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Your Observer

One option for the intersection of Shade Avenue and Novus Street is traffic separators and raised crosswalks.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 15, 2024
Resident input sought on Shade Avenue, Novus Street intersection

Sarasota city staff wants the public's thoughts on a complete street project at Shade Avenue and Novus Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The long-awaited 22-classroom addition at Lakewood Ranch High School is open for students and teachers.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 15, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High welcomes students back with new building

After years of waiting, the 22-classroom addition is open to students and teachers.

  • East County
  • Schools
Will affordable housing policy encourage 'concrete canyons'?
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 15, 2024
Will affordable housing policy encourage 'concrete canyons'?

Sarasota Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch worries that the city's proposed incentives might bring about unintended consequences.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Whitney Plaza Community Center would be located at 6810 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 15, 2024
Lease and funding in place for Whitney Plaza Community Center

Classes and course offerings at the center are still to be determined at the Longboat Key center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rose Burns places second, Cindy Jackson placed first and Marissa Stephenson places third in the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association's chili cook-off.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 14, 2024
Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association hosts chili cook-off

Participants put their own twist on chili recipes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River Library is one of seven locations in the Manatee County Public Library System.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2024
Manatee County severs ties with American Library Association

The commission voted to end the county's membership and barred staff from attending conferences of the national library organization.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School sophomore Camryn Shear has her steer hold its head up with pride during the auction.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 13, 2024
Students flourish at Manatee County Fair steer shows

The annual steer show highlights action at the fair on Jan. 13.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 15420 Anchorage Place closed this week for $6.3 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2024
Lake Club home sells for $6.3 million

The previous owners of the Lakewood Ranch home loved the area so much that they purchased another home in The Lake Club.

  • East County
  • News
Kettle of Fish performed at Savor the Sounds on Feb. 19, 2022.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 13, 2024
Savor the Sounds brings fresh lineup to 2024 season

Longboat Key's outdoor concert series kicks off Jan. 27 at the Karon Family Pavilion.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Among the proposed changes to the city's parking program is metered spaces on Ben Franklin Drive along Lido Beach. Those spaces are currently free of charge.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 13, 2024
Free Lido Beach parking spaces under debate in city proposal

City commissioners Jen Ahearn-Koch and Erik Arroyo defend open access to the beach amid a plan to increase fees and expand paid parking in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Passenger traffic at SRQ increased by 3 million passengers from 2018 to 2023.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 13, 2024
SRQ airport surpasses 4.3 million passengers

Passenger traffic at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is up 215% since 2018 as expansion work continues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jennifer Kovatch (left) and Keith Pandeloglou (right) of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities present the Volunteer of the Year Award to Lakewood Ranch's Monaca Onstad.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 12, 2024
LWR Community Activities honors Volunteer of the Year

Former SMR Community Relations Director Monaca Onstad won the coveted award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The bounce houses shut down due to high winds, but Bradenton resident Brody Pawelkoski, 3, got a quick bounce in beforehand.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 12, 2024
Bounce houses take over Nathan Benderson Park

The Big Bounce America is billed as the "biggest touring inflatable event in the world."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Some of the estimated 500 people who attended the grand opening of the Lakewood Ranch Library on Jan. 12 gather to listen to the ceremony.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 12, 2024
Hundreds attend Lakewood Ranch Library grand opening

The Lakewood Ranch Library opened Jan. 12 with a huge celebration.

  • East County
  • News
Robert Gaglio addresses the audience at Bird Key Yacht Club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2024
Local author brings taste of Italy to Bird Key Yacht Club

Chef Robert Gaglio's new book documents his tours of Italy and journey of self-discovery following the 2008 financial crisis.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota police arrest two on narcotics, weapon charges
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2024
Sarasota police arrest two on narcotics, weapon charges

Charges include probation violations for both subjects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Zumba is among the activities offered at The Bay Park.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 12, 2024
Free ways to get fit and stay healthy in Sarasota

From beach yoga to high-intensity training at The Bay, the city has something to offer fitness seekers of all stripes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A process rendering of Obsidian.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 11, 2024
Planning Board rejects downtown condo tower, but appeal likely

The Sarasota Planning Board says the 342-foot-tall condo Obsidian lacks sufficient retail frontage. Developers argue no building can be built at 1260 N. Palm Ave. under current city requirements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city needs to simplify zoning for bars and restaurants
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 11, 2024
The city needs to simplify zoning for bars and restaurants

An Observer reader attempts to streamline the city's zoning language for bars and restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Performance appraisals for City Commission
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 11, 2024
Performance appraisals for City Commission

A former city commissioner encourages residents to make sure the commission is serving the public good.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Melvin Pettis, a Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living resident, recalls meeting Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 and again in 1965.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 11, 2024
Lakewood Ranch resident recalls meeting Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s contributions to fighting for the rights of others continue to inspire 94-year-old Melvin Pettis.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom sings at Premier Sports Campus in January, 2017. Lakewood Ranch still has no amphitheater or events center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 11, 2024
Manatee County does well on roads, flunks wetland protections

Our columnist responds to Manatee County's online survey.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Benderson Development is proposing a comprehensive plan amendment that would clear the way to build an 85-foot-tall hotel on this site in Siesta Village.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 11, 2024
Residents air concerns about 85-foot hotel in Siesta Village

The 210-room hotel would sit on less than 1 acre. Representatives of the Benderson proposal hear from dozens about traffic, public safety and a potential slippery slope.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Joey Leto (black jersey) gets air while racing on day one of the 2024 USA BMX Sunshine State Nationals at Sarasota BMX.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 11, 2024
Sarasota BMX rider makes his push for Paris Olympics

Joey Leto reflects on Sunshine Nationals and Sarasota BMX's 50th anniversary.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bob Horne
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 11, 2024
20 years in, Bob's Train owner journeys to restore Ringling's rail car

Bob Horne, owner of Bob's Train, hopes to see the yearslong project completed, even if it means continuing to perform much of the work himself.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unit 1005 condo at 401 Quay Commons recently sold for $7 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 11, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 25-29 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch

A Quay Sarasota condominium in Block 6 tops the week’s sales at $7 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
  • By American Outdoor Cabinets
  • January 11, 2024
Outdoor Cabinets that Stand the Test of Time

One of the most significant assurances American Outdoor Cabinets provides is the lifetime warranty.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
An aerial view of the completed first phase of The Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 10, 2024
The Bay wins $1 million matching grant

The Patterson Foundation awards a third grant as the Bay Park Conservancy raises another $5 million in a $20 million fundraising challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The cast of "Acceptance Pending" performs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Aug. 27-28, 2023.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 10, 2024
Musical from Braden River High alum to make local debut

After a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Gabriel McDerment is bringing his musical, “Acceptance Pending,” on tour in the U.S.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Roger Kabler as Robin Williams
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 10, 2024
Comedian to bring Robin Williams to life in Longboat performance

Actor Roger Kabler has performed all over the U.S. as Robin Williams and will perform at Temple Beth Israel on Jan. 14.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Goodwill Manasota, Inc.
  • January 10, 2024
New Year, New Look: Elevate Your Wardrobe with Goodwill!

Since 1902, Goodwill’s mission-integrated donated goods business model has contributed to the sustainability of the planet.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lakewood Ranch High senior wrestler Logan Borcsane is 18-0 at 113 pounds as of Jan. 4.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 10, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High wrestler enters 2024 undefeated

As of Dec. 4, senior Logan Borcsane is 18-0 in his second year of wrestling.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarah Orcutt, a second grade teacher at Freedom Elementary School, prepares for the new school year in August 2023. Teachers receive a salary supplement through the 1-mill property tax referendum.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 10, 2024
Teacher salary support again big part of school tax vote

With the 1-mill property tax referendum on the ballot in November, Manatee County School Board members consider their options.

  • East County
  • Schools
The intersection of Fox St. and Longboat Dr. E after the Dec. 17 no-name storm.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 10, 2024
Flooding concerns rise amid intensifying impacts of rainstorms

Longboat Key residents and town officials say flood mitigation projects should be at the forefront as flooding issues grow.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Adrian Moore, Max Gulker
  • January 10, 2024
Florida social media law: Unconstitutional

Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature claim they are taking back the public square from big tech. But what they are doing is infringing on free speech.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Self-storage staff finds torpedo in repossessed unit
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 10, 2024
Self-storage staff finds torpedo in repossessed unit

An inert explosive at a self-storage business prompted a response from MacDill Air Force Base. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
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