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Your Observer

Irish dancers from the Irish Dance Academy of Sarasota performed for St. Mary Star of the Sea for St. Patrick's Day.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 18, 2024
Dancers and bagpipe music 'transport' St. Mary congregation to Ireland

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, parishioners enjoyed Irish food and drink while clad in St. Patrick’s Day green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ken Schneier and Susan Phillips
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 18, 2024
Longboat Chamber of Commerce meets and eats with residents

The 18th annual "Meet, Greet, Eat" allowed residents to mingle with local businesses and make connections among the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Glenn and Arlo Darling, 4, enjoy spending time together while flying through the air.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 18, 2024
Sarasota County Fair thrills audiences with circus acts

The attractions at the 100th anniversary event ranged from those involving towering heights to ground-based agricultural activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Bobkoskie, Paul Gilliland, Vicki and James Stewart, Jeffrey Scavinski and Cindy Bowman
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 18, 2024
St. Patrick’s Day block party fills downtown streets with green

The Gator Club's festivities marked the holiday with live music and food trucks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Myakka City Elementary School second grader Lydia Powell listens intently and follows along as second grade teacher Karen Washington reads aloud. Early childhood education is a priority for the School Board of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2024
Manatee School Board proposes new allocations for referendum

The referendum, which is on the ballot in November, could include athletics, early childhood education, and school safety and security.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota County will have two new solid waste collection contractors beginning in spring 2025.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 18, 2024
Solid waste rates to increase an average 24% in Sarasota County

Elsewhere, recent industry rate hikes range between 40%-150% due to inflation and personnel costs, but the county received three competitive bids for new contracts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dick Vitale said he hopes to give a speech at the 2024 Dick Vitale Gala on May 3.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 18, 2024
Dick Vitale talks about his new book, his voice and a return to broadcasting

Vitale says he plans on continuing his broadcasting career in the 2024-2025 college basketball season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gary Blomberg, Guy Tann, Jim Bramante and Robert Fleig of the Goldtones
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 17, 2024
Doo-wop group performs at Seaplace Condominiums

Residents danced the night away to their favorite oldies performed by "Florida's Hottest Vocal Harmony Group," the Goldtones.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The University Park Country Clubs invites the public to Art in the Park on March 16 and 17.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 17, 2024
University Park Country Club hosts Art in the Park

Residents, club members and staff displayed and sold their artwork at the annual event in University Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A concept map for the Emerson Point expansion.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 17, 2024
Manatee County will offer $15.5M to expand Emerson Point Preserve

If sold to the county, the 98-acre property will increase the size of the existing preserve by a third.

  • East County
  • News
Mary Jo Hansen leads the models for the final walk.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 16, 2024
Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch hosts Divas and Dogs

The annual fundraiser is on track to net $90,000, which will go toward operating costs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The first phase of The Bay opened in October 2022.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 16, 2024
The Bay Sarasota receives $2 million in challenge grant

Gulf Coast Community Foundation matches $1 million in private donations as the $4 million challenge continues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Legacy Golf Club co-owners Jon Whittemore and Kevin Paschall sold it to the Heritage Golf Group on March 13, 2024. One local resident wishes there were more public golf courses in the area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 16, 2024
Heritage adds Legacy Golf Club to country club lineup

Legacy will now become the fourth Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club course.

  • East County
  • News
The core library space is estimated to be around 8,000 square feet.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 15, 2024
Survey says: Longboaters want more than a library

In an informal online survey, a majority of respondents said they want a library, but they want an education and community center too.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • March 15, 2024
Stanley “Stan” Pastor

Stanley “Stan” Pastor

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 15, 2024
Selby ranked among country's top 10 botanical gardens

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens placed third in a new survey by USA Today and 10Best.com.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Meat sits ready to be served at Alday's BBQ.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 14, 2024
Barbecue food trucks in Sarasota thrive on roads less traveled

A short drive from the bustling streets of downtown, you can find the smoky flavors of fresh barbecue.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Read Learn Dream Co-chair Patty Casey reading to A New Beginnings' pre-kindergarten Class.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 14, 2024
Siesta Kiwanis Club nurtures early reading

The Read Learn Dream program places books and other literacy-enhancing materials in the hands of preschoolers in select city schools.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Soleta developer Charles Duff and Hall of Famer Nick Price are combining on just one of the new golf ventures coming to East County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 14, 2024
Golf continues to thrive in Lakewood Ranch area

East County has become a mecca of the one-ailing sport.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Delaney Riggins and Andrew Shackleford say it's crazy how life comes full circle. The couple "dated" in elementary school but grew apart in middle and high school. They reconnected in 2020 and married March 9.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 14, 2024
LRHS teachers tie the knot years after 'dating' in elementary school

Delaney Riggins says fate brought her back together with Andrew Shackleford in 2020 after they dated in elementary school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Florida Department of Transportation is in the study phase of improvements to the Little Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 14, 2024
Little Ringling Bridge alternatives come with at least $64M price tag

FDOT will present alternatives $63.7 million and $71.5 million for the aging twin bridges between Bird Key and St. Armands Key next week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Poly, the sculpture selected for installation in the roundabout at U.S. 41 and 14th Street, is being evicted from its fabricator as a decision about its placement lingers.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 14, 2024
Sculpture placement has Public Art Committee going in circles

With storage agreements expiring, the pressure is on to find homes for some of the sculptures.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney beach volleyball junior Izzy Russell said the team believes it can capture the FHSAA state title this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 14, 2024
Cardinal Mooney beach volleyball out for FHSAA title

The Cougars have won back-to-back Sunshine State Athletic Association titles but want more in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Built in 1983, the home at 7722 Sanderling Road has two bedrooms, three baths and 2,377 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 14, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 26 to March 1 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Sanderling Road tops the week's sales at $6.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Penny's Ice Cream offers a variety of flavors, fresh pastries and beverages like hot and iced coffee.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 13, 2024
Ice cream shop named for owners' beloved dog opens on Longboat

Greg Bukowski and Volha Siamashka have opened Penny's Ice Cream near the beach and hope to grow a loyal customer base.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
David and Jeff Koffman at their day job as owners of Design Works in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 13, 2024
Potential City Island investors want to leave a legacy

The many endeavors of entrepreneurs Jeffrey and David Koffman, who say capitalism begets altruism, include a plan to grow City Island's status as an attraction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High girls lacrosse senior Caroline Steinwachs (17) is a consistent offensive threat.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 13, 2024
Sarasota high school athletes are off to hot starts

On the diamond, track and lacrosse field, these high schoolers are posting impressive numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Barbara Thurston, Barbara Pressman and Barbara Stanton
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 13, 2024
Sarasota, Longboat women bond over shared name: Barbara

Barbaras from around Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and the Keys meet up every month to network and help the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A vision plan for the Sarasota Square Mall property presented at the March 7, 2024, Sarasota County Planning Commission meeting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 13, 2024
Sarasota Square Mall redevelopment includes up to 1,200 apartments

The Sarasota County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of five measures to pave the way for replacing Sarasota Square Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Amara Chepuri, a fifth grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, hopes to make it to the quarterfinals at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 13, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Prep student qualifies for Scripps National Spelling Bee

Amara Chepuri is spelling her way to the top, one letter at a time.

  • East County
  • Schools
Man swindled with bail bond sob story
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 13, 2024
Man swindled with bail bond sob story

Man meets woman. Woman says bond soon to be revoked. Man gives $350. Woman vanishes into the night. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Built in 1991, 3572 Fair Oaks Way has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,052 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 13, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 26 to March 1 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Queen’s Harbour home on Fair Oaks Way tops the week's sales at $6 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Robyn Bell, Lynne Lash, Linda Jacobs and Christine Captain say the Suncoast Food & Wine Fest is their favorite event of the year.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2024
Rotary Club raises $140,000 from Suncoast Food & Wine Fest

The Lakewood Ranch nonprofit has now granted $2.3 million over the years.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
After heart surgery, David Paliotta completely changed his diet and exercise patterns.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2024
Lakewood Ranch senior gives peak performance

After a quadruple bypass surgery, Summerfield's David Paliotta works toward an unlikely goal: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A red Corvette on display at the 2019 Corvettes on the Circle car show at St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 13, 2024
New city agreement brings car shows back to St. Armands

St. Armands Association compromised with the city of Sarasota to ensure that landscaping and park aesthetics are preserved during car shows and other events.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota’s own answer to crime reduction
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • March 13, 2024
Sarasota’s own answer to crime reduction

The most intractable problem of crime is that of repeat offenders. Solving that is no easy task, but in Sarasota, an impressive nonprofit called Project 180 is showing it can be done.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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1
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
  • December 22, 2025
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2
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
3
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
4
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
5
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

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