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Your Observer

The Manatee Admirals hockey team combines players from Lakewood Ranch High and Parrish Community High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 28, 2023
High school ice hockey in Florida still on ice

However, the Manatee Admirals team gives students the chance to experience similar opportunities.

  • East County
  • Sports
Woman seeks police assistance for ‘life-threatening’ dog situation
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 28, 2023
Woman seeks police assistance for ‘life-threatening’ dog situation

A woman feared for her life when she saw two dogs off leash in a park. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Brandin Galloway is a freshman on the Braden River High boys soccer team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 27, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Brandin Gallaway

The Braden River High boys soccer freshman has three goals in three games for the 3-0 Pirates.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rev. Juila Piermont
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 27, 2023
Christ Church of Longboat Key chooses first full-time pastor

The Rev. Julia Piermont shares her excitement of being the new pastor for Christ Church and her admiration of its foundation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River junior Marcus Schade shoots over Lakewood Ranch senior Trey Holweger (24) during the 2022-23 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 27, 2023
After 2022-23 breakout season, Braden River boys basketball wants more

Head Coach Dwight Gilmer's Pirates believe they have a district title in their sights.

  • East County
  • Sports
Whitney Barazoto, Dan Barazoto, Elizabeth Barazoto, Lisa Barazoto and Magally Ramsaier
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 27, 2023
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosts Light Up Longboat

Local residents and organizations gathered to mark the beginning of the holiday season with the fifth annual Light Up Longboat tree-lighting.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
After 22 years, the owner of Dakin Dairy Farms, Jerry Dakin, is selling the Myakka City dairy farm.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 27, 2023
Dakin Dairy to sell farm in Myakka City

After 22 years, Jerry Dakin is selling his 350-acre farm.

  • East County
  • News
Nearly 500 donated shoeboxes fill one of two vans at the Holiday Shoebox Drive at the Lakewood Ranch Elks on Dec. 4, 2021.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 27, 2023
Meals on Wheels Plus prepares for annual Shoebox Collection

Helping out Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee with shoeboxes has become a tradition for Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lake Manatee provides drinking water to more than 300,000 residents in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Its dam is shown here.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 27, 2023
Dry summer leads to water shortage in Southwest Florida

Manatee and Sarasota County residents are prohibited from "wasteful and unnecessary" water use through July 1, 2024.

  • East County
  • News
Construction of the Mote SEA is begining to take its distinctive ship-like shape.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 27, 2023
New Mote aquarium secures $20 million from Sarasota County

The $132 million Mote Science Education Aquarium project near University Town Center expects to open to the public at the beginning of 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The original master plan and approved updated master plan for The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 27, 2023
Updated master plan approved for The Bay park

Changes proposed by the Bay Park Conservancy include plans for three restaurants, more boat ramps and a food village.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key 43th annual Interfaith Service
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 26, 2023
Religious congregations of Longboat share in fellowship with interfaith service

Christ Church of Longboat Key hosted six congregations for the 43rd annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service to remind everyone the meaning of giving thanks and sharing in community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Santa Claus arrives on the Key Life Charters float.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 26, 2023
Siesta Key welcomes Santa Claus in annual Holiday Parade

The parade featured numerous businesses in Sarasota and ended with the arrival of Jolly St. Nick.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Construction takes place on the farmland beside McIntosh Middle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 26, 2023
Renovation of McIntosh Middle School's farmland underway

The $6 million project is designed to reimagine the farmland at the Sarasota County school and enhance its educational mission.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
A new art installation at Resilient Retreat was donated by East Sarasota resident Alan Yaruss.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 25, 2023
Art installation causes a double take at Resilient Retreat

East Sarasota resident Alan Yaruss donated his artwork to the Sarasota nonprofit.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 25, 2023
High school football roundup: FHSAA regional finals

Two Sarasota-area teams advanced to the state semifinals Friday night, while one saw its season end.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Superintendent Jason Wysong has loved talking to students like R. Dan Nolan Middle School eighth graders Bryce Newman and Hutch Jeanise.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 24, 2023
Manatee schools must react to loss of federal emergency funds

After 100 days in new post, Superintendent Jason Wysong must evaluate positions funded by COVID grants.

  • East County
  • Schools
Neighbors meet daily at the Greenbrook Adventure Dog Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 24, 2023
Greenbrook residents have a ball at dog park

A group of Lakewood Ranch residents meet every morning at the park, and it's not just for the dogs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bia Candle Co. was among the 20 recipients of the Business Assistance Funds Program.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 24, 2023
Grants awarded to minority-owned businesses in Sarasota-Manatee

The Opportunities For All initiative named 20 local companies recipients of its 2023 Business Assistance Funds Program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Venice's Adam Pennell celebrates like a pilgrim at the finish line of the Florida Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at Nathan Benderson Park. Pennell, who weighs 215 pounds, says he is thankful he has lost 175 pounds.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2023
Participants give thanks for Florida Turkey Trot

The Thanksgiving morning event at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota drew a record 4,000 runners.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Cardinal Mooney defensive front digs in against Lakeland Christian prior to a snap.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 23, 2023
Playoff football tests ahead for Cardinal Mooney, Riverview and Booker

A breakdown of all three programs' matchups and what each must to do advance to the state semifinals.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Keith Pandeloglou, the owner of UTC Venture Group and President and CEO of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, won the Best Rancher award at the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Sandies event Friday at the Grove.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2023
Work in background propels Keith Pandeloglou to the forefront

The executive director of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities earns "Mr. Lakewood Ranch" title.

  • East County
  • Opinion
12th graders Tanner Isaacs, Tanner Daminh Tran and Hana Knowlton work on the ignition.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2023
Student-led rocketry club aims for 10,000-foot launch

The Team True Fire Rocketry Club, an initiative of Faulhaber Fab Lab, is building a 12-foot-tall rocket for a 2024 launch.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Blue Sky communities is planning 96 affordable apartments on county-owned land along North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 23, 2023
Two affordable apartment buildings headed for Tamiami Trail

Sarasota's Development Review Committee is working with developers planning 132 affordable housing units.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A condominium in Plaza at Five Points tops all transactions in this week's real estate at $3.6 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 23, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 6-10 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch

A condominium in Plaza at Five Points tops the week's sales at $3.6 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The proposed Bobby Jones Golf Course clubhouse features Old Florida architecture reminiscent of the original Gillespie Clubhouse.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 23, 2023
New 17,000-square-foot Bobby Jones clubhouse closer to approval

If approved by the Sarasota City Commission, the building will boast an Old Florida-style architecture that evokes the original Gillespie Clubhouse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 22, 2023
Resident golfers discount quadrupled for Bobby Jones Golf Club

Sarasota officials pressed the Bobby Jones course management company to increase the greens fees discount for city residents from 10% to 40%.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Students from the Booker High School Law Academy were gifted iPads from philanthropist Deb Kabinoff while on a tour of the Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 22, 2023
Booker High School Law Academy students receive surprise iPads

Philanthropist Deb Kabinoff provided the iPads while the students were on a tour of the Sarasota Police Department.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • November 22, 2023
Drop the guilt this holiday season and indulge in moderation

Embrace life. It’s not about what you do during the holidays. It’s what you do during the rest of the year that counts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Braden River Elementary School kindergartners Andrea Savevska, Keira Cramer and Cody Stutzman present what they've learned about fire safety to fifth graders.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 22, 2023
School choice boosts enrollment at East County schools

Some East County schools that have dwindling enrollments due to aging neighborhoods depend on school choice to boost enrollment and offer more programs.

  • East County
  • Schools
James and Susan Davis, of Mequon, Wisconsin, sold two properties at 477 McKinley Drive to Marc Gerard Preininger and Renee Rochelle Preininger, of Lakewood Ranch, for $6,305,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 22, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 6-10 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in John Ringling Estates tops the week's sales at $6.3 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Police called on ex-girlfriend failing to make plan to 'get her life back on track'
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 22, 2023
Police called on ex-girlfriend failing to make plan to 'get her life back on track'

Instead, a woman whose ex took her in falsely accused him of battery. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Affordable housing plans unveiled for commercial areas in Sarasota
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 22, 2023
Affordable housing plans unveiled for commercial areas in Sarasota

Density and height bonuses in new mixed-use zoning districts are designed to incentivize affordable housing development.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A new pedestrian crosswalk being installed near Broadway Street.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 22, 2023
5 Longboat crosswalk improvement projects ahead of schedule

The FDOT-led project spans the entirety of Gulf of Mexico Drive, with five crosswalks being installed or upgraded on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A ruddy turnstone searches the wrack line.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 22, 2023
Seaweed line on beach is important commodity for birds, shore health

Environmental stewards explain why the wrack line is an important part of the beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The iconic Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota's "Purple Palace," kicked off its delayed season with "Menopause the Musical 2," on Jan. 4.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 22, 2023
Historic designation, flood-proofing suggested for Van Wezel

Sarasota’s Purple Ribbon Committee reviewed a draft request for proposals to address structural issues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

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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.
  • June 3, 2026
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2
Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
  • June 3, 2026
Panther Ridge mom hopes to make connections in District 5 school board seat
3
Maddie Baehr was hesitant to join Braden River flag football as a freshman. Now, she's a member of the Ireland Flag Football Women's National Team with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics just over two years away.
  • June 3, 2026
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The home at 6161 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $8 million. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,224 square feet of living area.
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Top residential real estate sales for May 18-22 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

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