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Your Observer

  • By One Park
  • February 8, 2024
One Park Sets the Benchmark for World - Class Living in Sarasota

The property’s sophisticated coastal design will redefine Sarasota’s skyline and showcase breathtaking panoramic views of Sarasota Bay.

  • Siesta Key
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
  • By Ronto Group
  • February 8, 2024
The Owen Golden Gate Point A Luxurious Lifestyle in Downtown Sarasota

Framed by Sarasota Bay, the gated Owen Golden Gate Point offers an ideal spot to capture gentle bay breezes and the ever-changing colors of Southwest Florida’s glorious sunsets.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
A trolley prepares to welcome its first riders at The Bay Park.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 7, 2024
Trolley service between SRQ, downtown Sarasota to debut Feb. 9

The 76 Flyer will transport visitors and residents from accommodations in downtown Sarasota to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The new piping (right) in Spanish Main is made of high-density polyethylene. The original piping (left) dates back to the 1960s.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 7, 2024
Spanish Main Yacht Club installs $1M of potable water pipes

The new, more resilient system took 10 years of work and was completely funded by the Longboat Key condominium.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Riverview High senior Majestic van Ingen plays girls soccer and football football for the Rams.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 7, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Majestic van Ingen

The Riverview High senior girls soccer defender helped lead the Rams to a district title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Florida leads on health care innovation
  • By Adrian Moore, Vittorio Nastasi
  • February 7, 2024
Florida leads on health care innovation

Telehealth is helping ease the doctor shortage. Dental therapists are next.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sustainable farm grows organic produce for Longboat restaurant
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 7, 2024
Sustainable farm grows organic produce for Longboat restaurant

Located in Parrish, Gamble Creek Farms provides fresh produce for Mar Vista and the other restaurants in the Chiles Hospitality group.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rowdy teen leaves cellphone in ride-hailing after turbulent trip
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 7, 2024
Rowdy teen leaves cellphone in ride-hailing after turbulent trip

The driver ordered disruptive teen riders out of the vehicle on the Ringling Bridge. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Kim Fenwick and Susie Hettmansperger are this year's Trash to Treasure co-chairs.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 7, 2024
Trash to Treasure sale is a deal haven for Longboaters

The annual rummage sale is Feb. 16-17 at the Gulfshore of Longboat Key mobile home park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Pam Page, Joanne Telesco, Valerie Lipscomb and David Daniels stand outside the School District of Manatee County's School Support Center to express their disapproval of the district's policy on reviewing books and materials.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2024
Manatee County School District finalizes book review procedure

Despite concerns from a board member and some residents, the district approved a procedure for parents and residents to object to the use of a book in the classroom.

  • East County
  • Schools
Michelle Sechser (left) will participate at the 2024 Winter Speed Order at Nathan Benderson Park. She previously teamed with Molly Reckford in the women's lightweight doubles at the U.S. Olympic Rowing Trials held at Benderson Park in 2021.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 7, 2024
Olympic rowing camps and trials come to Benderson Park

A USRowing Speed Order camp is the first of three events, held Feb. 15-18 in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Sports
Becky Calevro competes in the Florida State Western Dressage Championships with the help of Mark Hiser, the executive director of Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy. She is the first exceptional rider to represent SMART in a competition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2024
SMART provides competitive opportunities for exceptional riders

Riders with physical, social or emotional disabilities representing Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy compete at western dressage shows, which give a confidence boost while also providing therapy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gregory Goodrid and Stephanie Goodrid Lawson, of Indianapolis, sold their Unit 304 condominium at 2675 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Raymond Hurd and Mimi Hurd, trustees, of Lebanon, Tennessee, for $2.15 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 7, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 22-26 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Veinte tops the week's sales at $2.15 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Waterside Place is a 36-acre lakefront town center in east Sarasota County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 7, 2024
Waterside Place almost sold out as gastropub plans fall opening

With six restaurants expected to open by late 2024, only one space remains in the Lakewood Ranch business and entertainment hub.

  • East County
  • News
Ride Entertainment's concept for Ken Thompson Park on City Island shows boat docks for water taxi and boaters and the proposed park golf area.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 7, 2024
City Island attraction park proposal merits further study

Divided over a public-private partnership proposal to activate Ken Thompson Park, commissioners voted 3-2 to allow further evaluation of Ride Entertainment's project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Town’s investments end on a positive in 2023
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 7, 2024
Town’s investments end on a positive in 2023

Compared to an unrealized loss in 2022, the town of Longboat Key’s net investment income in 2023 reached about $3.7 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Applications open for Hurricane Ian recovery funding
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 7, 2024
Applications open for Hurricane Ian recovery funding

The deadline to submit for Hurricane Ian damage mitigation funding for nonprofits and public entities in Sarasota County is March 18.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 7, 2024
Sarasota church gifted $500,000 from Hugh Culverhouse Jr.

Sarasota County developer and attorney Hugh Culverhouse Jr. gave Church of the Redeemer its largest-ever gift outside of a capital campaign.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pay for ‘enhancements?’
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 7, 2024
Pay for ‘enhancements?’

Sarasota County says it will pay for a library branch. Extras will be up to private donations. Before this gets too far, the town needs data.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Corvettes on the Circle would draw in Corvette owners from all over, with a maximum capacity of 175 cars.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 6, 2024
St. Armands' Corvettes on the Circle canceled due to city decision

The Skyway Corvette Club was told vehicles are no longer allowed on the St. Armands Circle Park grass, which stopped the event that celebrated 25 years in 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Morgan Gabrielson fills a stadium with snacks for every Kansas City Chiefs game.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 6, 2024
East Bradenton residents gear up for Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl festivities bring families together for good food and fun.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Concession home at 8325 Farington Court sold for $2.36 million. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,535 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 6, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 22-26 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Farington Court tops the week's sales at $2.36 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sites 1 and 2 are 1442 and 1456 22nd St. Site 3 is the location of Bertha Mitchell homes, which Sarasota Housing Authority is seeking to redevelop into a public housing community of up to 50 units per acre.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 6, 2024
Proposed density increase in Newtown criticized as 'ghetto'

The Sarasota Housing Authority seeks higher density for new developments. A city Planning Board member says doubling the number of units at the Bertha Mitchell community will burden Newtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Economic indicators are grim nationally and abroad
  • By George Rauch
  • February 6, 2024
Economic indicators are grim nationally and abroad

A former Wall Street banker reviews the state of the market and urges caution.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
A rendering of the playground being built at Tom Bennett Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 6, 2024
Upgrades to Bennett Park in Bradenton create destination playground

The ADA-accessible playground in east Manatee County is under construction and planned to open by early May, with a splash pad to follow.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High senior Zackary Groth (23) leaps for an attempted header against Parrish Community High. The attempt would sail wide of the net and Braden River would lose 1-0.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 6, 2024
Parrish-Braden River match proves a one-goal game can be thrilling

The boys soccer district title game featuring Braden River High (12-2-1) and Parrish Community High (10-8-1) showed the kind of effort teams need to get even one goal.

  • East County
  • Sports
Vennie Hotchkiss sews a boot.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 6, 2024
Take a trip to the 1800s at Myakka River Rendezvous

The pre-1840s living history event showcases Florida’s history through exhibitors dedicated to the process of reenacting the past.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Woman unable to locate her car in parking lot asks for police assistance
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 6, 2024
Woman unable to locate her car in parking lot asks for police assistance

The responding Longboat Key officer went on the hunt for the citizen’s vehicle in the public parking lot. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Longboat couple brings back safety awareness program
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 6, 2024
Longboat couple brings back safety awareness program

Mike and Lynn Madden will teach a three-part series at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, to help retirees protect themselves in unexpected situations.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rick Piccolo
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 6, 2024
CEO of SRQ updates Kiwanis Club on the airport's growth

Rick Piccolo's presentation highlighted the area's recent growth and future plans for expanding and improving the airport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Stray dog is on the run in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 6, 2024
Stray dog is on the run in Lakewood Ranch

A King Charles spaniel mix nicknamed Rascal was first spotted in early November. He was caught once and is back on the run.

  • East County
  • News
Boaters anchor near Jewfish Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 6, 2024
Jewfish Key files petition for removal from town of Longboat Key

The town of Longboat Key must now conduct a feasibility survey to consider the petition for contraction or deannexation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High softball senior Grace Shaw-Rockey hit .345 with 21 RBIs in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 5, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Grace Shaw-Rockey

The Lakewood Ranch High senior will be a leader on the school’s softball team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Co-chair of Taste and Tunes of the Key Lynn Hancock and Susan Phillips
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 5, 2024
Longboat Key Garden Club puts new spin on annual fundraiser

Tastes and Tunes of the Keys skipped the fashion show to highlight the delish dishes from local vendors and create casual atmosphere for mingling.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant is now the largest ultrafiltration plant in Florida.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 5, 2024
Manatee promises improved water quality after treatment plant upgrades

Manatee County spent $53 million to retrofit the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant with ultrafiltration membranes.

  • East County
  • News
Conductor Joe Martinez guides the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble through the National Anthem to begin the "Song and Dance" concert Feb. 4 at Peace Presbyterian Church in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 5, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble concert packs Peace Presbyterian

The band plays its final local concert of the season on May 5 in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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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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