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Your Observer

Longboat Pass Bridge was originally constructed in 1957 and reconstructed in 2005 and 2020.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 19, 2024
Community speaks up on Longboat Pass Bridge alternatives

The Longboat Pass Bridge project is still a ways out from construction, but public input will drive the next step in selecting an option.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Libby Dynamite Pinson and Addy Porter, an eighth grader. Pinson was grateful for the chance to honor Alexis Brotherton, to whom the costume originally belonged.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 19, 2024
Cows get into costume at Sarasota County Fair

4-H students showcased their livestock in a series of self-made costumes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Each of Mill Creek's Wilma Kroese's pottery pieces are unique. She uses horse hair, wood, seaweed and other materials to add a natural look to her pottery.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 19, 2024
East Bradenton artist incorporates cultural history into her pottery

With clay, horse hair and other natural pieces, Mill Creek's Wilma Kroese creates unique pottery.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Country Club home at 12531 Highfield Circle sold for $2.6 million. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,232 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 19, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for March 4-8 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Highfield Circle tops the week's sales at $2.6 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 19, 2024
Is accommodating electric cars stuck in park?

Efforts by Manatee County staff to prepare for more electric vehicles on the road were unsuccessful.

  • East County
  • News
O'Leary's picnic area at Sarasota's Bayfront Park is flooded Aug. 30, 2023, after Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 19, 2024
Hurricane forecast will give Sarasota picture of active season

A hurricane season forecast event on April 4 by the Climate Adaptation Center will reveal a multifaceted prediction of hurricane conditions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat police requested for suspicious package of dog food
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 19, 2024
Longboat police requested for suspicious package of dog food

A resident called police to figure out what to do with a random box of dog food that appeared on his property. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Suzy Brenner
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 19, 2024
Paradise Center executive director resigns

Suzy Brenner will be passing The Paradise Center baton in April to Program Manager Amy Steinhauser.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The upper floors of Obsidian would offer bayfront views to the east and downtown views to the west.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 19, 2024
18-story condo tower is back before Sarasota city staff

Slightly shorter and with more commercial space, Obsidian still faces opposition from Bay Plaza residents. Approval will also require zoning code adjustments by staff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Clarice was recovered by Mote on Oct. 31, 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 19, 2024
Sea turtle released at Lido Key after rehabilitation at Mote

Clarice the loggerhead sea turtle was found last Halloween and was released on March 18 after care at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lillia Jones offers a vocal performance with Fourcast.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 18, 2024
Jazz in the Park brings 'people's music' into open air

Held at the Civic Green beside Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, the event contributes to the legacy of jazz in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Irish dancers from the Irish Dance Academy of Sarasota performed for St. Mary Star of the Sea for St. Patrick's Day.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 18, 2024
Dancers and bagpipe music 'transport' St. Mary congregation to Ireland

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, parishioners enjoyed Irish food and drink while clad in St. Patrick’s Day green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ken Schneier and Susan Phillips
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 18, 2024
Longboat Chamber of Commerce meets and eats with residents

The 18th annual "Meet, Greet, Eat" allowed residents to mingle with local businesses and make connections among the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Glenn and Arlo Darling, 4, enjoy spending time together while flying through the air.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 18, 2024
Sarasota County Fair thrills audiences with circus acts

The attractions at the 100th anniversary event ranged from those involving towering heights to ground-based agricultural activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Bobkoskie, Paul Gilliland, Vicki and James Stewart, Jeffrey Scavinski and Cindy Bowman
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 18, 2024
St. Patrick’s Day block party fills downtown streets with green

The Gator Club's festivities marked the holiday with live music and food trucks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Myakka City Elementary School second grader Lydia Powell listens intently and follows along as second grade teacher Karen Washington reads aloud. Early childhood education is a priority for the School Board of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2024
Manatee School Board proposes new allocations for referendum

The referendum, which is on the ballot in November, could include athletics, early childhood education, and school safety and security.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota County will have two new solid waste collection contractors beginning in spring 2025.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 18, 2024
Solid waste rates to increase an average 24% in Sarasota County

Elsewhere, recent industry rate hikes range between 40%-150% due to inflation and personnel costs, but the county received three competitive bids for new contracts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dick Vitale said he hopes to give a speech at the 2024 Dick Vitale Gala on May 3.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 18, 2024
Dick Vitale talks about his new book, his voice and a return to broadcasting

Vitale says he plans on continuing his broadcasting career in the 2024-2025 college basketball season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gary Blomberg, Guy Tann, Jim Bramante and Robert Fleig of the Goldtones
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 17, 2024
Doo-wop group performs at Seaplace Condominiums

Residents danced the night away to their favorite oldies performed by "Florida's Hottest Vocal Harmony Group," the Goldtones.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The University Park Country Clubs invites the public to Art in the Park on March 16 and 17.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 17, 2024
University Park Country Club hosts Art in the Park

Residents, club members and staff displayed and sold their artwork at the annual event in University Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A concept map for the Emerson Point expansion.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 17, 2024
Manatee County will offer $15.5M to expand Emerson Point Preserve

If sold to the county, the 98-acre property will increase the size of the existing preserve by a third.

  • East County
  • News
Mary Jo Hansen leads the models for the final walk.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 16, 2024
Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch hosts Divas and Dogs

The annual fundraiser is on track to net $90,000, which will go toward operating costs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The first phase of The Bay opened in October 2022.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 16, 2024
The Bay Sarasota receives $2 million in challenge grant

Gulf Coast Community Foundation matches $1 million in private donations as the $4 million challenge continues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Legacy Golf Club co-owners Jon Whittemore and Kevin Paschall sold it to the Heritage Golf Group on March 13, 2024. One local resident wishes there were more public golf courses in the area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 16, 2024
Heritage adds Legacy Golf Club to country club lineup

Legacy will now become the fourth Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club course.

  • East County
  • News
The core library space is estimated to be around 8,000 square feet.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 15, 2024
Survey says: Longboaters want more than a library

In an informal online survey, a majority of respondents said they want a library, but they want an education and community center too.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • March 15, 2024
Stanley “Stan” Pastor

Stanley “Stan” Pastor

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 15, 2024
Selby ranked among country's top 10 botanical gardens

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens placed third in a new survey by USA Today and 10Best.com.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Meat sits ready to be served at Alday's BBQ.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 14, 2024
Barbecue food trucks in Sarasota thrive on roads less traveled

A short drive from the bustling streets of downtown, you can find the smoky flavors of fresh barbecue.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Read Learn Dream Co-chair Patty Casey reading to A New Beginnings' pre-kindergarten Class.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 14, 2024
Siesta Kiwanis Club nurtures early reading

The Read Learn Dream program places books and other literacy-enhancing materials in the hands of preschoolers in select city schools.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Soleta developer Charles Duff and Hall of Famer Nick Price are combining on just one of the new golf ventures coming to East County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 14, 2024
Golf continues to thrive in Lakewood Ranch area

East County has become a mecca of the one-ailing sport.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Delaney Riggins and Andrew Shackleford say it's crazy how life comes full circle. The couple "dated" in elementary school but grew apart in middle and high school. They reconnected in 2020 and married March 9.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 14, 2024
LRHS teachers tie the knot years after 'dating' in elementary school

Delaney Riggins says fate brought her back together with Andrew Shackleford in 2020 after they dated in elementary school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Florida Department of Transportation is in the study phase of improvements to the Little Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 14, 2024
Little Ringling Bridge alternatives come with at least $64M price tag

FDOT will present alternatives $63.7 million and $71.5 million for the aging twin bridges between Bird Key and St. Armands Key next week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Poly, the sculpture selected for installation in the roundabout at U.S. 41 and 14th Street, is being evicted from its fabricator as a decision about its placement lingers.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 14, 2024
Sculpture placement has Public Art Committee going in circles

With storage agreements expiring, the pressure is on to find homes for some of the sculptures.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney beach volleyball junior Izzy Russell said the team believes it can capture the FHSAA state title this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 14, 2024
Cardinal Mooney beach volleyball out for FHSAA title

The Cougars have won back-to-back Sunshine State Athletic Association titles but want more in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Built in 1983, the home at 7722 Sanderling Road has two bedrooms, three baths and 2,377 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 14, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 26 to March 1 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Sanderling Road tops the week's sales at $6.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Penny's Ice Cream offers a variety of flavors, fresh pastries and beverages like hot and iced coffee.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 13, 2024
Ice cream shop named for owners' beloved dog opens on Longboat

Greg Bukowski and Volha Siamashka have opened Penny's Ice Cream near the beach and hope to grow a loyal customer base.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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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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