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Your Observer

Police officers help lead the 2022 Memorial Day Parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2023
Street closures announced for Memorial Day Parade

Downtown Sarasota streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to noon Monday. Vehicles not moved will be towed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Frances Powers stands next to her digital paintings at All Angels By the Sea Episcopal Church.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 22, 2023
Frances Powers displays digital art at All Angels By the Sea

The local artist combines digital art with a traditional form to create vibrant works.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Deputy Director of Public Safety Steve Litschauer and Acting Director of Public Safety Jodie Setnor Fiske speak to members of the media about the upcoming hurricane season.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 22, 2023
Manatee County prepares residents for hurricane season

After Hurricane Ian, county's public safety officers are issuing stronger warnings this year.

  • East County
  • News
A building on 10th Street near downtown Sarasota collapsed in September 2022.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2023
County poised for $201 million Housing and Urban Development grant

Sarasota County is developing a plan to put disaster recovery funds to use in order to qualify for the grant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Amani Washington and Trinity Adams
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 21, 2023
Graduation 2023: Booker High School

Multiple students offered words of advice as students headed into the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Gabriel Chiha and Julianna Chin
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 21, 2023
Graduation 2023: Riverview High School

Students celebrated the future as they received their diplomas.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Siblings Alexandria Smith and Rex Smith
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 21, 2023
Graduation 2023: Sarasota High School

Students received words of advice while friends parted ways on Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Longboat Island Chapel donated baby items to teen parents enrolled in the Cyesis Program.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 21, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel hosts charity event benefiting young parents

The chapel donated baby items for teen parents in the Riverview High School Cyesis program.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Joan Novak, Sarasota's Tina Backhus, Lakewood Ranch's Judy Balmer and Salwa Youssef, the manager of the Walmart off State Road 70 near Interstate 75, are excited to support Stillpoint Mission's Backpack Program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 21, 2023
Lakewood Ranch woman seeks donations for backpack program

Judy Balmer hopes to donate 800 backpacks through Stillpoint Mission to distribute to low-income families.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School's Cesar Valera and Erika Vargas are excited for graduation.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2023
Braden River High graduates look to the future

Braden River High School celebrates the graduation of 385 students.

  • East County
  • Schools
The town of Longboat Key is hosting its annual disaster preparedness seminar on June 1.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 20, 2023
Longboat gears up for hurricane season with tips from local meteorologist

Town Manager Howard Tipton spoke with ABC7 Chief Meteorologist Bob Harrigan about preparing for the upcoming season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Police Department 2022 Officer of the Year Timothy Bales with Police Chief Rex Troche.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 20, 2023
From saving lives to hurricane IT support, SPD honors accomplishments

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche hands out sworn and civilian personnel awards during the department's annual awards ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Country Club residents Maria and Marty Fullam are members of Strings Con Brio. They joined the orchestra a few months after moving to Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 19, 2023
Strings Con Brio featured in Waterside Place's Sights and Sounds series

The all-volunteer string orchestra includes Lakewood Ranch residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mini Mustangs' Amir Phillips, Lakewood Ranch High School seniors Britlee Yant and Grace Kelly and Mini Mustangs' Savannah Cato celebrate as both the Mini Mustangs and the seniors are graduating on the same day.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2023
Mini Mustangs graduation a big moment for Lakewood Ranch High seniors

The pre-K graduation was held on the same day the seniors, who helped teach the Mini Mustangs, received their diplomas.

  • East County
  • Schools
Chef Sellner’s culinary journey includes a stint as chef de cuisine and executive sous chef at the Mar-a-Lago Club.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 19, 2023
Pascone’s chef loves taking diners on a culinary journey

From fried spaghetti to French cuisine inspiration, Pascone's Ristorante Executive Chef William Sellner’s culinary journey is anything but boring.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Out-of-Door Academy's Rhegan Duncombe smiles as she accepts her diploma from Deb Otey, the head of school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2023
Out-of-Door Academy graduates say goodbye to their 'home'

The 2023 graduates are ready to turn their tassels and take on next adventure.

  • East County
  • Schools
The all-white kitchen is enlivened with a colorful painting to add a cheerful note. A desk adds a secondary workspace.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • May 19, 2023
Country Club East home provides a perfect live/work balance

At Jeff and Katie Goldstein’s home in Country Club East, working from home has never looked — or felt — this good.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Andrea Saputo Cox steps into her role at Gold Coast during a challenging time in the industry.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 19, 2023
Saputo family reaches its fourth generation of beer wholesalers

Andrea Saputo Cox confidently steps into a leadership role at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.

  • East County
  • Business
    In Memoriam |
  • May 19, 2023
William I. Weiss, MD

Dr. William I. Weiss died on May 10, 2023, having just turned 101 years old.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
A conceptual drawing shows the location of the proposed new Sarasota Performing Arts Center at The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 19, 2023
Four firms remain in the running to design new arts center

The task force formed to select the architect for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center will bring four finalists to town for in-person presentations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The SPD Marine Patrol Unit is teaming up with Coast Guard Flotilla 84 to offer free boat inspections from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 20.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 18, 2023
Free boat safety inspections held Saturday at Centennial Park

The Sarasota Police Department Marine Patrol and Coast Guard Flotilla 84 urge safe boating by offering inspections at Centennial Park as summer approaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wesley Hoben, a Gene Witt Elementary School fourth grader, practices with a lasso.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 18, 2023
Gene Witt Elementary hosts Florida Field and Farm Days

Students received agriculture and history during the special event.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Cardinal Mooney beach volleyball program reached the FHSAA Final Four despite missing three key seniors.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 18, 2023
Despite loss, Cardinal Mooney beach volleyball ends season with 'miracle'

The Cougars reached the FHSAA Final Four while missing three seniors who were at graduation.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The unit 1204 condominium in The Residences at 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $2.5 million. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 3,582 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 18, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for May 1-5 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey Nokomis

A Sarasota condominium in The Residences tops the week’s sales at $2.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key firefighters jump into the water at Manatee County Marine Rescue headquarters.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 18, 2023
Longboat firefighters take the plunge for clean water

Longboat Key Fire Rescue personnel joined other area departments in Bradenton Beach in support of Islanders 4 Clean Water.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The conceptual vision plan for Sarasota Square.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 18, 2023
Developer reveals transformative plans for Sarasota Square mall

Torburn Partners is planning 1,200 apartments and 500,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and commercial space on the former mall site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Since starting her position as executive director a year ago, Adrienne Bookhamer has added new fundraising events.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 18, 2023
Homebuilders give back through nonprofit program

The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund’s Builders Give Back program raises valuable funds and awareness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 18, 2023
Get up close with elephants in one ranch’s conservation mission

Sanctuaries like Myakka Elephant Ranch provide a humane way to mingle with the world’s largest land animals. The experiences are filled with messaging about the plight of the smart, sensitive creatures.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
First-grader Skye Moore is assisted by Autumn McConnell, while first-grader Colton Boley works on an assignment, at Summer Success Institute.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 18, 2023
Sarasota summer learning programs keep students on track

The Summer Success Institute and Summer Learning Academies ensure students continue learning during the summer.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lisa Gilbert and Aubrie Stilwell admire the artwork.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 18, 2023
Art Center Sarasota turns its focus to students

North County K-12 Spring Art Show showcases the work of hundreds of students.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ronto Announces Plans to Develop The Owen Golden Gate Point in Downtown Sarasota
  • By Ronto
  • May 18, 2023
Ronto Announces Plans to Develop The Owen Golden Gate Point in Downtown Sarasota

Ronto has made reservations for residences at Owen Golden Gate Point available now. Six of the 29 residences have been reserved to date.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By RBB Communications
  • May 18, 2023
Strengthening the energy grid in Sarasota: FPL details local efforts to improve storm resiliency, overall service reliability

In 2023, FPL plans to make a number of upgrades in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By One Park Sarasota
  • May 18, 2023
One Park Sarasota is Committed to Raising the Benchmark of Luxury Living

One Park Sarasota development is primed to elevate luxury within Sarasota’s real estate market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lakewood Ranch High School's Sienna Zwizinski shows off her diploma.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High seniors move onto the next chapter

More than 600 students received their diplomas during graduation.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Peach's location on State Road 70 in Creekwood Crossing has reopened after a two-year hiatus.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 17, 2023
Peach’s in Creekwood Crossing reopens after nearly two years

The breakfast and lunch restaurant on State Road 70 was closed for nearly two years to the day because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Longboat’s hot topic: A garage
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 17, 2023
Longboat’s hot topic: A garage

More and more people are flocking to Florida. And they want restaurants where they can get in. Don’t worry. Longboat will be Longboat. Even better.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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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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