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Your Observer

Ella Quaid and Joey Baar, both 24 years old, have been friends since they were babies.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 1, 2025
Manasota BUDS creates lifelong friendships

The group supports individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Senior Isabelle Harrell begins work on another mural at Lakewood Ranch High School.
  • By Chloe Drapak
  • October 1, 2025
School spirit for this Lakewood Ranch High senior means painting murals

Isabelle Harrell masters the Mustang mascot as she puts her unique stamp on the campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
For the "TTYL" music video, Em Godfrey, Alicia Tom, Olivia Millin, Tori Vincent and Michelle Figueiredo danced in two locations with four costume changes. The dancers were from Koresh Dance Company.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 1, 2025
Lakewood Ranch singer-songwriter dreams of performing at sold-out stadiums

Olivia Millin is gaining popularity across the globe as an independent artist with songs such as "TTYL."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Unruly patron puts on a strip show in a downtown bar
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 1, 2025
Unruly patron puts on a strip show in a downtown bar

A man refused service because of intoxication retaliates by dropping his pants. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Longboater Harold Cullison recently celebrated a running milestone as he took first place in his age division for a 10K run, clocking a time of 55:34.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 1, 2025
Lifelong Longboat runner shares motivation for staying on the move

Harold Cullison, who owns the Sandpiper Inn with his wife, Christine, has much to celebrate this fall as he took first place in his category for a 10K race and recently reopened the inn.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota resident Jordan Wenck created Beanie Bites.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 1, 2025
Sarasota resident creates bean-based dessert mixes

Jordan Wenck will be bringing her Beanie Bites products, which are gluten and dairy free, to the Sarasota Farmers Market on Oct. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Signs on Longboat Key's public beaches caution swimmers about the dangers of rip tides.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 1, 2025
How to spot and escape Gulf rip currents

On beaches with no lifeguards, like Longboat Key, knowing what to look for and how to escape a rip current might just save a life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brooklyn Cullen follows through on a drive during a Sept. 27 match against Northside Christian at Lakewood National Golf Club. The ODA sophomore won medalist at the SSAA championship earlier this month.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 1, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy girls golf team earns SSAA title as program grows

Thunder sophomore Brooklyn Cullen earns medalist honors with a 71.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman speaks at the Sept. 23 Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce State of the Community luncheon.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 1, 2025
Sheriff: Law enforcement is expensive but worth the price

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman tells the Chamber of Commerce its $221 million budget is reducing crime and among the lowest cost per capita in the region.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 409 N. Washington Drive, built in 1952, sold for $1.4 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 1, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for September 15-19 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A John Ringling Estates home on North Washington Drive tops the week's sales at $4 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sharon Hillstrom, president and CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, asks commissioners to extend the contract through December, but commissioners opt to let it expire Sept. 30.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 1, 2025
Manatee cuts funds to EDC, Longboat impacts likely limited

The Bradenton Area EDC is jointly funded by public investments and private donors, according to its annual report, which shows $1.1 million in revenue in 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A driver was measured at 88 mph over the Ringling Bridge, which has a 35 mph, leading to their arrest, according to the Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 30, 2025
'Super speeder' arrested for driving 88 mph on Ringling Bridge

Sarasota Police stopped a driver who was clocked going 53 mph over the speed limit Tuesday morning on Ringling Bridge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Instructor Suzy Brenner leads her "Stretch and Strengthen" class for the first official activity following The Paradise Center reopening on Sept. 29 at Longboat Island Chapel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 30, 2025
The Paradise Center settles into new home

After spending the past month organizing a homecoming move to Longboat Island Chapel, The Paradise Center officially reopened Sept. 29.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dimmitt Automotive Group President Peter Dimmitt says Bentley Tampa Bay and Bentley Sarasota will have a "symbiotic" relationship. They can "have a greater inventory to work out of," he says.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 30, 2025
Downtown Sarasota to get Bentley franchise in 2026

A Bentley franchise has been awarded to Dimmitt Automotive Group, which has experience selling what the company's CEO calls "reward automobiles."

  • Sarasota
  • News
B. D. Gullett Elementary's Erin Devriendt, Bennett Carney, Michael Serrano and Jackie Stark are kicking off their second year together in a co-teach classroom with two full time teachers.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 30, 2025
Co-teach program at Gullett Elementary allows for extra academic support

In each grade level for first to fifth, there is a classroom with two full-time instructors teaching approximately 30 students.

  • East County
  • Schools
The roundabout at Ringling Blvd. and Pine Place opened on evening of Jan. 31, 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 30, 2025
Ringling roundabout recognized for engineering and design

Opened in January, the roundabout at Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place in Sarasota has captured the attention of a national transportation engineers group.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wess, 8, Samantha, Everette, 5, and Dan Becker try out their favorite flavors of ice cream at the grand reopening of the Kilwins sweet shop on St. Armands Circle on Sept. 27.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 30, 2025
Confectionary delights abound as Kilwins reopens on St. Armands

Families enjoy handmade fudge, ice cream and other sweet treats at the grand reopening of Kilwins a year after hurricanes Helene and Milton.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop (left) Town Attorney Maggie Mooney (right).
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 30, 2025
Longboat Key to overhaul town communication policy

The policy change would require elected and appointed officials to use town phones and email addresses to increase cybersecurity measures.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rotting, plastic-wrapped watermelon delivery prompts police call
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 30, 2025
Rotting, plastic-wrapped watermelon delivery prompts police call

A rotting watermelon in cling wrap was delivered to a Longboat condo and prompted a police investigation. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Achilles Kouskoutis
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 30, 2025
New Greek restaurant to open in Sarasota's Gulf Gate

Nikki's Greek Café, located just south of Stickney Point Road, is targeting an early October opening.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sophomore Marley Bowen (left), junior Zoe Zondor (center) and junior Jasmine France (right) of Sarasota girls' cross country run together during a Sept. 29 practice at Payne Park.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 30, 2025
Cross-country runners in Florida learn to take heat in stride

Florida's potent mix of temperature and humidity constitutes an evolving challenge.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Lake Club home at 7838 Bowspirit Way sold for $2.3. million. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,734 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 30, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 15-19 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in The Lake Club on Bowspirit Way topped the week's sales at $2.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A rendering of the planned 17-unit Habitat for Humanity townhome development.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 30, 2025
Habitat for Humanity will build 17-unit townhomes in Park East

Habitat for Humanity received Sarasota City Commission approval to build 17 townhomes across two buildings in a neighborhood surrounded by detached Habitat housing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Myakka City's Bennett Simunovic, 8, wasn't expecting to fly out of the slide so fast, but he doesn't mind.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 30, 2025
Urban Air Adventure Park opens in Lakewood Ranch

The 60,000-square-foot facility is the largest Urban Air in the country.

  • East County
  • Business
  • By RBB Communication for Florida Power and Light
  • September 30, 2025
Creative team of engineers revolutionize how FPL responds to storms

For a century now, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has been restoring power to its customers after hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Manatee Community Foundation
  • September 29, 2025
Manatee Community Foundation Is Your Partner in Philanthropy

Philanthropy can mean different things to different people.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Gunnar, a police dog with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, alerted to the potential presence of drugs in a car stopped by Sarasota Police, leading to the arrest of a Sunrise man.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 29, 2025
Sunrise man arrested on drug charges within sight of Sarasota PD building

A traffic stop at an adjacent intersection leads to the search and fentanyl discovery.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Molly Lynch poses for a photo after Braden River's comeback attempt against Venice fell short Thursday. She's the only freshman on a varsity roster featuring two underclassmen.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 29, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Molly Lynch

Even in defeat, the outside/middle hitter stood out for Braden River volleyball last Thursday.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jacob Shefrin and Michael Richker toss bread into the water to symbolize repenting past sins as part of the High Holy Days.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 29, 2025
Temple Emanu-El members gather at Nathan Benderson Park to cast away sins

Tashlich is a Jewish ritual where bread is thrown into a body of water to symbolize repentance.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Storm damage repairs at Hermitage Artist Retreat could be as long as a year away according to Sarasota County staff.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 29, 2025
Hermitage Artist Retreat estimates restoration costs at less than $500,000

Hermitage requests Sarasota County permission to make storm damage repairs to its Manasota Key site while negotiations for property conveyance remains underway.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The barricades heading north on Lena Road from the roundabout at 44th Avenue East will be removed Oct. 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 29, 2025
Lena Road will connect State Road 64 to State Road 70 on Oct. 1

Manatee County plans to open the connection but emphasizes it won't be the urban corridor originally planned.

  • East County
  • News
Leo Biter enters the pep rally.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 28, 2025
Southside Elementary hosts Go Gold Day rally

The initiative, which involves students helping to raise awareness and support for children facing pediatric cancer, has grown in size since it began in 2017.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Outgoing Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors members Kara Morgan (left) and Mark Gordon with VSC President and CEO Erin Duggan.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 28, 2025
Visit Sarasota County names three board members

The official tourism bureau of Sarasota County appoints three new leaders as three others rotate off the board of directors.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sandpiper Inn, located at 5451 Gulf of Mexico Drive, reopened mid-August after rebuilding from significant hurricane damage.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 28, 2025
Resilient owners of Longboat legend celebrate post-storms reopen

Owners Harold and Christine Cullison officially reopened Sandpiper Inn on Aug. 16 after working hard to rebuild from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch's Katelyn Diaz, 19, is studying business and learning through hands-on experience with Sip n Brew.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 27, 2025
New business owners connect with Lakewood Ranch through coffee

Sip n Brew, a new coffee trailer owned and operated by a Lakewood Ranch family, will be at various locations throughout each week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Newsweek ranks Sarasota Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center among the top nursing homes in Florida.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 27, 2025
Sarasota Memorial nursing home ranks among the state's best

Newsweek annual ranking places Sarasota Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 26th best in Florida for 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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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