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Your Observer

Legacy Golf Club's foursome of PGA members included Kevin Paschall, Wendi Patterson, K.C. Bartlett and Jeff Boudrie. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 4, 2023
East County golf pros rally to support the Tim Beckwith Memorial Pro-Am

The charity event will be held July 10 at Sarasota's TPC Prestancia to raise scholarship funds.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River boys basketball junior Marcus Schade.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 4, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Marcus Schade

The Braden River High rising senior boys basketball guard has upped his game this summer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gust of wind accused of blowing trash into Sarasota Bay
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 4, 2023
Gust of wind accused of blowing trash into Sarasota Bay

Partygoers accused of littering blame the wind. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
This Country Club home at 7217 Greystone St. sold for $2.1 million. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,861 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 4, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for June 19-23 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Greystone Street tops the week's sales at $2.1 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Sage Residences represent 11 of the 14 sales over $5 million so far in 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 4, 2023
Rising demand for luxury real estate charged by pandemic, other factors

Longboat Key real estate continues to be defined by a luxury market, while a newer ultra luxury market begins to grow.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sherry King, Shirley Martin and Melissa Martin showing off their Martin women medallions.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 4, 2023
Longboat Key family celebrates strong ties and long history in the area

Coincidences and kismet mean multiple family members have wedding anniversaries and birthdays on the same date.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Gladiator Canados boat piloted by Ervin Grant of Massachusetts and Michel Karsenti of Miami Beach, Florida races against the the Waves and Wheels / Doug Wright boat piloted by Logan Adan of Melbourne, Florida and Ricky Maldonado of Palmetto, Florida.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 3, 2023
Boat racers power through big waves and summer heat at Grand Prix

The 39th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix drew 60 teams of racers to the waters off Lido Beach on July 1 and 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy staff members and school partners tour the new upper school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 3, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's upper school takes shape

The building is expected to be complete in time for the first day of school Aug. 10.

  • East County
  • Schools
A reader responds to the St. Regis parking garage
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • July 3, 2023
A reader responds to the St. Regis parking garage

This reader argues in favor of the garage and its potential positive effect on property values.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Jason Wysong says he feels "as well prepared as anyone could be to come into a superintendent seat."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 3, 2023
School superintendent Jason Wysong talks about his priorities in Manatee County

Jason Wysong shares his vision for the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
The renovations at Melting Pot Sarasota included new fabrics, carpet, paint, artwork, lighting and exterior signage.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • July 3, 2023
Fondue chain one-third of the way through $30 million renovation

The Melting Pot Sarasota wrapped its renovation around a new focus on the bar area.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 3, 2023
Dolphin found stranded on Longboat has new home

A dolphin that was washed up on Longboat Key in February now lives at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sgt. Steve Gaskins, the public affairs officer for the Florida Highway Patrol, uses a vehicle rollover simulator to demonstrate the dangers of driving aggressively during an FDOT seminar.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 3, 2023
Aggressive drivers on the road to disaster in East County

State Road 70 continues to be a dangerous highway due to crazy driving habits.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The town's underground utility project has been significantly delayed, with an estimated total completion estimated around January 2024.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 3, 2023
An oversight and supply chain issues delay underground utility project

The team working on the underground utility project recently realized existing underground transformers need to be replaced. Due to supply chain issues, this pushes the project back about six months.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Heather Zahory of the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute and RND Automation's Aaron Laine talk about an RND Automation machine that is being donated to SCF.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2023
Robot donation a coup for State College of Florida's Coding Academy

Two Lakewood Ranch businesses, RND Automation and Certified Collectibles, combine to make an important donation to the school.

  • East County
  • News
Nobody's Listening, a copper sculpture by New College of Florida art professor Jack Cartlidge, has been at City Hall since it was commissioned in 1967.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 2, 2023
City of Sarasota publishes proposed Public Art Plan 2030

The 100-page plan lays out the city's strategy for expanding its public art collection over the next seven years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The nine existing Verizon cell poles on Longboat Key are 25- or 35- feet tall poles. The new AT&T antennas will be placed on top of smart street poles being installed with the underground utility project.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 2, 2023
Cell service improvements on the horizon with AT&T lease

A new lease agreement with AT&T will help increase cell service on Longboat Key and decrease the possibility of dropped calls, without being visually intrusive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Head-on collision on SR 70 near Myakka City leaves one dead
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 1, 2023
Head-on collision on SR 70 near Myakka City leaves one dead

A 42-year-old Sarasota woman was killed on S.R. 70 when her car crossed the center line into the path of an SUV.

  • East County
  • News
Karen Holbrook, the regional chancellor of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, and Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, can't wait to see the completed Aviation Maintenance Technician School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2023
Aviation Maintenance Technician School ready for takeoff at SRQ

Manatee Technical College and Suncoast Technical College, among other partners, celebrate the groundbreaking of the new aviation school that will offer hands-on opportunities for students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dan Sidler is the Greater Sarasota Chamber’s vice president of CareerEdge and economic development.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2023
Nine local companies win CareerEdge grants

The Greater Sarasota Chamber program awarded $205,000 to help advance careers of current employees.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Readers respond to the 'High side of Obsidian'
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • June 30, 2023
Readers respond to the 'High side of Obsidian'

Readers object to the Obsidian condominium development's size, scale and use.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Carolyn Angiolillo is in uniform as an urban park ranger.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 30, 2023
Sarasota resident recalls her time shaping America’s favorite city park

Carolyn Angiolillo formerly served as an urban park ranger in Central Park as well as other New York City parks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the second-floor outdoor seating area at the planned Ocean Prime in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 30, 2023
Ocean Prime's upscale dining will be alongside retail, condos at The Quay

High-end seafood and steak restaurant Ocean Prime will feature marina views and two levels of dining at the Sarasota development.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The recently sold penthouse in the Epoch building offers 180-degree views of Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2023
Record condo listing sells for $11.15 million

The two-level penthouse in the Epoch building has more than 6,000 square feet of interior space and 1,700 square feet of outdoor space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Roger May was reported missing and endangered on Thursday.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 29, 2023
Sarasota police search for missing man

Police are asking for public assistance in locating 67-year-old Roger May.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A one-hour playdate takes place every fourth Wednesday of the month at the Green at UTC.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 29, 2023
Toddlers take over the Green at UTC of Sarasota

Every fourth Wednesday of the month, UTC hosts the Kids Club for a game day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
NBP dragon boat Coach Angela Long and nine NBP teammates were selected to represent Team USA at the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships. (Not pictured: Duneska Grant.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 29, 2023
Benderson Park paddlers share Team USA journeys

The park will be represented by 10 athletes at the 2023 World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Thailand.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Sarasota Ballet is just one of the region’s fine arts groups.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 29, 2023
Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch indeed lands of opportunity

While Sarasota built its arts reputation to separate from other beach communities, Lakewood Ranch carved paradise out of the wild.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Irene and Lewis Colson; John Schroeder; Bertha Palmer
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 29, 2023
Three pioneers who changed the face of Sarasota and Manatee counties

Lewis Colson, John Schroeder and Bertha Palmer were trailblazers in frontier Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A home in Paradise Shores tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $5.95 million. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,643 square feet living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 29, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for June 12-16 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Paradise Shores home on Sparrow Court tops the week's sales at $5.95 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch Communities' Morgan Bettes-Angell and Nicole Hackel are urging people to vote for The Market at Lakewood Ranch in the American Farmers Market Celebration. Vote at VoteLWR.com.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 29, 2023
Love the Market at Lakewood Ranch? Cast your vote

The America's Farmers Market Celebration competition is running nationwide through Sept. 19.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 29, 2023
Opportunities for all

The American dream is alive and well in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Golf course architect Richard Mandell watches as the first green, No. 15, is sprigged at Bobby Jones Golf Club.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 29, 2023
Bobby Jones restoration reaches last major milestone

Sprigging the greens at the city-owned golf course means rebuilding the Donald Ross design is nearing completion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manager Grace Quattro, Director of Operations Rich Iven, and Assistant Manager Alison Frate.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 29, 2023
Locals team up to clean up July 4 litter left on beaches

A local sports store is partnering with AT&T to clean up litter on Siesta Key beaches from Fourth of July festivities and to show some love for the area’s beauty.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The loft dining area is a nod to Sorrento, and the town's love of lemons.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 29, 2023
Osteria 500 set to open at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch

The Italian restaurant will be fully open by the second week of July after a soft opening.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The upper floors of Obsidian would offer bayfront views to the east and downtown views to the west.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 29, 2023
Downtown tower receives partial city sign-off

Obsidian, the controversial condominium tower planned for Palm Avenue, still faces unresolved issues with city staff.

  • 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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