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Your Observer

  • By The Goddard School
  • February 29, 2024
The Goddard School The Premier Early Childhood Center

The school is conveniently located at 3000 University Parkway in Sarasota. It’s open year ’round except for major holidays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Jack Berry plays at The Bay Park in December 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 28, 2024
Sarasota rock band creates music out of trash

The Garbage-Men promote sustainability and recycling through musical instruments of their own creation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2024-25
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 28, 2024
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2024-25

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2024-25 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Out-of-Door Academy junior Celia Rayman, math teacher Michael Saxton and senior Joe Clarke get ready for their performance at Waterside Place on Feb. 27.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 28, 2024
Sights and Sounds hosts The-Out-of-Door Academy band

The theme for the evening in Waterside Place was Jazz Under the Stars.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
An aerial shot shows the "bones" of the future Soleta Golf Club course in Myakka.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 28, 2024
Golf legend hopes to design a masterpiece at Soleta Golf Club course

Nick Price, a three-time Major winner, expects Myakka to become a golf destination when Soleta opens late in 2024.

  • East County
  • News
Sandy Baptist Church stands strong on Clay Gully Road. The church incorporated in 1904.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 28, 2024
Sandy Baptist Church retains Old-Florida charm in Myakka City

The congregation has worked to keep the doors open after Hurricane Ian tore through the 120-year-old church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Assault by hat and a missing orange shoe lead to eviction
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 28, 2024
Assault by hat and a missing orange shoe lead to eviction

A woman said her aunt threw a hat at her over an accusation that she took one of her sneakers. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Cardinal Mooney High senior Kali Barrett is averaging 16 points per game in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 28, 2024
East County athletes help send Cougars girls basketball to states

The Cardinal Mooney girls basketball team has reached the Class 3A state tournament four years in a row but have yet to win the title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lynn Armstrong Coffin will be showing her newest art collection "Full Circle" at the Arts Advocate Gallery in The Crossings at Siesta Key Mall every Saturday in March from 2 to 4 p.m.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 28, 2024
Longboat artist opens exhibition focusing on sustainability

Lynn Armstrong Coffin's newest collection opens at Art Advocacy Gallery starting on March 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Unit 3 condominium at 5005 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $9.16 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 28, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 12-16 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Bonaire tops the week's sales at $9.16 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Fr. Phillip Schweda, Fr. Robert Dziedziak, Linda Olsen and Bishop Frank Dewane
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 28, 2024
St. Mary, Star of the Sea celebrates 50th anniversary with gala

The 50th anniversary celebration showcases the history of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church and its excitement for the future.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dave Otterness says his wife Jennifer's support allows him to give back to the community through the LWRBA.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 28, 2024
Willis Smith exec takes over as LWRBA chair

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Chair David Otterness says he will put new vision and mission statements into action and increase the nonprofit's advocacy in 2024.

  • East County
  • Business
The Longboat Key Police Department accepted their accreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 28, 2024
Longboat Key Police Department receives state accreditation

The department received official accreditation status on Feb. 22 after a three-year process.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The master development plan for 2501 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 28, 2024
371 affordable housing units planned for site near Newtown

The Sarasota project is part of a nearly 1,500-unit multifamily development that will include a grocery store and pharmacy on 114 acres of county land at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Tuttle Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Cardinal Mooney High attacker MJ McMahon is a star at the University of Utah.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 28, 2024
Sarasota alumni set to dominate spring sports season

Sarasota athletes are primed to excel in the college and professional ranks this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Longboat Key USPS Post Office is located at 560 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 28, 2024
Construction interrupts mail service for Country Club Shores residents

Town staff is currently working with residents and the post office to find solutions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Green Orchid restaurant at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is restricted to Selby members or those who have paid the $26 admission fee.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 28, 2024
Selby opens garden-to-table restaurant The Green Orchid

The solar-powered eatery at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota aims to become the world's first net-positive-energy restaurant.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Booker High senior wrestler Samir Redden.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 28, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Samir Redden

The Booker High junior wrestler won the 120-pound weight class of the Tornadoes' regional tournament Feb. 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Start spreading the news
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • February 28, 2024
Start spreading the news

Out with the old, in the with the new. The Observer may be the only newspaper company in the country installing new news racks.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • February 27, 2024
Margaret “Pat” McGouran

Margaret “Pat” McGouran, resident of Bradenton, FL, passed away on February 17, 2024 at the age of 81.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
This Country Club home at 13711 Red Rock Place sold for $1,795,000. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,784 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 27, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 12-16 in Lakewood Ranch

A Riverdale home on Hawk Island Drive tops the week's sales at $2.98 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The 1997 Manatee East All-Stars receive a commemorative plaque, which will hang at Lakewood Ranch Little League's fields. The team reached the Little League World Series in Williamsport, getting eliminated in the semifinals.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 27, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Little League honors 1997 All-Star team

The group reached the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Suncoast Walk-a-thon has become Southeastern Guide Dogs' biggest walk-a-thon that also raises the most amount for the nonprofit.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 27, 2024
Southeastern Guide Dogs gears up for annual Suncoast Walkathon

Local puppy raisers play key role in preparing the dogs to help their future clients.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Resident starts dispute over private beach, turns out to be public
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 27, 2024
Resident starts dispute over private beach, turns out to be public

A civil dispute over what was assumed to be a private beach called for police intervention. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Cedar Mill is under construction off Lorraine Road. Future construction projects will face increased impact fees in Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 27, 2024
Manatee County impact fees will increase over the next 4 years

The move was delayed after the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association disputed the most recent study.

  • East County
  • News
Making An Impact resource guides make finding help easier for organizations and individuals.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 27, 2024
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit curates community resources

Making An Impact’s Community Connections Resource Guide contains information on more than 300 local organizations that provide assistance to residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
About 35 residents attend the Manatee County Neighborhood Summit at the Lakewood Ranch Library on Feb. 23.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 27, 2024
Manatee County staff and residents connect at Neighborhood Summit

The summit was held Feb. 23 to put residents and staff from different departments in one room together to provide easy access for residents.

  • East County
  • News
Rev. Julia Piermont, Jerry Fox, Stacy Efaw, Laurie Swink, Gabrielle Triplett, Kelly Bennett, Misty Laperriere and Sgt. Robert Morrison
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 27, 2024
LBK houses of worship raise awareness of sex trafficking

During the discussion at Christ Church, survivors shared their stories.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko holds his Climate Champion award.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 27, 2024
Estuary program director reflects on climate award and future challenges

Dave Tomasko, executive director for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, won a Climate Champion award from the Climate Adaptation Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota County Fire Department is offering free child safety seat checks beginning in March.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2024
County fire department offers free child safety seat inspections

Inspections will rotate to a different Sarasota County fire station each month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High junior boys runner Vicente Rivera.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 26, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Vicente Rivera

The Lakewood Ranch High boys junior won the 3,200-meter race (10:11.48) at the Lakewood Ranch Invitational.

  • East County
  • Sports
This is a rendering of Manatee County's proposed changes to Lorraine Road between 59th Avenue E. and State Road 64.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2024
Lorraine Road residents concerned over $66M improvement project

Manatee County is investing $66 million into road improvements between 59th Avenue East and State Road 64 and will need to acquire property on each side of Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • News
Susan Goldfarb, Sy Goldblatt, Corina Mintz, Rabbi Stephen Sniderman and Susan Landau
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 26, 2024
Temple Beth Israel member donates $500,000 for renovations

At 45th anniversary gala, TBI honored Harold Ronson for his years of dedication and donations to the congregation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man shot and killed by Sarasota Police on Monday identified
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 26, 2024
Man shot and killed by Sarasota Police on Monday identified

Officers had attempted to stop 54-year-old William Michael Pickett on a county warrant for bank robbery.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chabad of Bradenton to host first Kosher Food Festival
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 26, 2024
Chabad of Bradenton to host first Kosher Food Festival

The Kosher Food Festival will provide various offerings to educate people on kosher foods while meeting the needs of the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Andrew Libecki and his art
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 26, 2024
Longboat Key Festival of the Arts brings unique artists to the island

Browsers found art made from surfboards and vintage buttons at the annual fest at Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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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