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Your Observer

Tara Pavgouzas feels right at home as Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department's new Logistics Officer.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 27, 2023
Longboat Fire Rescue’s new logistics manager to help improve efficiency

Tara Pavgouzas brings almost three decades of experience as a police officer in Philadelphia.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of the city's "one-stop shop" for building services scheduled for completion in summer 2024.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 27, 2023
City's 'one-stop shop' for developments takes step closer to completion

The new building brings the city of Sarasota's public works, engineering and code enforcement under one roof.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police chase following discharged firearm ends in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 26, 2023
Police chase following discharged firearm ends in Lakewood Ranch

The suspect fired a weapon in a Walmart parking lot in Punta Gorda and then fled until being captured just off State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
Trader Joe's held a grand opening Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at University Town Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 26, 2023
Trader Joe's opens at University Town Center

The popular grocery store chain held a grand opening Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Business
Leo Kissling with the rescued brown pelican.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 26, 2023
Young pelican rescued from fishing line on Longboat Key

Longboat Key residents and members of several environmental groups teamed up to help a pelican entangled in fishing line.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota High senior quarterback Johnny Squitieri threw for 245 yards and a touchdown against Southeast High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 26, 2023
Sarasota High football wants to build on first win under new coach

The Sailors are 1-7 after a 25-6 win over Southeast High on Oct. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A home in Avondale tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a pool and 2,284 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 26, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 9-13 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

An Avondale home on Lincoln Drive tops the week's sales at $2.75 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Various unusual phenomena, including repeated electrical issues and gusts of cold air, have been observed at The Gator Club, said manager Josh Hojnacki.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 26, 2023
Where to find the ghosts in Sarasota

Theatrical specters, drink-pouring apparitions, a ghost dog and more are said to haunt these historic Sarasota sites.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Leslie Richards and Deb Anderson of Lakewood Ranch say they haven't played a match on hard courts in years. They oppose hard courts being built at Premier Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 26, 2023
Will Premier Park tennis courts in Lakewood Ranch be hard on the body?

Lakewood Ranch-area tennis players say Manatee County shouldn't build hard-surface tennis courts.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sophia Rios sings in the performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 26, 2023
Music Compound rocks out with tribute to 'The Dark Side of the Moon'

A performance by students and instructors covered the Pink Floyd album from start to finish.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Blackburn Point Park has one of Sarasota County's 13 motorized boat launches.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 26, 2023
Proposed charter boat permit program doesn't leave the dock

A bid to regulate commercial operations in Sarasota County parks stalled as commissioners seek a compromise.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The map shows parcels owned by Benderson Development entities on both sides of Ocean Boulevard in Siesta Village.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 26, 2023
New 210-room, 85-foot-tall hotel proposed for Siesta Key

Benderson Development seeks an amendment to the comprehensive plan to greenlight high-intensity hotels on the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
  • By RONTO
  • October 26, 2023
Ronto Announces Approval for The Owen Golden Gate Point in Downtown Sarasota

Pre-construction pricing starts from $2.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
  • By Cresswind Lakewood Ranch
  • October 26, 2023
Cresswind Lakewood Ranch Offers an Active 55 + Lifestyle for New Home Buyers

The only actively selling active-adult community in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Sarasota County's planned shuttle service between downtown and SRQ would utilize trolley-like vehicles every 20 to 30 minutes.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 25, 2023
SRQ-to-downtown shuttle service to begin before year's end

Sarasota County sets the fares for a new trolley route that will serve the airport and five stops downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 25, 2023
Elected officials in Manatee County receive raises as population grows

Salaries for elected officials in non-charter Florida counties are tied to population.

  • East County
  • News
Jason Bearden
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 25, 2023
Public invited to discuss key issues with Manatee commissioner

Commissioner Jason Bearden says he is willing to talk about issues including the reduction of wetland protections over coffee in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Emma Weyant was named fifth-most popular swimmer in the U.S. by SwimOutlet.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 25, 2023
Sarasota-area alumni excel in college sports fall season

These athletes are representing Sarasota well on a wide range of playing fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bradenton's Cymia Martin is selling cups, tumblers and mugs at Kids Mart.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 25, 2023
Young entrepreneurs sell their arts and crafts at Kids Mart

Children ages 5-14 are starting their own businesses and will be selling their arts and crafts at Braden River Library's Kids Mart on Nov. 4.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Unit 204 condominium at 1115 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $1,275,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 25, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 9-13 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Beachplace tops the week's sales at $1.28 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Karon Family Pavilion is the center of the green space that creates a "park-like atmosphere" at the town center.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 25, 2023
Town to unveil Town Center Green pavilion, looking ahead at new library

The $800,000 Karon Family Pavilion stands at the center of the "park-like atmosphere" envisioned for Phase 2 of Longboat Key's Town Center Green project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Phantom loogie claim appears all wet
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2023
Phantom loogie claim appears all wet

Police find no evidence of spittle in an ongoing dispute between two teen girls. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
There was fun for all ages at The Bay's celebration of its first year.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 25, 2023
The Bay celebrates its first anniversary

With planning for future phases underway, the Bay Park Conservancy throws a birthday party for Sarasota's signature park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kim Verreault, new president of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 25, 2023
What's next for the Longboat Key Chamber? Ask the new president.

The Longboat Key chamber's new leader is ready to make a difference. "I love the opportunity to lead within a community and be able to make a difference for many," Kim Verreault says.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Operator Tia Brand has worked at the Sarasota County Sheriff's Department call center for 14 years.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 25, 2023
Sarasota County emergency dispatch handles callers' worst days every day

For 911 dispatchers, the shifts are long, calls are tough, and the pressure’s on.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High junior Ben Skaggs.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 25, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ben Skaggs

The Riverview High junior is having a breakout cross-country season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Every day is a Chamber of Commerce Day
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • October 25, 2023
Every day is a Chamber of Commerce Day

Much more than networking and mixers, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is making an economic impact on our community by focusing on key issues, such as affordable housing and workforce development.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Anais Zambaux, Lance Karp, DeWayne Hill and Sheriff Kurt Hoffman. The SAL received a $25,000 donation from the Culverhouse family.
    By
  • James Peter
  • October 24, 2023
Charity auction raises money to support at-risk Sarasota youth

The Sheriff’s Activities League mentors Sarasota County youth and enables them to explore careers in law enforcement.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The drug drop box at SPD headquarters is available year-round.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2023
Discard expired, unwanted medications Oct. 28 at Sarasota Police HQ

Unused and unwanted solid forms of prescriptions are encouraged to be dropped off at the Sarasota Police Department headquarters for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
REI Co-op announced earlier that year that it planned to open a store in the UTC area.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 24, 2023
Outdoor retailer REI sets mid-November opening at UTC

The Seattle-based outdoor gear and clothing brand's other store on the west coast of Florida is in Tampa.

  • East County
  • Business
Longboat Key news reporter and recent environmental studies graduate Carter Weinhofer tries out iNaturalist at Quick Point Nature Preserve.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 24, 2023
Smartphone app helps users enjoy Longboat's natural environment

An environmental studies graduate-turned-journalist tries his hand at the iNaturalist biodiversity survey in Quick Point Nature Preserve.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Baby Basics of Sarasota County provides diapers, wipes and books to parents in need.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 24, 2023
Sarasota community helps provide the 'bear' necessities at fashion show

The annual luncheon for Baby Basics of Sarasota County helped provide essentials to families in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High graduate Ashley Pater, a freshman at the University of Southern California, helped the Trojans win a fourth-state NCAA Championship.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 24, 2023
Former East County high school athletes excel at next level

These five alums are continuing the success they started with their local playing careers.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 24, 2023
Manatee County tops Florida's most frugal list in getting voters to polls

Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett says he knows how to trim the fat.

  • East County
  • News
This Country Club home at 7217 Pasadena Glen sold for $2.65 million. It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a pool and 5,282 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 24, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 9-13 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Pasadena Glen tops the week's sales at $2.65 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Linda Krysinski, Manager at Foxy Lady
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 24, 2023
What to wear for fall, according to St. Armands Circle boutiques

With jackets and sweaters on the way, it's time for light layering, a color palette swap and some western wear.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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