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Your Observer

The Centre Shops of Longboat Key
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • January 24, 2024
Longboat Key shopping center sells for $7.45 million

The center, which sits on 4.6 acres, is said to be one of the largest parcels on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longboat Police Department, Sarasota County Sheriff and Manatee County Sheriff responded to the double homicide Aug. 4, 2017, at Zota Beach Resort.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 24, 2024
Six-year hunt for Longboat double-homicide suspects heats up

Police recently arrested a second suspect in connection with the 2017 murders at the Zota Beach Resort, but the case still isn't closed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer senior Andrew Scott.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 23, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Scott

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer senior has 10 goals this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Deputy Town Clerk Savannah Cobb (right) swears in Sarah Karon to the District 5 commission seat.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 23, 2024
New Longboat Key commissioner sworn in

Get to know Sarah Karon, the newly appointed District 5 Longboat Key commissioner.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Teen injured in second Sarasota shooting in 4 days
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2024
Teen injured in second Sarasota shooting in 4 days

A shooting occurred Monday evening at 29th Street in Sarasota. One victim has been hospitalized.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Barbara May and Fred Sassen | Michael Saunders & Company
  • January 23, 2024
For Sale: 1233 Hillview Dr, Sarasota

This waterfront masterpiece is just south of downtown’s dining, shopping and cultural arts, walkable to Southside Village’s restaurants and shops, and a short drive to pristine beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
The Empower, Develop, Grow and Educate Program will be held at Manatee Technical College East.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 23, 2024
Life skills program launches for Manatee students with disabilities

The program will prepare students to start on a career path with life skills classes and post-graduation resources.

  • East County
  • Schools
Electric vehicle chargers are often out of commission
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 23, 2024
Electric vehicle chargers are often out of commission

A reader would like to charge his electric vehicle but has found that to be challenging in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
This Lake Club home at 15420 Anchorage Place sold for $6.3 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-three-half baths, a pool and 8,095 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 23, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 8-12 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Anchorage Place tops the week's sales at $6.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Concerned resident reports hand protruding from car trunk
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 23, 2024
Concerned resident reports hand protruding from car trunk

Police were sent to meet with a resident who claimed to see a hand trying to open and close a trunk from the inside. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Waterside resident Bob Smith is collecting donations for the Stillpoint Mission in Bradenton. His goal is $70,381, one dollar more than last year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 23, 2024
Lakewood Ranch resident raises funds again for Stillpoint Mission

Bob Smith raised $70,380 last year during his "Annual Appeal."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brenda Yewell, Mike Cantrell, Gregg Stanley, John Shea, John Harkness, Jeff Hecklau and Robert Geraci
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 23, 2024
Longboat Harbour Yacht Club celebrates Change of Watch ceremony

New officers Jeff Hecklau and Jack Harkness want to educate club members on emergency protocols to ensure their on-water safety.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A building proposed at 1312 N. Tamiami Trail includes eight residential units on the top floor and one level of commercial space.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 23, 2024
Plans for 181 affordable residences seek city approval

The four projects that went before the Sarasota Development Review Committee would add a total of 197 residences to the city's housing stock.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Resident considers legal action over Battie's racism accusations
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 22, 2024
Resident considers legal action over Battie's racism accusations

Sarasota Commissioner Kyle Battie held up an alleged Facebook post as basis for allegations against a private citizen, whose attorney says litigation against Battie will be pursued.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paella cooking at the Seafood Market food truck at St. Armands Food Truck Rally and Music Festival.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 22, 2024
St. Armands Food Truck fest brings cuisine from around the country

The weekend-long festival drew a restaurant-turned-food truck featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jessie Ochsendorf, a 7th grader at Pine View School and winner of Best In Show Quotation, and artist Michael White
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 22, 2024
Sarasota welcomes Embracing Our Differences art exhibit

There were more than 16,000 submissions this year. Judges' selections are on display through April 14 at Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sylvia Abdelsalom, the vice president of the Lakewood Ranch Garden Club, pours soil into the hole as Anita Machlin, the president of the club, holds the Gumbo Limbo tree.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 22, 2024
Lakewood Ranch YMCA gets a native tree for Florida Arbor Day

Members learned tips and tricks while planting a tree for the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gosia and Joe Pilch
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 22, 2024
Tennis players serve up success at 2024 Observer Challenge

A chilly weekend doesn't deter area tennis players from taking part in the popular Longboat Key tournament.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
First affordable housing project approved in East County
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 22, 2024
First affordable housing project approved in East County

The proposed apartment complex between Interstate 75 and Lena Road, Amara, will offer 25% of its units at an affordable rate.

  • East County
  • News
When Lakewood Ranch 7-year-old Tatum Schaper struggled during a sleeping bag sack race during halftime at the Sarasota Polo Club, her dad, Shawn Schaper, rushed forward to give her a hand. The result — a lot of fun.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 21, 2024
Polo back in action on a windy day in Lakewood Ranch

Poor weather canceled the past two Sundays of polo, but the fans were back Jan. 21.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Spanish Main Yacht Club hosts their third annual Soup and Chili dinner.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 21, 2024
Spanish Main Yacht Club cozies up with chili smorgasbord

Residents made their favorite soup or chili dish to share with the Spanish Main community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
ODA junior Tiernan George rockets the ball up the field against Seffner Christian.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 21, 2024
ODA girls soccer players complete undefeated regular season

The Thunder players are 12-0-1 after an 8-0 home win over Seffner Christian on Jan. 18.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rylen Gibbs, Dylan Luper and Owen Nystrand help spread mulch around the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 21, 2024
Garden Club, Oak Park School plant 'tourist tree' on Florida Arbor Day

Students from the school, which serves children with disabilities, helped carry out the project.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Commons, on Beneva and Fruitville roads, is a shopping center anchored by Bravo Supermarkets and USPS.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 21, 2024
One dead after Friday shooting at Beneva shopping center

One victim was pronounced dead at Sarasota Memorial Hospital after a midday shooting at Sarasota Commons Shopping Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Samantha, Josh and Layla Goldman attend Temple Emanu-El's Strawberry Fields Shabbat at Hunsader Farms on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 20, 2024
Special Shabbat celebrates the trees in east Bradenton

Temple Emanu-El hosted Shabbat at Hunsader Farms to celebrate the birthday of the trees.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Plans for Banditos Tacos & Tequila include a rooftop lounge with the bar service area beneath an enclosable structure. Under the city's new definitions, it will be considered an indoor bar.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 20, 2024
In defining bars and clubs, city asks: Do restaurants need kitchens?

The city of Sarasota's proposed zoning definitions of downtown restaurants, bars and nightclubs would impact those establishments' operations, hours and outdoor seating.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Co-owner Adam Myara serves up a smashburger to the wait staff in the Ed's Tavern kitchen. The new Ed's Tavern had a soft opening for its second Lakewood Ranch location on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 19, 2024
Ed's Tavern opens its second Lakewood Ranch restaurant

The new building on Upper Manatee River Road hosted a soft opening on Friday before it opened to the public on Saturday.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Christian Ziegler speaks at the 17th Street Park expansion groundbreaking Nov. 4 2022.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 19, 2024
SPD concludes criminal investigation of Ziegler, turns case over to state

The investigation found that an October sexual encounter appears to have been consensual. Evidence of video voyeurism in nonconsensual recording was turned over to the State Attorney's Office.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Author and rabbit discuss war in Israel at LBK Republican Club
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 19, 2024
Author and rabbit discuss war in Israel at LBK Republican Club

Rabbi Stephen Sniderman and author Loren Spivack brief GOP club on the war in Israel and importance of being informed about the opposite party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Erik Arroyo files for reelection for Sarasota City Commission
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 19, 2024
Erik Arroyo files for reelection for Sarasota City Commission

The former mayor was first elected as a commissioner in 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Team USA's Jerry Kelly hits a shot on the No. 1 hole at The Concession Golf Club on day one of the World Champions Cup. Kelly and teammate Justin Leonard earned a total of 20 points, 10 in each session, for Team USA on day one.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 18, 2024
World Champions Cup books The Concession for 2024, 2025 and 2028

Team USA won the inaugural event, held at The Concession in December in the Lakewood Ranch area, in dramatic fashion.

  • East County
  • Sports
David Sessions, the CEO of Willis Smith Construction, which combined with Fawley Bryant Architecture to build and design the new library, said it's a great balance of being functional and attractive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 18, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Library's design based on what's inside the box

Fawley Bryant Architecture and Willis Smith Construction delivered a simple, and yet beautiful, modern library.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Junior Kyrsten Montas and freshman Ava Nono embrace Riverview High girls basketball's "Defensive energy brings offense" philosophy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 18, 2024
Riverview High girls basketball eyes the postseason

The Rams are 15-2 as of Jan. 16, but Head Coach Gerald Perry wants his team to keep improving.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Suncoast Waterkeeper monitors bacteria levels at 11 sites throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 18, 2024
Is it safe to swim? What water quality results mean for recreation

Suncoast Waterkeeper's executive director explains how weekly monitoring helps inform swimmers about potential health hazards.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Clayton Rosaire greets a black jaguar April 21, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 18, 2024
Big Cat Habitat operator bonds with exotic animals through trust and love

Clayton Rosaire specializes in big cats and has spent a large portion of his life working with them on an everyday basis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unconditional Surrender statue is cleaned.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 18, 2024
Meet the 'invisible' team cleaning Sarasota's sidewalks and statues

Gorilla Kleen staff describe the thankless task of cleaning landmark locations while the city sleeps.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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