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Your Observer

A rendering of the proposed Main Street redevelopment shows the front elevation of the building.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 5, 2024
10-story apartment complex proposed for Tube Dude downtown site

The developer of 1 Main Plaza intends to transform the 1700 block of Main Street in Sarasota into a 226-unit building that will include 25 affordable housing units.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carlos E. Haile Middle School is undergoing a campuswide renovation and will have a new 10-classroom addition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 5, 2024
Haile Middle to offer new opportunities with 10-classroom addition

The addition, expected to be complete in the spring, will expand the school's robotics and agriscience programs.

  • East County
  • Schools
David Wilkins, president of the Manasota Association for the Study of African American Life and History, spoke to the Longboat Key Democratic Club on Jan. 2, 2024.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 5, 2024
Democratic Club speaker advocates for access to Black history education

David Wilkins, the president of the Manasota Association for the Study of African American Life and History, spoke to the Longboat Key Democratic Club about the importance of education on racial history.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Windward at Lakewood Ranch opened a new amenity center in August 2022.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 5, 2024
Lakewood Ranch remains best-selling multigenerational community in US

Lakewood Ranch keeps its standing as No. 1 for the sixth consecutive year.

  • East County
  • News
The Preserve at Tara's Bob Tyo and Gregg Gumta bring their Corvettes to the car show on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 4, 2024
Cars line Lakewood Ranch Main Street for Classic Car Show

Dozens of cars spanning decades shine on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chloe Quesada, Sofie Quesada and Addison Fierro bring 2-week-old goats to Ranch Nite Wednesday. They're yoga goats.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 4, 2024
Chilly 2024 start for Ranch Nite Wednesdays

The normally packed event left a little elbow room for those in attendance on Jan. 3.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kudos to the Observer for a commitment to environmental reporting
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 4, 2024
Kudos to the Observer for a commitment to environmental reporting

The chair of Suncoast Waterkeeper notes the Observer Media Group's contributions to environmental initiatives.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Children's 'museum without walls' to host inaugural event
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 4, 2024
Children's 'museum without walls' to host inaugural event

A new Sarasota nonprofit wants to create a dedicated hands-on museum space for children.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Condo controversy, SRQ growth among top Sarasota stories coming this year
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 4, 2024
Condo controversy, SRQ growth among top Sarasota stories coming this year

From downtown condo towers and hotel plans for Siesta Key to an airport expansion and first-year operations at Bobby Jones, there is plenty of news to come in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney junior Chris McCorkle (8) sprints downfield against Riverview.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 4, 2024
The top Sarasota athletes to watch in 2024

These athletes combine natural talent and hard work to excel in their respective sports.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Unit 1404 condominium in The Residences at 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive sold for $2.8 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 4, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 11-22 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in The Residences tops the week's sales at $2.8 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
District 5 Commissioner Ray Turner says the Commission must do a better job explaining the reasons for its decisions to the public as well as communicating its vision.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 4, 2024
Commissioner says communication with Manatee constituents must improve

District 5's Ray Turner says his constituents "will know what he stands for."

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 3, 2024
Sarasota man arrested for soliciting sex and child neglect

A man armed with a sword was arrested for child neglect and soliciting sex from a Sarasota police officer during an undercover operation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
How little has changed
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 3, 2024
How little has changed

A new year is a time for optimism. But four books remind us the fight for liberty is forever. "Never give in."

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch High boys golfer Parker Severs finished second individually at the Class 3A state tournament in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 3, 2024
10 East County athletes to watch in 2024

These athletes combine natural talent and diligence to excel in their respective sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
Events of a Lifetime Productions planned a donor season kickoff party for the Van Wezel Foundation.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 3, 2024
Event planner to bring extravagant experiences to Longboat Key

New resident Gillian Marto brings her award-winning event-planning business to the island to provide unforgettable events for Longboaters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gary Hagen
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 3, 2024
Cheesecake mogul to open new dessert cafe on Longboat Key

Gary Hagen brings his big Hollywood cheesecake shop to Whitney Plaza to provide a hub for good eats and good times.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Sisterhood for Good is a group of women who have joined together to make philanthropy affordable.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 3, 2024
Sisterhood for Good makes philanthropy affordable

The Lakewood Ranch nonprofit shows how powerful a group of women can be when they combine forces for a cause.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A former Easterseals client uses the VR technology.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 3, 2024
Sarasota nonprofits serving people with disabilities harness virtual reality

Rise Up Cafe and Easterseals Southwest Florida have partnered with the local tech company Virtical.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Man goes 'Loko' outside a downtown Sarasota office building
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 3, 2024
Man goes 'Loko' outside a downtown Sarasota office building

A subject exposes himself to the world after being told not to loiter at the building's entrance. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Dr. Marty Reichgut
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 3, 2024
Sarasota tai chi instructor spurs others to find their potential

Instructor Marty Reichgut, 85, says that thanks to the form of martial arts, he's more agile now than he was as a teenager.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Danielle Dosne says learning about the muscles can help prevent injuries.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 3, 2024
Lakewood Ranch bodybuilder gives tips to those making fitness resolutions

Danielle Dosne began bodybuilding after a scoliosis diagnosis, and it turned into a lifetime of fitness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This home at 109 N. Warbler Lane has two bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,627 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 3, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 11-22 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Warbler Lane tops the week's sales at $3.7 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    In Memoriam |
  • January 2, 2024
Phillip J. Kreis, Jr.

Phillip J. Kreis, Jr. of Sarasota, FL and formerly of Pittsburgh, PA and Longboat Key, FL passed away on December 18, 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • January 2, 2024
Jane Coxe Bassett Shellhamer Oaks

Jane Coxe Bassett Shellhamer Oaks passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, IN on December 20, 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Chuck Muth
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2024
Local fashion brands highlight Bird Key Yacht Club fashion show

Tweeds and Camilyn Beth decked out club members for the end-of-year event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The SMN-Sarasota Campus labor and delivery team.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2024
Sarasota's first baby of 2024 arrives at SMH

A girl was born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital at 1:56 a.m. Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Mill Creek home at 1808 141st St. E. sold for $1.2 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 2, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 11-22 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Salerno Drive tops the week's sales at $2.8 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Civil disturbance between homeowner and cleaner raises suspicions
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 2, 2024
Civil disturbance between homeowner and cleaner raises suspicions

A cleaner returned to a resident’s property after a check for payment failed to clear. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sandra Frank
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 2, 2024
All Faiths Food Bank CEO leaves behind bigger, stronger nonprofit

Sandra Frank, who helped grow the food bank, will retire after 12 years with the organization.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
10 Longboat Key projects to watch in 2024
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 2, 2024
10 Longboat Key projects to watch in 2024

Islandwide transit, a vacant commission seat and beach erosion are just a few of the issues on tap for Longboat in 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The bar at Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar at its November 2022 opening.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 2, 2024
Restaurateur celebrates one-year anniversary of Ventura's on Longboat Key

Debra Murphy accomplishes her lifelong dream of opening a restaurant — Ventura’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar — that serves as an outlet for her interests.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The Mote Science Education Aquarium will be 110,000 square feet. Interior work will speed forward approximately in July.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 2, 2024
Construction speeds forward on Mote SEA with 2025 expected opening

Mote Science Education Aquarium construction should be complete around Thanksgiving with doors of the facility near University Town Center and Nathan Benderson Park opening in February 2025.

  • East County
  • News
Isabelle Monroe, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, loves showing cows at the Manatee County Fair. She names each of her cows after a car part of maker.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 2, 2024
Students pick the perfect name for their Manatee County Fair animals

Whether it's for laughs, a reference to a favorite food or a tradition, students put thought into picking an animal's name.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gina Lyons, the owner of A Vine Affair which hosts the new VIP Champagne Lounge at the Sarasota Polo Club, greets guests on opening day Dec. 31.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 1, 2024
Sarasota Polo Club opens 2024 season with new VIP section

A Vine Affair offers a more formal setting for those who want to enjoy polo in style at the Lakewood Ranch club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Daimy Sainz rides a mechanical bull.
    By
  • James Peter
  • January 1, 2024
Sarasota rings in 2024 with downtown block party

Carnival rides, amusements and mechanical bulls entertained all ages on New Year's Eve.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Squeaky Wheel Fringe runs June 2-7.
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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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