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Your Observer

A digital version of Booker High alum Josiah Booker (8) snags a pass for Central Michigan University in front of a University of Akron defender in "College Football 25." Booker is a freshman wide receiver at CMU.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 17, 2024
'College Football 25' brings back memories, creates new ones

After an 11-year hiatus, the video game franchise is back — and with local athletes involved.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Can Buchanan be beaten?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 17, 2024
Can Buchanan be beaten?

Vern Buchanan is 12-0 in elections. But Eddie Speir, another little-known challenger, believes Buchanan’s RINO-ish voting record makes him vulnerable.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota Tsunami swimmer Ava DiPasquale.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 16, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ava DiPasquale

The 12-year-old Sarasota Tsunami swimmer impressed at the Florida Age Group Championships.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Terri Driver with the rescued great blue heron.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 16, 2024
Great blue heron rescued from fishing line

Terri Driver helped a great blue heron while on patrol for Longboat Key Turtle Watch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kyle Battie speaks at the Veterans Housing Initiative groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 31, 2023.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 16, 2024
City faces more legal bills in Kyle Battie defamation case

Sarasota City commissioners approved another round of legal expense payments for Battie.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital named a top rehab hospital
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 16, 2024
Sarasota Memorial Hospital named a top rehab hospital

SMH's U.S. News & World Report rankings have improved for the third straight year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Lakehouse Cove at Waterside home at 8076 Grande Shores Drive sold for $2,175,000. It has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,553 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 16, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for July 1-5 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.7 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Dr. Robert McCann has lived in River Club for 18 years and is running to represent District 5 on the Manatee County commission.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 16, 2024
Will performing as a commissioner be Robert McCann's next talent?

The doctor, lawyer, Navy veteran, pilot and scuba diver is ready for a new adventure in politics.

  • East County
  • News
Garry Kohn, a visiting member from the Mason Deerfield Rotary Club, presents a banner to Lang Wooddy, the new Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch president.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 16, 2024
New Lakewood Ranch Rotary president focuses on a successful year

River Strand's Lang Wooddy wants to meet members' expectations of having successful events, expanding programs and helping the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Artem Kopmar, a captain of the Braden River Soccer Club U16 boys team, dribbles around Davi Pereira at a team practice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 16, 2024
Braden River Soccer Club will earn national exposure at Denver tournament

The U16 boys soccer team won the Florida State Cup in May to qualify for the US Club National Cup.

  • East County
  • Sports
Burglar turned out to be a renter who was double-booked
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 16, 2024
Burglar turned out to be a renter who was double-booked

An officer responded to a burglary call but discovered the "intruder" was another vacationer who booked the same rental. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Al Ernst and Cliff Hornsby
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 16, 2024
84-year-old lives his dream as a stand-up comedian

On-stage as "Gerry Atric," Longboat's Cliff Hornsby injects a dose of levity into the aging process.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A leatherback turtle hatchling crosses the beach.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 16, 2024
Longboat commissioner creates challenge to support sea turtle programs

Gary Coffin decided to "adopt a nest" through Longboat Key Turtle Watch, which sparked his idea to encourage other local officials to do the same.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chris Kopp is the town's new Support Services Director.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 16, 2024
Chris Kopp returns to Longboat Key as new support services director

Previously with code enforcement, Kopp returns to embrace his passions for public service and training.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Direct library funds to foster care children
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • July 15, 2024
Direct library funds to foster care children

A Longboat resident writes that libraries are redundant in 2024 thanks to technology.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
From left, Capt. Demetri Konstantopoulos, Cory McDonnell of Grassroots K9 Sarasota, Officer Jake Nelson, K9 Brody, Chief Rex Troche, K9 Bruin, Officer Adam Bearden and Lt. Dwayne Shellhammer.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 15, 2024
Two SPD K9 units now qualified for explosives detection

A pair of K9 teams complete training to enhance the Sarasota Police Department's explosive ordnance detection capabilities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Pass Bridge was originally constructed in 1957 and reconstructed in 2005 and 2020.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 15, 2024
Commissioners recommend mid-level option for Longboat Pass Bridge

Longboat Key commissioners sent FDOT a letter to convey the consensus for a replacement bridge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tom Edwards, Thomas Babicz and Liz Barker answer questions from Morgan Bentley.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 15, 2024
Sarasota School Board candidates share stances at forum

Candidates told attendees what they would change in the school district if given a "magic wand."

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Annabeth Howell and James Nicholson at the stingray touch tank at Mote Marine Aquarium in August 2023.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 15, 2024
Longboat Key Garden Club sends 16 students to Mote camp

The club funded its most Mote summer camp scholarships ever for children who live on Longboat or whose parents work on Longboat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Larry Bateman and Sparky Pashkow
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 15, 2024
Longboat Harbour residents host goodbye party for longtime friend

Larry Bateman has been a dedicated member of Longboat Harbour for 25 years who helped cultivated strong bonds between the residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wetlands in Lakewood Ranch are monitored regularly to keep invasive plant species at bay and ensure proper water flow.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2024
Lakewood Ranch's preserved lands face many threats

The stewardship districts battles invasive species like the Brazilian pepper tree on a regular basis.

  • East County
  • News
Cardinal Mooney High rising senior Kali Barrett committed to the University of Cincinnati on July 7.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 15, 2024
East County girls basketball star commits to Cincinnati

Kali Barrett, a rising senior at Cardinal Mooney High, said she values her relationships with Bearcats coaches.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lauren Macri and her husband, Tim Macri, the owners of Beef 'O' Brady's Braden River, love seeing the community support through the restaurants Christmas in July partnership with Tara Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 15, 2024
Tara Elementary partners with Beef 'O' Brady's for Christmas in July

Restaurant patrons fulfill teachers' wishes before a back-to-school luncheon at Beef 'O' Brady's.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch resident Megan Schroeder is a member of the Young Professionals Committee.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 13, 2024
Builders stuff backpacks for Sarasota and Manatee Boys & Girls Clubs

Stuff the Backpack is an annual event for the Suncoast Builders Association.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
CITY Furniture will open in spring 2025 at University Town Center.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • July 13, 2024
Furniture showroom with wine bar coming to UTC

City Furniture will open a 120,000-square-foot showroom complete with a cafe and bar off University Parkway.

  • East County
  • Business
Erin Silk is president and CEO of the Economic Develop Corp. of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 13, 2024
Sarasota County repeals business tax as an EDC funding source

The tax burden of nearly $500,000 will be shifted from businesses to all county taxpayers with a 50% match per private dollar invested.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • July 12, 2024
William 'Bill' Joseph Beckmeyer, M.D.

William “Bill” Joseph Beckmeyer M.D. passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024, at the age of 94.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
County Commissioner Mark Smith cuts the ribbon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 12, 2024
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce cuts ribbon on new office space

The new office, approximately three times larger than the previous space, was praised by attendees as a welcoming environment.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Amanda Closser, the business manager of Steel Ring Academy, yells as she puts all her energy into going after Jason Callis, the owner and founder, with a viking sword and shield.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 12, 2024
Steel Ring Academy proves its point at Braden River Library

The Bradenton company demonstrates sword fighting during a special event at the library.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
SPD Officer Michael Skinner and IUPA President Sam A. Cabral
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2024
Sarasota officer's bravery recognized for marine rescue

The entire incident was captured on video thanks to the officer's body-worn camera.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Selby Gardens adds three members to board of trustees
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2024
Selby Gardens adds three members to board of trustees

Ali Bahaj, retired chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Japan; Tervis CEO Hosana Fieber; and Richard Sandor, chairman and CEO of Environmental Financial Products, will each serve a three-year term on the board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sprouts Farmers Market is opening a new store this fall in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2024
Sprouts Farmers Market set to open in downtown Sarasota on Sept. 6

The grocery store will host two in-person hiring events to fill more than 80 positions.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The planned indoor sports complex at Nathan Benderson Park will also serve as a boathouse for rowing activities.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 12, 2024
Benderson Park sports complex enters next phase of planning

The indoor facility and boathouse will feature dozens of sport courts to attract a variety of athletic tournaments.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County issues air quality alert
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2024
Sarasota County issues air quality alert

Seasonal Saharan dust may affect residents with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Citizens group asks candidates to promise to run clean campaigns
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2024
Citizens group asks candidates to promise to run clean campaigns

The pledge aims to avoid dark money, "mud-slinging free-for-alls."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s $1.3 million in grant awards include the Empowering Arts Grant Program to support arts and cultural organizations such as Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, her performing its 2023-24 production of “Ruby.”
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2024
GCCF makes $1.3 million in grants to support arts and services

Included in the round of gifts is $785,000 for Gulf Coast Community Foundation's rebranded Empowering Arts Grant Program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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This Country Club Village home at 13318 Palmers Creek Terrace sold for $3.2 million. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 5,874 square feet of living area.
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