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Your Observer

Our Daily Bread of Bradenton treasurer Bob Eikill, Lark Rippy, Bliss Rippy and Julia Piermont
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 4, 2024
Christ Church fundraiser collects $23,500 for Bradenton soup kitchen

The youngest members of the Longboat Key congregation encouraged the church to raise money to replace Our Daily Bread's steam kettle.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Modern Smile Design
  • March 4, 2024
Modern Smile Design Is The Best Office To Get Teeth Straightening Invisalign

Do you want to know why Modern Smile Design is the best in Sarasota, FL?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Joni Adno performs at Fogartyville.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 4, 2024
Joni Mitchell tribute artist celebrates music icon's legacy

Sarasota musician Joni Adno had long been passionate about the work of Joni Mitchell before founding a tribute band in 2021.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artificial turf was installed in the big dog park at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park in fall 2022.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 4, 2024
Longboat Key discusses artificial turf, upgrade ideas for dog park

Dog lovers shared their ideas with Town Manager Howard Tipton about how to make the dog park more enjoyable.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River High senior wrestler Gage Wiggins (right) tries to pin Mitchell High's Bishop Taylor in the Pirates' district tournament in February. Wiggins would finish second in Class 2A at 165 pounds at the state tournament on March 2.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 4, 2024
Braden River wrestler takes silver medal at state tournament

Pirates senior Gage Wiggins, who wrestles at 165 pounds, finished as a runner-up for the second-straight year.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Sarasota campus of Sarasota Memorial Hospital in 2021.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 4, 2024
Newsweek ranks SMH among the world's best hospitals

Sarasota Memorial Hospital has been recognized in the ranking since it began in 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Manatee 311 app helps residents report issues and find answers about their concerns.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2024
Manatee County relaunches 311 nonemergency app

The app helps residents report issues and find answers about their concerns.

  • East County
  • News
Bella, a 14-week-old puppy, seems excited about making new friends at the Suncoast Walkathon. "She's having a great time," says her owner, Palmetto's Robert Wildt."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 3, 2024
Suncoast Walkathon a paws-itive fundraiser

More than 100 people and their dogs walk around Nathan Benderson Park to support Southeastern Guide Dogs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
If the Van Wezel were to remain a performance venue, a consultant says it should have several hundred fewer seats and, for flexiblity, perhaps a flat seating floor.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 3, 2024
Consultant: Van Wezel is ideal for niche performances and events

Whether as an intimate comedy venue or home for extreme sports, myriad options exist for repurposing, say consultants to Purple Ribbon Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wastewater rises at the city of Bradenton's treatment facility after a filter was blocked.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 2, 2024
City of Bradenton spill dumps 1.2 million gallons of wastewater in Manatee River

An operational failure in the city's wastewater treatment plan led to the spill.

  • East County
  • News
The Florida Department of Transportation is in the study phase of improvements to the Little Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2024
Little Ringling Bridge public hearing planned

The Florida Department of Transportation will present project alternatives and seek public input on March 21.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A still image from bodycam footage of Monday's police shooting incident just off University Parkway near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 1, 2024
Dozen gunshots heard in bodycam video from Sarasota police shooting

Footage of the five officers involved in the Feb. 26 roadside shooting has been released by the Sarasota Police Department. The state investigation remains underway.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Olivia Gambert, 14, won first place in the individual exhibit category of the Sarasota County History Day Contest.
    By
  • James Peter
  • March 1, 2024
Sarasota students explore key moments in history for county contest

The winners and runners-up of the Sarasota County competition will advance to the Florida History Day Contest in May.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mark Johnson, Jack Dean, Linda Dillon, Kim Verreault, Michelle Johnson, Mary Lou Johnson, Andrew Vac and Kellie Spring
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 1, 2024
Edward Jones cuts the ribbon on first Longboat Key branch

Financial planner Michelle Johnson opens the first Edward Jones branch on the island to provide personalized financial planning for residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Agave Bandido brings a taste of Mexican elegance to Waterside Place.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 1, 2024
Mexican restaurant Agave Bandido ready to debut in Waterside Place

The eye-catching artwork in the Mexican restaurant goes on display March 11 in Lakewood Ranch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Joel and Gail Morganroth have donated $2.5 million to SMH to support the new Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 1, 2024
SMH receives $2.5 million gift for new research institute

The auditorium at the new Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute will be named for donors Joel and Gail Morganroth.

  • Sarasota
  • News
At the Women's Golf Association of Longboat Key "Go for a Cure" Tournament there was a helicopter drop to raise money for Breast Health Sarasota.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 29, 2024
Women's Golf Association of Longboat Key putts for a cure

Key-Niners and Eighteen-holers hosted their annual Go for a Cure tournament to raise money for Breast Health Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Gracewater at Sarasota
  • February 29, 2024
Gracewater at Sarasota is now open. Come visit!

The community’s three stunning model homes will give you a glimpse at life in this amenity-filled, resort-inspired lifestyle community.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Built in 1997, this home at 3251 Higel Ave. has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,733 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 29, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 12-16 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Higel Avenue tops the week's sales at $6.25 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The gleaming towers of downtown Sarasota as viewed from the Ringling Bridge provide a backdrop for a variety of date-night options.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 29, 2024
Sarasota named best date-night city in the US

When it comes to a night on the town, Sarasota tops 160 cities across the country.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The outdoor patio space doubled in size after Sips began leasing its second space.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 29, 2024
Sips marks one year on Longboat with gelato shop expansion

The new gelato spot, a sister business of Longboat Key coffee shop Sips, opens March 1 in Whitney Plaza.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Scott Gutschewski holds up the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 29, 2024
Director gears up for 2024 LECOM Suncoast Classic

Justin Kristich says increasing the seating is a priority for the Lakewood Ranch event.

  • East County
  • Opinion
A conceptual rendering by Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors of Sarasota shows a reimagined New College East Campus on land the college plans to acquire from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 29, 2024
New College approves airport land purchase agreement

With regulatory hurdles remaining, closing the deal on the 31 acres New College rents from SRQ airport remains months away.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Meals on Wheels Sarasota
  • February 29, 2024
Delivering More Than a Meal

Each weekday morning, up to 40 volunteers arrive at the small facility, and within a couple of hours, 700 meals are being distributed throughout northern Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By JL Bainbridge Family Wealth Advisors
  • February 29, 2024
Will Medicare Missteps Affect Your Retirement?

While the general process for your Medicare plans and options may seem straightforward, it is essential to carefully consider your options.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By The Goddard School
  • February 29, 2024
The Goddard School The Premier Early Childhood Center

The school is conveniently located at 3000 University Parkway in Sarasota. It’s open year ’round except for major holidays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Jack Berry plays at The Bay Park in December 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 28, 2024
Sarasota rock band creates music out of trash

The Garbage-Men promote sustainability and recycling through musical instruments of their own creation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2024-25
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 28, 2024
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2024-25

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2024-25 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Out-of-Door Academy junior Celia Rayman, math teacher Michael Saxton and senior Joe Clarke get ready for their performance at Waterside Place on Feb. 27.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 28, 2024
Sights and Sounds hosts The-Out-of-Door Academy band

The theme for the evening in Waterside Place was Jazz Under the Stars.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
An aerial shot shows the "bones" of the future Soleta Golf Club course in Myakka.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 28, 2024
Golf legend hopes to design a masterpiece at Soleta Golf Club course

Nick Price, a three-time Major winner, expects Myakka to become a golf destination when Soleta opens late in 2024.

  • East County
  • News
Sandy Baptist Church stands strong on Clay Gully Road. The church incorporated in 1904.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 28, 2024
Sandy Baptist Church retains Old-Florida charm in Myakka City

The congregation has worked to keep the doors open after Hurricane Ian tore through the 120-year-old church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Assault by hat and a missing orange shoe lead to eviction
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 28, 2024
Assault by hat and a missing orange shoe lead to eviction

A woman said her aunt threw a hat at her over an accusation that she took one of her sneakers. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Cardinal Mooney High senior Kali Barrett is averaging 16 points per game in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 28, 2024
East County athletes help send Cougars girls basketball to states

The Cardinal Mooney girls basketball team has reached the Class 3A state tournament four years in a row but have yet to win the title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lynn Armstrong Coffin will be showing her newest art collection "Full Circle" at the Arts Advocate Gallery in The Crossings at Siesta Key Mall every Saturday in March from 2 to 4 p.m.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 28, 2024
Longboat artist opens exhibition focusing on sustainability

Lynn Armstrong Coffin's newest collection opens at Art Advocacy Gallery starting on March 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Unit 3 condominium at 5005 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $9.16 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 28, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 12-16 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Bonaire tops the week's sales at $9.16 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Fr. Phillip Schweda, Fr. Robert Dziedziak, Linda Olsen and Bishop Frank Dewane
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 28, 2024
St. Mary, Star of the Sea celebrates 50th anniversary with gala

The 50th anniversary celebration showcases the history of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church and its excitement for the future.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

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
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo
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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