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Your Observer

The city is not a developer
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • April 18, 2024
The city is not a developer

The city manager wants Sarasota to develop an $80M affordable housing project. Good intentions, but this approach always fails. A voucher program would be better.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
1943 wisdom shows how things don’t change
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 18, 2024
1943 wisdom shows how things don’t change

"The God of the Machine," written by Isabel Paterson in 1943, certainly could help save the United States today. Everything she wrote then is still relevant now.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Women’s Center at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • April 18, 2024
From Monster Truck Driver to Mom

“It’s been a great and very wild ride,” says Mahon. But when she and her husband learned they were going to be parents last year, after returning from a trip to London, the decision to pause driving was clear.

  • Health
Sponsored Content
Sarasota High baseball freshman Johnny Lackaff has shown an ability to get clutch hits this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 17, 2024
Sarasota baseball and softball teams turn toward postseason

With a week to go in the regular season, some area teams are playing their best ball.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The moms and babies have fun during Fit4Mom classes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 17, 2024
Lakewood Ranch area offers support for new moms

Various local groups help mothers stay fit enough to handle the challenges of motherhood.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Savanna at Lakewood Ranch can be seen from the proposed future site of Lorraine Crossings.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 17, 2024
Affordable housing proposed for Lakewood Ranch area

If approved, the 66-unit rental townhome project will be located on Lorraine Road next to Savanna at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Man receives threatening texts from alleged cartel henchmen
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2024
Man receives threatening texts from alleged cartel henchmen

A man reported to police that his new cellphone number may be linked to threats of violence to its prior owner. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Tiffany Mautino, the Lakewood Ranch Library supervising manager, Hayley Rigatti, a library staff member, and Faith Kibler, a Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library volunteer, bring a button maker and 3D printed chicks for people to paint while supporting the nonprofit and Slim Chickens.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 17, 2024
East Bradenton nonprofits benefit from Giving Challenge

Nonprofits will use funds to launch new initiatives and continue and expand services and programs.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 610 Bowsprit Lane has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,072 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 17, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for April 1-5 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Country Club Shores home on Bowsprit Lane tops the week's sales at $5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
LJ Young, 3-year-old Lincoln Young and Amy Smith were excited to bring Cole Young home after 155 days in the hospital. The family is grateful for the money raised to support them through the Elks Riders Brain Injured Child Ride.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 17, 2024
Elks Riders chapter raises money for brain-injured child

The newly formed Lakewood Ranch Sarasota Elks Riders participates in its first Brain Injured Child Ride to support a Bradenton family.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The north end groin field is shown in an aerial picture taken in October 2023, after Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 17, 2024
How beach groins protect Longboat Key's sand

The human-made structures help guide sand movement and hold back currents to preserve beaches.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A new town street light pole near Bayfront Park is outfitted with smart city cameras to show beach conditions and analyze pedestrian safety.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 17, 2024
Longboat Key will implement smart city technology as part of pilot study

Cameras around the island will give the town info on traffic counts and pedestrian safety while also showing public beach conditions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An aerial view of the completed first phase of The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 17, 2024
$2.6M of funding for The Bay nets City Commission approval

The city of Sarasota's half of more than $5.2 million from tax increment financing revenue will be deposited into The Bay Park Trust Fund. The county is expected to approve its share next.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rosedale Golf Classic founders Deb Kehoe and Kathi Skelton visit with Russell "Rusty" Carter before the Rosedale Golf Classic on April 10.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 16, 2024
Disabled veterans love their Rosedale 'family'

The Rosedale Golf Classic now has raised $1.5 million for Homes for Our Troops.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The rescued sawfish in one of Mote's temporary holding tanks.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 16, 2024
Rescued smalltooth sawfish receives critical care at Mote

The rescue required efforts from multiple organizations to save a sawfish behaving abnormally. The sawfish is rehabbing under 24/7 observation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Racetracks and homes can coexist in East County
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 16, 2024
Racetracks and homes can coexist in East County

A reader writes that Manatee County needs to speed up timeline for public pickleball courts.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Case for a new performing arts center is clear
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 16, 2024
Case for a new performing arts center is clear

A reader writes that the success of "Hamilton" in Sarasota highlights the need for a new performing arts center.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Heather Amato's VPK class is learning math.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 16, 2024
All God's Children Preschool in Lakewood Ranch offers a family atmosphere

The preschool is a nonprofit program offered by Living Lord Lutheran Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gio Zanoni leads the Cardinal Mooney High boys lacrosse team with 41 points (21 goals, 20 assists).
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 16, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Gio Zanoni

The Cardinal Mooney High boys lacrosse senior provides firepower to the Cougars.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Braden River High baseball juniors Jacoby Cox (6) and Nick Curbelo (9) celebrate with junior Uriel Barrios (2) after Barrios' game-winning RBI against Lakewood Ranch High on April 11.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 16, 2024
Braden River High baseball saves its best for big moments

After an up-and-down start to 2024, the Pirates have shown mental fortitude and stayed the course.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Lakehouse Cove at Waterside home at 756 Crosswind Ave. sold for $2,125,000. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,903 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 16, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for April 1-5 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Daysailor Trail tops the week's sales at $2.95 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The proposed Bobby Jones Golf Course clubhouse features Old Florida architecture reminiscent of the original Gillespie Clubhouse.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 16, 2024
Permanent clubhouse at Bobby Jones approved by Planning Board

The 17,000-square-foot building at Bobby Jones Golf Club will house a golf shop, offices and a full-service restaurant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Madeline Anderson, Kashante Mays, Siedii Courage Neufville, Kathyrn Raney, Jake Turner, Elizabeth Loyer and Wilma Davidson
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 16, 2024
Local nonprofit awards high schoolers for contributions to the arts

The Sarasota branch of the National League of American Pen Women held its annual Launching Leaders luncheon to celebrate student artists.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man watching movie in swimming trunks asked to relocate
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 16, 2024
Man watching movie in swimming trunks asked to relocate

Police responded to a call of a man in his underwear reclining in public. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The vision plan for a redeveloped Sarasota Square Mall into a town center shows the proximity of the apartment buildings to Sarasota Square Boulevard and the JCPenny, Costco and AMC theaters to remain.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 16, 2024
Sarasota Square Mall redevelopment approved

Last-minute height reduction of apartments secures enough County Commission votes to transform the mostly vacant mall into a mixed-use town center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An artist's conception of The Palm, a boutique condo project on South Palm Avenue in Sarasota, set to begin construction later this summer.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • April 16, 2024
Boutique condos planned for Golden Gate Point, Palm Avenue

Two projects getting underway soon will offer “boutique” condos in choice downtown Sarasota locations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chazzan Cliff Abramson
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 16, 2024
Temple Sinai honors Chazzan Cliff Abramson

Over the past 18 years, Abramson has taught, conducted services and led life cycle events at Temple Sinai.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tamiami Trail southbound lane closed due to sewer line collapse
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 15, 2024
Tamiami Trail southbound lane closed due to sewer line collapse

The lane closure is near the intersection of US 41 and 22nd Street in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
FAA: New College lease, land deal violate agency guidelines
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 15, 2024
FAA: New College lease, land deal violate agency guidelines

The FAA letter denying Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport's sale of 31 acres to New College suggests the Federal Aviation Administration was unaware of the college's lease.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Father, 4-year-old son die in boating incident in Braden River
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • April 15, 2024
Father, 4-year-old son die in boating incident in Braden River

Their bodies were recovered behind the water treatment plant on Ward Lake.

  • East County
  • News
Mary Flaherty, Nancy McNamara and Suzie Randell.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 15, 2024
Save Our Seabirds supporters gather for 11th annual Sunset Soiree

SOS loyalists come to celebrate the nonprofit, meet Executive Director Brian Walton and discuss future plans.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • April 15, 2024
Jean Arvilla Weeks Hanna

Jean Arvilla Weeks Hanna, a longtime resident of Longboat Key passed away on February 21st, 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
St. Armands Circle Park will be closed until the week of April 22.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 15, 2024
St. Armands Circle Park sidewalks closed for repairs

The park is expected to reopen the week of April 22.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lindsay Krause, Marc Chartier, Danille Cotting, Melissa Ehrmann and her husband James Ehrmann
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 15, 2024
99 Bottles marks five years in Sarasota with block party

The fifth anniversary Block Party at 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop included live music, food trucks and new beer releases.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Former Lakewood Ranch High and University of Virginia golfer Danny Walker will play in the LECOM Suncoast Classic for the second time in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 15, 2024
LECOM Suncoast Classic returns this week to Lakewood National

The Korn Ferry Tour will return to the area April 18-21 for its sixth annual Classic with an intriguing field.

  • East County
  • Sports
The 1274 4th Street Residences site outlined in red is across a 20-foot-wide alley from the Encore residences.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 15, 2024
Street entrance for 10-story condo tower's garage denied

The 16 future owners of 1274 4th Street Residences will have to use an alley to access parking thanks to the Planning Board's decision.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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