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Your Observer

According to a preliminary conceptual drawing, the residential component of the redeveloped Crossings at Siesta Key would built along South School Avenue.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 15, 2024
Southgate Mall redevelopment takes another step forward

Benderson Development plans to redevelop the site, now called Crossings at Siesta Key, into a mixed-use town center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 425 Titian Drive has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,903 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 15, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for July 29 to Aug. 2 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A Sorrento Shores home on Titian Drive tops the week's sales at $3.51 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sarasota Military Academy is one of six schools in Sarasota that will have speed detection cameras in the school zone.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 15, 2024
School zone speed cameras coming to Sarasota

Speeds around six schools in the city will be monitored in a new program authorized by the Sarasota City Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • August 15, 2024
Patient Finds Relief from the Pain of Spinal Stenosis

Kevin Parks said, "“I will be forever grateful to the staff at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.”

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Passenger turns violent against presumed good Samaritan
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 14, 2024
Passenger turns violent against presumed good Samaritan

Picked up in downtown and taken to a bayfront park, a woman begins hitting her would-be rescuer as he calls police. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch Elks Exalted Ruler Kevin Burke and EFELT Executive Director Andrea Hitcho stand in front of bins at the Elks Club used to collect food donations.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 14, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Elks seek storage area for its food donation program

The Elks provide more than 500 children with free meals through its Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cedar Mill is under construction off Lorraine Road. Future construction projects will face increased impact fees in Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 14, 2024
Manatee County raises impact fees

Commissioners approved an increase, but George Kruse says they should have raised them more.

  • East County
  • News
Braden Woods' Amanda Chandler works with students who have dyslexia and other reading deficiencies through The Re-Reading House, which she started in January.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2024
East County educator founds The Re-Reading House

Braden Woods' Amanda Chandler works with students with dyslexia and other reading deficiencies.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Summerfield Bluffs 13-year-old Leah Abrams looks over her destroyed yearbooks as her family works to clean up their home after it was flooded. "All of my yearbooks are ruined," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2024
Hurricane Debby leaves Lakewood Ranch residents rebuilding

Unexpected flooding causes residents to make swift decisions as they work to rebuild their homes and lives.

  • East County
  • News
Flamingo FLCO LLC sold the home at 469 E. Royal Flamingo Drive to David and Karen Behrens, of Sarasota, for $7,999,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 14, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for July 29- Aug. 2 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on East Royal Flamingo Drive tops the week's sales at $8 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sarasota's new EcoRover will provide waterside access to the mobility challenged at Lido Beach.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 14, 2024
Public mobility options make beaches accessible for those with disabilities

The new EcoRover and Longboat Key Fire Rescue's sand wheelchair empower people to explore area beaches independently.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River High indoor volleyball senior Baylee Hinkle.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 14, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Baylee Hinkle

The senior outside hitter will help lead the Braden River High volleyball team's attack.

  • East County
  • Sports
This photo from the upper bay shows dark stormwater runoff mixing with more saline water from the Gulf of Mexico.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 14, 2024
Experts warn Sarasota Bay water quality suffers after Debby

Increased fish kill and algal blooms may be the result of sewage spills and other pollutants that entered the bay as a result of the storm.

  • Sarasota
  • News
2024 is the 43rd year of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium's sea turtle monitoring program.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 14, 2024
Hurricane Debby’s surge likely washed out many sea turtle nests

As many as half the sea turtle nests could have been lost, according to one expert estimate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County needs to study reasons for Lakewood Ranch flooding
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 14, 2024
Manatee County needs to study reasons for Lakewood Ranch flooding

Summerfield residents say the release of extra water at the Lake Manatee Dam could be responsible.

  • East County
  • Opinion
From left, Kelly Borgia, Emily Joslin and Carol Martin Brown.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 14, 2024
GCCF makes three leadership changes

Changes include the promotion of Kelly Borgia to director of brand engagement.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Booker High lineman Jordan Radkey (55) and safety Jason Thomas (16) are expected to be big contributors to the Tornadoes defense in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 14, 2024
Booker High football gets talent injection for 2024 season

The Tornadoes have lofty goals in year three under Head Coach Scottie Littles.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A view of downtown Sarasota along the bay front from the Ringling Causeway.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 14, 2024
Downtown Master Plan update seeks to enhance city's brand

Sarasota city commissioners debate the composition of an ad hoc committee that will be seated to take the 2020 plan into the future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Furniture and other items is removed from homes along a street in Pinecraft.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 14, 2024
Pennsylvania Mennonites help Pinecraft residents with flood damage

The Plain Compassion Crisis Response seeks more volunteers as it begins to assist with flood damage in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
In defense of developers
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 14, 2024
In defense of developers

It was certainly a cringe moment recently when former Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight, who is running for the District 3 Sarasota County Commission seat, made a comment about the region’s most prominent developers.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Final Observer recommendations
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 14, 2024
Final Observer recommendations

Here is why U.S. elections should revert to occurring only on election day: Things happen up to the last day that can change voters’ minds. Such is the case this cycle.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Cardinal Mooney High volleyball senior Riley Greene.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 13, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Riley Greene

The Cardinal Mooney High volleyball senior is committed to Long Island University.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Mote staff and interns carry Lil' Dougie to the water.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 13, 2024
Sea turtle rescued by county employee released on Siesta Beach

Named after the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office employee who rescued her, Lil’ Dougie was released after receiving care at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the St. Regis Longboat Key, set to open this summer.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 13, 2024
St. Regis Longboat Key to be unveiled Aug. 16 for soft opening

The resort will hold an unveiling ceremony for the local community on Friday, followed by a soft opening ahead of its official opening in late September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Concession home at 19424 Ganton Ave. sold for $2.5 million. 19424 Ganton Ave. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,346 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 13, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for July 29-Aug. 2 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Ganton Avenue tops Lakewood Ranch sales at $2.5 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Don't let mistruths spread about SMH distract from hospital board's real issues
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 13, 2024
Don't let mistruths spread about SMH distract from hospital board's real issues

The chair of the Sarasota County Hospital Board debunks claims made about SMH during election season.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Ryan Reid said The Sports Farm is for athletes dedicated to getting to the highest levels of their sport.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 13, 2024
The Sports Farm wants to be a one-stop shop for elite athletes

The facility in Lakewood Ranch is co-founded by former MLB relief pitcher Ryan Reid.

  • East County
  • Sports
Police investigate truck that drove away with gas pump hose
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 13, 2024
Police investigate truck that drove away with gas pump hose

A gas station employee reported a truck caused property damage after driving away with the hose and nozzle still in the truck. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Joan Leonard, the community liaison for Suncoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch, hopes the shelves can be fully stocked with blood for the next hurricane.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 13, 2024
SunCoast Blood Centers looks for donations

Hurricane Debby further depleted the nonprofit's inventory, which already has yet to return to pre-COVID-19 donations.

  • East County
  • News
Alejandra Cintron Rivera (left) and Ella Satterfield (right) help film the short documentary about Sister Keys featuring Rusty Chinnis (center).
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 13, 2024
Ringling College to release documentaries about Longboat nonprofits

As part of a growing program, students with the college created a series of short films highlighting local environmental stewardship efforts.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Nathan Russell is working to develop a partnership to have his coffee cart, Traveling Bard Coffee, weekly at Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 13, 2024
Traveling Bard Coffee serves Lakewood Ranch and surrounding areas

Owner Nathan Russell makes dream of being a barista a reality with a traveling coffee cart.

  • East County
  • Business
This bridge over Sand Branch Creek was one of two private bridges that were destroyed by flooding on Jason and Summer Thurber's property on Waterline Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 13, 2024
Swollen Sand Branch Creek batters east Bradenton residents

The water surge from Hurricane Debby caused over $125,000 in damages and left sinkholes in its path.

  • East County
  • News
Debbie Murphy and Dr. Mindy Ward
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 13, 2024
New Longboat doctor provides personalized care for all aspects of life

Dr. Mindy Ward joined Reed Medical Group to make women’s health care more accessible and encourage healthy aging through lifestyle changes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota City Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 13, 2024
Commissioners mull how to replace city attorney

Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier and Deputy City Attorney Michael Connolly are retiring next spring; likely replacements are current law firm partners.

  • Sarasota
  • News
New Pilates club opens in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2024
New Pilates club opens in Lakewood Ranch

Club Pilates opened on Aug. 12 in the Center Point Plaza at the corner of University Parkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

  • East County
  • Business
Sarasota's iconic "Mermaid Fountain" has been included in the Smithsonian Institution's collection of public artworks.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2024
Smithsonian adds Sarasota's 'Mermaid Fountain' to its public art collection

The iconic downtown fountain will be honored by the city of Sarasota at a Sept. 13 ceremony.

  • Arts + Culture
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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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