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Your Observer

    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 6, 2023
Commissioner proposes act to require registration for paid lobbyists

Sarasota City Commissioner Erik Arroyo wants full disclosure of individuals paid to lobby elected officials and staff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Melody Reedy is one of several Manatee County residents to hold up signs during the land use meeting Oct. 5, 2023 in an attempt to stop commissioners from cutting wetland protections out of the Comprehensive Plan.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 5, 2023
Manatee County Commission cuts wetland protections

In a vote of 5-1, the commission approved removing additional protections from the Comprehensive Plan.

  • East County
  • News
John Skeen, a 105-year-old World War II veteran, is honored during "The Littlest Flag" reenactment Thursday in front of Lowe's in Creekwood Crossing. The event told the story of Skeen's 70th Infantry Division liberating Forbach, France.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 5, 2023
A little flag flies high in Bradenton with World War II reenactment

The event told the story of East County resident John Skeen's 70th Infantry Division liberating Forbach, France.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Schools hosted a groundbreaking for a new K-8 school at the intersection of Lorraine and Clark roads.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 5, 2023
New K-8 school at Clark, Lorraine celebrates groundbreaking

The two-story, 195,000-square-foot school is budgeted at $105.75 million and is slated to open in August 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
A home at 1611 Pine Bay Drive tops all transactions for the Sarasota area in this week's real estate. Built in 1969, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,764 square feet of living area. It sold for $935,000 in 2021.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 5, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 18-22 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Casey Key home tops the week's sales at $3.43 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sarasota County Sheriff's deputy arrested on fraud charges
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2023
Sarasota County Sheriff's deputy arrested on fraud charges

Preston Hines is charged with falsely claiming hours for overtime detail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge is located at 4602 Lena Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 5, 2023
Everybody knows your name at the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Club

While the Elks is a social club, it's also a charitable organization.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kimberly Knox works with Holistic Healing and Wellness Center of Longboat Key to teach about how food affects every part of your life
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 5, 2023
Local chef teaches classes on the healing properties of clean food

Kimberly Knox partners with the Holistic Healing and Wellness Center of Longboat Key to help reset people's eating habits to enjoy life and give them more energy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This vacation rental property at 234 Grant Drive is one of three on Lido Key involved in a Bert Harris Act claim against the city for alleged devaluation resulting from a city ordinance that caps overnight capacity.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 5, 2023
City faces Harris Act challenge from Lido Key vacation rentals

The owners of three properties allege loss in appraised value over capacity restrictions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tom Aposporos as Abraham Van Helsing
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 5, 2023
Bookstore1Sarasota creates frightful auditory experience for Halloween

For the month of October, the downtown store will offer a radio-style dramatization of Bram Stoker’s "Dracula."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Orion Kerkering was named to the Philadelphia Phillies postseason roster Oct. 3.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 5, 2023
Sarasota baseball dad watches son's MLB dreams come true

Todd Kerkering, the emergency manager for the city of Sarasota, was moved to tears at his son Orion Kerkering's debut.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A 2021 ordinance aimed to regulate hotel houses on the barrier islands is being expanded to all vacation rental homes in the city.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 5, 2023
Vacation rental ordinance set to go citywide

Although not unanimous, Sarasota city commissioners approved expanding regulation of short-term rentals to the mainland.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Alyssa Rockey, outreach services supervisor, and Katie Dow, manager of programs and partnerships in front of the Pop-Up Library
    By
  • James Peter
  • October 5, 2023
Selby Library celebrates its 25th anniversary

The Selby Library offers space for community, tools for creators and a large collection of materials.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Richard Corcoran was named interim president of New College of Florida earlier this year.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • October 4, 2023
New College of Florida names president after six-month search

The current interim president beat out two other finalists for the official title.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Wallace takes a nap with one of his beloved stuffed animals.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 4, 2023
Myakka City warthog gains fans on TikTok

Wallace the Warthog has nearly 100,000 followers and even receives gifts from fans.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brian Gosling with Natural Design Landscaping uses a boxer to easily take out plants to make way for new landscaping.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 4, 2023
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch to undergo a makeover

New paint and landscaping will give Main Street a fresh look.

  • East County
  • News
Alice Bixler will be inducted into the National BMX Hall of Fame on Oct. 7 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 4, 2023
Sarasota resident to be inducted into National BMX Hall of Fame

Alice Bixler dedicated 50 years of her life to the sport.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Selby Public Library in downtown Sarasota will be among those closed on Monday, Oct. 9, for staff training.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 4, 2023
Sarasota County libraries closed on Oct. 9

All 10 branches will close for the day for in-person staff training.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Florida Senate President Bill Galvano, Concession owner Bruce Cassidy, PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady, Intersport founder Charles Besser and former PGA Tour star Peter Jacobsen announced the new World Champions Cup in April.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 4, 2023
Half the lineups now set for World Champions Cup at The Concession

Team captains say the golfing legends will bring high intensity to the December event in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Emergency Operations Center handles an average of 800 emergency 911 calls per day.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 4, 2023
Concerns on emergency dispatch prompt Longboat to reexamine call routing

Longboat Key residents brought up complaints about emergency dispatch at a recent commission meeting. While town officials are looking into the issues, solutions may not be cut and dry.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Harbor58 plans to build villas to temporarily house individuals aging out of foster care to help transition them to successfully living on their own.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 4, 2023
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit works to build housing for foster youth

Harbor58 plans to build six villas to provide temporary housing for individuals aging out of foster care.

  • East County
  • News
Man banned from a store after bathroom beer break
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 4, 2023
Man banned from a store after bathroom beer break

A man broke a four-pack in a store bathroom and drank one without paying. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
An aerial view of the Concession project.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 4, 2023
Concession development project to be heard for a third time

While denied by the Manatee County Commission twice already, Concession's request to build 22 homes will be heard for a third time.

  • East County
  • News
The Lord's Warehouse is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 4, 2023
The Lord's Warehouse reopens with new wares for season

The thrift store at the Longboat Island Chapel welcomed back its regulars with open arms.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ann Weber, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 632 Mourning Dove Drive to Michael Canney and Diane Canney, trustees, of Leesburg, Virginia, for $2.55 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 4, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 18-22 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home Bird Key home at 632 Mourning Dove Drive tops this week's sales at $2.55 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Satchel’s Last Resort and the Humane Society of Sarasota County are seeking to empty the shelters in October with the help of Bissell and Subaru.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 4, 2023
Global brands team with local shelters to adopt pets

Bissell and Subaru seek to help local communities "empty the shelters" in October.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Is Gaetz really the bad guy?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 4, 2023
Is Gaetz really the bad guy?

Matt Gaetz’s outspokenness wouldn’t make it in a business. But his brazenness just may be the disruption that is needed in Washington. Finally.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Why they voted the way they did
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 4, 2023
Why they voted the way they did

We contacted Florida’s two U.S. senators and three Florida House members from Florida’s west coast to ask why they voted the way they did on the continuing resolution that prevented a government shutdown.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Booker High sophomore Kevontay Hugan.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 3, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kevontay Hugan

The Booker High football sophomore holds offers from Miami, Penn State, South Florida and Maryland.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Liz Cole's new art collection "Color Paths" displayed at All Angels Episcopal Church
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 3, 2023
Local artist displays new collection at All Angels gallery

Liz Cole's "Color Paths" depicts her world travels via acrylic and handmade collages.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Air quality warning in effect for Sarasota County
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2023
Air quality warning in effect for Sarasota County

The advisory expires at sunset Wednesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High girls sophomore golfer Phoenix Scanlan.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 3, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Phoenix Scanlan

The Lakewood Ranch High girls golf freshman is ranked 21st in Class 3A by the FHSAA.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ruth's Chris Steak House opened Tuesday at the Center Point development in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 3, 2023
Ruth's Chris Steak House opens in Lakewood Ranch

The nation's largest steakhouse chain has opened a restaurant in the Center Point development.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The future vision for Manatee County includes faster EMS response times.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 3, 2023
Vision for Manatee County includes clean water, faster EMS responses

Staff prepared a presentation for commissioners and citizens on the future vision for Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
This Lake Club home at 16101 Baycross Drive sold for $3.2 million. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,526 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 3, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 18-22 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Baycross Drive tops the week's sales at $3.2 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sarasota has been ranked the nation's fourth most neighborly city by Neighbor.com.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2023
Sarasota named the fourth most neighborly city in US

The national ranking of the 100 largest metros comes from a peer-to-peer storage solutions company.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

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Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
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Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding welcomes guest speaker Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager to update members about his approach to leadership since he assumed the role last autumn at the April 2 meeting.
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Longboat police chief talks digital security with Kiwanians
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Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
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St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
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The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes

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