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Your Observer

Angelina Van Slyck learns the rules of the road at McNeal Elementary School on Oct. 28 during Manatee County's Mobility Week.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 31, 2023
Manatee County promotes safe transportation for Mobility Week

A special event at McNeal Elementary School presented information on various transportation topics.

  • East County
  • News
Small dogs playing in large dog area of Bayfront Park sparks citizen dispute
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 31, 2023
Small dogs playing in large dog area of Bayfront Park sparks citizen dispute

Two dog owners at Bayfront Park got into a yelling match over not keeping their dogs on the right side of the park. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
ODA sophomore running back Allen Clark (17) runs through an attempted tackle by All Saints' Academy sophomore Jaelen Randall (6).
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 30, 2023
The Out-of-Door Academy makes big push in football playoffs

The Thunder used a touchdown run by a lineman to beat All Saints' Academy on Oct. 27.

  • East County
  • Sports
Florida elected officials pose on the Navy Steps of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House on Oct. 19.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 30, 2023
Florida League of Cities strike team takes on DC to lobby for local issues

Longboat Key Commissioner at-large BJ Bishop was one of about 50 Florida elected officials that participated in the lobbying trip to Washington, D.C.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Carol Edwards serves soup during the 2022 Empty Bowls fundraiser that benefits Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 30, 2023
Empty Bowls fundraiser takes a bite out of hunger

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee's annual event, which will be held Nov. 3, provides funds for The Food Bank of Manatee.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
AG Lafley helped lead the formation of the Bay Park Conservancy and the opening of the first phase of The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 30, 2023
Founding CEO returns to helm of Bay Park Conservancy

AG Lafley replaces Stephanie Crockatt, who stepped down after five months on the job.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The YMCA brand in Sarasota dates back to 1945.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 30, 2023
Sarasota has a YMCA again, behind nonprofit merger announcement

A no-quit group of volunteers and deep-pocketed donors, paired with some like-minded nonprofit executives, rejoice over the news Sarasota is no longer a city without a Y.

  • Sarasota
  • News
People dancing at Oktoberfest at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 30, 2023
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church celebrates Oktoberfest

The church threw this annual event filled with dancing, food and authentic German traditions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Laurie Fevrier, an eighth grader at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, can't wait to show her artwork for the first time at the Manatee River Artists Guild at Waterlefe Art and Craft Show and Sale.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 30, 2023
Local students to display artwork at Manatee River Artists Guild show

Freedom Elementary and Haile Middle students will present their work in the annual art show for the first time.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kimberly Knox leading Lunch and Learn at the Holistic Healing and Wellness Center of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 30, 2023
Local chef teaches Longboaters the importance of eating clean foods

Kimberly Knox hosts a luncheon at the wellness center demonstrating a recipe from her cookbook and the science behind why what ingredients we put in our bodies matters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Naomi Hinckley and Eloise Friedman
    By
  • James Peter
  • October 29, 2023
Sarasota students sell friendship bracelets to support Israel

Eloise Friedman and Naomi Hinckley have raised more than $1,400 for relief efforts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Boo Run is invaded by zombie cheerleaders Morgan Ross and McKenna White of Lakewood Ranch. While the both were set to run, Ross said, "It doesn't mean I'm good at it."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 28, 2023
Twentieth Boo Run in Lakewood Ranch continues to make a difference

The annual race raises funds for the Another Day for Gray Foundation and the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Headless Horseman haunts the Sarasota Polo Club grounds.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 28, 2023
'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' returns to Sarasota Polo Club

The Headless Horseman rides again in Lakewood Ranch to get people in the Halloween spirit.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club planted and maintains a garden behind Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 28, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Garden Club emphasizes uniqueness of Florida

Club President Anita Machlin says the club's programming is meant to educate and entertain.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mike and Tara Warmuth and Terry and Madeleine Eagle dress up as characters from "The Addams Family." The foursome attended BooFest dressed as Teletubbies last year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 28, 2023
BooFest lowers the boom for fun at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Thousands attended the annual fright night on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brenda Spatt walked Sarasota's Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2022, in honor of her son, Leo Michael Puhaly.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 28, 2023
Veterans Day parade set for downtown Sarasota

The parade route will run along Main Street from Osprey Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 28, 2023
High school football roundup: Week 10

Five area teams get key wins as the end of the FHSAA regular season approaches — and the SSAA playoffs begin.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA sophomore running back Allen Clark (17) runs through an attempted tackle by All Saints' Academy sophomore Jaelen Randall (6).
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 28, 2023
ODA football downs All Saints' Academy in SSAA quarterfinals

After weeks of struggles, the Thunder found its offense in a 42-28 win.

  • East County
  • Sports
Costume contest at the Halloween Happy Hour at Seaplace Condominiums
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 27, 2023
Seaplace spices up Halloween with fun costumes

Condominium residents outdid themselves at their annual Halloween party with their creative costumes and bright spirits.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man arrested in Sarasota on multiple drug charges
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 27, 2023
Man arrested in Sarasota on multiple drug charges

The charges include possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Earl Larson, Brian and Natalie Davis
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 27, 2023
All Angels Church welcomes snowbirds back to Longboat

Its annual welcome-back street party included local food, fellowship and excitement for the upcoming season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The new K-8 school will have a two-story elementary building, a one-story middle school building and a capacity of approximately 1,620 students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 27, 2023
Design unveiled for new K-8 school in Lakewood Ranch

The Manatee County school will include a two-story elementary building, a one-story middle school building and agriculture facilities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tara Pavgouzas feels right at home as Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department's new Logistics Officer.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 27, 2023
Longboat Fire Rescue’s new logistics manager to help improve efficiency

Tara Pavgouzas brings almost three decades of experience as a police officer in Philadelphia.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of the city's "one-stop shop" for building services scheduled for completion in summer 2024.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 27, 2023
City's 'one-stop shop' for developments takes step closer to completion

The new building brings the city of Sarasota's public works, engineering and code enforcement under one roof.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police chase following discharged firearm ends in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 26, 2023
Police chase following discharged firearm ends in Lakewood Ranch

The suspect fired a weapon in a Walmart parking lot in Punta Gorda and then fled until being captured just off State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
Trader Joe's held a grand opening Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at University Town Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 26, 2023
Trader Joe's opens at University Town Center

The popular grocery store chain held a grand opening Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Business
Leo Kissling with the rescued brown pelican.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 26, 2023
Young pelican rescued from fishing line on Longboat Key

Longboat Key residents and members of several environmental groups teamed up to help a pelican entangled in fishing line.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota High senior quarterback Johnny Squitieri threw for 245 yards and a touchdown against Southeast High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 26, 2023
Sarasota High football wants to build on first win under new coach

The Sailors are 1-7 after a 25-6 win over Southeast High on Oct. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A home in Avondale tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a pool and 2,284 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 26, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 9-13 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

An Avondale home on Lincoln Drive tops the week's sales at $2.75 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Various unusual phenomena, including repeated electrical issues and gusts of cold air, have been observed at The Gator Club, said manager Josh Hojnacki.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 26, 2023
Where to find the ghosts in Sarasota

Theatrical specters, drink-pouring apparitions, a ghost dog and more are said to haunt these historic Sarasota sites.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Leslie Richards and Deb Anderson of Lakewood Ranch say they haven't played a match on hard courts in years. They oppose hard courts being built at Premier Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 26, 2023
Will Premier Park tennis courts in Lakewood Ranch be hard on the body?

Lakewood Ranch-area tennis players say Manatee County shouldn't build hard-surface tennis courts.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sophia Rios sings in the performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 26, 2023
Music Compound rocks out with tribute to 'The Dark Side of the Moon'

A performance by students and instructors covered the Pink Floyd album from start to finish.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Blackburn Point Park has one of Sarasota County's 13 motorized boat launches.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 26, 2023
Proposed charter boat permit program doesn't leave the dock

A bid to regulate commercial operations in Sarasota County parks stalled as commissioners seek a compromise.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The map shows parcels owned by Benderson Development entities on both sides of Ocean Boulevard in Siesta Village.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 26, 2023
New 210-room, 85-foot-tall hotel proposed for Siesta Key

Benderson Development seeks an amendment to the comprehensive plan to greenlight high-intensity hotels on the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
  • By RONTO
  • October 26, 2023
Ronto Announces Approval for The Owen Golden Gate Point in Downtown Sarasota

Pre-construction pricing starts from $2.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
  • By Cresswind Lakewood Ranch
  • October 26, 2023
Cresswind Lakewood Ranch Offers an Active 55 + Lifestyle for New Home Buyers

The only actively selling active-adult community in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
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Latest News

1
University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
  • June 3, 2026
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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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Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service
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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
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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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Collin Purcell, Katie Blackwell and Brian Ott bring back the feel-good era of folk music in "Leaving on a Jet Plane."
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