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Your Observer

Long Range Transportation Plan Project Manager William Roll speaks to attendees at the Phase 1 Visioning workshop.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 2, 2024
MPO seeks public input to shape 2050 transportation priorities

Shrinking funds and higher costs mean closer scrutiny in developing the long-range transportation plan update for the Sarasota-Manatee region.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The traditional turkey dinner at the Lazy Lobster
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 2, 2024
Lazy Lobster celebrates Thanksgiving in June with food drive

With every turkey dinner, the restaurant will be collecting non-perishable foods to donate to area pantries.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Heather Kasten is President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2024
Sarasota Chamber a finalist for Chamber of the Year

The winners in four categories grouped by organization size will be announced July 17.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The exterior of the Ohana estate at 6633 Gulf of Mexico Drive, photographed in 2013.
    By
  • James Peter
  • May 31, 2024
$19.75M Ohana sale sets new record for Longboat Key

The home breaks the record for Manatee County as well. The estate features three pavilions, a tennis court and two elevators.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Motorcyclist killed in Fruitville Road crash
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2024
Motorcyclist killed in Fruitville Road crash

The crash occurred May 30 west of Honore Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Signs along Uihlein Road already reflect the new speed limit of 40 miles per hour. The signs along Rangeland Parkway will be changed in August.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 31, 2024
Two Lakewood Ranch roads get higher speed limits

Manatee commissioners approve changes to speed limits on Rangeland Parkway and Uihlein Road in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Climate Adaptation Center CEO Bob Bunting
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 31, 2024
Climate Adaptation Center receives $50K to expand outreach

The Sarasota-based nonprofit plans to use the grant funds to increase education efforts and support its annual climate conference.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Red marks the streets targeted in the Sarasota County street resurfacing project both on and off Siesta Key.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 31, 2024
Siesta Key residential street resurfacing begins

Neighborhood streets are the main objective of the $11.4 million project scheduled for completion in January 2025.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2024
Allegiant adds two nonstop flights from SRQ

Allegiant Air has initiated seasonal service from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to Austin, Texas and Des Moines, Iowa.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Deanna Mesghali and Felicia McDermott
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 30, 2024
New marketing manager strengthens relationships with chamber members

Meet the planner behind one of Longboat Key's most popular networking events: Networking at Noon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A backhoe pulls a large tree apart May 29 inside a fenced-off section of the Uplands Preserve, owned by New College of Florida. The college is clearing the area to make way for beach volleyball courts and a lacrosse practice field.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • May 30, 2024
New College's tree removal from Uplands stuns neighbors

The city of Sarasota can't enforce tree ordinance on state property, officials say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The last Ranch Nite Wednesday of the 2023-2024 season, presented by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, drew a large crowd.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 30, 2024
Ranch Nite Wednesdays in Lakewood Ranch takes a summer break

The food truck event at Waterside Place will resume in October.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Regular schedules of prescribed burns help restore and maintain healthy habitats for imperiled fire-dependent species such as gopher tortoises.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • May 30, 2024
Fire plays critical role in Myakka park

Some imperiled species, such as the gopher tortoise, crested caracara and pine lily, wouldn't survive without occasional fires.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The previous departure SRKUS (green) with the newly implemented procedure TIDES (orange) from SRQ.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 30, 2024
Flight path from SRQ changes direction over Longboat Key

A change in the angle of departures from SRQ was made by the Federal Aviation Administration and impacts the path of flights over Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The first home at 8218 Sanderling Road has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 8,638 square feet of living area. The second has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,302 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 30, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for May 13-17 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey and Nokomis

A two-house Siesta Key property on Sanderling Road tops the week's sales at $12 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
An overhead view of the proposed site of a convention center and hotel by developers Mark Kauffman and Sadek Omar of Jebcore Development. The site includes the city-owned federal courthouse building and the U.S. Post Office.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 30, 2024
Post office site pitched for downtown convention center

Developers seek to garner support from the DID board for a public-private partnership with the city of Sarasota for a hotel and event center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) hits a layup against the Seattle Storm in a May 17 game. The WNBA is having a surge in popularity in 2024 — and entrepreneur Steve Rosenfeld wants to bring a team to Sarasota.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 30, 2024
The WNBA in Sarasota? One entrepreneur wants to make it happen

Steve Rosenfeld believes Sarasota is the perfect spot for a professional basketball team in the up-and-coming league.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Members of Choral Artists of Sarasota offer a performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 30, 2024
Choral Artists of Sarasota preps for D-Day commemoration in France

The chorus will be seen by more than a million people at Normandy American Cemetery and will also perform in Paris.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Volunteer Dawn Brown
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 30, 2024
Salvation Army opens Sarasota food pantry to meet increased need

The nonprofit introduced the new services in response to a rising number of visitors to the Venice location and food requests from those seeking utilities assistance in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By JL Bainbridge Family Wealth Advisors
  • May 30, 2024
Should Your Retirement Planning Include Medicare?

Healthcare costs in retirement can be high, so only thinking about Medicare as health insurance can be a big mistake.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Former Sarasota and Braden River high schools running back Brian Battie played for Auburn University in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 29, 2024
Brian Battie remains in hospital, according to Auburn Head Coach

Court records filed May 24 indicate that Battie has a "prognosis of permanent paralysis."

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Eleni Sokos, 35 is taking over the CEO role (Chief Executive Oyster) from Anna Maria Oyster Bar founder and co-owner John Horne, 63.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 29, 2024
Anna Maria Oyster Bar founder to slow down, names next CEO

Restaurateur John Horne found a succession plan in the office next door to his, with up-and-coming executive Eleni Sokos.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
SMR Senior Vice President Laura Cole talks about Lakewood Ranch's accomplishments over 30 years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 29, 2024
Lakewood Ranch turns 30 and still is growing

The No. 1-selling multigenerational, master-planned community in the nation celebrates its successes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's Rob Rempert said his 15-week-old labradoodle, Madison, has helped keep his spirits up as he hopes for a kidney transplant.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 29, 2024
Lakewood Ranch man perseveres through kidney transplant process

Rob Rempert has been on the kidney transplant list for four years but has faith the system will come through for him. He says more kidneys would be available if people understood the system and UNOS.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
One of the observation decks at Joan M. Durante Park, now made of composite material.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 29, 2024
Explore a revitalized Durante Park with new, more durable boardwalk

The project wrapped up in March and replaced the Longboat Key park’s boardwalk with new composite material.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Riverview High offensive lineman Al Oliver.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 29, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Al Oliver

The Riverview High football offensive lineman has five NCAA Division I offers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bulls senior Lane Tomlinson (8) brushes off a George Jenkins High defender on a big play. Parrish Community High's win against George Jenkins High on Nov. 3 clinched the team's first playoff appearance.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 29, 2024
East County prep sports year provides moments of humanity

Columnist Ryan Kohn shares his favorite moments from the school year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Myra Maldonado shows the inside of one of the salt caves. The salt came from Pakistan, and the cave was designed to transport people to a calm, relaxing "safe haven," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 29, 2024
Salt Caves and Spa encourages healthy lifestyles with 'safe haven'

Owners Myra and Rafier Maldonado opened The Salt Caves and Spa after trying to find holistic treatments for their mothers, who died of cancer.

  • East County
  • Business
Braden River Elementary to welcome new principal
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 29, 2024
Braden River Elementary to welcome new principal

Mary Oliva is ready to be a hands-on principal, engaging in all that Braden River Elementary has to offer.

  • East County
  • Schools
Local doctor to share new lifestyle health techniques with Longboaters
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 29, 2024
Local doctor to share new lifestyle health techniques with Longboaters

Dr. Coeurlida Ashby's presentation at The Paradise Center will introduce the concept of lifestyle medicine and its benefits.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Honey Co. owner Alma Johnson and employee Michelle Edwards.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 29, 2024
Sarasota Honey Co. finds new home at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime

Hurricane Ian impacts, rising costs and other challenges led to the decision to relocate.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Unit B-902 condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive has two bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,385 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 29, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for May 13-17 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in L’Ambiance tops the week's sales at $3.3 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Witnesses deny seeing a man chased through downtown
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 29, 2024
Witnesses deny seeing a man chased through downtown

Eight men said they had "seen a lot," but not a man being chased by another demanding money. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Loggerhead hatchlings emerge from the sand in August 2016.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 29, 2024
Lighting concerns for sea turtles prompt town investigation

Now a month into sea turtle nesting season, a resident said artificial lights visible from the beach could disorient hatchlings.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Title IX rules: tyrannical fiat
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 29, 2024
Title IX rules: tyrannical fiat

When Washington bureaucrats shove their views on us by imposing new rules and new laws, blame Congress for giving the unelected wonks so much power.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
John Roble
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 28, 2024
Retired Navy officer recounts 32 years of service

Bird Key Yacht Club member John Roble reminisced on the naval career that made him the man he is today.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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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