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Your Observer

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation's Sarasota Philanthropy Center is on State Street in downtown.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 15, 2023
Training program for nonprofit board members seeks applicants

Candidates must be active or prospective nonprofit board members in the Gulf Coast region.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Biden botches again: On AI
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • November 15, 2023
Biden botches again: On AI

The president’s executive order to regulate AI is the wrong path. It will create new bureaucracies and stifle positive innovation.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
It was a good day for Longboat Key
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 15, 2023
It was a good day for Longboat Key

The Karon Family Pavilion signifies progress, another positive step forward.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Drone footage captured Aug. 5, 2021, by Manatee County crews shows the Gulf of Mexico's red tide conditions right across from Longboat Key's Bayfront Park. The darker areas tend to show where concentrations of the red tide algae may be present.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 14, 2023
Local experts search for red tide answers

Red tide blooms are like chili: Everyone’s recipe is different, said one panel member at the "Red Tide in the Gulf Coast" discussion.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Braden River High Marching Band of Pirates finished fifth at the Florida Marching Band Championships on Nov. 11.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2023
Parrish, Braden River High marching bands place high at state championships

Pride of Parrish Marching Band finished third while Marching Band of Pirates earned the fifth-place trophy.

  • East County
  • Schools
This home at 8495 Lindrick Lane in The Concession sold for $3.6 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 5,314 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 14, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Lindrick Lane tops the week's sales at $4.23 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The home of author Glenn Cooper at 749 Freeling Drive on Siesta Key is listed at $6.95 million.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 14, 2023
Bestselling author's Siesta Key home listed for $7 million

The 6,827-square-foot residence sits on a canal with bay and Gulf access.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Racelle Weiman
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 14, 2023
How to confront hateful speech? With 'brave talk'

A former Temple University professor led a workshop on Longboat Key about how to find the courage to speak up.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lorraine Vitale, Dick Vitale, Sherri Vitale Krug and Thomas Krug surround Ava Krug as she signs with Duke University for women's tennis.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 14, 2023
Lakewood Ranch tennis player Ava Krug signs with Duke University

Krug is a five-star, Blue Chip player according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.

  • East County
  • Sports
Martina Long, Maicy Powell, Brandon Wardell perform alongside Hermitage fellow Zoe Sarnak at Benderson Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 14, 2023
Nathan Benderson Park hosts Hermitage Sunsets

The three-part series will run through March and offers audiences a sneak peek of works in progress.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Duane Chapman speaks at the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 14, 2023
Dog the Bounty Hunter partners with local anti-sex trafficking nonprofit

Selah Freedom, a faith-based organization, hosted "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and his wife, Francie Chapman, at its Light the Path gala on Nov. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Police investigate reported suspicious man talking to himself on a bicycle
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 14, 2023
Police investigate reported suspicious man talking to himself on a bicycle

A caller reported the suspicious cyclist, but officers were unable to find him. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
El Melvin on Main Street has in the past opened its folding glass doors late at night, drawing complaints from nearby residents of loud music. That practice would be classified as a nightclub under proposed zoning changes.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 14, 2023
What makes a bar a nightclub? The City Commission seeks answers.

Restaurant and bar zoning changes need more digestion, Sarasota city commissioners tell staff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Amanda Bolduc from Maine, USA, works on her sculpture.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 13, 2023
Master artists turn Siesta Beach into temporary sand sculpture gallery

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival hosted a roster of international master sand sculptors.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Man sentenced to 15 years for 2021 Sarasota vehicular homicide
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 13, 2023
Man sentenced to 15 years for 2021 Sarasota vehicular homicide

Jordan Schopfer of Bradenton pled guilty for striking and killing a motorcyclist on North Beneva Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Orchestra Brass Quartet played the inaugural performance for Longboat Key's Karon Family Pavilion on Nov. 11.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 13, 2023
Longboat Key unveils Karon Family Pavilion at Veterans Day ceremony

The Veterans Day ceremony included a $35,750 donation to SRQ Vets and the space’s inaugural musical performance.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High sophomore Max Colby Bendixen, junior Parker Severs, sophomore Josh Orgen, junior Henry Burbee and junior Luke Wilson sit with the FHSAA Class 3A boys golf runner-up trophy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High boys golfers earn silver medal at state tournament

Mustangs junior Parker Severs finished tied for second in the individual standings, while junior Henry Burbee finished fourth at the FHSAA Class 3A state tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Gulf Islands Ferry is expected to be running by the end of 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 13, 2023
Gulf Islands Ferry launches Nov. 20, with potential for Longboat stop

The ferry will take its first trip on Monday, Nov. 20, and county officials are already looking at ways to improve the service in the future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sue Wertman, Bob Weingartner and Kathy Pendleton
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 13, 2023
Christ Church of Longboat collects carloads of food for charity

New Pastor Julia Piermont and nine other volunteers ran a food drive collecting donations for Our Daily Bread of Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man died while in custody of Sarasota Police Department
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 13, 2023
Man died while in custody of Sarasota Police Department

The death of a man in custody of the Sarasota Police Department early Sunday morning is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Upcoming wayfinding improvements will enhance accessibility to Myakka River State Park's backcountry.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • November 13, 2023
Improved backcountry access coming soon to Myakka

Trailhead kiosks and markers will enhance safety and accessibility thanks to a Two for the Trails grant.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch library is located at 16410 Rangeland Parkway.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Library aims for January opening

Forty-two pallets of books have arrived in anticipation of the library opening in January.

  • East County
  • News
Members of the Venice High School marching band offer a performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2023
Sarasota's annual Veterans Day Parade honors those who served

This year's procession might have been the largest yet, said the parade marshal.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gary Michel participates in a toast.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2023
Marine Corps luncheon celebrates 248th birthday of USMC

The annual luncheon drew Marines from age 32 to 93.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nik Wallenda puts a charge into the crowd as well as the 50-foot Christmas Tree at University Town Center by crossing Cattlemen Road on the high wire Nov. 11, 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 12, 2023
Santa's Grand Arrival Parade thrills thousands in Sarasota

A bevy of floats entertained the crowd at UTC and raised awareness on issues.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alison Cossetti Clough and Allison Boccaccio are seated in the VIP area.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 11, 2023
Suncoast Food & Wine Fest sizzles at Premier Park

The 21st annual Rotary Club fundraiser was another hit in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A generic concept of a complete street with dedicated bike lanes and center median, similar to plans for 10th Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 11, 2023
Public input sought on making downtown streets more bike friendly

Residents can share their thoughts via surveys for 10th Street and Boulevard of the Arts conversions as design work moves to the second phase of the complete street project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Heidi Stenberg, Caymen Corscadden and Calli Phillips, seniors at Lakewood Ranch High School, are ready to take on the Big Bank Theory to see if they can balance the budget of their fictional lives.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 11, 2023
Financial literacy program gives Manatee students look at real world

Manatee Chamber of Commerce offers high school seniors an exercise in balancing a budget with the Big Bank Theory program.

  • East County
  • Schools
Teri Hansen, at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's 103rd annual meeting Oct. 27, 2023, is president and CEO of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 11, 2023
Barancik Foundation awards more than $5 million in grants

In addition to several nonprofits, the foundation is investing in its own workforce housing initiative.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 11, 2023
High school football roundup: Week 12

One East County team captures an SSAA title, while the postseason begins in the FHSAA.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Thunder football team beat LPCA 33-14 on Nov. 10 to win the SSAA Class 4A championship.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 11, 2023
ODA football captures SSAA Class 4A title

The Thunder (6-5) won 33-14 over Lighthouse Private Christian Academy (4-6) at home to capture the championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Terry Segal and Andrew Warren
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 10, 2023
Longboat Key Democratic Club holds first meeting of the season

The club hosted a former state attorney to discuss "The Crisis of Voter Suppression and What We Can Do About It."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Peg Stanton, Karen Kurgan, Nicole Huot, Fanny Younger, Chris Goodwin and Allison Byrd
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 10, 2023
Tennis team celebrates season's start at Public Tennis Center

The "Zebras" bonded over fun games, friendly competitions and Champagne.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Abbey Steele, a producer of "The Jayar Show" on The Joy FM, collects donations as cars drive through the T-shirts for Turkeys event at Woodland Community Church on Nov. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 10, 2023
Manatee residents pay it forward for Thanksgiving

Woodland Community Church hosts a food collection drive-thru on Nov. 9.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ted Lindenberg (second from left) celebrates his 2023 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award with his daughter, Michele Olson, wife Susan, and grandson Ryan Olson.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund takes it to higher level

The nonprofit's Soirée at the Ranch, its main fundraiser of the year, was a sellout.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of St. Barbara Philoptochos Society gather to make dolmades, which are stuffed grape leaves, for Autumn Fest.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 10, 2023
St. Barbara Philoptochos Society prepares for Autumn Fest

The group of women spends hours baking and cooking homemade dishes and pastries to sell at the annual Autumn Fest, which will be held Nov. 17-18.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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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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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.
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