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Your Observer

Small businesses honored at Sarasota Chamber event
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 24, 2024
Small businesses honored at Sarasota Chamber event

Thirty businesses in 10 different categories were recognized with awards.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 24, 2024
Sarasota County Commission proposes 37-year low millage rate

With assessed value still rising, Sarasota County staff is directed to craft a budget based on a rate of 3.30 mils on residential and commercial property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tom and Diane Carter say the county has told them they will no longer be taking part of their Creekwood backyard to build a roundabout.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 24, 2024
Creekwood roundabout hits road block in Manatee County

The $6.9 million project is headed toward a deferred list due to lack of funds.

  • East County
  • News
East County’s Evan Bouthillier receives hands-on experience in Manatee Technical College's diesel systems technician program by working on Manatee County Search and Rescue vehicles. Bouthillier hopes to become a master mechanic.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 24, 2024
MTC student says his education gives him power in the job market

East County's Evan Bouthillier is graduating from the diesel system technician program with plans to continue learning.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dr. Daren Spinelle offers accessible health care for the residents of Longboat Key at the Paradise Center Medical Suite.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 24, 2024
Longboat doctor plans to expand health services at The Paradise Center

Dr. Daren Spinelle hopes to provide accessible educational and medical resources for snowbirds and full-time residents on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The Lakewood Ranch Little League 12U All-Stars have dreams of reaching Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and the Little League World Series.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 24, 2024
Lakewood Ranch U12 All-Star team has World Series dreams

Coach calls Gustavo Omana the best 12-year-old player in Florida.

  • East County
  • Sports
Visitors viewing the Florida Highwaymen exhibit in the summer of 2024.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 23, 2024
Highwaymen exhibit at City Hall refreshed with new paintings

The exhibit continues with more unique artwork from members of the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Natasha Clemons
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 22, 2024
Newtown Juneteenth Celebration celebrates progress

The event brought together local vendors in recognition of the holiday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 22, 2024
Myakka City resident takes another shot at becoming commissioner

Carol Ann Felts is vying for the District 1 seat on the Manatee County Commission.

  • East County
  • News
The new ultrafiltration membranes at the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant can filter 50.4 million gallons of water per day.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 21, 2024
Elevated algae levels might cause harmless musty taste in drinking water

Powder-activated carbon is being used by Manatee County to treat the elevated algae levels.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Sheriff's Office undercover operation nets 15 arrests
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 21, 2024
Sarasota Sheriff's Office undercover operation nets 15 arrests

Operation Stamp Out seized drugs and cash. Two suspects remain at large.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Naked Farmer is a fast-casual restaurant that offers a healthy, locally sourced menu.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 21, 2024
Naked Farmer opens at University Town Center

Naked Farmer is a fast-casual restaurant that offers a healthy, locally sourced menu.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A section of N. Casey Key Road collapsed June 20, county officials say, after torrential rains the week before.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 21, 2024
Casey Key road washout blamed on June 13 storm

Repairs are underway, county officials say.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Candidates for the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board attended a forum June 20 hosted by the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • June 21, 2024
Hospital board candidates square off at Tiger Bay forum

Growth, the role of the board and medical freedom were hot topics.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Angela Massaro-Fain, the founder of Sisterhood for Good, presents a grant check to Beth Grogran, the founder of Magic of Mittens, which provides holiday gifts to families in need.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 21, 2024
Sisterhood for Good provides $153,036 in grants for Sarasota, Manatee nonprofits

The nonprofit raises the most money in its history to support 40 nonprofits, impacting hundreds of individuals.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtenay Smith, an owner of Shack Yoga and a Rooftop Yoga instructor, says she loves the setting of Rooftop Yoga because it allows people to connect with nature as there are nature preserves around the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 21, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Library's rooftop yoga connects people with nature

Shack Yoga owner says Courtenay Smith it is a way for her to give back to the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Additional sidewalk speed limit signage was added around Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 21, 2024
Town staff tasked with increasing awareness about bicycle regulations

Longboat Key town commissioners agree current signage about bike rules and speed limits may be ineffective and that more outreach is necessary around e-bikes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of Artist Court at the corner of South Washington Boulevard and Adams Lane.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 21, 2024
Hundreds of downtown housing units inch toward approval

Four projects totaling 264 residences, 126 of them affordable housing, earn DRC partial sign-off.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 7147 La Lenaire Drive is only accessible by boat.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 20, 2024
Home on private island off Longboat Key hits market at $8.95M

The 1.3-acre waterfront property on Jewfish Key is only accessible via boat.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Executive Director of the Mt. Carmel Resource Center Shirley Pearson shares its mission with Longboat Island Chapel members.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 20, 2024
Longboat Island Chapel hosts and donates to Mt. Carmel Resource Center

For their monthly charity cocktail hour, chapel members collect donations of men's clothing.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
David Sessions, CEO of Willis Smith Construction, talks with former county commissioner Vanessa Baugh on the second floor back in May 2023 when the focus was still on finishing the first floor.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 20, 2024
Staff proposes $2.4 billion budget for Manatee County in 2025

Roads, parks and the Lakewood Ranch Library remain priorities in East County.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's JoAnne and John Lawler bring attention to Flag Day on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 20, 2024
Did you notice Old Glory on Flag Day?

June 14 is always a good time to salute our flag's history.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The newest officers of the Sarasota Police Department during a swearing-in ceremony in April 2024.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 20, 2024
Police recruiters work to fill every sworn position

Law enforcement veterans say Sarasota is an easy sell when recruiting officers for the SPD.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney High football celebrates its first state championship since 1972.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 20, 2024
The top 10 moments of the 2023-2024 Sarasota high school sports year

Six teams or individuals won state titles this school year, and plenty more came close.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 238 Island Circle has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,854 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 20, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for June 3-7 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey and Nokomis

A home in Sarasota Beach tops the week's sales at $3 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Plans are to add floors 3-8 to the end of the Art Ovation hotel to include eight new rooms and a rooftop expansion.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 20, 2024
Art Ovation hotel plans eight-room expansion

New floors are planned to be added above existing space at the northwest corner of the current building.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Molten bronze is poured from the crucible into a series of molds at Bronzart Foundry.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 20, 2024
Bronzart Foundry creates art for sites around the world

The Sarasota-based foundry crafted an award for the 14th Dalai Lama.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • June 20, 2024
Young Circus Star Is Treated Like Family

“Finding the ER at Fruitville is like finding a gold mine.” -Nova Wallenda, a member of the Wallenda Circus Family and mother to a pediatric ER at Fruitville patient.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
School board members Karen Rose, Bridget Ziegler and Tom Edwards.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 19, 2024
Sarasota School Board extends superintendent's contract

Terry Connor, superintendent of Sarasota County Schools, is now officially signed on to serve for the next five years.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Braden River High junior Yahshua Edwards (17) leans into a hit from Lakewood Ranch junior defensive back Mike Turner (24) during a 2023 game. Edwards has transferred to Riverview High for the 2024 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 19, 2024
Impact transfers abound on Sarasota football scene

These players will make a difference for their teams this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
For Sarasota school board
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 19, 2024
For Sarasota school board

After four years of culture wars, the fallout from COVID and changing to a new superintendent, the school board needs stability and consistency.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Brian Finnerty and Amanda Heisey spent more than a decade on stage with each other at area theaters before getting married in January.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 19, 2024
Newlyweds found love and theater in Sarasota

Brian Finnerty and Amanda Heisey have been sharing stages in the area for nearly a decade.

  • Arts + Culture
Motorcycle seller ghosts buyer with tardy title transfer
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 19, 2024
Motorcycle seller ghosts buyer with tardy title transfer

Police suspect fraud when purchaser by proxy reports no title two months after buying a Harley. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Joshua Vasquez, the youngest of the Vasquez family at 13 years old, has been around bees his whole life.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 19, 2024
Heritage Bee Farm in Myakka City keeps buzzing along

The family-owned bee farm educates people on beekeeping and breeds queen bees.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gus Mollasis loves to display different items relating to cinema in Sarasota Estate Auction.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 19, 2024
Gus Mollasis teaches the magic of movies on Longboat Key

"At The Movies with Gus Mollasis" at the Education Center takes film students back to the golden age of cinema.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Unit A-401 condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive has three bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths and 3,220 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 19, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for June 3-7 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in L’Ambiance at Longboat Key Club tops the week's sales at $5.55 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
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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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