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Your Observer

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
Students are ready to represent Sabal house after the completion of the sorting ceremony.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 10, 2024
ODA implements house system to promote positive culture

The house system creates a welcoming culture, positive connections and leadership opportunities at The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mark and Shanna Thompson, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 762 Jungle Queen Way to Danny and Danielle Madole, of Longboat Key, for $1.25 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 10, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 25-29 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Longboat Key home on Jungle Queen Way tops the week's sales at $1.25 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Vacation rental at 24 N. Polk Drive on Lido Key.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 10, 2024
Sarasota moves toward expanding vacation rental regulation

City Commissioner Erik Arroyo maintains his opposition, comparing the ordinance to "using a sledgehammer to kill a fly."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Town Hall
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 10, 2024
Longboat greenlights storm resiliency upgrades to Town Hall

A $250,000 investment from the town of Longboat Key will enable Town Hall to receive overdue upgrades after nearly seven years of project delays.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation's Sarasota Philanthropy Center is on State Street in downtown.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 10, 2024
Community foundation opens scholarship applications for Sarasota sutdents

Students may apply for higher education financial aid through April 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Trimming mangroves often requires a permit from Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 10, 2024
Mangrove enforcement on Longboat stays with state authority

The town won’t be taking over mangrove protection duties as it requires more staff and resources than Longboat Key can allocate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sailors boys basketball Head Coach BJ Ivey always gets the most out of his teams.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 10, 2024
New Sarasota High athletic director wants to build college-style programs

BJ Ivey will continue to coach the Sailors boys' basketball team, in addition to his new responsibilities.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Braden River High girls soccer junior Niley Molina.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 9, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Niley Molina

The Braden River High girls soccer junior has a team-high 10 goals this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
    In Memoriam |
  • January 9, 2024
Pauline Martin

Pauline Martin, “The Lady with PAZZAZ” passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on January 4, 2024.

  • Siesta Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Christian Ziegler
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 9, 2024
Christian Ziegler ousted as Florida GOP chairman

The Executive Committee elects Evan Power of Tallahassee to Republican Party of Florida's leadership position.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High senior boys basketball player Jayden Dudash.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 9, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Jayden Dudash

The Riverview High senior boys basketball player is averaging 11 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as of Jan. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Joel Morganroth, chair of the board of trustees, cuts the ribbon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 9, 2024
Selby Gardens cuts the ribbon on Phase 1 of its Master Plan

The new facilities include what the organization says is the world’s first net-positive energy botanical garden complex.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Renovations of the home at 5151 Jungle Plum Road, Siesta Key, are expected to be complete by June.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 9, 2024
Former Playboy president lists Siesta Key home for $20 million

Entrepreneur Randy Nicolau, a former president of Playboy, has listed a waterfront home in Siesta Key's Hidden Harbor community for $20 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The existing concrete seawall on the north end of Bayfront Park will be replaced with a sloped living shoreline.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 9, 2024
Seawall projects to enhance shoreline of Longboat's Bayfront Park

Contingent on federal funding, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program plans projects to improve oyster habitat, reduce erosion and bolster storm protection.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Concession home at 19436 Newlane Place sold for $3.4 million. It has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,566 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 9, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 25-29 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home tops the week's real estate sales at $3.4 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Bayfront Park doesn't need more pickleball courts
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 9, 2024
Bayfront Park doesn't need more pickleball courts

A Longboat Key resident writes that the sounds of pickleball are the most annoying in all of sports.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Construction worker accused of stealing a battery in civil dispute
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 9, 2024
Construction worker accused of stealing a battery in civil dispute

When a construction boss noticed a battery was missing, Longboat Key PD was called to the scene. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Manatee County is seeking input on major issues through an online citizen survey.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 9, 2024
Manatee encourages feedback on county issues with citizen survey

The citizen survey is available online and takes no more than five minutes to complete.

  • East County
  • News
Ute Vela competes in the Observer Challenge held Feb. 3-5, 2023. She and her husband, Enrique, have won the tournament four times.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 9, 2024
Observer Challenge to bring weekend of island camaraderie

Longboat Key Tennis Center will host the annual tournament that's all about teamwork Jan. 19-21.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The mezzanine is designed to be used as an event space.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 9, 2024
Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi to open Lakewood Ranch restaurant Jan. 20

After years of delays, the Japanese restaurant is opening the State Road 70 location on Jan. 20.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Art by Pamela Olin
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 9, 2024
Father-daughter duo's art exhibition opens at Plymouth Harbor

Pamela and Richard Olin showcase 3D artwork on the theme of family.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the view of the upper floors of One Park Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 9, 2024
Plans revealed for 18-story downtown Sarasota condo tower

The 86-unit luxury design for One Park will resemble the prior plan in architecture, features and finishes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Autumn Tselios leads the Naples-based band, The Rockefellers, at Fresh Fridays on Jan. 5.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 9, 2024
How downtown Sarasota block party organizers find fresh bands

Fresh Fridays, held the first Friday of each month, sources high-end bands locally and from outside the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harry Strunk, 2, explores inside a cardboard tunnel.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 9, 2024
Sarasota Children's Museum kicks off quest for a dedicated space

The inaugural event of Sarasota's Children's Museum drew families to The Bay Park, offering children interactive experiences and hands-on learning activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This is just a practice run on Kore Steakhouse. The street lights will be covered with garbage bags during the exhibit to provide a darker background for the projections.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 9, 2024
Visual art display celebrates 30 years of Lakewood Ranch

"Ranch Reflections," a showcase of moving murals, runs from Jan. 14-20 at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • January 8, 2024
Quality Care and a Supportive Birth Plan

“Education about what to include in a birth plan and an understanding of what our hospital offers can alleviate fears,” says Chrissy Coney, RNC, BSN, CLC, Birth Designer at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

  • Health
Sponsored Content
A Coastal Flood Watch has been issues for coastal Sarasota and coastal Manatee counties from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2024
Longboat Key issues severe weather alert

Residents are asked to bring in or secure outdoor items. Sand bags are available at Public Works.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service
2
Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
  • June 3, 2026
Panther Ridge mom hopes to make connections in District 5 school board seat
3
Maddie Baehr was hesitant to join Braden River flag football as a freshman. Now, she's a member of the Ireland Flag Football Women's National Team with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics just over two years away.
  • June 3, 2026
Braden River High graduate takes her dual athleticism overseas
4
Collin Purcell, Katie Blackwell and Brian Ott bring back the feel-good era of folk music in "Leaving on a Jet Plane."
  • June 3, 2026
Cool off this summer with Florida Studio Theatre's cabaret shows
5
The home at 6161 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $8 million. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,224 square feet of living area.
  • June 3, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for May 18-22 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

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