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Your Observer

First grader Anna Lum blows a ball through a maze at the wind powered maze activity.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 19, 2024
McNeal Elementary hosts STEAM Night

Students participate in a variety of STEAM activities from coding to an art project and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
Demolition is underway at the former Sweet Tomatoes site on Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 19, 2024
Demolition of Sarasota restaurant makes way for new development

Heavy machinery tore down the former location of Sweet Tomatoes, near The Landings Shopping Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jamie Lovemark watches his tee shot on the No. 10 hole at Lakewood National Golf Club during the first round of the 2024 LECOM Suncoast Classic. Lovemark shot four under par for the round.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 18, 2024
Golfers go low on first day of LECOM Suncoast Classic

Mason Andersen is in sole possession of first place after shooting 62 at Lakewood National Golf Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
St. Armands Circle will soon have a new Italian restaurant concept, 15 South by Napulè, located at 15 S. Boulevard of the Presidents, which was most recently the home of St. Armands Oyster Bar.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 18, 2024
New Italian eatery opens this month on St. Armands

The owner of Napulè is opening an Italian restaurant called 15 South by Napulè.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Erendira and Nik Wallenda present a check Wednesday for more than $100,000 to Nate's Honor President Rob Oglesby to go toward the rescue's $14 million improvement program.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 18, 2024
High-wire artist presents Nate's Honor Animal Rescue with sky-high check

Nik Wallenda's "A Brave New Wonderland" show generates $108,377 toward Nate's improvements.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gill Ruderman, of Braden River VFW Post 12055, enjoys his ride as the 2023 Tribute to Heroes Parade grand marshal.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 18, 2024
It's a steady march toward another parade in Lakewood Ranch

Entries begin to line up for 2024 Tribute to Heroes Parade.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Munchies 420 Cafe has gotten a facelift and the new owners are vowing to continue the Gulf Gate landmark's traditions.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • April 18, 2024
Munchies 420 Cafe receives facelift under new ownership

The landmark Gulf Gate restaurant's grand reopening is scheduled for 4/20.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    A time to celebrate |
  • April 18, 2024
Kelly Arbuckle Platt and Lynn W. Platt

Longtime Sarasota residents, Kelly Arbuckle Platt and Lynn W. Platt celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on April 6, 2024 with family and friends.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
Lo' Key Island Grille is expected to wrap up construction this summer and open its doors in October.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 18, 2024
Casual restaurant to open on Longboat Key in October

Lo’ Key Island Grille will emphasize a laid-back atmosphere with a sizable outdoor space while serving fresh seafood.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Chris Jericho meets Jake Harris, 4, and Christopher Harris, 9.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 18, 2024
Wrestler Chris Jericho visits Booker High to inspire students

The wrestler and comic book author visited the school to encourage students — including those working on the digital art for his new graphic novel.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Unit 1403 condominium at 401 Quay Commons has four bedrooms, five baths and 4,818 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 18, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for April 1-5 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Quay Commons condominium in Block 6 tops the week's sales at $9.3 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Chris Udermann captured pictures of flooding in the Village following a weather event in April 2024.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 18, 2024
Commissioners discuss allocating funds to tackle floods in low-lying areas

Roughly $2.6 million could be moved toward flooding mitigation projects and may soon be a topic of consideration for the Longboat Key Town Commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Former Riverview High boys soccer player Ramon Kique Perales has signed to play for Racing Club Portuense in Spain.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 18, 2024
Former Riverview High soccer player lands pro deal in Spain

Ramon Kique Perales wants to show coaches at Racing Club Portuense that he deserves another contract.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A partnership with the city of Sarasota would turn Payne Park auditorium into the new home of The Sarasota Players.
  • By William Skaggs
  • April 18, 2024
Sarasota Players committed to community

The CEO of The Sarasota Players writes that his organization is focused on entertaining, educating and engaging.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The proposed site of a city-owned attainable housing development across First Street from City Hall. The red X marks the location of the city's credit union office, which is now being considered for purchase by the city.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 18, 2024
City OKs purchase of parcels to build downtown workforce housing

The proposed apartment complex would consist of two 10-story buildings with rents priced for the labor force.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 18, 2024
Public comments remain hot topic for school board

The Sarasota County School Board approved several new staff positions and the use of an AI-based writing instruction program.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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
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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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