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Your Observer

Artifacts in the exhibit include a cardigan created for Riverview High School teacher Sarah Hufford.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 26, 2024
Art exhibit celebrates impact of teachers' relationships with students

The exhibit "Above and Beyond: Teachers, Society's Heroes" at Sarasota Art Museum showcases student-made memorabilia from Sarasota County teachers.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Meteorologist Leigh Spann speaks at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on Aug. 24.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 26, 2024
Lakewood Ranch CERT team hosts meteorologist Leigh Spann

Spann was the guest speaker at a hurricane preparedness event held at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Debbie Shaffer, a member of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, is excited to see the drone in action.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 25, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hits the road

The alliance hosted an "Innovations in Healthcare Training" road show for its members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Savanna at Lakewood Ranch is outlined in yellow. The red area is where the commercial building and daycare will be built.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 25, 2024
Savanna developers and residents settle after 4-year battle

A daycare and commercial building will be built on 5.23 acres at the entrance of Savanna at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Silvanna Escobar, 17, Jersey Baldini, 15 and Harper Weyant, 15 of The Heartbreakers, perform on stage.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 24, 2024
Music Compound showcases new location at Back to School Bash

The studio's new location on Bell Road nearly doubles the facility size, at 10,000 square feet.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
In this rendering by Fawley Bryant Architecture, the Baltimore Orioles player development facility is proposed just south of the current clubhouse, shown in white, with expanded parking along North Euclid Avenue.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 24, 2024
Orioles plan expansion of spring training facilities

A proposed clubhouse addition would bring high-tech batting cages, player facilities and additional parking.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chris McGuinness takes a photo of flooding on Dam Road on Aug. 21.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 24, 2024
Continued flooding concerns residents near Lake Manatee

Heavy rains cause continued flooding issues for East County residents.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior Cullen McRae celebrates after his third touchdown run against Lemon Bay High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 24, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High football runs past Lemon Bay High

The Mustangs overcame a sloppy first quarter to earn a 42-18 home win.

  • East County
  • Sports
High school football roundup.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 24, 2024
High school football roundup: Aug. 23

The 2024 FHSAA season gets underway while two area SSAA teams roll.

  • East County
  • Sports
Pilatus Aircraft manufacturers the P-24 twin engine jet designed for short, unprepared runways.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 23, 2024
Aircraft manufacturer to bring $40 million investment to SRQ

Swiss-based Pilatus Business Aircraft plans to lease 17 acres of airport property for 40 years to build and sell aircraft, creating 350 jobs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lorraine and Tommy Rheinlander with Gary Hagen at Donuts By Design
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 23, 2024
Summer Night Out builds community between new and longtime Longboaters

Whitney Plaza businesses hosted a night of shopping, free samples and relationship building for residents in the area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Michael Saunders & Company
  • August 23, 2024
For Sale: 19443 Beacon Park Pl., Lakewood Ranch

Positioned on over half an acre in the sought-after gated community of The Concession.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Longboat Key resident Roger Lusins fills sandbags before Hurricane Ian. Longboat Key will be offering sandbags in anticipation of heavy rain this week.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 23, 2024
Sandbag operation open in Longboat Key ahead of weeklong rainfall

The town opened sandbag operations starting Friday, Aug. 23 in anticipation of excessive rainfall in the coming week.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mike Herley brings extensive restaurant management experience and a zeal for experimentation to Wheat + Water Italian Kitchen.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 23, 2024
Italian American cuisine offers the best of both culinary worlds in Wheat + Water

Wheat and water may be all it takes to make pasta, but the making of Mike and Kim Herley's welcoming restaurant took a lot more.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Dr. Nik's bikes sit in the Fogartyville courtyard.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 23, 2024
Fogartyville, community members save art bikes from becoming scrap

On Aug. 8, the "art bykes" were acquired by Fogartyville, with help from the quick actions of community members.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney's RJay Mosley catches a deep ball from Devin Mignery against Booker High. Mosley would score on the play.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 23, 2024
Cardinal Mooney High football seeks repeat title

The Cougars are in a new classification in 2024, but carry the same physicality and passion.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2024
Register now for annual Sustainable Communities Workshop

The daylong event will feature a keynote address by "Planetwalker" John Francis.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Greg Crawford and Kyle Murphy with M/I Homes say this is Lakewood Ranch’s first Benefit Home. The proceeds of sale of the home will go to Pelotonia, an organization that works to fund cancer research.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 23, 2024
Homebuilder donates house proceeds to cancer research

A competitive spirit combined with a big heart motivates a Lakewood Ranch homebuilder to orchestrate a six-figure cancer charity donation.

  • East County
  • News
Kevin Roy says the mental side of golf is sometimes tougher than playing the actual sport.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 23, 2024
Golfer Kevin Roy aims to return to Korn Ferry Tour — and win

Lakewood Ranch resident and golfer Kevin Roy, battling both players and the thoughts in his head, steadfastly sticks to his one big goal in the sport: win a tournament on the PGA tour.

  • East County
  • Sports
McKenzie Hanlon received CJ four years ago from Southeastern Guide Dogs, which in May officially changed its name to Dogs Inc.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 23, 2024
Dogs Inc. gives clients more than help. It gives them hope.

Thanks to Dogs Inc., McKenzie Hanlon’s bond with her guide dog, CJ, transformed her life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Two self-service sandbag stations have opened in Sarasota County.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 22, 2024
Sarasota County opens third sandbag station as more rain is expected

There is a 10-bag limit per vehicle, officials said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota athletes now able to make earning from name, image and likeness
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 22, 2024
Sarasota athletes now able to make earning from name, image and likeness

The Sarasota School Board passed a NIL policy in line with state legislation. It also voted to approve its Capital Improvement Plan.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
An aerial view of the Lake Manatee Dam shows water being released.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 22, 2024
Questions linger over Lake Manatee Dam release

East County residents question why more water wasn't released from Lake Manatee ahead of Tropical Storm Debby.

  • East County
  • News
Debra Woithe says there is a big sense of urgency in buying land for conservation in Manatee County.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • August 22, 2024
Manatee County's land conservation program races to protect special spaces

The push-and-pull of land for conservation versus land for development shines brightly in east Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
“Music, sound and guided imagery are a powerful combination,” says Zooey “Zen” Seraphine.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • August 22, 2024
5 ways to increase your mental, physical and spiritual health

Five Lakewood Ranch practitioners blend traditional, holistic and modern techniques.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Karen Eckert, Nancy Schneider, and Carolyn Lowry-Nation have all played a role in helping grow and sustain the Gardeners Out East Club.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 22, 2024
Garden club digs into strengthening roots

A determined group of gardening gurus overcame a slow start and is now a thriving Lakewood Ranch club. But it’s not all about plants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nathan Benderson Park’s dragon boat program is the second largest in the country.
  • By Susan Burns
  • August 22, 2024
Local dragon boat teams dig in for their next competition in waters overseas

Nathan Benderson Park's dragon boat program has become one of the largest and most competitive in the U.S. In September, its athletes are headed to the world competition in Italy.

  • East County
  • Sports
Affordable Wildlife set up a trip next to the drainage pipe the bobcat was spotted coming out of.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 22, 2024
Seaplace Condominium works to capture Longboat Key bobcat

After dealing with a rabbit overpopulation, a Seaplace employee spotted a bobcat and took action to catch it.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 9137 Midnight Pass Road was built in 2001 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 4,577 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 22, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 15-19 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home tops the week's sales at $3 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Riverview High's DJ Johnson ran for 1,660 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 22, 2024
Riverview High football wants to build on successful foundation

The Rams have the skill position talent to make a postseason run.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 22, 2024
SRQ Airport pulls New College land sale request

Recent FAA guidance on the future of vertical launch and landing aircraft indicates a halt on land transfers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"My wife said the other day that I’ve excelled at everything except retirement," Mark Pentecost says. "I’m really bad at retirement."
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 22, 2024
Entrepreneur Mark Pentecost is good at a lot of things. Retiring isn’t one of them.

The charmed life of Mark Pentecost includes nice houses in multiple states, a 10,000-acre East County ranch, tens of millions given away to cancer organizations and even his own private island. Getting to the top required a combination of grit, guts and good old-fashioned hustle.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rich mix of textures and colors creates an intriguing atmosphere in the living room. The paintings are all by prominent Latin American artists; the coffee table is from Crate and Barrel. Muse believes in mixing mainstream pieces with antiques and one-of-kind finds.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • August 22, 2024
A life well-lived is curated and on display in this dramatic home

In a divergence from the ubiquitous coastal palette, this Country Club home dazzles with perfect taste and subtle artistry.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A truck was found by a Lido Shores homeowner after it crashed into their privacy wall. The driver apparently fled the scene, police say.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 21, 2024
Hit-and-run crash damages Lido Shores home

The driver of a truck disappears after hitting a privacy wall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Once a staple of The Colony, The Monkey Bar was reimagined as a beach bar in the new St. Regis Longboat Key resort.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 21, 2024
From 2010 to present, here's how the St. Regis Longboat Key became reality

From legal battles to construction hiccups, the St. Regis navigated countless hurdles to reach opening day.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A conceptual rendering by Hoyt Architects of Orange Pineapple LLC's possible plans for Cross Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2024
Sarasota OKs vacating Cross Street right of way

Developer Orange Pineapple plans to turn the one-way street into an upgraded two-way plaza through its 3.1-acre site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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