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Your Observer

Jay W. Riley
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 23, 2024
Charter Review Board District 1: Jay W. Riley

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
One dead after Sunday shooting on Dr. MLK Jr. Way
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 23, 2024
One dead after Sunday shooting on Dr. MLK Jr. Way

The Sarasota Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Sunday afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kevin Morris is deputy director of utilities for Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 23, 2024
Manatee County Utilities receives another blow amid hurricane season

The utilities department works to fill the gap left after two deputy directors with a combined nearly 23 years of experience tender their resignations.

  • East County
  • News
ODA junior running back Allen Clark carries Sarasota Christian defenders down the field for a big gain.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 23, 2024
ODA football survives its first big test of 2024

The Thunder was pushed to the limit by Sarasota Christian on Sept. 20 but earned a 36-31 win.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Dick Vitale says he's grateful for the staff at Sarasota Memorial Radiation Oncology Center.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 23, 2024
Lakewood Ranch's Dick Vitale finishes final cancer treatment

Vitale's belief in staying positive and having faith keeps him strong during his latest battle with cancer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Florida Power & Light Company (FPL)
  • September 23, 2024
FPL Debuts New Tool in Suite of Resources to Help Customers Save

Read these tips to save on some of the biggest home energy drivers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The seven new SPD officers are flanked by Sarasota City Manager Maron Brown (left) and Chief Rex Troche (right).
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2024
SPD swears in new class of seven officers

The new Sarasota Police Department recruits will now embark on several months of field training.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lily Ward, Olivia Kawcak and McKenzie Kawcak share how "peace" is said in Mexico, India and France. The students held up the signs to greet their classmates as students arrived on campus.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 21, 2024
McNeal Elementary School cultivates peace

The school's annual Peace Day brings students together to demonstrate their commitment to peace.

  • East County
  • Schools
Rachel McGrew, Joshua Hardinger, Ana Molinari, Chalk Festival Executive Director Denise Kowal and Glory Rodriguez gather together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 21, 2024
Unwind wellness studio harnesses power of flowers in support of Chalk Festival

The Flower Power Patron Party invited the public for a flower-filled night in support of the Sarasota Int'l Chalk Festival and the floral carpet art it plans to debut this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Chris Sachs, Police Chef George Turner and Micahel Garey at the Kiwanis Club meeting.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 21, 2024
Longboat Key Police Chief speaks to the Kiwanis Club

Members of the Longboat Key Kiwanis Club ask Police Chief George Turner about the updates on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Applications are now being accepted by the City of Sarasota for its Downtown Master Plan Update Committee.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 21, 2024
City ready to receive Downtown Master Plan Committee applications

The Sarasota City Commission has set the criteria for the seven- to nine-member panel that will advise on shaping the downtown area for the future generations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
High school football roundup.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 21, 2024
High school football roundup: Sept. 20

There were big offensive performances from area teams as the season hits its midpoint.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA junior running back Allen Clark carries Sarasota Christian defenders down the field for a big gain.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 21, 2024
ODA football holds off Sarasota Christian to move to 5-0

A late fumble recovery secured a 36-31 win for the Thunder.

  • East County
  • Sports
Julie Forestier
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 20, 2024
Charter Review Board District 1: Julie Forestier

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Jonathan Lynch
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 20, 2024
Manatee County School Board District 3: Jonathan Lynch

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Jordan Sebastiano of Servpro tosses a football.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 20, 2024
East and west are on the same team at tailgate business expo

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance returned to last year's tailgate theme as it hosted its annual expo.

  • East County
  • Business
Women from Longboat Harbour Condominiums come together to Summer Night Out every month.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 20, 2024
Whitney Plaza businesses host mingling event for new and longtime Longboaters

Driftwood Beach Home and Garden and Design 2000 Salon threw their monthly mingling event to support small businesses and meet neighbors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This is a rendering of the outdoor patio for the proposed Backyard Social off of Professional Parkway in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 20, 2024
Mixed reviews for proposed dining, entertainment spot in Lakewood Ranch

A revised application for Backyard Social will be reviewed by the Sarasota Planning Commission on Oct. 3.

  • East County
  • News
The 17th annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale and Extension EdFest by UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County will be held Oct. 5.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 20, 2024
Master Gardener Plant Sale set for Oct. 5

The 17th annual event helps fund local horticulture education efforts of the University of Florida's Master Gardener Volunteer program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Erik Arroyo wants to name the next Sarasota city attorney sooner than later.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 20, 2024
City attorney replacement remains in limbo

Commissioner Debbie Trice forced a delay in the naming of successor so she can vet her colleague's top choice.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A threat was made on social media against Braden River High School Sept. 19, the Manatee County School District confirmed.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 19, 2024
New shooting threat made against Braden River High School

A new Snapchat message is the latest in a series of recent threats.

  • East County
  • News
Visit Sarasota County names three board members
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 19, 2024
Visit Sarasota County names three board members

Stacey Corley, Jason Samson and Heather Van Wie join the VSC board for two-year terms.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Colson Hotel was the first hotel that permitted African-Americans to lodge, and was built for that purpose.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 19, 2024
Colson Hotel fate remains uncertain amid demolition bid

A developer is working with a grassroots effort to preserve the century-old building that was once a haven for Black Americans in the Jim Crow era.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 1780 Southwood St. was built in 2020 and has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 1,925 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 19, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 2-6 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A Prestancia home on Las Palmas Way tops the week's sales at $2.45 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Katie Powers, a senior, is a top-end libero on the Cardinal Mooney High indoor volleyball team when not playing beach volleyball.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 19, 2024
Sarasota fall athletes put themselves on the radar

These less-well-known competitors have been on top of their sports in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Board members Tim Enos and Bridget Ziegler praised Sarasota's efforts in school safety.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 19, 2024
School board addresses rise in school threats, approves temporary staffing

The Sarasota County School Board discussed efforts to keep students safe, as well as issues with filling vacancies.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
“I can care for myself and get involved in my community again, thanks to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.” - Patricia Shaw, Surgical Patient
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • September 19, 2024
Patient is Back to Active Lifestyle after Surgery

“I had so much confidence in Dr. Dexter, and I respect his surgical skills. He explained everything and made sure I was knowledgeable about my experience,” she says.

  • Health
Sponsored Content
2 Lakewood Ranch Preparatory students arrested for making written threats
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 18, 2024
2 Lakewood Ranch Preparatory students arrested for making written threats

The 14-year-old students were charged with written/electronic threats to kill.

  • East County
  • News
Rick Piccolo speaks to the attendees at the 2024 Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County meeting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 18, 2024
EDC awards SRQ chief its highest honor

The Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County surprised Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport's Rick Piccolo with the Clyde Nixon Leadership Award at its annual meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Booker junior wide receiver Tyren Wortham celebrates catching a 60-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Joel Morris against Carrollwood Day.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 18, 2024
Booker High football's offense lights its fuse

The Tornadoes have showcased explosive talent in the first half of the 2024 season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Premier Sports Campus is one of many Manatee County amenities that the tourist development tax helps fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 18, 2024
Do your research on Manatee's tourist tax

The 1% increase makes sense to keep our attractions pristine.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Plymouth Harbor resident Lynne Woodman shared how her love for learning led her through her life's accomplishments.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 18, 2024
Longboat Key resident reminisces on her accomplished life

Plymouth Harbor's Lynne Woodman says a passion for learning led her to great experiences.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Woman comes home to find surprise roofing job
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2024
Woman comes home to find surprise roofing job

Roofers were removing shingles from the wrong home as a language barrier prompts the woman to call law enforcement. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Members of the Suncoast Builders Association's Professional Women in Building Council complete a playhouse for a 5-year-old girl who has cancer.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 18, 2024
Suncoast Builders Association builds playhouses for children with cancer

Local developers come together to support Roc Solid Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Midnight Pass was an open passageway for decades before a pair of homeowners had it bulldozed in 1983.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 18, 2024
County takes a pass on alternative to opening Midnight Pass

The Sarasota County Commission eschewed sea water pumping option in favor of pursuing legislative solution to reopening the closed inlet that separates Casey Key from Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Unit W302 condominium at 129 Taft Drive has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,265 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 18, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 2-6 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Park Residences of Lido Key tops the week's sales at $2.85 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
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Latest News

1
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
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Jayla Griffin
2
Several residents report checks mailed from the post office in Lakewood Ranch have been stolen and washed.
  • June 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Post Office mail theft investigation continues
3
Lido Shores Property Owners Association board members, including President Michelle Swartz, Vice President Jon Tilkemeier, Tom Fitzgerald and Jan Farber, joined team members from New Pass Dock & Seawall, including Co-Owner Jonathon Sisler, President and Co-Owner Todd Wagner and Sales Manager Matt Billib, to break ground on a new beachside pavilion to replace one destroyed by the 2024 hurricanes.
  • June 2, 2026
Lido Shores breaks ground rebuilding meeting space
4
Natalie Gutwein is among those leading the charge to create the Siesta Key Beautification Task Force.
  • June 2, 2026
Siesta Key advisory task force will include seven members
5
Pianist Michael Stephen Brown will replace Robert Levin as a faculty member at the Sarasota Music Festival and will perform on June 6 at Holley Hall.
  • June 1, 2026
A slimmer Sarasota Music Festival aims to be as satisfying as ever

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