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Your Observer

Manatee County orders Level A, B evacuations
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 6, 2024
Manatee County orders Level A, B evacuations

Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida's west coast on Wednesday.

  • East County
  • News
Chris Westfall and Vivian Chester helping pack up the office building at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 6, 2024
Volunteers clean up churches on Longboat after Hurricane Helene

Churches make do to clean and prepare for services after the hurricane surge hit Longboat Key on Sept. 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Erik Arroyo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2024
Sarasota City Commission District 3: Erik Arroyo

Meet the candidate

  • Elections
Kathy Kelley Ohlrich
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2024
Sarasota City Commission District 3: Kathy Kelley Ohlrich

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Displaced food and beverage workers at impacted restaurants as they work on recovery, such as Cha Cha Coconuts on St. Armands Circle, may apply for grants from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Souther Smoke Foundation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2024
GCCF offers hurricane relief grants to food and beverage workers

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has partnered with Southern Smoke Foundation to help Helene-impacted local service workers bridge financial gaps during recorvery.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hurricane Milton at 9 p.m. Oct. 9, 2024, shortly after making landfall near Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2024
Hurricane Milton news, updates in Sarasota, Manatee

Hurricane Milton made landfall near Lido and Siesta keys at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 as a Category 3 storm. Access to the barrier islands, including Casey, Manasota, Siesta and Longboat keys, remains closed as the post-storm search-and-rescue mission is completed.

  • Hurricane Season
Ed Catalane, a volunteer ranger, helps Lakewood Ranch 8-year-old Avery Green work on his casting technique.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 5, 2024
Fin-tastic Youth and Teen Fishing Tournament in Lakewood Ranch

At least 50 children reel in big fun during annual Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club tournament.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cases of water at the Longboat Key Neighborhood Point of Distribution donated by Anhueser-Busch.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 5, 2024
Anheuser-Busch delivers water to local communities for Hurricane Helene relief

Gold Coast Eagle Distributing and Anheuser-Busch delivered clean, canned drinking water to Sarasota and Manatee communities, including Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar will open in the Center Point plaza off of University Parkway on Oct. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 5, 2024
Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar set to open in Lakewood Ranch

The bar will open on Oct. 9 in the Center Point plaza off University Parkway.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A rendering by MHK Architecture of the front elevation of Pier 550.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 5, 2024
Golden Gate Point condo project progresses, but questions remain

Pier 550, the latest Golden Gate Point luxury condo project, faces additional scrutiny by the Development Review Committee. Three other residential projects win partial or full sign-off.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gateway Park in Waterside Place is now a night market on the first Wednesday of each month from 6-9 p.m.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 4, 2024
Ranch Nite Wednesdays returns to Waterside Place

The food truck event has been expanded to include activities in Gateway Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton residents get sandbags at the Public Works Annex, 1411 Ninth St. W. Forecasts for heavy rain next week are prompting Manatee County to urge residents to prepare.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 4, 2024
Manatee issues new state of emergency ahead of heavy rain forecast

Rainfall totals could rival amount received during Hurricane Debby, officials say.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office is inspecting several designated poliing places on barrier islands Friday to determine if they will be able to be operational by Election Day, officials said.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • October 4, 2024
Elections supervisor inspecting polling sites damaged by Helene

Storm surge damage could prompt sites on the barrier islands to move.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the prototype Whataburger planned for South Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 4, 2024
Whataburger makes first appearance before city staff

The Texas-based fast-food chain is planning its first Sarasota-area location on South Tamiami Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chris Udermann and his wife, Susan, were working hard on Tuesday morning to clean their house and start necessary drywall removal after Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 4, 2024
In Longboat's lowest areas, Helene's storm surge smothered family homes

The Udermanns’ home in the Village is just one example of how Helene’s high storm surge caused major damage to Longboat Key homes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 4, 2024
Sarasota County operating sandbag locations on Friday

More tropical weather is expected into next week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Back: Commissioner Penny Gold, Commissioner Gary Coffin, Commissioner B.J. Bishop, Commissioner Debra Williams, Commissioner Sarah Karon. Front: Vice Mayor Mike Haycock, Mayor Ken Schneier
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 4, 2024
Three Longboat Key commission seats open this spring

The election qualifying period for available town commission positions began on Oct. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City begins storm debris collection on Monday, Oct. 7
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2024
City begins storm debris collection on Monday, Oct. 7

Debris must be separated into categories and street access unblocked for heavy equipment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a scam involving storm debris.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2024
Sarasota Sheriff's Office warns of storm debris scams

All water service in Sarasota County has been restored, officials say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A massing model presented by Renzo Piano Building Workshop shows the four Sarasota Performing Arts Center along North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 3, 2024
Questions linger for performing arts venue implementation agreement

Following a rousing concept reveal last week, city commissioners dig into the details for the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Our Lady of the Angels parishioners Theresa Phillips and Ruth Harenchar talk with Chaplain Mary Peterson about the Bradenton Bridge program.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 3, 2024
Our Lady of the Angels supports Bradenton Bridge transition program

The Peace and Justice Ministry buys mattresses for the women transitioning from prison back into the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Unit 903 condominium at 505 S..Orange Ave. was built in 2007 and has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,003 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 3, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 9-13 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A home in Hidden Harbor tops the week's sales at $7.25 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 3, 2024
County approves $2 billion budget

Sarasota County commissioners officially set the fiscal year 2025 budget at a reduced countywide millage rate of 3.30%.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wyatt Preissler, 8, helps with the weed removal on Sept. 21.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 3, 2024
Celery Fields volunteers clear the path at to a new season

Since the flooding caused by Hurricane Debby in August, the trails outside the Sarasota Audubon Nature Center at Celery Fields have seen the growth of weeds and invasive plants through the mulch surface.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Visitors to The Ridge can play several arcade games.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 3, 2024
Repurposed Bee Ridge Park building offers relaxing after-school spot for teens

The Ridge Teen Center recently reached the milestone of one year in operation, although staff hope more families will find out about the site.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The city of Sarasota is offering residents of St. Armands, Lido Key and Bird Key parking permits to use the St. Armands Garage during October.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2024
Lido, Bird Key residents can use St. Armands parking garage this month

The permits, which will cost $100, are for residents only.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nov. 5: Road to serfdom or the road to liberty?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 2, 2024
Nov. 5: Road to serfdom or the road to liberty?

Democracy leads to the lousy getting on top; subsidizing and producing more bad behavior; and economic fascism. The November election won’t stop all that, but the right choice can be a start.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Diana Shoemaker
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2024
Manatee County Commission District 3: Diana Shoemaker

Meet the candidate:

  • Elections
Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson, Commissioner Erik Arroyo, Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch, Mayor Liz Alpert, commissioners Debbie Trice and Kyle Battie, DreamLarge CEO Anand Pallegar and resident David Lough were among those who cut the ribbon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 2, 2024
City of Sarasota cuts the ribbon on Overtown Square park

Located in the Rosemary District, the pocket park is named after Sarasota's first Black community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Excess sand and infrastructure damage can still be seen Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Caspersen Beach. Sarasota County Parks staff are continuing response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2024
Water restoration on Siesta Key nearly complete

Beaches remain closed as debris pickup begins.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Midnight Pass before it closed in 1983.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 2, 2024
Helene reopened Midnight Pass, but for how long?

Volunteers with shovels are trying to reshape the inlet that closed 40 years ago in an effort to continue the tidal exchange of water, which was restored by the hurricane.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A lineman watches at the line of scrimmage as a play begins during a preseason scrimmage Aug. 10 at Riverview High School in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • October 2, 2024
Demand for high school sports officials in Florida tests associations

Growth in school sports programs is outpacing that of the number of officials.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Carlos E. Haile Middle School students Brayden Berggren, Cord London, Kase Alsum and Levi Rear take advantage of the new robotics arena in the technology lab.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2024
Construction continues on two east Bradenton campuses

Haile Middle School nears completion on its renovation and addition while Tara Elementary is nearly half complete.

  • East County
  • Schools
Members of the Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club regularly play at Lakewood Ranch Park. The club has over 1,700 members.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 2, 2024
Pickleball club growing with Lakewood Ranch

The club started in 2017 with 40 members and now has over 1,700 members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Ksenia Maguire teaches yoga at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 2, 2024
Yoga classes start at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron

Ksenia Maguire hopes to bring sailors and members of the Squadron relaxation and community after hard working days on Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Neighbor accosts family over dock blocking his view
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2024
Neighbor accosts family over dock blocking his view

A man was ordered to cease contact with neighbors after verbally assaulting them over a new dock as they returned from a boat outing. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
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'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key
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As a junior last season, Jayla Griffin led the Cougars in points, rebounds and assists per game en route to the FHSAA Class 3A-Region 2 semifinals.
  • June 2, 2026
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This Country Club Village home at 13318 Palmers Creek Terrace sold for $3.2 million. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 5,874 square feet of living area.
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Several residents report checks mailed from the post office in Lakewood Ranch have been stolen and washed.
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  • June 2, 2026
Lido Shores breaks ground rebuilding meeting space

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