Your Observer

By Robert Plunket
May 5, 2023

Siesta Key property shares tales of two homes — one of which is legendary

Every house has a story or two to tell. But this home on Siesta Key has so many that it’s hard to tell where to begin.

Siesta Key
Real Estate

Lauren Tronstad
May 4, 2023

Longboat proclaims May as Jewish American Heritage Month

Town Commissioner BJ Bishop read the proclamation at the May 1 regular meeting.

Longboat Key
News

Ryan Kohn
May 4, 2023

A look at Sarasota-area spring football

As practice gets underway, here's one thing to watch for each area team during their spring games later this month.

Sarasota
Sports

Observer Staff
May 4, 2023

Man arrested in Sarasota for January murder in Bradenton

Sarasota Police and U.S. Marshals apprehend 24-year-old Dorian Brooks on multiple felonies.

Sarasota
News

Andrew Warfield
May 4, 2023

I-75 plans prioritize efficiency, safety while keeping up with growth

FDOT Director Wayne Gaither discussed goals and challenges of local highway planning during the State of the Community event.

Sarasota
News

Adam Hughes
May 4, 2023

Top residential real estate sales for April 17-21 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A condominium in The Vue tops the week’s sales at $4.5 million.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Andrew Warfield
May 4, 2023

Neighbors ask city to block construction of 18-story downtown condos

Bay Plaza residents tell commissioners that the planned 347-foot condo tower, Obsidian, is out of scale and is detrimental to the neighborhood.

Sarasota
News

Lauren Tronstad
May 4, 2023

FPL releases storm-ready tips ahead of hurricane season

Hurricane season starts June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30.

Longboat Key
News

Ryan Kohn
May 3, 2023

Playoff updates for Sarasota-area high school programs

Local teams and athletes in track and field, baseball, softball and beach volleyball are still alive.

Sarasota
Sports

Eric Snider
May 3, 2023

Save Our Seabirds takes off on expansion plans for the nonprofit

Aaron Virgin, the new CEO of Save our Seabirds, has big plans for the avian sanctuary.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Lesley Dwyer
May 3, 2023

Former Pepperidge Farm CEO is living her dream life on Bird Key

Irene Chang-Britt, the former CEO of Pepperidge Farm, shares her tales of success — and why retiring on Bird Key is the sweetest part.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Andrew Warfield
May 3, 2023

Woman called police after yelling at child for picking flowers at Payne Park

Bikers damaging a car, phantom spit and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

Sarasota
Cops Corner

By Letter to the Editor
May 3, 2023

A hero or an ogre?

A reader weighs in on the governor's battle with The Walt Disney Co.

Sarasota
Opinion

Ryan Kohn
May 3, 2023

As Lakewood Ranch has grown, so has Chargers youth soccer

The organization has brought joy to thousands of soccer players, with more growth ahead.

East County
Sports

Matt Walsh
May 3, 2023

He tried to fix the Navy

Thomas Modly’s new book, "Vectors," gives the untold context to what was a national controversy in 2020.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Liz Ramos
May 3, 2023

Opportunities bloom with Braden River Library's new sensory garden

Library staff plan to have story time, educational lessons and more in the sensory garden.

East County
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
May 3, 2023

Top residential real estate sales for April 17-21 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Manchester Bay home on Fair Oaks Place tops the week's sales at $3.7 million.

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Ryan Kohn
May 3, 2023

Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Rosemary Selke

The Cardinal Mooney sophomore won the girls 800-meter race at the Cougars' track and field district meet.

Sarasota
Sports

By Patricia Horwell
May 3, 2023

Longboat Key Historical Society gives new life to the past

The organization’s new location at Longboat Key’s Town Center will serve as a museum showcasing archives, artifacts and historical objects.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Jay Heater
May 3, 2023

Ed's Tavern to open a second location in Lakewood Ranch

The popular sports bar will open a 4,200-square-foot restaurant at the State Road 64 and Upper Manatee River Road intersection late this year.

Arts + Entertainment
Eat + Drink

Sidra Wali
May 3, 2023

Personal Chef Bruno Wu serves colorful cuisine to Longboat clients

Chef Bruno Wu has more than 200 clients in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Andrew Warfield
May 3, 2023

Sarasota Orchestra closes on $14 million site purchase on Fruitville

After acquiring its 32-acre site outside city limits, the Sarasota Orchestra begins planning for a new music hall campus.

Sarasota
News

Ian Swaby
May 3, 2023

Riverview High students express their artistic side with community mural

Students are expressing themselves artistically as they create a mural for a nearby homeowner that celebrates living in Sarasota.

Sarasota
Schools

Lauren Tronstad
May 3, 2023

Mote coral reef restoration to have far-reaching benefits

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium will use a $7 million grant from NOAA to lead restoration of Florida’s Coral Reef.

Longboat Key
News

Lauren Tronstad
May 3, 2023

Bayfront Park pickleball won't be getting more courts

A motion to restripe the only dedicated tennis court at Bayfront Park for pickleball use failed to gain support.

Longboat Key
News

Jay Heater
May 2, 2023

Lakewood Ranch businessman makes large-scale attack on weight loss

Rich Medford started the business Americas Wellness Group to combat obesity.

East County
Opinion

By Letter to the Editor
May 2, 2023

Pickleball needs to make room for other park activities

A Longboat yoga group believes that Bayfront Park needs a new system to manage pickleball traffic.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Lauren Tronstad
May 2, 2023

Meet Longboat Key’s new town manager

Longboat Key’s new town manager, Howard Tipton, measures the success of his weeks by the number of sunsets he gets to see.

Longboat Key
News

Liz Ramos
May 2, 2023

School experiences at ODA launch senior toward promising future

After an internship at Blake Hospital and positive experiences in science classes, Lakewood Ranch's Maria Shaw can't wait to work toward becoming a surgeon.

East County
Schools

Ian Swaby
May 2, 2023

Sarasota event on aging shows young attendees a new point of view

Participants at the International Intergenerational Event tried on the Sarasota Aging Sensitivity Suit, which simulates being in your late 70s or early 80s.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 2, 2023

Celery Fields rewilding project wins $75,000 grant

The grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation will bring wildlife back to the 33-acre conservation easement.

Sarasota
News

Adam Hughes
May 2, 2023

Top residential real estate sales for April 17-21 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Daysailor Trail tops the week's sales at $2,975,000.

East County
Real Estate

Eric Snider
May 2, 2023

Siesta Key Rum dives into more success with its recent release

Siesta Key Rum recently released the second batch of a limited-edition label in recognition of the celebrated Siesta Key lifeguard "Scooter of the Beach."