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Your Observer

One of the boardwalks of Quick Point Nature Preserve.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 21, 2024
Quick Point Nature Preserve gets boardwalk repairs, new signage

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is restoring and enhancing the nature preserve on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Don’t stop. Complete Longboat Key library project now.
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 21, 2024
Don’t stop. Complete Longboat Key library project now.

Longboat's mayor writes to urge on progress for the library project at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Longboat Pass Bridge was originally constructed in 1957 and reconstructed in 2005 and 2020.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 21, 2024
Concerns about Longboat Pass Bridge to be addressed in workshops

FDOT will host online and in-person options to allow residents to weigh in on potential roadway alternatives for the future of the bridge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Riverview High girls lacrosse senior Alexandra Hernandez.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 21, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Alexandra Hernandez

The Riverview High lacrosse senior provides leadership and scoring for the Rams.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Clash of merit vs. politics
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 21, 2024
Clash of merit vs. politics

After 11 years as Manatee’s supervisor of elections, Mike Bennett is retiring March 1. He has recommended an obvious choice: his chief of staff. But a surprise candidate has also applied: Commissioner James Satcher.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Yes, don’t derail the town project, but get control of it
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 21, 2024
Yes, don’t derail the town project, but get control of it

We are in agreement with Mayor Ken Schneier. We don’t want Phase 3 of the town center project to be derailed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Arts & Central's rendition of a bistro steak.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • February 20, 2024
Contemporary restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District

Arts & Central wants to woo customers with its creative, casual food and ambience.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch High girls lacrosse senior Allie Thompsen.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 20, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Allie Thompsen

The Lakewood Ranch High girls lacrosse senior has 10 goals in her first three games of 2024.

  • East County
  • Sports
Fran Osborn, Sally Rauch, Wiley Osborn, Joyce Fox, Jim Seaton, Jerry Fox and Paul Rake
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 20, 2024
Christ Church gives $40K for new food pantry for migrant farmworkers

Beth-El Farmworker Ministry in Wimauma will use the grant to promote healthy eating for workers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Country Club home at 7418 Mizner Reserve Court sold for $930,000. It has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,008 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 20, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 5-9 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.75 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Barancik Foundation reelects two board members, names officers
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2024
Barancik Foundation reelects two board members, names officers

Stephanie Jones and Ben Hanan have been elected to serve three-year terms.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The penthouse at 415 L Ambiance Drive sold for $11 million, setting a record for Longboat Key condo sales.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2024
Top Sarasota, Manatee Realtors closed sales of $2.63B in 2023

The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee released a list of the top individual agents by sales volume.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The new addition will address the growth of Parrish Community High School, which is at capacity this school year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 20, 2024
Parrish Community High begins construction on new addition in April

The 16-classroom addition, which will cost $10.6 million and include two engineering labs, addresses growth and academic needs at the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Firefighter Paramedic Tirso Guerrero shows guests the new Hurst Jaws of Life.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 20, 2024
Longboat Key Fire Rescue holds first post-pandemic open house

Residents spent the afternoon learning about the department and watching medical response demonstrations.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Officer investigates 2 people walking into Longboat at night
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 20, 2024
Officer investigates 2 people walking into Longboat at night

The individuals' shaky story seemed suspicious to the responding officer. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Reporter rescues injured pigeon on Longboat Key
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 20, 2024
Reporter rescues injured pigeon on Longboat Key

An afternoon in Quick Point Nature Preserve led to transporting a bird to Save Our Seabird’s hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County EMS charges citizens for services.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 20, 2024
Manatee County property taxes don't completely cover EMS services

If you receive care from Manatee EMS, it is likely you will receive a bill.

  • East County
  • News
At $5.99 million, Bayso penthouse unit 1904 offers approximately 3,600 square feet of indoor space wrapped by floor-to-ceiling glass.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 20, 2024
Penthouse at Bayso Sarasota condo tower listed for $6 million

The 3,600-square-foot, three-bedroom penthouse initially hit the market at $6.5 million. It was sold in December 2023 for $3.56 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The site layout for New Trail Plaza.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 19, 2024
96 affordable apartments approved for north Sarasota property

The currently vacant site on Tamiami Trail is planned to become New Trail Plaza, which includes a four-story apartment building and a three-story building with commercial space beneath additional apartments.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • February 19, 2024
Carmela Picardi

Carmela Picardi age 93 died peacefully on February 11, 2024, at Manatee Memorial Hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Ron Decicco, Jean Decicco, Lynn Pettigrew, Senior Federal Judge Jay Plager, Lynn and Gary Coffin
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 19, 2024
Longboaters renew vows at town Valentine's Day ceremony

Support Services Director Carolyn Brown hosted the first annual community vow renewal ceremony on Feb. 14 at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 19, 2024
Andri Anna (“Andy”) Youngs

Andri Anna (“Andy”) Youngs, 89, longtime resident of Longboat Key, Fl. passed away on February 8, 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Kambrie Rowell, a Ballard Elementary kindergartner in 2022, loves working with her literacy mentor, Esplanade's Barbara Liodice, who volunteers for the Books for Kids Kindergarten program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 19, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Rotary needs volunteers to expand Books for Kids

Manatee County principals say the Books for Kids programs spark a love for reading in students and that they want more classes involved.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ezequiel Rodriguez-Guadalupe and Sol Castro will move into a smart home provided by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 19, 2024
Knights of Columbus hosts Patriotic Ball at Tara Country Club

The annual event was held to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The corridor and study area.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 19, 2024
Public survey opens for Main Street complete street project

The survey is open to the public until April 12.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River High senior wrestler Gage Wiggins is 54-0 at 165 pounds as of Feb. 18.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 19, 2024
Five East County wrestlers stand out as state tournament contenders

Here is a look at athletes have a shot at reaching the state tournament in Kissimmee.

  • East County
  • Sports
Diane Lapinski, Karen Kroll and Peggy Klaasen
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 18, 2024
Trash to Treasure sale packs mobile home park clubhouse

Gulfshore of Longboat residents hosted the popular annual thrift sale Feb. 16-17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cars line up on The Masters Avenue on Feb. 15 to pick up students at Robert Willis Elementary School.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 18, 2024
Speed cameras to monitor Manatee County school zones

A county study showed 30 schools fell under the category of a "heightened safety risk" for pedestrians.

  • East County
  • News
Brian McCabe gets help from Connie McCabe with choosing a headwrap, at Headwraps by Connie
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 18, 2024
Motorcycles, charity roll into town with Thunder By the Bay

The event offered a place for bikers and community to gather while supporting organizations that help local children.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Elizabeth Moore and Bob Bunting with their climate umbrella
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 18, 2024
Climate Adaption Center honors five nominees with Beacon Awards

The organization spotlighted the efforts of individuals in the community for their work in addressing climate change issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Leone Louie, Elia Pozantidis and Leone Louie
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 17, 2024
Seaplace Condominiums host annual pancake breakfast

Residents enjoyed each other's company over pancakes, sausages, mimosas and beautiful weather.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Zack Kallis uses brandy to light up the saganaki as Renee Amoratis looks on.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 17, 2024
Opa, St. Barbara Greek Festival is back in Sarasota

The annual Greek Glendi is in its 40th year and runs through Sunday at the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jonathan Cortez sings "The Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 17, 2024
Sisterhood for Good soars with Phantom at Sarasota Hyatt Regency

The themed fundraiser expected to raise major funds for Lakewood Ranch area non-profits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Former Manatee County District 1 Commissioner James Satcher, who currently is the supervisor of elections.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 17, 2024
Commissioner James Satcher applies to be supervisor of elections

Retiring Supervisor Mike Bennett is recommending Scott Farrington, the office’s longtime chief of staff.

  • East County
  • News
Florida Power & Light's underground utilities project remains in progress, eyeing a finish line in early 2024.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 17, 2024
All transformers now in hand for FPL undergrounding project

The project team recently received the remaining transformers for Phases 3 and 4 and will continue to finalize Phase 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of a portion of Ride Entertainment's concept for Ken Thompson Park on City Island.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 17, 2024
Residents speak out against Ken Thompson Park proposal

Although the Ride Entertainment plan is not on its meeting agenda, several speakers implored the Parks Board to recommend against the proposal to activate the City Island park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Squeaky Wheel Fringe runs June 2-7.
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'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key
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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.
  • June 2, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for May 18-22 in Lakewood Ranch

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