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Your Observer

The new addition will address the growth of Parrish Community High School, which is at capacity this school year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 20, 2024
Parrish Community High begins construction on new addition in April

The 16-classroom addition, which will cost $10.6 million and include two engineering labs, addresses growth and academic needs at the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Firefighter Paramedic Tirso Guerrero shows guests the new Hurst Jaws of Life.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 20, 2024
Longboat Key Fire Rescue holds first post-pandemic open house

Residents spent the afternoon learning about the department and watching medical response demonstrations.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Officer investigates 2 people walking into Longboat at night
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 20, 2024
Officer investigates 2 people walking into Longboat at night

The individuals' shaky story seemed suspicious to the responding officer. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Reporter rescues injured pigeon on Longboat Key
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 20, 2024
Reporter rescues injured pigeon on Longboat Key

An afternoon in Quick Point Nature Preserve led to transporting a bird to Save Our Seabird’s hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County EMS charges citizens for services.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 20, 2024
Manatee County property taxes don't completely cover EMS services

If you receive care from Manatee EMS, it is likely you will receive a bill.

  • East County
  • News
At $5.99 million, Bayso penthouse unit 1904 offers approximately 3,600 square feet of indoor space wrapped by floor-to-ceiling glass.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 20, 2024
Penthouse at Bayso Sarasota condo tower listed for $6 million

The 3,600-square-foot, three-bedroom penthouse initially hit the market at $6.5 million. It was sold in December 2023 for $3.56 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The site layout for New Trail Plaza.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 19, 2024
96 affordable apartments approved for north Sarasota property

The currently vacant site on Tamiami Trail is planned to become New Trail Plaza, which includes a four-story apartment building and a three-story building with commercial space beneath additional apartments.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • February 19, 2024
Carmela Picardi

Carmela Picardi age 93 died peacefully on February 11, 2024, at Manatee Memorial Hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Ron Decicco, Jean Decicco, Lynn Pettigrew, Senior Federal Judge Jay Plager, Lynn and Gary Coffin
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 19, 2024
Longboaters renew vows at town Valentine's Day ceremony

Support Services Director Carolyn Brown hosted the first annual community vow renewal ceremony on Feb. 14 at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 19, 2024
Andri Anna (“Andy”) Youngs

Andri Anna (“Andy”) Youngs, 89, longtime resident of Longboat Key, Fl. passed away on February 8, 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Kambrie Rowell, a Ballard Elementary kindergartner in 2022, loves working with her literacy mentor, Esplanade's Barbara Liodice, who volunteers for the Books for Kids Kindergarten program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 19, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Rotary needs volunteers to expand Books for Kids

Manatee County principals say the Books for Kids programs spark a love for reading in students and that they want more classes involved.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ezequiel Rodriguez-Guadalupe and Sol Castro will move into a smart home provided by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 19, 2024
Knights of Columbus hosts Patriotic Ball at Tara Country Club

The annual event was held to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The corridor and study area.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 19, 2024
Public survey opens for Main Street complete street project

The survey is open to the public until April 12.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River High senior wrestler Gage Wiggins is 54-0 at 165 pounds as of Feb. 18.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 19, 2024
Five East County wrestlers stand out as state tournament contenders

Here is a look at athletes have a shot at reaching the state tournament in Kissimmee.

  • East County
  • Sports
Diane Lapinski, Karen Kroll and Peggy Klaasen
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 18, 2024
Trash to Treasure sale packs mobile home park clubhouse

Gulfshore of Longboat residents hosted the popular annual thrift sale Feb. 16-17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cars line up on The Masters Avenue on Feb. 15 to pick up students at Robert Willis Elementary School.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 18, 2024
Speed cameras to monitor Manatee County school zones

A county study showed 30 schools fell under the category of a "heightened safety risk" for pedestrians.

  • East County
  • News
Brian McCabe gets help from Connie McCabe with choosing a headwrap, at Headwraps by Connie
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 18, 2024
Motorcycles, charity roll into town with Thunder By the Bay

The event offered a place for bikers and community to gather while supporting organizations that help local children.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Elizabeth Moore and Bob Bunting with their climate umbrella
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 18, 2024
Climate Adaption Center honors five nominees with Beacon Awards

The organization spotlighted the efforts of individuals in the community for their work in addressing climate change issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Leone Louie, Elia Pozantidis and Leone Louie
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 17, 2024
Seaplace Condominiums host annual pancake breakfast

Residents enjoyed each other's company over pancakes, sausages, mimosas and beautiful weather.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Zack Kallis uses brandy to light up the saganaki as Renee Amoratis looks on.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 17, 2024
Opa, St. Barbara Greek Festival is back in Sarasota

The annual Greek Glendi is in its 40th year and runs through Sunday at the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jonathan Cortez sings "The Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 17, 2024
Sisterhood for Good soars with Phantom at Sarasota Hyatt Regency

The themed fundraiser expected to raise major funds for Lakewood Ranch area non-profits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Former Manatee County District 1 Commissioner James Satcher, who currently is the supervisor of elections.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 17, 2024
Commissioner James Satcher applies to be supervisor of elections

Retiring Supervisor Mike Bennett is recommending Scott Farrington, the office’s longtime chief of staff.

  • East County
  • News
Florida Power & Light's underground utilities project remains in progress, eyeing a finish line in early 2024.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 17, 2024
All transformers now in hand for FPL undergrounding project

The project team recently received the remaining transformers for Phases 3 and 4 and will continue to finalize Phase 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of a portion of Ride Entertainment's concept for Ken Thompson Park on City Island.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 17, 2024
Residents speak out against Ken Thompson Park proposal

Although the Ride Entertainment plan is not on its meeting agenda, several speakers implored the Parks Board to recommend against the proposal to activate the City Island park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Damn Good Hospitality has two other Warren locations, one in Naples, one in Sarasota.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 17, 2024
High-end whiskey-centric eatery leases downtown Sarasota spot

A high-end bar and restaurant company is planning its debut in Sarasota with a fine-dining, whiskey-infused location in a coveted second-floor spot on Main Street.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Clydesdales don't shy away for their close-ups.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 16, 2024
8-pack of Budweiser Clydesdales strut down Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Hundreds lined the street to see the majestic horses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Patti Smith performs.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 16, 2024
Patti Smith plays iconic hits during Selby Gardens performance

The event celebrated the exhibition "Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe" with its own tribute to the artist.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ringling College of Art and Design received a $550,000 grant from the Barancik Foundation to fund programs for those who have been historically underrepresented at museums.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2024
Barancik Foundation awards $11.8 million in grants

The grants include $4.8 million to help benefit teachers and quality of education in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
BJ Ivey believes in a "one day at a time" approach to building the Sailors boys basketball program.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 15, 2024
Sailors boys basketball sets postseason tone with district title win

Sarasota High (24-2) won district title 63-36 over North Port High (17-9), avenging an earlier loss.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The property at 8324 Sanderling Road sold for $6.75 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 15, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Sanderling Road tops the week's sales at $6.75 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
A view from the back of 6877 Gulf of Mexico Drive, which sold Aug. 18, 2023, for $9.45 million.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 15, 2024
How did the Longboat Key real estate market fare in 2023?

Increased inventory and less frenzied purchasing began to stabilize Longboat Key real estate last year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River Library is one of seven locations in the Manatee County Public Library System.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2024
Don't be a knucklehead. Take an eBay class at the Braden River Library.

Mike Ivankovich, an eBay guru, offers free seminar about how to buy and sell online.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Vice President Char DeMoss accepts a delivery from the bay, from Scott Matthews.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2024
Scuba divers remove hidden hazards from Sarasota Bay

Suncoast Reef Rovers has found benches, weapons and traffic cones in local waters.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nora Patterson in 2015
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2024
Sarasota remembers Nora Patterson, former mayor and commissioner

Nora Patterson embodied the ideals of a true public servant, living a life dedicated to public service and leaving a lasting impression on Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Blackened trees stand above the charred remains of James Ward's house at 1013 Ponder Ave.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 15, 2024
Ponder Avenue house fire left a total loss, owner says

With the house his grandfather built a total loss, homeowner James Ward says he needs "all the help I can get."

  • Sarasota
  • News
An example of using the "COS" logo in branding and marketing.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 15, 2024
City embarks on logo redesign, reconsidering David silhouette

The city of Sarasota looks at three options in updating its logo, which has featured Michelangelo’s David statue since the 1990s: refresh David, modernize David or eschew David.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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