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Your Observer

St. Pete's Gene Turovsky, Sarasota's Jessica, Marie and David Polimeni, Parrish's Wayne Parrish and Lakewood Ranch's Gareth Stevenson of Rite Technology.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 22, 2023
Businesses score at tailgate expo in Sarasota

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance revised the experience of its expo in celebration of football season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Christina Sisti, Parrish's Kim Bailey, Lakewood Ranch's Peggy Kronus and Sarasota's Tanya Peters are ready for a fun night of playing bingo while raising money for area nonprofits.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 22, 2023
Sisterhood for Good hosts annual Designer Bag Bingo

The Designer Bag Bingo fundraiser drew more than 100 women to raise money for Manatee and Sarasota nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A condominium in The Tower Residences tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,985 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 21, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 4-8 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in The Tower Residences tops the week’s sales at $2.93 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • Real Estate
Riverview's DJ Johnson cuts upfield against Cardinal Mooney.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 21, 2023
Rams football proves it can win multiple ways

A week after winning a 52-42 shootout with Palmetto High, Riverview High shut down Cardinal Mooney High 35-7.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
General Manager Steve Dietz shows off the pristine conditions at Waterlefe Golf & River Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 21, 2023
The grass is greener after $5M renovation at Waterlefe Golf & River Club

The Bradenton upscale community is improving the golf course and expanding its clubhouse.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Gabriel Cortes, or in this case Kristoff, sings alongside his reindeer friend, Sven, while singing "Lost in the Woods."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 21, 2023
Braden River High spreads magic through cabaret show

Students performed classic songs as families sang along.

  • East County
  • Schools
How capitalism is starting to fill an unmet need
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 21, 2023
How capitalism is starting to fill an unmet need

Neal Communities plans to build hundreds of attainable homes. But the economic reality is they must be built out in the suburbs.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A rendering of The Owen.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 21, 2023
Planning Board supports airport rezoning, approves downtown condo tower

Rezoning will permit the eventual commercial development of airport property while the Sarasota bayfront gets another condo tower.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photographs by Karen Arango adorn the walls.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 21, 2023
Library exhibition celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

The exhibition showcased a diverse range of styles, mediums and subject matter.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the proposed One Park in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 21, 2023
One Park vs. Block 6 condo conflict awaits judge's decision

A trial concluded, a Planning Board hearing is set to resume, and an ethics complaint was filed — all centering on the One Park project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Communities' Morgan Bettes-Angell and Nicole Hackel love seeing people enjoy the Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch, which has been named No. 1 in Florida.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 21, 2023
Lakewood Ranch farmers market is named No. 1 in Florida

The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch is entering its sixth season.

  • East County
  • News
Former Riverview Rams softball player Devyn Flaherty is a star shortstop at FSU.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 20, 2023
What I've learned from 300 Sarasota athletes of the week

Sports Editor Ryan Kohn still hasn't forgotten to "be a goldfish" or to watch out for the geese.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Charlie Bishop is named the permanent Manatee County Administrator.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 20, 2023
Board dynamics play into Manatee County administrator choice

Charlie Bishop says the addition of Ray Turner to the County Commission made him change his mind about pursuing administrator's job.

  • East County
  • News
Cardinal Mooney High junior boys golfer Nicolas Bencomo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 20, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Nicolas Bencomo

The Cardinal Mooney boys golf junior tied for second at the 2023 Crutchfield/Hawkins Invitational on Sept. 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The case for hiring more
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 20, 2023
The case for hiring more

Longboat Town Manager Tipton wasn’t exactly convincing that the town needs to expand its employee count. Come next year, we’ll need to know.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
West Coast graffiti concerns downtown resident
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 20, 2023
West Coast graffiti concerns downtown resident

The word "wisk" painted on nearby vacant buildings causes concern for a homeowner. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Benedict and Bette Maniscalco, of Tampa, sold their home at 6565 Gulfside Road to 6565 LBK LLC for $6.45 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 20, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 4-8 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Sleepy Lagoon home on Gulfside Road tops this week's sales at $6.45 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Jim Brown with his dog
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 20, 2023
Life on the water suits former Longboat Key mayor

Jim Brown finds community, activity and peace while realizing his dream of living on the water.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
ODA senior Declan Fiorucci said he has taken inspiration from Navy SEAL training when thinking of unorthodox ways to improve his cross country results.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 20, 2023
ODA cross-country senior seeks high state meet finish in 2023

Declan Fiorucci is using unorthodox training methods to climb the sport's ranks.

  • East County
  • Sports
Greeting cards featuring art created by the seniors are set out on display at the entrance to Town Center Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 20, 2023
Seniors with dementia create art for fundraiser

The handmade greeting cards raise funds for Alzheimer’s Association in recognition of World Alzheimer’s Month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Scott Kessler and his wife, Cherri Kessler, continue to raise money for the American Cancer Society three years after Cherri's cancer diagnosis.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 20, 2023
Lakewood Ranch resident prepares for Men Wear Pink

Scott Kessler continues to raise funds for American Cancer Society three years after his wife's cancer diagnosis.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brain Health Scholar Gabrielle Bachtel, Brian Health Initiative founder Stephanie Peabody and Brain Health Scholar Hilton Hudson provide a Lunch and Learn on vaping at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 20, 2023
Lakewood Ranch-based Brain Health Initiative looks to add scholars

Manatee and Sarasota county students can be nominated to become a part of the Brain Health Scholars program.

  • East County
  • News
Drone pictures from August 2023 show the St. Regis Longboat Key making progress ahead of its expected March 2024 completion.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 20, 2023
New St. Regis parking lot plans move to second hearing

Unicorp National Developments presented new parking plans nixing the garage for the St. Regis Longboat Key and was met with few negative comments.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nick Calise digs the holes for the planting at Heron's Nest Nature Park as part of the microforest effort.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 19, 2023
Seeds of the future planted at Lakewood Ranch microforest

The Miyawaki method allows trees to grow into a 100-year forest in a decade.

  • East County
  • News
Heather Rippy curates the items in her shop from over 35 local artists.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 19, 2023
Driftwood Beach Home and Garden features products from over 35 local artists

Owner Heather Rippy brings her passion of supporting small businesses into her shop by curating goods made locally and around the world.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
This Azario Esplanade home at 15518 Derna Terrace sold for $2.8 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,841 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 19, 2023
Azario Esplanade home tops Lakewood Ranch-area sales at $2.8 million.

Pomello Park home is next at $1,789,000 in the week's East County residential real estate transactions.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The esports arena features state-of-the-art equipment.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 19, 2023
Ringling College esports arena opens to empower student gamers

Ringling College gamers have leveled up with a new space tailored to on-screen competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
John Kenyon, or "Gator John," who is an educational outreach programmer, tries to calm students as they scream over the carpet python he's holding.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 19, 2023
Braden River Elementary brings the Everglades to school

Students learn about the Everglades as the school works to become an Everglades Championship School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River junior running back/receiver Yahshua Edwards celebrates after a touchdown against Lakewood Ranch. The Pirates need to score when they have the opportunity in the red zone.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 19, 2023
Braden River's football team still searching for a complete game

Braden River High, Lakewood Ranch High and The Out-of-Door Academy all have answers to find.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ryan Chase
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 19, 2023
New Sarasota High School principal living his dream in education

Ryan Chase brings loads of experience in both Sarasota and Manatee counties to his new job.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Police officer helps tired man with car stuck in a ditch
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 19, 2023
Police officer helps tired man with car stuck in a ditch

In the middle of the night, an officer noticed a car stuck in a ditch and a man lying on the trunk. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Susan McGuire, James Chirgwin, Carol Erker and Nancy Rozance at Tuttle Elementary School on Sept. 15.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 19, 2023
Rotary Club of Longboat Key donates books for Tuttle Elementary students

The Rotary Club led its first read-aloud event of the school year with the students.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2023
Call for artists launched for city's first artist roster

The roster will prequalify artists for public art initiatives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
When two Secret Service agents asked then-Longboat Observer Executive Editor Lisa Walsh to back off reporting on the 9/11 terrorists, she politely declined. "We're reporters. That's what we do," she said.
    By
  • Kat Wingert, Mark Gordon
  • September 18, 2023
Observer Media Group executive editor, co-owner Lisa Walsh dies at 69

Lisa Walsh was a pillar in the Sarasota-Manatee community; a trusted and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and daughter; and the backbone of one of the most successful media companies in Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longboat Key Police Department swore in two new officers, Mike Rizzo and Adam Swinford, on Aug. 14.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 18, 2023
Increases in crime due to change in approach and more staff, says police chief

Longboat Key Chief of Police George Turner breaks down the key reasons behind an increase in certain crime reports from fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Neil, an American Bulldog, runs straight to Donte's Den Director of Operations Sean Hill. Neil was born deaf, so Hill said he needs a special kind of owner.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 18, 2023
Dogs become part of the family at Donte's Den Foundation in Myakka

Donte's Den is an animal sanctuary that also provides low-cost pet care to members of the military and first responders who are deployed.

  • East County
  • Business
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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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