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Your Observer

Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County President and CEO Brian Hersh, incoming Visit Sarasota County President and CEO Erin Duggan and Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County President and CEO Erin Silk.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 24, 2023
New Sarasota County leaders meet the community

A panel discussion and members mixer was held at CMX CinéBistro Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
A rendering of the Canal District shows some structures in Phase 2 that are being reconsidered for Phase 3 as plans evolve.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 24, 2023
Waterfront dining faces delays at The Bay

Public workshop attendees learned that Phase 2 plans for the Sarasota bayfront park might forego restaurants and that they will likely be smaller in size.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney senior linebacker George Leibold had 117 total tackles in 2022.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 24, 2023
Cardinal Mooney High football has high expectations for 2023

The Cougars have NCAA Division I talent on both sides of the ball.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
New pizza restaurant opens in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 24, 2023
New pizza restaurant opens in Lakewood Ranch

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza opened on the corner of State Road 70 and Lorraine Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Alyssa Lopez and Alyssa Snider
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 24, 2023
Sarasota and Siesta Key natives team up on 'The Challenge'

Alyssa Lopez from Sarasota and Alyssa Snider from Siesta Key formed a close bond while filming the reality TV series' current season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A condominium in Royal St. Andrew tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $2.9 million. Built in 1969, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,700 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 24, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 7-11 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A two-unit sale in Royal St. Andrew tops the week's sales at $2.9 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Manatee County Commissioners Raymond Turner, James Satcher, Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Jason Bearden and George Kruse celebrated the opening of the 44th Avenue Bridge over the Braden River on Aug. 7. Commissioners Amanda Ballard and Mike Rahn were not in attendance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 24, 2023
Manatee County commissioners record new highs and lows

The decision to cut wetland protections sparks anger while the 44th Avenue extension generates joy.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Principal Fayth Jenkins
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 24, 2023
Suncoast School grows opportunities for students to find their talents

The school’s new principal, Fayth Jenkins, is helping the school expand the scope of its educational opportunities.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The City Commission has approved an ordinance that only commercial property owners can serve on the Downtown Improvement District board.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 24, 2023
Boutique owner ruled ineligible for reappointment to downtown board

Tenant Harmoni Krusing can complete her term on the Downtown Improvement District Board of Directors, but the Sarasota City Commission decided the board will be owners-only afterward.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nokomis 15-month-old Lilly Murphy has a unique approach to mini golfing. Her mother, Heather Murphy, says UTC Kids Club is a new way for them to find a different playgroup.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 23, 2023
UTC Kids Club provides activities for children to enjoy

Dozens attended the first UTC Kids Club of the season on the Green at UTC.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Booker senior running back Ahmad Hunter was the area's leading rusher in 2022.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 23, 2023
Foundation set for Booker High football to make postseason run

In year two under Head Coach Scottie Littles, the Tornadoes want to make a leap.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Short Par 4 owner Martin Haas and CFO Todd Stires talk to Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Board Member Debbie Urban about the non-profit's upcoming events.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 23, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund generates more support

A special event at Short Par 4/Hidden Ranch offered information about the nonprofit's direction as it moves forward.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A 34.5-acre D.H. Horton project to build 99 townhomes on Linger Lodge Road will go before the Manatee County Commission on Sept. 7 at the land use meeting. The request is to rezone 17.8 acres.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 23, 2023
Rezoning considered for more residential in East County

An extension to the Hillwood development was approved, while a development on Linger Lodge road was pushed to next month.

  • East County
  • News
Staff costs create largest spending increases in town budget
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 23, 2023
Staff costs create largest spending increases in town budget

Longboat Key officials attribute the rise in total general fund operating expenditures to climbing costs and investments in personnel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Disheartening demise
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 23, 2023
Disheartening demise

The St. Armands BID did a lot of good. But now that it’s gone, new leaders needs to fill the void.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Janjay Gehndyu says his education at Lakewood Ranch High School paved the way for his success in life.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 23, 2023
Principal is proof that caring teachers can alter a student's path in life

Once a "troubled" child, Panther Ridge's Janjay Gehndyu leads Visible Men Academy in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
There's a pool down the street from her Esplanade home, so Carolyn Lowry-Nation opted for a garden on her lanai.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 23, 2023
Gardeners Out East club grows flowers, friendship

The 40-member club in Lakewood Ranch was founded on friendship and stresses environmental education.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tardy tender transfer keeps couch on a moving truck
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2023
Tardy tender transfer keeps couch on a moving truck

After 1,500 miles, a moving company refuses to take a sofa the last few feet until payment is received. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lael and Giuliano Hazan in Venice, Italy.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 23, 2023
Longboat couple create unique experience for foodie travelers

The Hazans host a destination cooking school that combines excursions with an intensive education in Italian cuisine.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brenda Dykgraaf and Jose Ignacio Monsalve Cadena sold their home at 216 Bird Key Drive to Michael Bonasera, trustee, of Sarasota, for $5.6 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 23, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 7-11 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Bird Key Drive tops the week's sales at $5.6 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Olivia Spiegel is a junior on the Lakewood Ranch High cross country team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 23, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Olivia Spiegel

The Lakewood Ranch High cross country junior finished 30th at states in 2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, Public Works Director Isaac Brownman and Chief of Police George Turner, gave insights as to what their departments do to prepare for hurricanes.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 23, 2023
Emergency management team details town's hurricane prep

Longboat Key's fire chief, Public Works director and chief of police explain their departments’ roles in storm preparation and response.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nobody's Listening, a copper sculpture by New College of Florida art professor Jack Cartlidge, has been at City Hall since it was commissioned in 1967.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 23, 2023
Developers' contributions to public art fund will double

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved a plan that raises the fee to 1% of the construction cost of developments that cost $1 million or more to build.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County acting Administrator Charlie Bishop was a surprise choice as one of two finalists to become the Manatee County administrator.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 22, 2023
Manatee County acting administrator becomes surprise finalist for top post

The Manatee administrator job search is down to acting Administrator Charlie Bishop and St. Pete Operations Manager Andrew Butterfield.

  • East County
  • News
The proposed Calle Miramar hotel violates Sarasota County's Comprehensive Plan, according to a ruling by 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Hunter Carroll.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 22, 2023
Court rules Siesta Key hotels violate density caps

Sarasota County's 1989 Comprehensive Plan restrictions trump the 2021 approval of two hotel projects, according to Judge Hunter Carroll.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Soleta Golf Club membership and sales director Alan Pope said the club will focus on creating the best-possible golf experience for its members, while also having family amenities.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 22, 2023
Soleta Golf Club membership director excited for opportunity

Alan Pope previously worked for The Concession Golf Club among other stops.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brian Lee is looking forward to incorporating his 30 years of manufacturing experience into his classroom during his first year of teaching.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 22, 2023
Engineering teacher to use lessons from Lindt chocolate factory in class

Brian Lee, who spent 30 years in manufacturing, wants to use real life examples in his Carlos E. Haile engineering class.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Country Club home at 13302 Palmers Creek Terrace sold for $2.75 million. It has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,459 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 22, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 7-11 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Palmers Creek Terrace tops the week's sales at $2.75 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Major water leak prompts police and fire rescue collaboration
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 22, 2023
Major water leak prompts police and fire rescue collaboration

A late-night water main break floods a residential unit leading to police and fire department teamwork. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Optimist Red White and Blue team Coach Marcos Darcy and sailor Sam Vaughan.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 22, 2023
Sarasota Youth Sailing kicks off its fall season

Program director Megan Swick recaps summer camps and gives a look into the fall racing program.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County is proposing a roundabout at Creekwood Boulevard and 73rd Street East to address traffic congestion.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 22, 2023
Proposed Creekwood roundabout brings mixed feelings

Construction on the roundabout could begin by the end of the year.

  • East County
  • News
Alexandria Elman Foley has been named CEO of The Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 22, 2023
The Lighthouse names Alexandra Elman Foley as CEO

Previous CEO Lisa Howard will lead the vision-loss education nonprofit's first capital campaign in its history.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Derek Flaim practices the swimming technique to get between two two-by-fours.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 22, 2023
Firefighter paramedics tackle obstacles and 400-degree heat of training

With the department on track to be fully staffed by September, two new recruits to the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department wrapped up the first stage of their training.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A view from the back of 6877 Gulf of Mexico Drive, which sold Aug. 18, 2023, for $9.45 million.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 21, 2023
Tarte Cosmetics CEO buys record-setting Longboat home for $9.45M

The three-story home at 6877 Gulf of Mexico Drive closed on Aug. 18 at $9.45 million, breaking the 2023 year-to-date record for a single-family home sale on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A great blue heron released after recovering from injuries at Save Our Seabirds.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 21, 2023
Injured heron rescued, released from Beer Can Island dredging

Save Our Seabirds and the Longboat Key Public Works Department prioritized the rescue of an injured great blue heron during the Greer Island Spit Management Project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior quarterback Sebastian Mejia threw two touchdowns and ran for one touchdown against Dunedin High on Aug. 18.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 21, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High football shows promise with preseason win

There are changes on the sidelines and on the field for the Mustangs in 2023.

  • East County
  • Sports
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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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