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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2023
Three arrested in Friday morning armed robbery in downtown Sarasota

The robbery occurred shortly after midnight near the 1500 block of Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Christian Ziegler
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 1, 2023
Christian Ziegler under police investigation for sexual battery allegation

An investigation of Sarasota County State Committeeman and Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler has been underway for nearly two months.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse says his voice has remained the same since he was elected in 2020 and that it's the other commissioners' voices that have changed.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 1, 2023
Kruse doesn’t mind being lone dissenting vote on Manatee Commission

Commissioner George Kruse has been on the short end of 6-1 decisions but says he is offering the "community view."

  • East County
  • News
Rendering of the Legacy Trail crossing at Bee Ridge Road.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2023
Construction begins on two Legacy Trail overpasses

FDOT is building overhead bridges at Bee Ridge and Clark roads.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rotary Club of Longboat Key donated gifts for children to Stillpoint Mission in Bradenton.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 1, 2023
Rotary Club of Longboat Key donates holiday gifts to Stillpoint Mission

The club hosted a "wrap" party to wrap gifts for children in need and present donations to the local nonprofit.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Safe Children Coalition
  • November 30, 2023
Help Our Community’s Children Dream, Believe, Achieve

SCC – a community-based care agency - is a public/private partnership that worked with nearly 10,000 children across Sarasota, DeSoto and Manatee counties last year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Grinch rides in style at the Sarasota Holiday Parade on Dec. 3, 2022.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 30, 2023
Downtown Sarasota streets to close for annual holiday parade

Roads will be closed beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday. All parked vehicles must be removed or they will be towed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hodges Soileau
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 30, 2023
'The Baby-Sitters Club' cover illustrator recalls how he created his iconic work

Hodges Soileau, whose cover illustrations defined the series for a generation of readers, will visit Sarasota for an exhibition Dec. 1-2.

  • Arts + Culture
A condominium in Block 6 tops sales at $7.53 million. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,647 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 30, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 13-17 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Quay condominium tops the week's sales at $7.53 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Another hotel fight brews on Siesta Key
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 30, 2023
Another hotel fight brews on Siesta Key

The Sarasota County Commission took the first step toward allowing hotels to be built in Siesta Key Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Prine Elementary's Katie Bagley, Barbara A. Harvey Elementary's Joadie Durfee, Lakewood Ranch High's Debra McCarthy and Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary's Jessica Spence are finalists for Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 30, 2023
East County school employees named finalists for excellence awards

In east Bradenton, two teachers were named finalists Manatee County's Educator of the Year and two staff members named for Support Employee of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cardinal Mooney senior quarterback Michael Valentino transferred to the program from Charlotte High for the 2023 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 29, 2023
Cardinal Mooney, Booker football teams claw way to state semifinals

With wins Friday night, the Cougars and Tornadoes will find themselves in their respective state championship games.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Superintendent Terry Connor, Bridget Ziegler and Karen Rose
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 29, 2023
Sarasota School Board appoints Karen Rose as chair

The Sarasota County School Board voted Karen Rose to the position of board chair and Tim Enos to the role of vice chair.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
‘Champs’ for children
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • November 29, 2023
‘Champs’ for children

Forty Carrots Family Center engulfed The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota once again Nov. 17 with its annual Bacchanalian fundraiser — Wine, Women & Shoes luncheon and fashion show.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Landlord sees power in dispute with tenants
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 29, 2023
Landlord sees power in dispute with tenants

The owner of a rental house sees electric current in a line and randomly shuts off power to a home. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Whether a parking attendant, Joseph's angel, a wise man's attendant, an angel or any other role, the Walmsley family loves coming together to participate in the living nativity each year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 29, 2023
Nativity tradition continues for East County family

Participating in the Tabernacle Church's annual living nativity is a tradition for the Walmsley family.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
These angels are made from magnolia seed pods. After spraying them for bugs, committee member Vicki Carvelli applies several coats of varnish to preserve the pods.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2023
Lakewood Ranch angel tree raises thousands for those in need

Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church parishioners raised $35,000 last year by making and selling Christmas ornaments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Since he had a widowmaker heart attack in 2015, Sarasota artist Fabio Dal Boni has been seeking to recapture what he saw during that time.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 29, 2023
Artist's work represents his experience with a life beyond

Fabio Dal Boni says his paintings on aluminum are inspired by a visit to the afterlife in 2015.

  • Arts + Culture
The Village Idiots cycling group assembled May 19, 2021, to raise awareness of cyclists' rights to public roadways.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2023
Bike safety still a major issue in Manatee County

A study found that 805 of 9,472 road fatalities in Florida involved cyclists. Manatee County has had 34 bicycle fatalities since 2018.

  • East County
  • News
Raymond and Lisa Halbert, of Southlake, Texas, sold their home at 513 Yawl Lane to Mary Jo Burgiel, of Longboat Key, for $2,455,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 29, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 13-17 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Country Club Shores tops the week's sales at $2.46 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Bonnie Caulson, Jessica Braemer, Ellie Casebolt, Lora Bostick and Shadeed Wright are at Grace Community Church on Nov. 17. The church made a $25,000 donation to Better Together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2023
Grace Community Church focuses on outreach

The Lakewood Ranch church has a hand in many community events and supports several local nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Buttonwood Harbour and Sleepy Lagoon neighborhoods are among those most prone to flooding during high tide.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 29, 2023
Grants continue to be town priority moving into new fiscal year

Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton says grant funding has been running smoothly under the new grants coordinator.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The proposed resort project on Bridge Street and Third Street South on Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 29, 2023
Bradenton Beach Bridge Street resort passes first approval

Longboat Key officials raised awareness of potential traffic impacts and opportunities for future collaboration between the municipalities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Richard Mandell's work at Bobby Jones Golf Club included creating 22 acres of wetland as part of an adjacent nature park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 29, 2023
Golf course architect honored for Bobby Jones environmental achievements

Richard Mandell is among nine winners of the 2023 American Society of Golf Course Architects Environmental Excellence Award.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former SMA rifle shooter Mary Tucker, now at West Virginia University, won the individual smallbore national title and was named the Most Outstanding Performer at the 2024 NCAA Division I Rifle National Championship.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 29, 2023
Collegiate winter sports athletes represent Sarasota area well

TKTKKTPlus, a former area coach turns a struggling college program around in year one.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
All of the tennis center courts are being used for the tournament.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 29, 2023
20th Longboat Key tennis tournament attracts players countrywide

The Senior Men’s United States Tennis Association Tournament will be played from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3 and is dubbed one of the "Triple Crown" Florida tournaments.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ray Grace reads a children's book to the three who attended the Nov. 21 Pop-up Library children's activities.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 29, 2023
Network of mothers strives to make Longboat Key more kid-friendly

Elise Kidd Slansky says there are plenty of ways to create more children-oriented community events. It just takes a little work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Booker High senior wide receiver Josiah Booker.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 28, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Josiah Booker

The Booker High football senior helped his team to a 38-32 win over Bishop Verot High in the regional finals Nov. 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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
  • November 28, 2023
World Champions Cup to throw block party in Lakewood Ranch

The inaugural PGA Tour Champions event is going all out to thank The Concession and the region.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Deborah Murphy started her commissioner role March 20.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 28, 2023
Debbie Murphy resigns from Longboat Town Commission

Debbie Murphy, who began her commission term in March, said new state requirements were too "intrusive."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The newly renovated Lazy Lobster
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 28, 2023
Lazy Lobster of Longboat Key gets a makeover

The restaurant recently finished renovations providing a coastal, modern atmosphere for customers to enjoy a nice dinner out.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The home at 8477 Pavia Way sold for $3.04 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 28, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 13-17 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Pavia Way tops the week's sales at $3.04 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Bayfront Park Recreation Center remains structurally sound, but new plans may be discussed in the future.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 28, 2023
Conceptual planning nears for Longboat rec center replacement

Money is set aside to begin preliminary planning for the Bayfront Park Recreation Center, but the question remains as to whether the idea will stick.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Some examples of how the Luxe Flex garages can be customized.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 28, 2023
More luxury garage condos gear up for Lakewood Ranch

Luxe Flex Garage is a more budget-friendly version of the original Luxe Dream Garage, which held its groundbreaking in August 2022.

  • East County
  • News
Joaquin Garcia Argibay, a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy, raises money through the Sister School Project to support a school in Argentina.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 28, 2023
Student brings sister school in Argentina into ODA's family

Joaquin Garcia Argibay, a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy, raises money to purchase supplies for students in Chaco, Argentina.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sushi burritos are one of the signature items at Pacific Counter.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 28, 2023
Sarasota restaurant puts fast-casual spin on sushi

Pacific Counter recently opened a location in The Landings.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
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