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Your Observer

Baraka Atkins and Dumaka Atkins show campers the proper way to burst out of a stance as a lineman.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 3, 2024
Former football pros give lessons at free camp for Sarasota youth

The camp is the first of its kind put on by Truly Valued, Inc., in the hopes of uniting the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
An example of a digital display board.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 3, 2024
Town looks to modernize signage with digital display boards

At a recent commission workshop, Longboat Key commissioners showed support for installing new welcome signs for the town that would include digital display boards for town messaging.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A wedding at the Longboat Island Chapel in its outside garden.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 3, 2024
Longboat Key venues promote private beach and unique weddings

Longboat Key Club and Longboat Island Chapel planners explain how they make destination weddings memorable for couples from around the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The town of Longboat Key had to go back to the drawing board to redesign a potential roundabout at the intersection of Broadway Street and Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 3, 2024
Broadway Roundabout project paused for soaring costs

After the price increased by over $3 million with a new design prompted by FDOT, the Longboat Key Town Commission asked staff to revisit alternatives.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Outlined in red is the proposed site for a future development fronting Fruitville Road and Fourth Street near Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 3, 2024
Developer offers downtown upgrades in exchange for building height

The currently unproposed project would exchange increased maximum height for an enhanced pedestrian experience, public parking and affordable housing in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Haven COO Alison Thomas stands at the parcel of land on Desoto Road that was just purchased by The Haven to offer supported/independent living.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 3, 2024
The Haven set to expand with new property on Desoto Road

A million-dollar donation by Karen and Steve Shapiro allows The Haven to offer a supported/independent-living campus.

  • East County
  • News
Terry Shen at the American Legion's annual Boys State
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 3, 2024
Pine View student earns statewide leadership position

Terry Shen was elected governor by his peers at the American Legion's annual Boys State.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Florida Studio Theatre's Arts Plaza will include three new performance spaces, a three-level parking deck and apartments for arts workers and guest performers.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 3, 2024
State grant will support FST's affordable housing plans

Florida Studio Theatre is approved for a $1 million appropriation for its Arts Plaza project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Newtown community has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places, earning the city the Florida Archaeological Council Stewards of Heritage Award.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2024
Sarasota honored with Florida Archaeological Council Award

Newtown historic preservation efforts earn Sarasota the Stewards of Heritage award, making it only the second city to win in 50 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Aubree D., 9
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 2, 2024
Girls Inc. sows gardening skills in patriotic planting activity

Members of Girls Inc. of Sarasota County create their own patriotic flower pots with supplies from local businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Sharks swimmer Colin Jacobs.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 2, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Colin Jacobs

The Sarasota swimmer will represent the U.S. at the World Aquatics Open Water Junior Championships.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
ODA will lose its top lineman, Marvin Palominos (middle), who will graduate in 2025.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 2, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Marvin Palominos

The ODA offensive guard is hitting the college recruiting trail this summer.

  • East County
  • Sports
The home at 8420 Lindrick Lane has four bedrooms, four baths and a pool.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 2, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for June 17-21 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Lindrick Lane tops the week's sales at $4.65 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Abbey Tyrna of Suncoast Waterkeeper, Kirsten Russell of Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Matt Sauer of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, Amber Whittle of Southface Sarasota, Kameron Hodgens of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Joyce Norris of Community Harvest SRQ and ______.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 2, 2024
11 nonprofits come together under one roof for new collaboration

The Resilience Incubator at SunCoast Blood Centers in Sarasota brings together several major environmental organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Garden Club members will be heading for a four-day safari in the Sabi Sands private reserve with lots of wildlife.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 2, 2024
Longboat Key Garden Club plans its first group trip to Africa

A new member inspired the club to travel together and seek out its mission abroad in her home country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's JoAnn Moore, standing atop the finish tower, is bringing the Unleash Your Dragon event to Nathan Benderson Park in January.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2024
Cancer survivor brings her passion for Dragon Boat racing to the world

Lakewood Ranch's JoAnn Moore takes Dragon Boat racing to another level in Sarasota and beyond.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Police respond to late-night verbal dispute at sea
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 2, 2024
Police respond to late-night verbal dispute at sea

Reports of a verbal disagreement led to officers finding the two parties had separated on two vessels. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Kibble and Parker enjoy the turf at Bayfront Park's dog park.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 2, 2024
Longboat dog park receives turf upgrades with lighting on the way

The town paid $175,000 for artificial turf to be installed on the remainder of the Bayfront Park dog park. Overhead lighting is on the way.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The motion from Sarasota City Commissioner Kyle Battie (pictured in October 2022) to dismiss a defamation suit brought by resident Kelly Franklin was granted.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 2, 2024
City to cover $25,000 in legal fees for city commissioner

Because Kyle Battie was ruled to be acting as an elected official when he allegedly defamed a Sarasota resident, the city must pay his legal costs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
One injured in Monday afternoon shooting on 23rd Street
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2024
One injured in Monday afternoon shooting on 23rd Street

The shooting happened at the 1800 block of 23rd Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Longboat Key resident turns 107 years old
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 1, 2024
Former Longboat Key resident turns 107 years old

Reggie Gurland left her mark among neighbors in Longboat before moving to Englewood.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Christian Ziegler speaks at the 17th Street Park expansion groundbreaking Nov. 4 2022.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • July 1, 2024
Christian Ziegler's phone contents to stay secret, judge rules

Police violated the former GOP chair's rights in a sexual assault investigation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Least tern chicks on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 1, 2024
Shorebird colonies on Longboat continue solid nesting season

Town officials remind beachgoers to be vigilant and keep dogs away.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota man indicted for alleged Medicare fraud
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2024
Sarasota man indicted for alleged Medicare fraud

Marketers were allegedly paid for ordering unnecessary cancer tests, a U.S. Attorney says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Registration open for SPD Citizens Academy
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2024
Registration open for SPD Citizens Academy

The eight-week Sarasota Police Department program begins Aug. 7 with Wednesday sessions from 6 to 9 p.m.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Attending the Builders Give Back meeting: (back row) Christa Folkers (LWRCF), Kyle Bernethy (M/I Homes), Chris Pereira (Pulte Homes), David Hunihan (Lee Wetherington Homes), Dominick Giallombardo (Stock Development), Ashley Miller-Cafiero (AR Homes), and Sandi Shahinian-Levins (SMR); (front row) Michelle Tucker (Lennar Homes) Amy Brown (John Cannon), Svetlana Stelmach (Homes by Towne), Ciara Kilian (Neal Signature Homes), Christine McKelvey (Neal Communities) and Mark Clark (LWRCF).
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 1, 2024
LWR Community Foundation's builders program continues to grow

Lennar Homes is the latest builder to consider joining Builders Give Back.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Richard Tatem was elected to the School Board of Manatee County in August 2022.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2024
Questions arise over Manatee school board seat vacancy

A former school board member has filed a lawsuit against the Manatee County supervisor of elections over the soon-to-be vacant school board seat.

  • East County
  • Schools
There are an estimated 700 vacation rental properties across the city of Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 1, 2024
Sarasota vacation rental registration period opens

All properties citywide that operate as short-term rentals are required to register by Oct. 31. Ordinance does not include owner-occupied homes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Man dies while in custody at Sarasota County Jail
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2024
Man dies while in custody at Sarasota County Jail

Kevin Mandujano Garcia was found non-responsive on Saturday morning in the jail's medical wing. He was arrested on June 27.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Luna Cassandra and August Ray walk across the bridge.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 30, 2024
Project Pride marches 700-foot flag over Ringling Bridge

Project Pride described the event as an opportunity to "light the bridge our own way."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
As Courtney Weiland and her 7-year-old daughter Willow watch the fireworks, 5-year-old Brooklyn Cassarino and Susan West take a second to capture the moment.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 30, 2024
Fiorelli Winery kicks off Fourth of July holiday early

The Red, White and Blueberry Festival featured live music and a fireworks display.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This map shows the USDA's Critical Conservation Areas. All of Manatee County falls within a CCA.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 30, 2024
Manatee County pledges $7.5 million for a conservation cost-matching grant

The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is applying for a $25 million regional grant that would be matched by the USDA.

  • East County
  • News
Chris Carter, Emily Condensa, Micah Carter, Justina Carter and Gabriella Loccisano
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 29, 2024
Longboaters get taste of what Whitney Plaza has to offer

Whitney Plaza businesses hosted Summer Night Out to give residents a chance to support small businesses and meet new people on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Mid-County Tax Collector's office at Sawyer Loop Road.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 29, 2024
Tax collector and election opponent converge at budget workshop

Barbara Ford-Coates presented her office's budget request while sitting opposite County Commission Chairman Mike Moran, who is challenging the longtime incumbent this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jan Wallace, the new president of the Rotary Club of Longboat Key
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 29, 2024
New Longboat Rotary Club president continues legacy of founder

Former club Secretary Jan Wallace stepped up to be the president and save the club from merging with another.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Country Club's Graham Gapin poses with the trophy from winning the Boys 10 division of the 2024 Southeast Florida State Invitational at nine under par (68-67—135).
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 29, 2024
Lakewood Ranch junior golfer heads to US Kids World Championship

Graham Gapin won the Boys 10 division of the 2024 Southeast Florida State Invitational on June 8-9.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Squeaky Wheel Fringe runs June 2-7.
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'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key
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As a junior last season, Jayla Griffin led the Cougars in points, rebounds and assists per game en route to the FHSAA Class 3A-Region 2 semifinals.
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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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Top residential real estate sales for May 18-22 in Lakewood Ranch

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