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Your Observer

Sarasota County's planned shuttle service between downtown and SRQ would utilize trolley-like vehicles every 20 to 30 minutes.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 25, 2023
SRQ-to-downtown shuttle service to begin before year's end

Sarasota County sets the fares for a new trolley route that will serve the airport and five stops downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 25, 2023
Elected officials in Manatee County receive raises as population grows

Salaries for elected officials in non-charter Florida counties are tied to population.

  • East County
  • News
Jason Bearden
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 25, 2023
Public invited to discuss key issues with Manatee commissioner

Commissioner Jason Bearden says he is willing to talk about issues including the reduction of wetland protections over coffee in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Emma Weyant was named fifth-most popular swimmer in the U.S. by SwimOutlet.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 25, 2023
Sarasota-area alumni excel in college sports fall season

These athletes are representing Sarasota well on a wide range of playing fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bradenton's Cymia Martin is selling cups, tumblers and mugs at Kids Mart.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 25, 2023
Young entrepreneurs sell their arts and crafts at Kids Mart

Children ages 5-14 are starting their own businesses and will be selling their arts and crafts at Braden River Library's Kids Mart on Nov. 4.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Unit 204 condominium at 1115 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $1,275,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 25, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 9-13 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Beachplace tops the week's sales at $1.28 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Karon Family Pavilion is the center of the green space that creates a "park-like atmosphere" at the town center.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 25, 2023
Town to unveil Town Center Green pavilion, looking ahead at new library

The $800,000 Karon Family Pavilion stands at the center of the "park-like atmosphere" envisioned for Phase 2 of Longboat Key's Town Center Green project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Phantom loogie claim appears all wet
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2023
Phantom loogie claim appears all wet

Police find no evidence of spittle in an ongoing dispute between two teen girls. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
There was fun for all ages at The Bay's celebration of its first year.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 25, 2023
The Bay celebrates its first anniversary

With planning for future phases underway, the Bay Park Conservancy throws a birthday party for Sarasota's signature park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kim Verreault, new president of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 25, 2023
What's next for the Longboat Key Chamber? Ask the new president.

The Longboat Key chamber's new leader is ready to make a difference. "I love the opportunity to lead within a community and be able to make a difference for many," Kim Verreault says.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Operator Tia Brand has worked at the Sarasota County Sheriff's Department call center for 14 years.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 25, 2023
Sarasota County emergency dispatch handles callers' worst days every day

For 911 dispatchers, the shifts are long, calls are tough, and the pressure’s on.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High junior Ben Skaggs.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 25, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ben Skaggs

The Riverview High junior is having a breakout cross-country season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Every day is a Chamber of Commerce Day
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • October 25, 2023
Every day is a Chamber of Commerce Day

Much more than networking and mixers, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is making an economic impact on our community by focusing on key issues, such as affordable housing and workforce development.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Anais Zambaux, Lance Karp, DeWayne Hill and Sheriff Kurt Hoffman. The SAL received a $25,000 donation from the Culverhouse family.
    By
  • James Peter
  • October 24, 2023
Charity auction raises money to support at-risk Sarasota youth

The Sheriff’s Activities League mentors Sarasota County youth and enables them to explore careers in law enforcement.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The drug drop box at SPD headquarters is available year-round.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2023
Discard expired, unwanted medications Oct. 28 at Sarasota Police HQ

Unused and unwanted solid forms of prescriptions are encouraged to be dropped off at the Sarasota Police Department headquarters for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
REI Co-op announced earlier that year that it planned to open a store in the UTC area.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 24, 2023
Outdoor retailer REI sets mid-November opening at UTC

The Seattle-based outdoor gear and clothing brand's other store on the west coast of Florida is in Tampa.

  • East County
  • Business
Longboat Key news reporter and recent environmental studies graduate Carter Weinhofer tries out iNaturalist at Quick Point Nature Preserve.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 24, 2023
Smartphone app helps users enjoy Longboat's natural environment

An environmental studies graduate-turned-journalist tries his hand at the iNaturalist biodiversity survey in Quick Point Nature Preserve.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Baby Basics of Sarasota County provides diapers, wipes and books to parents in need.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 24, 2023
Sarasota community helps provide the 'bear' necessities at fashion show

The annual luncheon for Baby Basics of Sarasota County helped provide essentials to families in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High graduate Ashley Pater, a freshman at the University of Southern California, helped the Trojans win a fourth-state NCAA Championship.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 24, 2023
Former East County high school athletes excel at next level

These five alums are continuing the success they started with their local playing careers.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 24, 2023
Manatee County tops Florida's most frugal list in getting voters to polls

Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett says he knows how to trim the fat.

  • East County
  • News
This Country Club home at 7217 Pasadena Glen sold for $2.65 million. It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a pool and 5,282 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 24, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 9-13 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Pasadena Glen tops the week's sales at $2.65 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Linda Krysinski, Manager at Foxy Lady
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 24, 2023
What to wear for fall, according to St. Armands Circle boutiques

With jackets and sweaters on the way, it's time for light layering, a color palette swap and some western wear.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Car left running raises suspicions, prompting Longboat Police investigation
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 24, 2023
Car left running raises suspicions, prompting Longboat Police investigation

A concerned citizen reported a car that had been left on all night in a residential driveway. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Gillespie Park currently has three Little Free Library book exchange boxes.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 24, 2023
Neighborhood rift means no grant for Gillespie Park

The requested replacement of three Little Free Libraries is the casualty of an ongoing battle for neighborhood association supremacy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the proposed One Park in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 23, 2023
Judge rules against One Park plan

Hunter Carroll rules air rights above Quay Commons must be conveyed to the The Quay master association per the general development plan.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Amanda Hiney and her 5-year-old daughter Brynlee stopped along the path for a game of tic-tac-toe.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 23, 2023
Halloween path tells kids 'witch' way to go in Lakewood Ranch

Peace Presbyterian Church offers a not-so-scary hike for area children.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brian Walton during his first week of new executive director of Save Our Seabirds
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 23, 2023
Save Our Seabirds' new exec to lead build-out of campus and avian hospital

Brian Walton started his first nonprofit when he was 16 years old. "Nonprofit work is all I have done," he says.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
John Archer rode his electric bike to town hall to donate blood on Oct. 20.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 23, 2023
Longboat celebrates Florida City Government Week with giant shredder

The events included a vaccine clinic, a field trip from Anna Maria Elementary School, a shredding party and a blood drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Reverend David Marshall and Rabbi Stephen Sniderman blessing Nina and Marc Schreiber's dogs Stella and Jack
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 23, 2023
All Angels Church, Temple Beth Israel host annual Blessing of the Animals

The two neighboring congregations partnered to celebrate pets and build community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Justice Thornton, a Manatee Technical College baking and pastry arts student, slices kiwis and strawberries.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2023
MTC students prepare for Suncoast Food and Wine Fest

Baking and pastry arts students get a real-world experience baking desserts for a Lakewood Ranch staple event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Phoenix Scanlan, Sabrina DiRubba, Emily Storm, Sierra Yeomans and Emma Albert have all contributed to the Mustangs' success in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 23, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High girls golfers say the future is now

The Mustangs look like a state title contender even though they are relying on inexperienced players.

  • East County
  • Sports
The five-year plan includes a replacement of the current Station 11 along Wauchula Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 23, 2023
New fire station rated for major hurricane approved for Myakka City

Willis Smith will start construction on the new station in November.

  • East County
  • News
Nathaniel Gruhl and Hayden Wilding were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 23, 2023
Two Sarasota High students named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Only 16,000 students out of 1.3 million nationwide earned the honor.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Drone pictures from August 2023 show the St. Regis Longboat Key making progress ahead of its expected March 2024 completion.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 22, 2023
New St. Regis manager hopes resort will be ‘Longboat’s living room’

Winfred Van Workum sheds light on the service and amenities needed to make it a Forbes Five-Star property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy freshman Daniel Valderrama has built a bond with second grader Vladimir Bruges.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 22, 2023
East County school buddies share important lessons

The partnerships have proven valuable in learning lessons about responsibility and communication.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sue Wertman and Karen Gardiner
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 22, 2023
The Paradise Center raises over $1,000 for breast cancer research

Walkers covered 3 miles, received massages and enjoyed charming company at the annual breast cancer walk.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
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