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Your Observer

The former Yume Sushi restaurant space has sold for $2.47 million.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • February 15, 2024
Local restaurant owners buy downtown Sarasota eatery for $2.47M

The former Yume Sushi restaurant space in downtown Sarasota has been bought by well-known local restaurateur Michael Evanoff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark and Michele Schlossberg founded Paint Nail Bar nine years ago.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • February 15, 2024
The journey from one nail salon to a national brand

Lakewood Ranch residents Mark and Michele Schlossberg launched Paint Nail Bar nine years ago. It has since become a nationwide brand.

  • East County
  • Business
The gleaming structure is 65 feet high, three stories and 12,000 square feet inside.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 15, 2024
Solomon’s Castle is a gleaming monument to the weird, wacky and wonderful

Take a stroll through whimsy and delight with a tour inside Howard Solomon’s creation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A dramatic feature wall in the living room provides a fireplace, seating, and displays for art.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • February 15, 2024
Lifestyle lessons from a luxurious Lake Club home

David Ahrens and Kirk Beckwith's home in The Lake Club shows a keen understanding of their shared past and their present way of life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The answer: Urban villages
  • By Edward J. Pinto
  • February 15, 2024
The answer: Urban villages

Mid-priced, working-class housing would expand with light-touch density in the city’s urban mixed-use areas.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Tiko is a yellow-headed amazon at Sarasota Parrot Conservatory.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 15, 2024
Parrots at Myakka nonprofit help veterans heal old wounds

Greg Para's special relationship with parrots helped him through a harrowing period in his life — and inspired him to form the Sarasota Parrot Conservatory.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mark Clark says faith and family are the keys to everything.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2024
Foundation leader keeps connection with community strong

Mark Clark brings his passion for family into his work leading the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Unit PH-A condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive sold for $10,595,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 14, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in L’Ambiance tops the week's sales at $10.6 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Florida needs to do more to attract doctors
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 14, 2024
Florida needs to do more to attract doctors

An area doctor writes that Florida has several hurdles to clear in order to draw more medical professionals.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Teller calls police over possible fraud after suspicious cash withdrawals
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 14, 2024
Teller calls police over possible fraud after suspicious cash withdrawals

An 87-year-old man's account was frozen after multiple withdrawals by his "fiancé" from bank branches around the city. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch Running Club's Lorena Barona, Monika Oberer, Woodford Joseph and Alexis Dwyer pose after a run. Oberer credits her club members for helping motivate her and train for the Tokyo marathon in March.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 14, 2024
Runner credits community with helping her finish marathon series

Monika Oberer will receive her sixth and final Abbott World Marathon Majors race in Tokyo in March.

  • East County
  • Sports
Dakin Dairy Farm is on the market in Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 14, 2024
Agriculture experts say overdevelopment will have terrible consequences

Farmers and ranchers of the East Manatee Preservation group discussed the future of Manatee County agriculture and suggested actions that would counter urban sprawl.

  • East County
  • News
Congressman Vern Buchanan talks to R. Dan Nolan Middle School students about what he does as a congressman.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 14, 2024
US representative urges Nolan Middle School students to get involved

Students received encouragement from Congressman Vern Buchanan to be part of the political process.

  • East County
  • Schools
Get a close-up look at the Budweiser Clydesdales on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2024
Clydesdales show off in Manatee and Sarasota counties

The famous Budweiser team has several stops that include Siesta Key, North Port, Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mark Richardson talks to the committee about the town's sandbag operations.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 14, 2024
Emergency management committee reviews town storm procedures

The second meeting for the new committee included guest speakers from town staff to talk about Public Works, reentry and communications.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Florida State Film School student Keith Cohen's short documentary "Healing Paws" has been nominated for a College Television Award.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2024
Braden River grad nominated for College Television Award

"Healing Paws," aspiring filmmaker Keith Cohen's short film on the therapeutic powers of dogs, has been nominated in the Nonfiction Series category.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The center turn lane would benefit drivers entering Country Club Shores.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 14, 2024
Construction on GMD turn lane to start this summer

After seven years of behind-the-scenes work, the Country Club Shores turn lane project is expected to be underway around June.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota City Commissioner Kyle Battie in October 2022.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 14, 2024
Defamation lawsuit filed against Sarasota City Commissioner Kyle Battie

The complaint seeks damages of more than $50,000 from Kyle Battie after public racism allegations against city hall critic Kelly Franklin.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney High senior Helena Hebda (1) will be a leader on the Cougars beach volleyball team in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 14, 2024
Here's what to watch for in Sarasota prep sports this spring

Sarasota high schools have state title contenders on the diamond and in the sand.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Allegiant is one of the top airlines at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 14, 2024
Allegiant adds new nonstop route at SRQ

The new service to Plattsburgh, New York, will begin in June.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This is what LBK wants
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 14, 2024
This is what LBK wants

Longboaters want a community center and education center. A library branch is tertiary. Commissioners: Take control of the process.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The new Lakewood Ranch Library features 45,000 items, including books, audiobooks, musical instruments and DVDs.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 14, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Library fosters a culture around community

Tiffany Mautino shares why libraries remain relevant — and why they are key in the fight for intellectual freedom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • February 14, 2024
Waterside breaks ground on new neighborhoods

The Lakewood Ranch community Waterside Place continues to take shape with new neighborhoods.

  • East County
  • News
Christopher and Emmy Treston and Janice and Michael Novello look forward to the new parish activity center and rectory.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 14, 2024
Our Lady of the Angels begins another expansion

Bucking nationwide church attendance trends, Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church embarks on its second expansion in six years.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota High boys basketball senior Mike Drayton.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 13, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Mike Drayton

The Sarasota High senior boys basketball player was named the FACA District 16 Class 7A Player of the Year on Feb. 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The core library space is estimated to be around 8,000 square feet.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 13, 2024
Community shares input on county-run Longboat library project

Sarasota County kicked off resident participation in shaping a new library on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Esplanade home at 5222 Benito Court sold for $1,775,000. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,665 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 13, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 in Lakewood Ranch

An Esplanade home on Benito Court tops the week's sales at $1.78 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Bob Delaney
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 13, 2024
Former undercover cop and NBA ref recounts infiltrating Mafia

Bob Delaney explains how he deals with post-traumatic stress disorder following his undercover career.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Public Works employee calls for backup over Bayfront Park dispute
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 13, 2024
Public Works employee calls for backup over Bayfront Park dispute

The worker requested police assistance when individuals protested the new court restriping. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Eric Guimond and Paulina Whyte offer dance with the St. Barbara Hellenic Dancers in 2023. Whyte is following in the footsteps of her mother, Tina Whyte, who performed in the first Greek Glendi 40 years ago.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2024
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church prepares for 40th annual festival

Volunteers who have been there since the Greek Glendi's inception celebrate 40 years of tradition.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
True Fitness provided all new equipment for Reed Medical Group.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 13, 2024
Reed Medical Group expands with new physical therapy suite

The PT team at Reed Medical Group moves to a suite with all-new equipment to serve Longboaters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The current Planning Commission as of Feb. 8: Lorraine Prosser, Cindy Kebba, John DeLesline, Paul Rutledge, Richard Bedford, Jeffrey Eslinger and Monaca Onstad.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 13, 2024
Two East County residents join Manatee Planning Commission

Monaca Onstad and Jeffrey Eslinger were appointed to the board on Feb. 1.

  • East County
  • News
American bumblebees are important pollinators for food crops. Light pollution disrupts their day and night cycle, which affects reproduction.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • February 13, 2024
Light pollution disrupts lives of plants and animals

Excessive artificial light at night changes wildlife behaviors, alters ecosystems and damages natural communities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Following a ceremonial start to demolition, site clearing is expected to begin at the Sarasota Kennel Club in the coming weeks.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 13, 2024
Demolition set to begin at Sarasota Kennel Club

After 95 years, the 26-acre site on University Parkway will be cleared for unspecified future development.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Community Foundation raises $4.21 million to help those in crisis
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2024
Community Foundation raises $4.21 million to help those in crisis

The annual Season of Sharing campaign will benefit needs identified by Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dick and Abby Schlorf
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 12, 2024
Longboat Key tennis legend Dick Schlorf dies at 85

Dick Schlorf, who was instrumental to the creation of the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, died Feb. 2 at age 85.

  • 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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