the previous space, was praised by attendees as a welcoming environment.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Amanda Closser, the business manager of Steel Ring Academy, yells as she puts all her energy into going after Jason Callis, the owner and founder, with a viking sword and shield.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 12, 2024
Steel Ring Academy proves its point at Braden River Library

The Bradenton company demonstrates sword fighting during a special event at the library.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
SPD Officer Michael Skinner and IUPA President Sam A. Cabral
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2024
Sarasota officer's bravery recognized for marine rescue

The entire incident was captured on video thanks to the officer's body-worn camera.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Selby Gardens adds three members to board of trustees
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2024
Selby Gardens adds three members to board of trustees

Ali Bahaj, retired chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Japan; Tervis CEO Hosana Fieber; and Richard Sandor, chairman and CEO of Environmental Financial Products, will each serve a three-year term on the board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sprouts Farmers Market is opening a new store this fall in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2024
Sprouts Farmers Market set to open in downtown Sarasota on Sept. 6

The grocery store will host two in-person hiring events to fill more than 80 positions.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The planned indoor sports complex at Nathan Benderson Park will also serve as a boathouse for rowing activities.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 12, 2024
Benderson Park sports complex enters next phase of planning

The indoor facility and boathouse will feature dozens of sport courts to attract a variety of athletic tournaments.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County issues air quality alert
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2024
Sarasota County issues air quality alert

Seasonal Saharan dust may affect residents with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Citizens group asks candidates to promise to run clean campaigns
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2024
Citizens group asks candidates to promise to run clean campaigns

The pledge aims to avoid dark money, "mud-slinging free-for-alls."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s $1.3 million in grant awards include the Empowering Arts Grant Program to support arts and cultural organizations such as Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, her performing its 2023-24 production of “Ruby.”
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2024
GCCF makes $1.3 million in grants to support arts and services

Included in the round of gifts is $785,000 for Gulf Coast Community Foundation's rebranded Empowering Arts Grant Program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fireworks are the highlight of Fireworks on the Lake at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 11, 2024
Lowering the boom on my love of fireworks

The fuse is lit every year on social media regarding the love/hate of fireworks.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The interior of the Kreissle Forge
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 11, 2024
Kreissle Forge is a time capsule of a disappearing craft

The historic Kreissle blacksmith's forge, located near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, provided metalwork for many of the community's landmarks and still has more to offer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at home at 1449 Hillview Drive has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,982 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 11, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for June 24-28 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey and Nokomis

A Harbor Acres home on Hillview Drive tops the week's sales at $5.97 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sarasota's Liam Kinne will play in the U.S. Kids Worlds Championship, held Aug. 1-3 in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 11, 2024
Sarasota junior golfer heads to US Kids World Championship in August

Liam Kinne, 9, also won a Drive, Chip and Putt local qualifier on July 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Angela Stephanides teaches a geometry lesson.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 11, 2024
School district optimistic following rise in standardized testing scores

The state of Florida's testing results indicated a 2% rise in third grade English Language Arts scores.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Some homes on Siesta Key are built over several underlying 25-foot-wide lots as platted in the early 19th century.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 11, 2024
Request to combine 'nonconforming lots' on barrier islands denied

Sarasota County Commission approval would have allowed legacy 25-foot-wide lots to be redeveloped contrary to the current density requirements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
LWRBA volunteers Patrick Larivaud, Cooper Hodgson, Ali Marks, Jenna Nelson, Duette Hart and Annemarie Graff work a shift at Meals on Wheels Plus on Oct. 7, 2022.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 10, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance gives back year-round

The nonprofit offers a variety of benefits to assist local businesses and nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Library offers more than just books, such as puzzles.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 10, 2024
Observer editor spends a day exploring the Lakewood Ranch Library

The new facility offers opportunities for people of all ages to gather and participate in a variety of activities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Owen Peacock, 9 and Ellie Rodgers, 9, make hot dog buns.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 10, 2024
Kids work together to create tasty dishes at Young Chefs Academy

The company focuses on teaching kids the "joy and value" of cooking.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview High rising senior kicker/punter Nick Delfau.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 10, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Nick Delfau

The Riverview High football rising senior is the Kohl's Kicking No. 38 punter in the class of 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Unite with shared vision that puts kids ahead of politics
  • By Liz Barker
  • July 10, 2024
Unite with shared vision that puts kids ahead of politics

Public schools are the foundation of our democracy. How we respond to vouchers and charter schools is crucial.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Naming our new park: Honoring the legacy of Overtown
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • July 10, 2024
Naming our new park: Honoring the legacy of Overtown

A Rosemary District resident proposes that the park's name should honor the legacy of Overtown.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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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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