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Your Observer

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
ODA football senior defensive back Carson Fisher.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 18, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Carson Fisher

The ODA football senior defensive back had an interception touchdown against Saint Stephen's Episcopal.

  • East County
  • Sports
Becky Ayech has held fundraisers to help preserve the Old Miakka Schoolhouse for the past 39 years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 18, 2024
Old Miakka Fall Hootenanny benefits schoolhouse

Becky Ayech has put on the "country" fundraiser for 39 years.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Three traffic calming circles were installed on Broadway Street in August 2024.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 18, 2024
Traffic circles installed on Broadway, Country Club Shores turn lanes advance

Both projects aim to improve safety and the flow of traffic during peak season traffic on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tom Edwards is the first executive director of SRQ Strong.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2024
SRQ Strong names first executive director

Sarasota County School Board Member Tom Edwards will guide the nonprofit's transformation into a professional organization.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarasota Christian School junior quarterback Ben Milliken.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 18, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ben Milliken

The Sarasota Christian quarterback is putting up massive numbers in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Observer recommends …
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 18, 2024
Observer recommends …

This week begins the Observer’s general election recommendations for a few races and the state amendments.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Main Street in downtown Sarasota is the center of dining, shoppng and entertainment activity.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 17, 2024
City moves forward on Main Street complete street design

Engineering and development consultant Kimley-Horn will provide 60% final design by fall 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dale Anderson
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 17, 2024
Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, at-large Seat 2: Dale Anderson

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Yana Kevlin and her children Lenny Kevlin, 3, and Ava Kevlin, 2, decided to step inside the photo booth under the "Shana Tova" sign.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 17, 2024
Young members prepare for Rosh Hashanah at Temple Emanu-El

Kids learned about Rosh Hashanah during Sweet New Year Tot Shabbat.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Local high school volunteers helped lead the 2024 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 17, 2024
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium inspires youth leaders

The annual Youth Ocean Conservation Summit hosted students from around the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Incumbent's rhetoric lacks accuracy
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 17, 2024
Incumbent's rhetoric lacks accuracy

Candidate Mike Moran responds to Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates' letter to the editor.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota man charged with smuggling electronics into Russia
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 17, 2024
Sarasota man charged with smuggling electronics into Russia

The microelectronics had military applications, prosecutors say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Christian Retreat welcomes all denominations to stay and worship.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 17, 2024
The Family Church at Christian Retreat welcomes all denominations

The retreat was founded in 1968 and sits on 110 acres overlooking the Manatee River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch High boys cross country team is aiming for its first state meet appearance since 2016. Back row: Derek Robinson, Jonathan Leatt, Joe Barr, Dylan Johnson, Colton Prater, Kenny DeStefano and Vayle Johnson. Front row: Michael Wagner, Vicente Rivera, Zachariah Kersey, Jacob Gomez and Jacob Smith.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 17, 2024
Lakewood Ranch cross country runners say seniority will rule

The experienced Mustangs looks like a state meet contender for the first time since 2016.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 17, 2024
SPD offers Painting With Police program

Monthly sessions are held the third Wednesday through the end of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hotel staff concerned about man who left suddenly with 2 'call girls' still in room
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 17, 2024
Hotel staff concerned about man who left suddenly with 2 'call girls' still in room

The staff said the man appeared intoxicated and left all of his belongings in his room with the two women. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Resident Shawn Leven started Friends of Pickleball to make pickleball more accessible on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 17, 2024
Shawn Leven creates Friends of Pickleball on Longboat Key

The Longboater is pursuing nonprofit status for the group with the goal of making the sport more accessible on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Country Club home at 12523 Highfield Circle sold for $3.7 million. It has three bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,111 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 17, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 2-6 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Highfield Circle tops the week's sales at $3.7 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Officer Keith Ericsson, Officer Andrew Vandyke and Officer Dallas Troyer were all sworn in by Chief of Police George Turner on Sept. 9.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 17, 2024
Longboat Key Police Department fills three vacancies

The department swore in the three officers, which brought the force back to 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
YabbaDabbaDoo of Reddick, Florida, with JD Ivines and Steve Adams, makes a leap from the water.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 16, 2024
Powerboats go full-throttle in the waters off Lido Beach

The 40th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix continued the tradition of high-performance racing.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The town's appointed magistrate Milan Brkich oversees code enforcement hearings like the one on Sept. 11 for the St. Regis.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 16, 2024
Magistrate grants St. Regis more time to correct lighting violations

The hearing is pushed to Oct. 9, with St. Regis management required to meet with town officials to work toward compliance.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rob Oglesby, the development director for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue, shows the apartment above the welcome and adoption center where veterinary externs will be staying.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2024
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue on a roll with its expansion

After nearly five years, the nonprofit is nearing the finish line with expected completion in January.

  • East County
  • News
Among the topics of discussion by the Purple Ribbon Committee is converting the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall into convention and event space.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 16, 2024
Multipurpose convention space is one possibility for Van Wezel

Visit Sarasota County's Erin Duggan tells Purple Ribbon Committee a hybrid convention center/performance space is an option.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Customers can enjoy the poke bowls atop tables made from the colorful skimboards at Zap Skimboards in Venice.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 16, 2024
Siesta Pokè brings its specialty to Siesta Key

The restaurant, opened Aug. 30, differentiates itself with a range of house-made sauces.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch seniors Jamarrion Roden (19) and Cullen McRae II (2) celebrate after McRae's second touchdown of the game against Braden River.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 16, 2024
High school football takeaways for East County teams

As the season nears the halfway point, here's how the area's teams stand.

  • East County
  • Sports
Wetlands provide essential wildlife habitat, buffers for excess rain and filter impurities that would otherwise degrade our waterways.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • September 16, 2024
Myakka wetlands showcase a filtration system at work

By removing impurities, filtration by wetlands improves downstream water quality.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nancy Goodheart Matthews was able to establish the plaque at the fountain with the help of City of Sarasota public art lead Mary Davis Wallace.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 15, 2024
Sarasota celebrates its Mermaid Fountain

The fountain was honored by the Smithsonian Institution’s inventory of public art sculptures in 1995.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Planning Board does an about-face on Fruitville Road development
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 15, 2024
Planning Board does an about-face on Fruitville Road development

Sent back to the board by the Sarasota City Commission after changes, a previously rejected residential project between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street wins approval.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sallie West joined her close friend Donna Powell in making suncatchers at the Paradise Center.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 14, 2024
The Paradise Center in Longboat Key hosts 'Do-It-Yourself' art class

Debbie Lemieux repurposed old jewelry and trinkets to make sun catchers with Paradise Center regulars.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Penler is proposing 125-foot setbacks on the western and southern boundaries of the property where it abuts Eagle Trace.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 14, 2024
Eagle Trace residents say flood risk should be considered for SR 64 proposal

The proposed project in East County will be a mixed-use development.

  • East County
  • News
High school football roundup.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 14, 2024
High school football roundup: Sept. 13

Six Sarasota and East County teams were victorious Friday night.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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 13, 2024
Booker High football recovers from blown lead, beats Carrollwood Day

The Tornadoes almost let a 37-7 first-half lead slip away, but recovered in the second half to win 70-43.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
CFO Sheila McLean presents the tentative budget and millage to commissioners on Sept. 12.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 13, 2024
Commissioners propose tax cut for Manatee County residents

If the proposal is approved at the Sept. 24 Commission meeting, the millage will be reduced by .15 mills.

  • East County
  • News
Ninth grader arrested after Manatee schools shooting threat
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 13, 2024
Ninth grader arrested after Manatee schools shooting threat

Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports threats were found on social media.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key
  • June 2, 2026
'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key
2
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
3
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.
  • June 2, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for May 18-22 in Lakewood Ranch
4
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
5
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

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