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Your Observer

Charlie the goldendoodle from Cannons Marina is one of Jadyn Norton's regular clients.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 13, 2024
Dog groomer makes a name for himself on Longboat Key and beyond

Jadyn Norton decided to start a new chapter in his life by moving to Sarasota. It led him to start his own business, Puppy Pals Dog Grooming, which has been a success so far.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A commission meeting is being held on Saturday, May 18 at the Lakewood Ranch High School auditorium.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 13, 2024
Manatee commissioners ready to talk 'all things Lakewood Ranch'

A County Commission meeting will be held Saturday, May 18 to help those who can't take time off during the work week.

  • East County
  • News
The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Kevin Gyurka and junior Collin Dillingham prep for the state meet at a May 11 practice. Both runners have the chance to set school records at the meet, Gyurka in the 3,200-meter run and Dillingham in the 800-meter run.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 13, 2024
ODA boys track and field athletes eye more school records

The Out-of-Door Academy has set three school records in 2024 and is hoping to set three more at the state meet.

  • East County
  • Sports
This team-building exercise involved passing the cones to each other as fast as they could while squatting. Once all the cones were passed, the women went down into a plank.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 12, 2024
New workout group leads Mother's Day class on Lido Beach

Kathryn Adelman brought mother-daughter pairs together the morning of Mother's Day as a part of her female-empowerment workout group.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Florence and the Spice Boys serves up Middle Eastern fusion cuisine.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 12, 2024
Middle Eastern fusion restaurant to open UTC location

Florence and the Spice Boys targets a fall opening in The West District at University Town Center.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Seneca Puleo came dressed as a Val'kyr from World of Warcraft.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 11, 2024
SiestaCon brings a new comic con to Sarasota

The event, held by Dark Side Comics in Sarasota and Unknown Comics in Texas, featured cosplay artist, special guests, custom vehicles and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A wide, shelled trail offers a shady walk through the Johnson Preserve at Braden River.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 11, 2024
Johnson Preserve relaunches with completed amenities

The preserve features a shelled path, a pavilion, a kayak launch and a small parking lot.

  • East County
  • News
Sonia Gauthier owns Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa with her husband. The couple moved to Florida from Montreal.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 11, 2024
Gauthier Salon and Wellness Spa plans summer mingling events

The Gauthiers will host monthly parties on their private balcony as a way to spotlight local organizations and talents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Fifth grader Alex Kulyk tries his best to get as much water in fifth grader Benjamin Rodriguez's bucket while fifth grader Alina Matevosova waits her turn.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 10, 2024
Willis Elementary hosts annual field day

Students were soaked after friendly competitions at the Lakewood Ranch school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nicole Machenheimer and Maloney
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 10, 2024
Sarasota teacher adopts dog her class met on field trip

Maloney was a special guest during a performance of "The Call of the Wild" at the Van Wezel.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Melanie and Bill Conerly in their Lakewood Ranch home. Conerly is running for the District 72 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 10, 2024
Former Manatee County Planning Commission member seeks state office

Bill Conerly served 12 years on the Planning Commission and is now campaigning to represent District 72 in the Florida House.

  • East County
  • News
Damages on Longboat Key after Hurricane Ian.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 10, 2024
Longboat Key disaster prep seminar set for June 5

The 22nd Annual Disaster Preparedness Seminar will feature keynote speaker Brian LaMarre, the meteorologist-in-charge with the National Weather Service in Tampa.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The trolley service launched in 2017 as the Siesta Key Breeze.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2024
Siesta Key trolley serves 2 millionth rider

The trolley is being rebranded as the Route 77 Siesta Islander, and arrival times can be tracked via the Breeze Rider app.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Linda Lombardo Gidel
    In Memoriam |
  • May 9, 2024
Linda Lombardo Gidel

Linda Lombardo Gidel, 73, of Longboat Key, Florida — beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, friend and philanthropist — passed away peacefully in the presence of close family members on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The home at 1321 Point Crisp Road has five bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,572 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 9, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for April 22-26 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Point Crisp Road tops the week's sales at $8.1 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Nicholas Gladding was recently appointed to Longboat Key's Planning and Zoning Board.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 9, 2024
Commissioners appoint new, incumbent members to town’s boards

Among the new appointments was Nicholas Gladding, who will take over David Green’s seat on the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ellen Jaffe Jones has competed in Senior Games events, but is just as happy to run local events. To her, getting to run at all is the whole point.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 9, 2024
71-year-old Sarasota runner has placed in 300 races

Ellen Jaffe Jones has advice for people looking to enjoy a long life of running.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The historic McAlpin House at 1530 Cross Street occupies a key parcel in the redevelopment plans of Orange Pineapple LLC for a 3.1-acre site in downtown.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • May 9, 2024
City of Sarasota approves demolition permit for historic house

A developer pledges that the destruction of the McAlpin House will be the last resort.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lisa Schurr, co-founder and director of Support Our Schools, addresses the board, including members Tim Enos and Chair Karen Rose (pictured).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 9, 2024
Sarasota School Board votes to reject new Title IX rules, risks federal funding

The resolution defines biological sex as "an immutable characteristic that cannot be changed, fluid, or altered,” and pledges to support for legal opposition to Title IX changes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
  • By The Ronto Group
  • May 9, 2024
Life at The Owen Golden Gate Point: Between the City and the Sand

Situated in one of downtown Sarasota’s most cherished historic locations, and framed by Sarasota Bay, the gated Owen Golden Gate Point is being developed by The Ronto Group in partnership with Wheelock Street Capital.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Alternatives for the Longboat Pass Bridge focus on bicyclist and pedestrian safety, widening lanes and building higher to avoid frequent openings.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 8, 2024
Traffic study points way toward solutions for Longboat congestion

The Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization will soon create an implementation plan for the Barrier Islands Traffic Study completed in 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Riverview High junior pitcher Allison Cole finished the 2024 season with a 1.40 ERA and a 14-5 record over 124.2 innings.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 8, 2024
Sarasota spring athletes get their due

With the season winding down, these athletes made the most of their individual opportunities.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lido residents concerned about increased activity at Ted Sperling Park
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 8, 2024
Lido residents concerned about increased activity at Ted Sperling Park

Loud music, suspicious activity and personal watercraft cause disturbances, according to some residents who believe that better enforcement may be needed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The University Park Recreation District has issued a second series of bonds for $21 million to upgrade the country club's amenities.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 8, 2024
Bond issue returns in University Park

Some University Park residents express concerns over the debt issued to enhance the country club's amenities.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School senior Jared Mohr plays piano at Arts Alive. It was his first public performance after starting to learn how to play piano two years ago.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 8, 2024
Visual and performing arts key to student education

Participating in arts and music classes can open doors to new opportunities for students.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Longboat Key Turtle Watch's first recorded nest of the 2024 season.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 8, 2024
Longboat Key Turtle Watch records first nests of 2024

The organization recorded the first nest on the Manatee County side on May 3, and since then activity has increased.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Destined for dissolution?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 8, 2024
Destined for dissolution?

The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation should pull out The Bay Park Conservancy playbook. The foundation, city and county are not in alignment.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Shocker: DeSantis puts politics above competence
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 8, 2024
Shocker: DeSantis puts politics above competence

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed inexperienced Manatee County Commissioner James Satcher over the most qualified candidate in Florida to be Manatee County’s supervisor of elections.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Don’t let Florida become California
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 8, 2024
Don’t let Florida become California

Increasing the supply of affordable housing takes a few common-sense steps. But local politicians are the big obstacle. They don’t have the will or courage.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Evicted couple fills the dumpster on the way out
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2024
Evicted couple fills the dumpster on the way out

Large furniture and other items placed in and around an apartment complex's trash left it inaccessible. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Manatee Search and Rescue staff members T.J. Olsen and Jared Leggett rescue a woman trapped in her Myakka City home on Singletary Road by rising waters during Hurricane Ian.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • May 8, 2024
East Bradenton emergency teams urge hurricane preparation

Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team members and Manatee officials gear up for a hurricane season that's predicted to see dozens of storms.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 6111 Gulf of Mexico Drive has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,320 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 8, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for April 22-26 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Sleepy Lagoon tops the week's sales at $8.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Jeremiah Gonzalez, a senior at Braden River High School, went from a shy, quiet freshman in Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps to serving as the program's battalion commander this year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 8, 2024
Braden River High senior's key to graduating: Keep moving forward

Jeremiah Gonzalez overcomes mental health challenges and focuses on focuses on positivity to get to graduation.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix will be held in September 2024.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 7, 2024
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix moves to mid-September

The racing event, which celebrates 40 years, had traditionally been held on the weekend of July 4.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Femcity of Sarasota hosts a Hawaiian-themed party for its spring fashion show on May 2.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 7, 2024
Local women's networking group hosts Hawaiian-themed fashion show

Female entrepreneurs found networking opportunities, business advice and sisterhood from the Sarasota Branch of Femcity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Allan Goldfarb and Isaac Azerad in 2018
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 7, 2024
Allan Goldfarb honored at Temple Beth Israel for board service

After 10 years of ensuring TBI's safety, Goldfarb is honored by synagogue members after stepping down from his official position.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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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