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Your Observer

A rendering of the proposed second Ritz-Carlton Residences tower along the boat basin in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 15, 2023
Planning Board tables Ritz-Carlton Residences plan for The Quay

Concerns over impact on Belle Haven and the recreational trail cause Ritz-Carlton Residences II developer to request continuance for its proposed 78-condo tower on Blocks 7 and 8.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Barbara Brizdle holds her twin dogs, Moxi and Mazy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 14, 2023
Temple Emanu-El offers its blessing to pets

The Sarasota temple hosted its annual Pet Shabbat/Blessing of the Animals event on May 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
MeteorEYES members George Bikos and Shannon Fortner, executive director and founder of the Fabulous Arts Foundation, at the Be Fabulous Music & Arts Fest on May 14, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 14, 2023
FabAF festival brings community together

The annual Pride: Be Fabulous Music & Arts Fest celebrates the local LGBTQ+ community and encourages activism and fostering change through the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 14, 2023
County reinstates full Economic Development Corp. funding, for now

With new leadership and a new board, county commissioners decided to give the EDC one year to prove itself — or risk a funding cut.

  • Sarasota
  • News
FLC Director of Field Advocacy & Federal Affairs Scott Dudley, Holmes Beach Commissioner Terry Schaefer, Commissioner BJ Bishop, North Port Commissioner Debbie McDowell, FLC President Jolien Carraballo, Sarasota Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, Venice Mayor Nick Pachota
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 14, 2023
Mayor Schneier, Commissioner Bishop win awards for advocacy efforts

The Longboat Key town government officials received Home Rule Hero awards from the Florida League of Cities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unusually large flocks of black skimmers, imperiled due to habitat loss and degradation as result of coastal development, found refuge in Myakka River State Park this winter.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • May 14, 2023
Native wildlife, plants thrive as result of seasonal low water levels at Myakka

Shorebirds, including imperiled species such as black skimmers, benefit from ongoing efforts to restore natural hydrology in the park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Virgina Leon, Kakali Banerjee, Karen Pashkow
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 13, 2023
Longboat Harbour hosts Kentucky Derby Party

Residents got together to watch the derby with barbecue and mint juleps.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Temple Emanu-El Mitzvah Day project captain Merryl Koven and Alexandra Marcus laugh together as they play with an adoptable dog at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue.
  • By Elaine Glickman
  • May 13, 2023
Temple Emanu-El celebrates Mitzvah Day at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue

Temple Emanu-El congregants volunteered at at the Lakewood Ranch animal rescue for Mitzvah Day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Most attendees at the Paradise Center's end-of-season party wore festive hats in honor of the Kentucky Derby.
    By
  • James Peter
  • May 13, 2023
Paradise Center hosts members for season’s send-off party

The event was a special thank-you to members for their continued support.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mary Beth Rempp, a member of the Palm Aire Women's Club, says the grant the women's club gave to Valerie Green and Erline Constant with the Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County will go toward recruiting and training more health counselors.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2023
Palm Aire Women's Club donates to Sarasota, Manatee nonprofits

Grants from the women's club went to six nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Currier, Jeff Kahn, and Laritha Burks
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 12, 2023
Consulting service seeks to empower at-home caregivers

Two certified nursing assistants have launched Senior Consulting & Staff Support, whose goal is to offer caregivers the resources they need to keep seniors at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
    In Memoriam |
  • May 12, 2023
Richard (Rick) Raymond Williams

Richard (Rick) Raymond Williams (almost 95 years around the sun!) of Longboat Key, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2023 surrounded by family and friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The ice rink was a big draw for kids at the 2022 St. Armands Circle Winter Spectacular.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 12, 2023
City asks neighbors' opinion on the return of St. Armands winter fest

Residents can email their opinions through June 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2023
Talk law enforcement with police over a cup of coffee

The Sarasota Police Department will host its next Coffee with a Cop on May 18 at a downtown McDonald's.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota promotes new county attorney from within
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2023
Sarasota promotes new county attorney from within

Assistant County Attorney Josh Moye will succeed the retiring Rick Elbrecht on June 12.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sailors senior Addisyn Schwied singles up the middle during a scrimmage.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 11, 2023
Sarasota softball credits lights-out season to team chemistry

The Sailors are 20-4 and won their district championship game 5-3 over Lakewood Ranch High.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch residents Sophia Siegrist and Zoe Hackwelder enjoy ice pops and a laugh.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 11, 2023
Ranch Nite Wednesdays wrapping up in Waterside Place

May 31 is the last event of the season until Ranch Nite Wednesdays return in October.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Carrie and Ken Cox restored the Eagle House.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 11, 2023
Heritage Awards highlight where history lives in the community

Sarasota residents have been at work preserving historic structures and collections that embody the area's history.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A sign announcing construction of the second Ritz Carlton Residences tower in The Quay will begin soon.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 11, 2023
Downtown luxury condo supply remains shy of demand

Although more than 600 units are planned or under development in Sarasota, the influx of buyers from across the country, many of them paying cash, still outpaces development.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A home in Roberts, Nokomis tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $3.35 million. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, four baths and 2,696 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 11, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for April 24-28 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis, Osprey

A home in Nokomis tops all transactions in this week's real estate at $3.35 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Daniel Hernandez and Mayor Kyle Battie
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 11, 2023
Second grader becomes mayor of Sarasota for a day

Mayor Kyle Battie showed second grade student Daniel Hernandez how local government works.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lincoln Avenue Capital employee Alex Wood, Deputy County Administrator Courtney De Pol, Commissioner George Kruse, LAC Vice President Jordan Richter, Affordable Housing Coordinator Rowena Elliott and LAC Director of Development Brandon Hodge commemorate the groundbreaking on an affordable housing project in Bradenton.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 10, 2023
Updated incentives could bring affordable housing to east Bradenton

The Livable Manatee Incentive Program works to benefit builders and residents.

  • East County
  • News
Peter Moore, a Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living resident and Navy veteran, and Darryl Fisher, the founder and president of Dream Flights, are ready to take to the skies in a Boeing-Stearman biplane.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 10, 2023
Lakewood Ranch veterans take to the skies during Dream Flight

Nine Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living residents fly over Sarasota in a Boeing-Stearman biplane.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The proposed RV park includes 130 sites, no extended stays, a queuing area, a clubhouse and bathhouse.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 10, 2023
Proposed RV park on Lorraine Road concerns Lakewood Ranch residents

The proposed RV park includes 130 sites, no extended stays, a queuing area, clubhouse and bathhouse.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering of One Park, which is planned to span across Quay Commons on blocks 1 and 9 in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 10, 2023
Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement reopens One Park investigation

One day after the state investigating agency concluded no evidence of a crime in a contact between an investor and planning board member, it has reopened the case after receiving 'new evidence.'

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Club will hold Mother's Day brunch at the Harbourside Ballroom and Latitude on May 14.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 10, 2023
Mother's Day brunch at Longboat Key Club promises to delight

A variety of brunch options await members of the Longboat Key Club on May 14.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Grant's Gardens will have a wider reach with the merging of the company with Stewart's Landscape Management clientele.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 10, 2023
Sarasota landscaper Grant's Gardens expands reach, clientele with merger

After nearly 44 years of operations, Stewart Landscape Management owner Jeb Stewart's employees and clients will become a part of the Grant's Gardens family.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Former acting Navy secretary goes behind the scenes of his book: ‘Vectors’
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 10, 2023
Former acting Navy secretary goes behind the scenes of his book: ‘Vectors’

Thomas Modly explains the birth of his book and how politics thwarts progress and innovation in the Navy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
An important conviction for all Sarasota
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • May 10, 2023
An important conviction for all Sarasota

The Sarasota County Democratic Party chair calls for a denouncement of the Proud Boys.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Caleb Bradley.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 10, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Caleb Bradley

The Sarasota High track and field senior holds the school record in the boys 200-meter dash.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Al "Mifflin" Lowe, author, recently published "Forgotten Founders."
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 10, 2023
Longboat author celebrates unsung historical figures in children's books

Al "Mifflin" Lowe's most recently published book, "Forgotten Founders," delves into the American Revolution.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The third annual Downtown Sarasota Spring Craft Fair was held May 6-7 at Central Avenue and First Street.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 10, 2023
Artists display their creativity at Downtown Sarasota Spring Craft Fair

Local vendors were present at the fair, which also brought artists from afar.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home, with six-bedrooms and six-and-a-half baths, at 596 Outrigger Lane on Longboat Key sold for $6,995,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 10, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for April 24-28 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Longboat home on Outrigger Lane tops the week's sales at $7 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Late-night fisherman vandalizes 'no fishing' sign on Siesta Drive Bridge
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 10, 2023
Late-night fisherman vandalizes 'no fishing' sign on Siesta Drive Bridge

A man broke off a no fishing sign and tossed it into Sarasota Bay while yelling at passing cars. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Timmy Sulkowski.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 10, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Timmy Sulkowski

The Lakewood Ranch Little League baseball player had strong pitching and hitting performances May 1-2.

  • East County
  • Sports
The conceptual drawing for The Bay master plan includes a site for a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center, shaded in purple.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 10, 2023
Funding secured, The Bay embarks on planning park's next phase

With the city and county approving $4 million, work is underway on the project's $67 million second phase, focusing on the public boat launch area on the north side of the park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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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