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Your Observer

Wedged between the No. 9 and No. 18 greens, the new Bobby Jones Golf Course clubhouse will be surrounded by practice greens (2) and the No. 1 tees (3). The white structure (1) is the temporary clubhouse.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 3, 2023
Design work continues on potentially $9M Bobby Jones clubhouse

At a maximum of $9 million, work on the Old Florida design is expected to begin in late 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fernhill Copain and Jonathan Holling put their best foot forward as they compete in show jumping at Terra Nova's 2022 event.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 3, 2023
TerraNova recruits volunteers for big event in Myakka

The Event at TerraNova from Nov. 16-19 needs a workforce of 100 volunteers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Loud noise in the middle of the night prompts Longboat Key police response
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 3, 2023
Loud noise in the middle of the night prompts Longboat Key police response

A resident heard a loud noise from inside the house, but the responding officer found nothing on scene. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Drone pictures from August 2023 show the St. Regis Longboat Key making progress ahead of its expected March 2024 completion.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 2, 2023
St. Regis parking lot approved, ending lengthy parking debate

The public hearing on Oct. 2 saw no public comment and a stamp of approval on the new parking lot plans.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The St. Armands Circle Art Festival with Craft Marketplace was held Sept. 30 and Oct 1.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 2, 2023
St. Armands Art Festival features accomplished artists from around the world

Tourists, visitors and locals admired the wide variety of art on display Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chris Sachs, Emily Walsh and Michael Garey
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 2, 2023
Observer President Emily Walsh speaks at Kiwanis Club reception

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat honored the Walsh family for dedication to Longboat Key with a surprise community service award.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Su Harley, the exalted ruler for Sarasota South Elks, wonders if the stuffed orca she chose is too big.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2023
Recycled Reading Buddies brings reading to life through stuffed animals

The east Bradenton organization pairs books with stuffed animals that look like characters in the books donated to children.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rendering of One Park, which is planned to span across Quay Commons on blocks 1 and 9 in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 2, 2023
One Park developer closes on Quay property

Property Markets Group and financial partners complete the purchase of blocks 1 and 9.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Smoking ban signs will be posted at Sarasota County beaches beginning Oct. 1.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2023
Smoking ban begins in Sarasota County parks and beaches

The ordinance approved in July by county commissioners took effect Oct. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Mona Jain Middle School eighth grader Anthony Mundo participates in a hands-on Woz Ed lesson on density.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2023
Career-ready curriculum expands in Manatee County School District

All eighth graders will use Woz Ed kits to engage in hands-on lessons.

  • East County
  • Schools
Wendy Brandeis with Teddy
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2023
Unity of Sarasota celebrates the unconditional love of pets

The church's annual pet blessing brought together a variety of dog breeds.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Laurel Park residents near the Sarasota County Administration building are concerned about Benderson Development's plans for the site.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 2, 2023
Benderson to host stakeholder meeting for county administrative site

The three-day planning event will incorporate input from Laurel Park residents about the redevelopment project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The existing signs for The Town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 2, 2023
Longboat commissioners unanimously approve fiscal 2024 budget

A reduction in the millage rate and increase in personnel costs were key discussion points along the way, but next year’s budget is now official.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
ODA running back Allen Clark raises the ball after scoring a touchdown against Santa Fe Catholic.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 2, 2023
After rough patch, ODA football finds its offensive identity

A strong downhill running game has the Thunder on a two-game winning streak.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Good Liquid Distilling Company will offer tours of the distillery in the future.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 1, 2023
Good Liquid opens distillery, cocktail bar at Waterside Place

Handcrafted cocktails are produced from spirits, syrups and foams that are made from scratch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jenny and Mike Schenk, co-owners of Bradenton-based Pineapple Kitchen, recently announced an expansion of the murder-mystery part of the company.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • October 1, 2023
Murder mystery show plans hotel expansion in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch

Pineapple Kitchen, a culinary and hospitality business based outside Lakewood Ranch, is expanding its murder mystery shows to meet rapidly growing demand.

  • Arts + Culture
Sixth grader Ethan Burnstein loves how colorful the sixth grade peace themed golf cart is for the homecoming parade.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 30, 2023
Out-of-Door Academy celebrates with school's first homecoming parade

Students, staff and alumni of the Lakewood Ranch school decorated 10 golf carts for the parade.

  • East County
  • Schools
The new 120,000-square-foot Sarasota County Administration Center will be next to Celery Fields in Fruitville Commons just east of I-75.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 30, 2023
Sarasota County breaks ground on new administration center

Staff is expected to vacate the current downtown headquarters and occupy the new building in late 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 30, 2023
High school football roundup: Week six

It was a week of blowouts: Only one area team, ODA, played a game decided by one possession.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA running back Allen Clark raises the ball after scoring a touchdown against Santa Fe Catholic.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 30, 2023
ODA football runs over Santa Fe Catholic

The Thunder (3-2) had four rushing touchdowns in a 33-26 home win.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jess Kruse is selected to be one of six assistants to help chef Angela Massaro-Fain at the Cooking for Charity event at Meals on Wheels-Plus Sept. 28.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 29, 2023
Cooking event the right recipe for fundraising at Meals on Wheels Plus

Sisterhood for Good founder Angela Massaro-Fain forms a partnership with Meals on Wheels for a night of culinary delights.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Developer Rodrigo Trepp (left) and financial partner Micheal Ealy with the scale model of SOTA.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 29, 2023
Sales underway for new condo as site demolition downtown begins

The 16-floor hotel/condo tower on Main Street will offer two restaurants. It's expected to be completed in March 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Seifert, the president of the board for the Country Club East HOA, talks to District 5 Commissioner Ray Turner about the proposed roundabout. Seifert wants a signal light instead.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 29, 2023
Concerned residents converge on county meeting over proposed roundabout

Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Ray Turner collected input about the road project from more than 200 citizens.

  • East County
  • News
Alice Green plays pickleball at Bayfront Park with Jim Wolohan.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 29, 2023
More parking, shared courts coming to Longboat's Bayfront Park this season

The addition of 15-19 parking spaces and more shared racket courts will help mitigate issues caused by pickleball, tennis, fitness classes and beach access.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 28, 2023
City of Sarasota budget unanimously approved

The City Commission OKs a spending plan increase of $33 million while holding millage rate steady.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark Stackhouse, Barbara Richards Thomas Graff talk during a meeting.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 28, 2023
Project 180 turns life around for formerly incarcerated individuals

The nonprofit offers support to people starting over after serving a prison sentence.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sandy Ulrickson, a volunteer for the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida, holds a rescued baby rabbit.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 28, 2023
Wildlife, flag-raising events should pique interest in Bradenton

Two unique events top the calendar and offer educational opportunities.

  • East County
  • Opinion
A home in Cherokee Park tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,538 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 28, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 11-15 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Cherokee Park home tops the week's sales at $4.19 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Booker senior receiver Joshua Burrows catches a ball behind the Braden River defense. Burrows would take the catch for a 60-yard touchdown.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 28, 2023
Booker High football finishes the job

A comeback win over Braden River High could be a turning point for the program.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sharleen Kow and John Vann wait their turn on Aug. 17 to ask commissioners to vote down a measure to reduce wetland protections.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 28, 2023
Final vote nears on protection of Manatee wetlands

Backers of each side of issue present their views of reducing wetland protections to state levels.

  • East County
  • News
The planned Banditos Tacos & Tequila at 1468 Main St. includes a proposal for a rooftop lounge.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 28, 2023
Proposed restaurant, bar zoning changes divide Planning Board

How outdoor rooftop bars are defined and the unknown impact of the new rules are points of concern.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota city commissioners adopted an ordinance in 2021 to register and regulate vacation rentals in coastal communities.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 28, 2023
Vacation rental fees are going up, citywide expansion may be next

With fee hikes approved, the Sarasota City Commission will take up regulations for short-term rentals across the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
John Skeen, a 103-year-old World War II veteran of the Army's 70th Infantry Division and a bronze star medalist, was honored with a ride at the 2022 Tribute to Heroes Parade.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 28, 2023
Manatee County names Oct. 3 after local World War II veteran

World War II veteran John Skeen of East County is honored with his own day.

  • East County
  • News
Second grade teacher Jessica Perez Maquedo holds a storytime for the class.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 27, 2023
Dreamers Academy's new campus serves mission of dual-language learning

The tuition-free public charter school alternates its instruction between English and Spanish at its own campus.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Aayla Bruttell and John Darling face off during the 2023 Sarasota BJJ Open, held Sept. 22 at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 27, 2023
Brazilian jiu-jitsu event promotes anti-bullying initiative

Thadeu Vieira's event, held at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, saw more than 300 competitors.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tommy Bahama's happy hour
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 27, 2023
A guide to the best happy hours on Longboat Key, St. Armands

Longboat Key and St. Armands Circle restaurants provide deals on tasty food and drinks during everyone's favorite time of day.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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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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