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Your Observer

Man from Longboat Key arrested for luring child in New Mexico
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 11, 2024
Man from Longboat Key arrested for luring child in New Mexico

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested Conrad Coovert, who now faces child abuse charges.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Leishman, mayor of Dunfermline, Scotland, and Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert pose April 10 after signing a renewal of their Sister City relationship.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • April 11, 2024
Sarasota renews ties with Scottish sister city

Dunfermline Mayor and former footballer Jim Leishman was in Sarasota to renew a 22-year-old relationship between the two cities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Madisyn Masse, 6, and her father Mike Masse
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 11, 2024
Sarasota mechanic helps YouTuber test Tesla's bulletproofing

Mike Masse modifies vehicles in order to test what-if scenarios.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Charlene and Pat Neal long have been major contributors to area nonprofiits and now have joined the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation's Builders Give Back program.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 11, 2024
Pat Neal joins Builders Give Back program in Lakewood Ranch

He says he always has admired Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation founder John Clarke.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The home at 4300 Higel Ave. has six bedrooms, six full baths and three half-baths, a pool and 8,623 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 11, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for March 25-29 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home in Fiddler Bayou tops the week's sales at $15 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The site plan of the new Sarasota County Regional Fire Training Academy, color-coded in phases under current funding.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 11, 2024
New $73M fire academy needed now, says County Commission

Sarasota commissioners douse plans to build a pared-down $53.8 million training facility and ask staff to explore additional funding sources.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High's Susan Lowther finished 10th in the U.S. in points (162) in 2024 according to MaxPreps statistics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 11, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Susan Lowther

The Riverview High girls lacrosse senior is climbing the national points rankings in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Will Florida go to pot?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 11, 2024
Will Florida go to pot?

Floridians likely will vote to legalize pot. Arguments on each side are persuasive.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By The Owen Golden Gate Point
  • April 11, 2024
The Owen Golden Gate Point Checks All the Boxes for a Luxurious Lifestyle

Every facet of The Owen Golden Gate Point is designed to provide a remarkably luxurious lifestyle in the heart of Sarasota’s thriving downtown district.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Community rallies to raise $17.2 million during Giving Challenge
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • April 10, 2024
Community rallies to raise $17.2 million during Giving Challenge

The Bay Park Conservancy and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium wound up atop the leaderboard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Loren Wanless, a resident at Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living, re-creates a photo of his father, Emery Wanless, from 1937.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 10, 2024
Lakewood Ranch veteran honors father in Dream Flight

Loren Wanless re-created a 1937 photo of his father with a World War II-era open cockpit biplane.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Maicy Powell, Raleigh Mosely II, Jazzmin Carson and Michael Mendez of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe offer a performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 10, 2024
The Bay Park celebrates Giving Challenge with two-day event series

The series of events allowed the public to engage with eight area nonprofits over music, games and fun activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Myakka City's Patricia McKeithen and her husband, Eddie McKeithen, and Christopher Moberly and his wife, Brittany Moberly, are opening McKeithen Growers for an Earth Day Native Plant Sale.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 10, 2024
Myakka City nursery to host Earth Day native plant sale

McKeithen Growers will open its doors to educate people on native plants while supporting a nonprofit.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Freddie Fowler, a Marine Service Technology instructor at Manatee Technical College, has been named American Boat and Yacht Council Foundation's Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 10, 2024
MTC instructor named US boating nonprofit's Educator of the Year

Freddie Fowler, a Marine Service Technology instructor at Manatee Technical College, uses his military experience to train students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jake Ilardi is a Street skater, meaning he specializes in skating rails, stairs, banks and other items you could find on a real city street.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 10, 2024
New documentary puts 'Spotlight' on Sarasota skateboarder

The film, which follows the life of Jake Ilardi, came largely from video filmed by his brother Nate Ilardi.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Not all Longboaters are on board with library
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 10, 2024
Not all Longboaters are on board with library

A reader reminds Longboat Key's mayor that the press is a watchdog on public servants.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 10, 2024
Trash, recycling collection rates will increase for Longboat residents

Waste Management’s three-year contract extension comes with a 28% residential rate increase due to increased labor and maintenance costs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Men told to stop 'jumpscaring' downtown pedestrians
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 10, 2024
Men told to stop 'jumpscaring' downtown pedestrians

Leaping from the shadows in the darkness of night, two men tell police they were only frightening passersby for fun. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota schools’ Rachael O’Dea, Mote’s Aly Busse, the associate vice president of education, and Manatee schools’ Amber Platowski, talk about possibilities while standing in front of what will be the three learning labs at Mote SEA.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 10, 2024
Mote aquarium hopes to lead students to marine science, biology careers

The Science Education Aquarium is working with Manatee and Sarasota school districts to provide access to every K-12 student.

  • East County
  • News
Colleen Collandra
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 10, 2024
Longbeach Cafe celebrates 10 years at Whitney Plaza

The restaurant keeps people coming back with delicious food, friendly service and consistent experiences.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The home at 55 Lighthouse Point Drive has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,159 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 10, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for March 25-29 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Lighthouse Point home tops the week's sales at $8.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Sarasota Police Department spent nearly $67,000 in personnel and other costs on the 2023 Powerboat Grand Prix, a city co-sponsored event.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 10, 2024
City considers reducing number of co-sponsored special events

Taxpayer costs for 15 events have increased 33.5% in two years, prompting Sarasota city commissioners to ponder the return on investment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A row of vertical oyster gardens that were recently installed at Mar Vista.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 10, 2024
Restaurant's oyster program helps diners become environmental stewards

Chiles Hospitality recently partnered with Gulf Shellfish Institute to bring vertical oyster gardens to Mar Vista and send some home with diners.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dead honey bee comb.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 10, 2024
Residents upset after utility crew eradicates honey bee colony

The colony had been a part of the community for at least 24 years, according to residents. Neighbors wish they'd had a say in the bees' fate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In a 2022 report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sea levels along U.S. coastlines are predicted to rise as much as 1 foot by 2050.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 10, 2024
Seawalls can now be up to 6 feet tall on Longboat Key

The change raises the maximum allowable height from 4.5 feet to 6 feet and aligns with the town's long-term sea-level rise and resilience plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
It’s a difference of opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 10, 2024
It’s a difference of opinion

We all want what is best for the taxpayers of Longboat Key. Longboat history shows two cases of how that was done.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Gary Hagen of Elegant Lady Cheesecake
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 9, 2024
Long-awaited cheesecake shop open in Whitney Plaza

Gary Hagen has brought Hollywood to Longboat Key through his new cheesecake shop, Elegant Lady Cheesecake.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Sugar Champagne Bar is expected to open by the end of the year.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 9, 2024
Champagne bar, piano lounge to open in downtown Sarasota

Local entrepreneur Ronnie Shugar is investing $15 million in downtown Sarasota entities and projects.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch High senior baseball player Ryan Kaitz.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 9, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Ryan Kaitz

The Lakewood Ranch High senior baseball player had a big week at the plate.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jim Keiner, Gene Tischer, Marge Slepica, Bob Keehn, Bob Smith and Diane Brune celebrate the 2024 donation to Stillpoint Mission.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 9, 2024
Lakewood Ranch golfers raise over $70,000 for Stillpoint Mission

Bob Smith started an email campaign 13 years ago that continues to grow.

  • East County
  • News
An aerial view of Quick Point Nature Preserve.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 9, 2024
Residents give Longboat Key high marks in citizen survey

Traffic was the primary concern for residents, but they were satisfied with town services and overall quality of life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Technical director Chris McVicker and director Jonathan Epstein
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 9, 2024
Elizabethan-era stage adds authentic touch to 'Romeo and Juliet'

FSU/Asolo Conservatory's production of the beloved Shakespeare play makes the audience part of the action with a set based on a historic stage.

  • Arts + Culture
    In Memoriam |
  • April 9, 2024
Jeffrey Michael Deane

Jeffrey Michael Deane, 77, of Annapolis, MD, and Sarasota, FL, passed away on April 4, 2024, at the Hospice of Chesapeake Rebecca Fortney Inpatient Care Center in Pasadena, MD, after a fierce three-year battle with metastatic prostate bone cancer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
This Concession home at 19424 Ganton Ave. sold for $2.5 million. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,346 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 9, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for March 25-29 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Ganton Avenue tops the week's sales at $2.5 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Decline in US economic freedom due to unregulated capitalism
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 9, 2024
Decline in US economic freedom due to unregulated capitalism

Capitalism without regulation is the cause of the decline in U.S. economic well-being, writes a reader in response to a recent editorial.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Policy shifts show Republicans favor big government
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 9, 2024
Policy shifts show Republicans favor big government

A reader attempts to set the record straight on President Joe Biden's policies.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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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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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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