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Your Observer

The current Manatee County Commission is represented by James Satcher, Amanda Ballard, Jason Bearden, Raymond Turner, George Kruse, Mike Rahn and Kevin Van Ostenbridge.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 8, 2023
Annoyance not enough to change look of Manatee County Commission in 2024

District-only voting, a lack of competition and deep pockets are factors that will make it tough on those vowing to oust current commissioners during the 2024 election year.

  • East County
  • News
The war is here, personal
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 8, 2023
The war is here, personal

The Israel-Hamas War is being fought 7,000 miles away. But within the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish community, the war is touching families directly. Everyone "must thrust himself … into this struggle."

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • James Peter, Carter Weinhofer
  • November 8, 2023
Here's the Longboat Key news you might have missed this summer

The long, hot summer saw a "perfect storm," a parking pickle and more record-setting real estate sales.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Austria photo wins Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 8, 2023
Austria photo wins Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest

Pam and Russell Hyatt have won the It's Read Everywhere contest for 2023 and will be going on a seven-day Celebrity Cruise to be booked by Marc Bokoff of Cruise Planners.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
George Eastment III and Christine Eastment, trustees, of Warrenton, Virginia, sold the Unit 502 condominium at 4995 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Karen and Anthony DeRose, of Deerfield, Illinois for $5.5 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 8, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 23-27 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Positano condominium tops the week's sales at $5.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Officer on patrol finds a man on the ground with his wheelchair on fire
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 8, 2023
Officer on patrol finds a man on the ground with his wheelchair on fire

Investigators determine the cause of a victim's wheelchair fire. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
All Faiths Food Bank expects to distribute 13,000 frozen turkeys and sides for Thanksgiving.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 8, 2023
All Faiths Food Bank plans turkey dinner distributions

The food bank will distribute more than 13,000 frozen turkeys plus side dishes at multiple locations for residents of Sarasota and DeSoto counties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mariachi Contemporáneo plays "La Llorona" to begin the night on Nov. 1.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 8, 2023
La Villa commemorates Day of the Dead with mariachi and altar

The Longboat Key restaurant hosted a special musical tribute to owner Estela Villegas' late father.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Installation of the holiday tree at St. Armands Circle was completed Tuesday.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 8, 2023
St. Armands holiday tree installed ahead of Dec. 1 tree-lighting ceremony

After delayed city approval, the St. Armands Circle Association will host the annual tree-lighting on Dec. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The north end groin field is shown in an aerial picture taken in October 2023, after Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 8, 2023
After Hurricane Idalia, Longboat's beaches 'deflated' islandwide

The Public Works Department's annual report focused on causes of erosion and impacts from Hurricane Idalia, plus a few project updates.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cardinal Mooney junior Rosemary Selke.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 8, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Rosemary Selke

The Cardinal Mooney High girls cross-country runner had a strong district meet finish.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
ODA senior defensive back Jack Taraska.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 7, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Jack Taraska

The ODA football senior has set a program record with five interceptions in his first year of the sport.

  • East County
  • Sports
MaryAnn McWilliams waves to friends as she goes down the runway
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 7, 2023
Tara fashion show raises funds for Pace Center for Girls

Tara residents raise $1,200 for statewide nonprofit through annual fall fashion show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bob and Michele Bowermaster live along the Braden River in East County. Bob Bowermaster earned two Purple Hearts for his service with the U.S. Marines in Vietnam.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 7, 2023
Vietnam battles still take a toll on East County veteran

U.S. Marine Bob Bowermaster tells of the Nông Sơn Mountain attack that left him with two bullet wounds and shrapnel injuries.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Country Club home at 12311 Newcastle Place sold for $1.52 million. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,199 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 7, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 23-27 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Newcastle Place tops the week's sales at $1.52 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
James Abelson, the East Manatee Bulldogs offensive coordinator, works with quarterback Nick Monserez at a Nov. 1 practice. Monserez will play for Cardinal Mooney High next season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 7, 2023
East Manatee Bulldogs U14 football team puts together special season

The Bulldogs won their conference championship game 28-8 over the Manatee Wildcats on Oct. 28.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lofts on Lemon, which opened in fall 2022, is an example of what a city-owned workforce housing apartment complex might look like.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 7, 2023
Virtual workshop set for Sarasota affordable housing plan

Citizens may provide input on proposed text amendments for mixed use zones along corridors and commercial centers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dog owner strikes up argument with Longboat officer over ordinance
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 7, 2023
Dog owner strikes up argument with Longboat officer over ordinance

What started as a warning for having a dog on the beach turned into an argument and refusal to sign a citation. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Amy Ebert of Pop Craft offers some handcrafted frozen treats at the Lakewood Ranch Community Campout on Feb. 19-20, 2023.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 7, 2023
Manatee County food trucks could face new regulations

While Manatee County has basic rules of conduct, more specific language is being proposed for the Land Development Code.

  • East County
  • News
Barb Herz, Rich Rowe, Charlie Resnick and Rochelle Zeidman
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 7, 2023
Oldest resident of Club Longboat turns 99 years old

Charlie Resnick is a pillar of his condo community and is "full of positive energy."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lt. Col. George Hardy, Brigadier Gen. Scott Wuesthoff and Maj. Gen. Scott Gray sing for the Air Force during the Rotary Club of Longboat Key's 2022 Veterans Day event.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 7, 2023
Longboat to host Veterans Day observance at new Town Center

The town will debut its Town Center Green by honoring local veterans with multiple musical performances and donations from the SRQ Vets campaign.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
PTM Partners purchased two parcels on Payne Parkway.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • November 7, 2023
Developer buys Sarasota lots near Payne Park for $7.5M

PTM Partners plans to build a mixed-use project on the 1.98-acre property on Payne Parkway.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 6, 2023
Avelo Airlines adds service to Philadelphia-area airport from SRQ

The discount carrier now offers flights to three destinations to and from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rishik Yellu, Felix Ratner, Yatharth Kakkad and Rugan Suresh
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 6, 2023
Pine View School students' science project to travel to space

A project by four Pine View School students will be among a series of student experiments carried out on the International Space Station.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ruth Harenchar, Sharon Mitchell, Mike Mitchell, Theresa Phillips and Emmy Treston (not pictured) are members of the Peace and Justice Ministry who organized the Prayer Service for Victims of Gun Violence.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 6, 2023
Church prayer service held for victims of gun violence

Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch tries to organize the community to demand stricter control on assault weapons.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tom Reese, Sue Reese and Donna Heffner
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 6, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel turns Oktoberfest into Novemberfest

The chapel celebrated the German holiday by reuniting with friends, eating traditional food and brainstorming for the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The School of Rock is open in Lakewood Ranch. The soft opening was on Sept. 11, and the grand opening was on Oct. 29.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 6, 2023
Bradenton couple brings personal experience to School of Rock

Gary and Kelley Falcon, who opened the new Lakewood Ranch music education school, have spent more than 30 years in the music business.

  • East County
  • Business
High water from Hurricane Idalia's storm surge presented obstacles for Longboat Key first responders.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 6, 2023
When do Longboat Key utilities get turned off in a hurricane?

Manatee County officials discussed closer communication in future emergency operations at a recent joint meeting with Longboat Key officials.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gene Kennedy, the owner of Bandit Movie Cars, brought a replica of the 1969 Charger used in the movie "Dukes of Hazzard."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2023
Burt Reynolds still the Boss Hogg at Lakewood Ranch Car Show

The Knights of Columbus event expects to raise $10,000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bulls senior Lane Tomlinson (8) brushes off a George Jenkins High defender on a big play. Parrish Community High's win against George Jenkins High on Nov. 3 clinched the team's first playoff appearance.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 5, 2023
Parrish High football expects to land first playoff berth when brackets announced

The Bulls (7-3) finished the regular season with a 43-6 win over George Jenkins High at home Nov. 3.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota's Mark Dietz dresses for the occasion with his 10-year-old daughter Livia Dietz, 8-year-old son Marek Dietz and wife, Erin Dietz. Livia Dietz says she loves the human chess matches at the fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 5, 2023
Sarasota Medieval Fair begins its run in Myakka City

Attendees dress for a day of jousting, human chess matches, live music and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Veterans and supporters marched in Sarasota's 2021 Veterans Day parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 5, 2023
Downtown Sarasota road closures scheduled for Veterans Day Parade

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County's OnDemand service could cover all of Longboat Key under an agreement with Manatee County.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 5, 2023
Possible deal would unify transit service across Longboat Key

Officials near an agreement to extend Sarasota’s Breeze OnDemand service to the entirety of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Leila Schaedler-Luera, 10, goes all-in for the challenge.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 4, 2023
Ice cream eating championship helps support Rise Up Cafe

The competition helped support Rise Up Cafe, a nonprofit-run coffee and ice cream shop in downtown Sarasota operated by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Original Wolfie’s Deli and Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 4, 2023
Sarasota deli closes temporarily two days after opening, citing staffing issues

The Original Wolfie's and Wolfie Cohen's Rascal House, a New York-style and Jewish deli from executive chef Sol Shenker, opened Nov. 2 in the Rosemary District.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
"I've gone around like 20 times," Kaitlin Verrinder said of choosing a bowl.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 4, 2023
Empty Bowls fundraiser fills need in Lakewood Ranch

The 23rd annual soup tasting was held on Nov. 3 at Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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