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Your Observer

Hugh Culverhouse Jr. donates wine collection to church auction
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2024
Hugh Culverhouse Jr. donates wine collection to church auction

All proceeds from the online-only auction of 300 bottles will benefit Church of the Redeemer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Elizabeth Apmann and other instructors worked individually with session participants.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 23, 2024
Pickleball players learn injury prevention and skills for charity

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key hosted the event that raised more than $12,000 and taught players intermediate skills.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 22, 2024
James Stephen ‘Steve’ Cox

James Stephen ‘Steve’ Cox, 72, of Bradenton, FL, passed away on February 14, 2024, with his family by his side.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
A home in Sarasota Beach, which sold for $4 million, has seven bedrooms, seven-and-a-half baths and 5,184 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 22, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 5-9 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Sarasota Beach home on Plaza Des Las Palmas tops the week's sales at $4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Gillespie Park is the only neighborhood in Sarasota that has two competing neighborhood associations.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2024
Gillespie Park neighborhood feud frustrates city

Two Gillespie Park associations put the city of Sarasota in a bind with competing grant applications.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nayeli Centeno, a Manatee Technical College Dental Assisting student, teaches Vaylin Jensen, a Lakewood Ranch High School junior, how to suction a mouth.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 22, 2024
MTC open house provides hands-on look at careers

Manatee Technical College's East Campus open house gave potential future students an opportunity to see the programs available.

  • East County
  • Schools
One of the acrylic panels that will allow visitors of the Mote SEA to come face-to-face with sea life.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2024
Sarasota’s landscape of attractions continues to grow — at a price

Cultural organizations in the Sarasota area are pursuing major projects with only so much philanthropy to go around.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 25,000-square-foot Lakewood Ranch Library is the only project that has been completed at Premier Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 22, 2024
No money, but Manatee County plans for new Palmetto park?

Premier project drags, but $30 million will be spent on a veterans' memorial park.

  • East County
  • Opinion
A transfer of development rights proposal would allow owners of historic structures, such as the Palm Apartments next to the Embassy Suites hotel, to sell height and density rights to other development projects in perpetuity.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2024
Pitch would allow historic buildings to sell air rights, preserve structures

If the transfer program proposal is adopted, owners of historic structures in the city of Sarasota could sell height and density rights to other development projects in perpetuity.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ashley Eisenacher (10) is one of three freshmen on the Riverview High girls lacrosse team. Eisenacher had two goals against Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 22, 2024
Riverview High girls lacrosse wants to show strength of whole team

The Rams already have top-tier scorers. Now they're building full-team depth.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Charter school proposal raises concerns for Sarasota School Board
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2024
Charter school proposal raises concerns for Sarasota School Board

As the Sarasota County School Board reviewed a proposal for Sarasota Classical Preparatory Academy, board members voiced a range of concerns that included what they said was a lack of detailed plans.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
John Kenyon speaks about Cringer the alligator to an audience at Fruitville Library.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2024
Sarasota libraries explore world of wildlife with free events

Libraries are offering programming to tie in with One Book selection “An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us” by Ed Yong.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
New drinking and dining establishments in downtown Sarasota and elsewhere in the city will be defined differently under a new zoning text amendment.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2024
New definitions approved for Sarasota restaurants and bars

The complicated process of simplification is intended to reduce confusion over permitting of dining and drinking establishments in the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 21, 2024
Social media restrictions for teens should be left to families, residents say

The Florida Senate prepares to vote on a bill that would restrict the use of social media by teens. Sarasota residents weigh in on the idea.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Biologists Kristen Peterson and Jamie Wolanin monitor the Braden River to check for Old World Tape Grass growth.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 21, 2024
Invasive grass species threatens Braden River ecosystem

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission uses liquid copper to rid the Braden River of tape grass, an aquatic plant that could dominate native vegetation and damage wildlife.

  • East County
  • News
Former Sarasota and Braden River high schools running back Brian Battie played for Auburn University in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 21, 2024
College football video game could turn local stars into legends

This summer, EA Sports will release the first game in the series since 2013.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    In Memoriam |
  • February 21, 2024
Albert “Jay” Graf

Albert “Jay” Graf, 76, of Longboat Key, Florida and Wolfeboro, New Hampshire passed away January 8th, 2024 from Alzheimer’s disease in Sarasota, Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Iconic Gulfstream Avenue steel sculpture seeks new home
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 21, 2024
Iconic Gulfstream Avenue steel sculpture seeks new home

Complexus, the jewel of Sarasota's public art collection, will be heading for a Fruitville Road site if both the city and county governments approve.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police order trespasser down from a construction crane
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2024
Police order trespasser down from a construction crane

A man who said he was "simply bored" was spotted standing near the edge of a crane in The Quay. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The home at 426 Cleveland Drive sold for $4 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 21, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 5-9 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Lido Key home on Cleveland Drive tops the week's sales at $4 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch baseball senior pitcher Lochlan Radloff struck out 77 hitters in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 21, 2024
Pitching gives Lakewood Ranch High baseball the edge

Other East County baseball and softball teams have high hopes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Roger Pettingell visits one of his listings.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 21, 2024
A day in the life with Sarasota's top Realtor

Roger Pettingell, Sarasota's best-selling Realtor for the 14th year, shares keys to his success in real estate and his efforts to humanize his work life.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
New cooking class emphasizes fresh, local ingredients
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 21, 2024
New cooking class emphasizes fresh, local ingredients

Trained chef Tina Anderson will teach cooking for all skill levels at Driftwood Beach Home and Garden on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Mixons' food truck showcases the history of Mixon Fruit Farms.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 21, 2024
Former Mixon Farms owners begin new stage with food truck

Although Mixon Fruit Farms closed, life with the Mixons continues on a food truck.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
One of the boardwalks of Quick Point Nature Preserve.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 21, 2024
Quick Point Nature Preserve gets boardwalk repairs, new signage

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is restoring and enhancing the nature preserve on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Don’t stop. Complete Longboat Key library project now.
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 21, 2024
Don’t stop. Complete Longboat Key library project now.

Longboat's mayor writes to urge on progress for the library project at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Longboat Pass Bridge was originally constructed in 1957 and reconstructed in 2005 and 2020.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 21, 2024
Concerns about Longboat Pass Bridge to be addressed in workshops

FDOT will host online and in-person options to allow residents to weigh in on potential roadway alternatives for the future of the bridge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Riverview High girls lacrosse senior Alexandra Hernandez.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 21, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Alexandra Hernandez

The Riverview High lacrosse senior provides leadership and scoring for the Rams.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Clash of merit vs. politics
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 21, 2024
Clash of merit vs. politics

After 11 years as Manatee’s supervisor of elections, Mike Bennett is retiring March 1. He has recommended an obvious choice: his chief of staff. But a surprise candidate has also applied: Commissioner James Satcher.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Yes, don’t derail the town project, but get control of it
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 21, 2024
Yes, don’t derail the town project, but get control of it

We are in agreement with Mayor Ken Schneier. We don’t want Phase 3 of the town center project to be derailed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Arts & Central's rendition of a bistro steak.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • February 20, 2024
Contemporary restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District

Arts & Central wants to woo customers with its creative, casual food and ambience.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch High girls lacrosse senior Allie Thompsen.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 20, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Allie Thompsen

The Lakewood Ranch High girls lacrosse senior has 10 goals in her first three games of 2024.

  • East County
  • Sports
Fran Osborn, Sally Rauch, Wiley Osborn, Joyce Fox, Jim Seaton, Jerry Fox and Paul Rake
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 20, 2024
Christ Church gives $40K for new food pantry for migrant farmworkers

Beth-El Farmworker Ministry in Wimauma will use the grant to promote healthy eating for workers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Country Club home at 7418 Mizner Reserve Court sold for $930,000. It has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,008 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 20, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 5-9 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.75 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Barancik Foundation reelects two board members, names officers
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2024
Barancik Foundation reelects two board members, names officers

Stephanie Jones and Ben Hanan have been elected to serve three-year terms.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The penthouse at 415 L Ambiance Drive sold for $11 million, setting a record for Longboat Key condo sales.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2024
Top Sarasota, Manatee Realtors closed sales of $2.63B in 2023

The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee released a list of the top individual agents by sales volume.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
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
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
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
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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