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Your Observer

Smoking ban signs will be posted at Sarasota County beaches beginning Oct. 1.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 14, 2023
Sarasota County smoking ban approved, max millage rate set for 2024

A cigarette ban on beaches and in parks will begin Oct. 1, while a slightly reduced ad valorem rate was capped for the next fiscal year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The listing at 5131 Jungle Plum Road is an HGTV finalist in the Waterfront Homes category.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 13, 2023
Three Siesta Key listings among HGTV's 'Ultimate House Hunt' competition

Siesta Key homes for sale by Michael Saunders & Co. are among dozens nationwide in the network's popularity contest.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The price tag to put Sarasota County Sheriff’s officers on patrol
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 13, 2023
The price tag to put Sarasota County Sheriff’s officers on patrol

Population growth means a call for more sworn officers in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police are investigating a suspected DUI driver hitting a pole in East County along S.R. 64 early Thursday morning. The crash knocked out power to the area for about 15 minutes.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 13, 2023
DUI suspect hits pole on SR 64, knocks out power

A short police chase ended at the State Road 64/Pope Road roundabout in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Renée James Gilmore and Helen James visit the Betty J. Johnson Public Library in honor of Juneteenth, June 19, with Dr. Edward James II's library cards.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 13, 2023
Family of local activist recalls how he desegregated Sarasota's library

Edward James II refused to back down, fighting for his and others' right to access all Sarasota County libraries.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brooke Oliver, a rising fifth grader, mixes all the ingredients for the potsticker filling. "It looks interesting, but it smells delicious," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 13, 2023
Out-of-Door Academy's Crazy Cooks Camp a recipe for fun

Campers enjoyed making food from scratch and then sharing recipes with their families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Patti Fige has been working with Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building department for six years. She was recently named Plans Examiner of the Year.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 13, 2023
Longboat building official honored as Plans Examiner of the Year

Longboat Key's Patti Fige was honored by the Building Officials Association of Florida at its June conference.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pensions below standards
  • By Adrian Moore, Zachary Christensen
  • July 13, 2023
Pensions below standards

Florida lawmakers altered the Florida Retirement System in ways that improved the system while also increasing the future burden on taxpayers. Florida’s system still falls below industry guidelines.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Marcus Walfridson is the owner of the Sarasota Paradise and has big plans for the club in the future.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 13, 2023
Sarasota Paradise feeds local hunger for soccer

Owner Marcus Walfridson said the club has exceeded expectations off the pitch in year one.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The City Commission will consider expanding the vacation rentals ordinance citywide.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 13, 2023
Sarasota explores expanding vacation rental regulations

City commissioners heard a pitch to apply rules to hundreds of city properties operating as short-term rentals.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Emily Brown is a visiting professor of law and director of the Immigration Clinic at The Ohio State University.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 13, 2023
Attorney discusses US immigration issues with LBK Democratic Club

The Longboat Key Democratic Club's July event featured attorney Emily Brown's presentation on the state of the U.S. immigration system.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The penthouse in the Epoch building offers 1,700 square feet of outdoor living space on two levels.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 13, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for June 26-30 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in the Epoch Building tops the week’s sales at $11.15 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Coaches and students Peggy Jackson, Greg Steinberg, Mia Franks, Lisa Fay, Owen Corr, Ian Varga and Marv Hart after completing the two-day Learn to Row course at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 13, 2023
Benderson Park hires new programming, aquatics program manager

The Sarasota park is known for rowing but offers summer camps, fitness classes and more.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2023
Sarasota Police Department to hold school supplies drive

'Pack the Patrol Car' runs from July 19 through Aug. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Senior Rabbi Brenner Glickman addresses congregation members at the Temple Emanu-El on Monday.
    By
  • James Peter
  • July 12, 2023
Temple Emanu-El receives $3.2M donation from anonymous donor

The synagogue member’s gift will be used to lower dues for members with school-age children and grow the congregation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview coach Josh Smithers is entering his seventh season with the Rams.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 12, 2023
No offseason for Sarasota-area high school programs

Even without any official games over the summer, there's still plenty of work for coaches to do.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Family beachside debate spills over into hotel lobby
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2023
Family beachside debate spills over into hotel lobby

A dispute over a 10-year-old incident ruins a day at the beach. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Suzy Brenner and Amy Steinhauser at The Paradise Center.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 12, 2023
The Paradise Center receives grant to relaunch its volunteer program

New Project Manager Amy Steinhauser reintroduces the Longboat center's volunteer corps to get members more involved.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Trey Studi, who plays third base and catcher, said his favorite moment of All-Stars was hitting a double in the gap against Saint Petersburg in the sectional tournament.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 12, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Little League U10 All-Stars reach state tournament

The team made its run to states by playing small ball as a complete unit.

  • East County
  • Sports
This home located at 610 Yardarm Lane sold for $4.05 million and has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,138 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 12, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for June 26-30 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A home in Country Club Shores tops the week's sales at $4.05 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Joe Ferrigine has been with Longboat Key Police Department for about a year and a half. He frequently takes beach patrol shifts on Saturday afternoons.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 12, 2023
Riding along with Longboat Key Police beach, marine patrol units

A reporter spends a day on the job with the officers who patrol and keep the waterways and beaches safe.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Shawny McGill.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 12, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Shawny McGill

The Sarasota American Little League 8-9-10 All-Star team had a strong tournament run.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tyler Fite pours a red, white and blue daiquiri at the Siesta Key Daiquiri Deck.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2023
Daiquiri Deck giving away free daiquiris for a year

To celebrate National Daiquiri Day, each of the five restaurant locations will award one lucky winner free daiquiris for the year.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A rendering of the new welcome center at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens downtown campus.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2023
Selby Gardens elects new leadership for 2024

The board of trustees also named one new member and reelected seven others to three-year terms.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
This Concession home at 8317 Lindrick Lane sold for $2.77 million. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,868 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 11, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for June 26-30 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Ganton Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.8 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Tara Golf and Country Club resident holds a sign to protest the proposed settlement agreement at a public hearing on the settlement agreement in March 2019. Manatee County commissioners delayed the decision. File photo.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 11, 2023
New Florida law hinders citizens' ability to challenge development

Senate Bill 540 makes citizens or groups who file lawsuits against a developer responsible for the opponents' legal costs if they lose the case.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 11, 2023
Two men accused of scheme to defraud Manatee County of $1.4 million

One suspect has been arrested by Manatee County Sheriff's Office detectives while the other remains at large.

  • East County
  • News
The new St. Regis parking plans sent to Longboat Key staff include some interior changes to impervious surfaces.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 11, 2023
New St. Regis parking plans eliminate garage, expand parking lot

Unicorp National Development’s latest plans for parking at the St. Regis development responded to the community’s opposition to a two-story parking garage.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jennifer Arevalo tries out a new dress with assistance from Erika Alarcon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 11, 2023
Barbie's Boutique began with a dream, grew into a one-stop shop for all

Founded to serve the local Latino community, the Sarasota boutique has expanded its clientele and recently opened an additional location.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Rep. Vern Buchanan nominated Lakewood Ranch's Chase Merriam and Jaden Blank to the U.S. Military Academy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 11, 2023
Two Lakewood Ranch residents earn their enrollment to West Point

After receiving nominations from U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, Jaden Blank and Chase Merriam have enrolled at the military academy.

  • East County
  • Schools
A man yelling at the beach prompts police response
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 11, 2023
A man yelling at the beach prompts police response

Police were called to respond to a suspicious person, who had fallen off his bike and yelled in frustration at the beach. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Existing sea wall surfaces at Bayfront Park will be reenvisioned with Sarasota Bay Estuary Program's new project that addresses habitat loss and sea level rise.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 11, 2023
Vinyl sea walls may have unintended consequences for local waters

A recent study showed that vinyl sea walls might pose a problem for oysters, while a new shoreline project at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park will attempt to mitigate the walls’ possible drawbacks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2023
City to hold workshop on updated design criteria manual

Citizen input on the final draft is open through July 28.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill is located at 1500 Stickney Point Road.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • July 10, 2023
Sarasota restaurant owner admits to IRS scheme, faces prison time

The co-owners of Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill in Sarasota hid $725,000 in sales from the IRS, according to court records.

  • Sarasota
  • News
John Gidding, the host of HGTV's former show, "Curb Appeal," will be speaking in Lakewood Ranch on July 15.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 10, 2023
Author wants homeowners to curb appeal for non-native plants

John Gidding, the host of HGTV series "Curb Appeal," will speak in Lakewood Ranch about his new book, "At Home With Nature."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Young minds too precious to waste
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • July 10, 2023
Young minds too precious to waste

The Miracle on the Key group encourages a focus on education in the area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Latest News

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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
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
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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
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
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East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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