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Your Observer

Charlie Bishop has been named the permanent Manatee County administrator.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2023
Charlie Bishop named Manatee County administrator

Commissioners went away from the search company's suggestions to name Bishop, who has served shortly as the interim.

  • East County
  • News
Reuben Fernandez teaches his intermediate tai chi class at The Paradise Center.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 12, 2023
Paradise Center instructor creates special tai chi community

Reuben Fernandez has practiced tai chi for more than 20 years. He teaches students how to implement balance and stability in their lives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carley Ramsden is a junior libero on the Sarasota High volleyball team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Carley Ramsden

The Sarasota High junior volleyball libero and team captain has 12 assists and 34 digs through Sept. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Analise Gallant, 6, Yonatan Rachmin, 7; Isaiah Gallant, 2; Maya Moronta, 9; Jacob Shefrin, 7; Mia Sinanian, 7; Ari Sinanian, 10,
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 12, 2023
Community Shofar Factory attendees make ram's horn trumpets

The event offered the chance to craft shofars, a traditional Jewish musical instrument.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sea turtle nests are marked with bright yellow stakes connected with fluorescent tape. This is meant to protect them from beach rakers and everyday beachgoers.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 12, 2023
Sea turtle nesting season, ordinance continue through Oct. 31

There could still be unmarked nests and others could still hatch, said the Longboat Key Turtle Watch vice president.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key commissioners Penny Gold, Gary Coffin and BJ Bishop were appointed to serve on committees with the Florida League of Cities.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 12, 2023
Longboat commissioners appointed to Florida League of Cities committees

Three Longboat Key town commissioners will join statewide committees to exchange ideas with other local officials.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Rhett Bogacz leads his Foundation Training class at The Paradise Center.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 12, 2023
Chiropractor wants to make Longboaters' lives easier and more enjoyable

Dr. Rhett Bogacz provides accessible chiropractic care at The Paradise Center Medical Suite every Tuesday and Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Mote International Film Festival was Sept. 9.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 12, 2023
Mote shows award-winning films to teach ocean conservation

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium hosted an ocean film festival to share marine research with the public.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rock star Mick Jagger and former ballerina Melanie Hamrick's Lake Club home at 15809 Clearlake Ave. sold for $3.25 million. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,726 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 12, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 28 to Sept. 1 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.25 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Joan Leonard, the community liaison for Suncoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch, hopes the shelves can be fully stocked with blood for the next hurricane.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2023
SunCoast Blood Centers seeks donations as hurricane season continues

The Lakewood Ranch blood center wants a full blood supply in preparation for more storms.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School seniors Ryan Donnelly and Lucas Anthony cheer their loudest as the football team gains a first down.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2023
Braden River, Lakewood Ranch student sections stage cheering rivalry

When it comes to supporting their schools, the Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high school student sections never back down.

  • East County
  • Schools
Police investigate suspicious contractor requesting after-hours access
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 12, 2023
Police investigate suspicious contractor requesting after-hours access

A man stating he was with an air conditioning vendor had a shaky story to tell the complex security guard. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Reverend Randall LaRoche and his wife Heidi attend a planning commission meeting on Aug. 10 with about 25 other Elwood Park residents. Heidi LaRoche came up with the idea for everyone to wear matching Elwood Park T-shirts when attending commission meetings. She makes the T-shirts, too.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2023
History trumps density in Manatee County's Elwood Park

The 650-acre, 100-year-old neighborhood has fended off two developers over the past year.

  • East County
  • News
The first phase of Sarasota Station by One Stop Housing on Fruitville Road is planned for 201 units, at least 20% of them priced at or below the range for 80% of the area median income.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 12, 2023
Housing ordinance approved, incentivizing affordable units downtown

The Sarasota City Commission approved incentives for public parking and attainable housing, though the lack of public input remains a point of contention.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Members of the Sarasota Police Department and others line up for the wreath placement ceremony.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2023
NYC firefighter describes experience of 9/11 at Sarasota remembrance

USF Sarasota-Manatee hosted the annual memorial event at the Sarasota National Cemetery.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cafe L'Europe is temporarily closed as they repair the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 11, 2023
Cafe L'Europe closes temporarily for repairs after Hurricane Idalia damage

Phase 3 of the restaurant's renovation is postponed until next summer to focus on adding new menu items and maintaining their atmosphere.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
1233 Hillview Drive is listed at nearly $34 million.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2023
Sarasota home listing priced at $33.8 million

The bayfront estate is located in Harbor Acres with views of Ringling Bridge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dave Springer will not only be taking on the new role of theater director at Lakewood Ranch High School but also a role in the Manatee Performing Arts Center's "Song for a New World."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High welcomes new theater director

Dave Springer will perform in Manatee Performing Arts Center's "Songs for a New World" as he starts teaching at Lakewood Ranch High.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dick Vitale was presented with a rock that reads "You're Awesome, Baby" following the completion of his final radiation treatment for vocal cord cancer.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 11, 2023
Dick Vitale shows fighting spirit throughout cancer treatment

The Hall of Fame college basketball broadcaster finished his treatment for vocal cord cancer Sept. 1.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Aloha Ukulele club of Lakewood Ranch donates eight ukuleles to the new Lakewood Ranch Library, represented by Tiffany Mautino (first row, center).
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2023
8 ukuleles donated to the new Lakewood Ranch Library

Aloha Ukulele, a Lakewood Ranch Community Activities club, donated ukuleles to the coming library with the hope of having a presence there.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2023
Openings available for SPD Citizens Academy

The fall 2023 session begins Sept. 27 and meets Wednesday evenings for eight weeks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
7-year-old Pyper Hutchinson and 4-year-old Griffin Hutchinson run along the bridge with 4-year-old Rory Hutchinson and Heather Hutchinson in back.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 10, 2023
Blaze of Hope walk raises money for families of children with cancer

The event lit up Ringling Bridge and grew in attendance from last year’s walk.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Braden River High junior Yahshua Edwards (17) leans into a hit from Lakewood Ranch junior defensive back Mike Turner (24) during a 2023 game. Edwards has transferred to Riverview High for the 2024 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 10, 2023
Braden River football seeks consistency despite 2-0 start

The Pirates won 41-23 over rival Lakewood Ranch High on Sept. 8 but are not satisfied with how they played.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key's latest dredge maintenance project of Greer Island relocated 19,000 cubic yards of sand, which opened up Canal 1A.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 10, 2023
Beer Can Island accessible again via Canal 1A

First shorebirds and sea turtles caused delays, then an abandoned power line slowed work down.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Seventeen-year-old boy murdered in Bradenton
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 9, 2023
Seventeen-year-old boy murdered in Bradenton

Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies have arrested a 19-year-old male who is suspected of running over the 17-year-old with a car.

  • East County
  • News
Calypso Sarasota will feature the New Urbanism style of the building placed adjacent to U.S. 41 with parking and amenities to the rear.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 9, 2023
North Tamiami apartments nearing DRC finish line

Rebranded as Calypso Sarasota, the 225-unit project combines the former Sapphire North and South, plus the lot in between.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cynthia Rogers and her husband, Charles Rogers, love having Friday night fun with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers (center), a first grader. They usually have a movie night, but on Sept. 8, they decided to attend Willis Elementary's Games with Grandparents.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 9, 2023
Willis Elementary hosts first Games with Grandparents in Lakewood Ranch

Grandparents enjoyed meeting their grandchildren's teachers and friends while playing games.

  • East County
  • Schools
Victor Davis and Michael Demarski, the owner of 3Form Fitness, are ready to start 3Form Fitness' first charity golf tournament at Legacy Golf Club.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 9, 2023
3Form Fitness hosts its first charity golf tournament in Lakewood Ranch

Participants looked forward to a good time on the golf course while supporting three local nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Terri and Jeff Driver, left, are filmed volunteering for Longboat Key Turtle Watch. Troy Logan, Natasha Thornton and Patrick Alexander manage the filming.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 9, 2023
Ringling College partners with Longboat nonprofits to make documentaries

Three short films will be shot and produced with a focus on environmental education and outreach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 9, 2023
High school football roundup: Week three

A strong slate of games in East County and Sarasota featured two head-to-head matchups.

  • East County
  • Sports
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 8, 2023
Braden River High football beats Lakewood Ranch High for eighth-straight year

The Pirates took down the Mustangs 41-23 at home.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By State College of Florida Coding Academy
  • September 8, 2023
Give Your Child a High Tech Advantage

The State College of Florida Coding Academy gives local youth a hightech advantage through pre-college workshops, after-school enrichment programs, youth competitions, and micro-credential classes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Manatee County commissioners approve rezoning 17.8 acres of a 34.5-acre site off Linger Lodge Road, where D.R. Horton will build 99 town homes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 8, 2023
Town home project approved for Linger Lodge Road

Despite several public objections, Manatee County commissioners approved the D.R. Horton project in a 5-2 vote.

  • East County
  • News
The main house at 900 Alameda Lane measures 3,209 square feet.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 8, 2023
Tech mogul buys historic waterfront Sarasota home for $6 million

The 2-acre Indian Beach property dates to 1894 and last sold for $150,000 in 1987.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Terri Robinson and Kristal Meisinger sell their tiedye creations. They also fill custom orders and offer private tie dye parties.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 8, 2023
Myakka Co-op kicks off its third season

The Myakka Co-op is a group of local artisans selling their goods every first Saturday of the month at the Silver Star East restaurant.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
City commissioners approved on second reading rate increases for residential and commercial solid waste collections.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 8, 2023
City customers to pay more for utility connections and waste collection

Commissioners approve rate hikes that staff say will help cover the cost of providing services.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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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