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Your Observer

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 9, 2024
City will consider building its own workforce housing

Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown will propose a plan to build 192 units in two towers across from City Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cash Register mixes the pancake batter at the 2017 Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 9, 2024
Cash Register's generosity touched many Longboaters' hearts

Loved ones celebrate Register's life and recount his kindness and dedication to community causes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A bench overlooks the Braden River at the end of a dirt trail. Amenities were intentionally kept minimal.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 9, 2024
Johnson Preserve raised bar for grassroots conservation efforts

Conserving the land at Braden River for public use was a joint effort between citizens, Manatee County and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast.

  • East County
  • News
Driver was too busy with marriage to renew his license
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 9, 2024
Driver was too busy with marriage to renew his license

A driver told LBKPD that he knew he needed to renew his license, but he was busy getting married. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota County will have two new solid waste collection contractors beginning in spring 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 9, 2024
Sarasota County to hold community meetings on waste collection changes

New haulers and higher rates are coming for residents of unincorporated areas of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The nine existing Verizon cell poles on Longboat Key are 25- or 35- feet tall poles. The new AT&T antennas will be placed on top of smart street poles being installed with the underground utility project.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 9, 2024
Installation of AT&T service upgrades permitted on Longboat

Town commissioners voted to change the wording in the zoning code to allow AT&T to install cellphone service upgrades.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Don't let crony capitalism run Siesta Key
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 8, 2024
Don't let crony capitalism run Siesta Key

A reader writes that Siesta Key doesn't need "mega" hotels.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A rendering of 1260 North Palm Avenue Residences, formerly Obsidian, overlooking Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 8, 2024
Downtown condo tower returns with modifications and a new name

Now branded 1260 North Palm Avenue Residences, the 18-story tower proposal shaved a little off the top and made progress toward street-level requirements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Youth Sailing hosted its 36th annual SailFest Regatta on April 6-7.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 8, 2024
Youth sailors test their skills at SailFest regatta

The 36th annual SailFest Regatta was held from April 6-7 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brody Scheckner, a fifth grader at Pine View School and Clara Tohumcu, a fourth grader at Pine View School, of the team Cool Kidz.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2024
RC Custom Car Open combines teamwork and carnival fun

The event empowered 175 students as they controlled vehicles around a carnival-themed race track.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioners Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard Ray Turner and George Kruse sit at the dais. Kruse is met with silence on March 12 when proposing call-in comments return.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2024
Manatee County and residents at odds over communication restrictions

Residents are not allowed to call in to commission meetings or comment on Manatee County's social media platforms.

  • East County
  • News
Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution members gather outside the Crocker Memorial Church.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2024
Daughters of the American Revolution chapter showcases history

The Sara De Soto Daughters of the American Revolution Centennial Open House Extravaganza featured a genealogy workshop, local authors, cemetery tours and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Norman Love Confections has reopened its chocolate salon on the other side of University Parkway at The Shoppes at UTC.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2024
Norman Love Confections moves in next to Trader Joe's

The chocolate salon moved to the Manatee County side of UTC to The Shoppes.

  • East County
  • Business
Robert Jendelund and Dave Pfister
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 7, 2024
Longboat Key Tennis Center celebrates 25th anniversary

The party was filled with cake, lifelong friends and an exhibition match between tennis pros.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jessica Thoennes and Azja Czajkowski won the women's pair at the U.S. Rowing Olympic Team Trials to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics (7:37.62). The trials were held at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 7, 2024
Five US rowers punch their ticket to the Paris Olympics at Benderson Park

The Olympic Team Trials were held April 4-7 in Sarasota in preparation for this summer's Olympic Games.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club hosts the Youth and Teen Fishing Seminar at Summerfield Park on April 6.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 7, 2024
Fishing experts teach all the angles

The Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club held its Youth and Teen Fishing Seminar at Summerfield Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Christy James of the Longboat Key Flower Shop
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 7, 2024
New flower shop opens on Longboat Key

Owner Christy James shared her hopes and plans for the new flower shop on the island at her ribbon-cutting with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Rollins College sophomore Zi Burns started her sailing career as crew before switching to skipper this year.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 7, 2024
ODA grad sets sail on new adventure at Rollins College

Zi Burns played basketball with the Thunder but has taken to sailing with the Tars.

  • East County
  • Sports
Snowden Mowry, 11, paints a "Better Together" mural on the digital graffiti wall.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 6, 2024
Better Together Block Party celebrates the community in style

The event offered butterflies, bubbles, fun activities and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Braden River High School sophomore Alexa Helton performs as part of a quartet. She looks forward to seeing her skills as a clarinet player grow as she continues in high school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 6, 2024
Arts Alive showcases Manatee County student talent while supporting the arts

Students from Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools perform or have their artwork work on display.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 6, 2024
Applications open for Leadership Sarasota class of 2025

Youth and adult programs are designed to educate and inspire community leaders of tomorrow.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tesla preparing to open its new Sarasota store at University Town Center.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • April 6, 2024
Tesla set to open UTC dealership by end of April

The electric vehicle manufacturer has built a 55,000-square-foot showroom and service center at University Town Center just off I-75.

  • East County
  • Business
Rep. Tommy Gregory answers interview questions during a public forum on March 26 at SCF. He was hired as SCF's seventh president on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 5, 2024
Rep. Tommy Gregory accepts post as SCF president

The District 72 representative will be the seventh president of the State College of Florida.

  • East County
  • Schools
Miss Jodi hosts the UTC Kids Club every other week.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 5, 2024
UTC Kids Club participants dance through another Wednesday

Miss Jodi's School of Dance hosts the club every other week at The Green at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Michael Gregory looks out at the rough seas from Siesta Key Beach after Hurricane Idalia on Aug. 30, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 5, 2024
24 named storms forecast for a high-activity hurricane season

Climate Adaptation Center, a Sarasota-based nonprofit focused on challenges arising from climate change, predicts a total of 24 named storms, 12 hurricanes and six major hurricanes in the 2024 Atlantic season.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sites 1 and 2 are 1442 and 1456 22nd St. Site 3 is the location of Bertha Mitchell homes, which Sarasota Housing Authority is seeking to redevelop into a public housing community of up to 50 units per acre.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 5, 2024
More affordable housing is coming to Newtown

The City Commission approved zoning text amendments to clear the way for Sarasota Housing Authority to build up to 770 units.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Professor Susan MacManus
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 4, 2024
Political analyst speaks to the Longboat Key Democratic Club

Professor Susan MacManus stated this upcoming election will be the hardest she has covered due to the mistrust of the public.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kara Kohler celebrates at Nathan Benderson Park after she wins the U.S. Olympic Trials’ women’s single sculls competition on Feb. 26, 2021.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 4, 2024
2024 US Rowing Olympic Team Trials hit Benderson Park this week

The event will determine who heads to the Paris Olympics this summer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Monterey at Lakewood Ranch has two models available, including the Centennial.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 4, 2024
Toll Brothers joins Lakewood Ranch to market new Monterey village

Lakewood Ranch continues to expand its holdings as builders want to capitalize on the brand.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The Observer needs new management
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 4, 2024
The Observer needs new management

Longboat Key's mayor writes that a recent editorial would have made more sense as an April Fools' joke.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Unit 501 condominium at Ten35 has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,631 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 4, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for March 18-22 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in Ten35 tops the week's sales at $5.1 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Commercial parcels like this one at 24th Street and North Tamiami Trail are candidates for redevelopment under Sarasota's new commercial centers and corridors affordable housing program.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 4, 2024
Affordable housing will be incentivized in Sarasota's commercial areas

Despite neighbors' concerns, incentives are now in place to bring attainable residences to the city's commercial corridors and centers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of Safe Children Coalition's new youth shelter.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 4, 2024
Partnership supports new shelter for homeless teens

A $500,000 gift match challenge helps accelerate progress on a new Safe Children Coalition shelter.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 4, 2024
Historic McAlpin House's destiny remains undetermined

The Sarasota City Commission again continues a public hearing over a request to demolish the McAlpin House to make way for a 3.1-acre downtown development.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
  • April 4, 2024
Riverview High softball wins with a smile

The Rams are 12-3 thanks to commanding pitching, timely hitting and a lot of joy.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Participants hold signs during the rally.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 3, 2024
Restrictions to Sarasota School Board public comment face opposition

Speakers criticized the proposed measures, as well as the Sarasota County School Board’s responsiveness to public input.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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