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Your Observer

Town rules only cover size of docks and permanent structures.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 18, 2023
State bill delays Longboat Key ordinance aimed at tighter canal regulations

The town was ready to propose an ordinance to address canal navigability concerns, but Florida Senate Bill 250 put things on pause.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Payne Park Connector will link the Legacy Trail to the Ringling Trail along Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 18, 2023
City to share Payne Park-Legacy Trail connector details

A public information meeting will be held Oct. 26.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The invincibly ignorant
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 18, 2023
The invincibly ignorant

The antisemitic protesters are so brainwashed that truth and evidence make no difference. Have faith: "Remnants" will prevail.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
‘Live Local’ will help affordability — a bit
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • October 18, 2023
‘Live Local’ will help affordability — a bit

The lack of affordably priced housing, especially rental housing near wage-earner jobs, remains one of Sarasota’s most vexing economic and social challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 17, 2023
Longboat Bayfront Park pickleball courts close temporarily for resurfacing

The shared courts at Bayfront Park remain open for play.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Rye Wilderness Estates at 16503 First Drive N.E. sold for $1.7 million. It has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,875 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 17, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 2-6 in Lakewood Ranch

A Rye Wilderness Estates home on First Drive Northeast tops the week's sales at $1.7 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sarasota County Mosquito Management patrols the entire county with a full-time crew of 20 and 11 more seasonal workers, treating for larvae and adult populations.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2023
Mosquito-borne illness warning issued for Sarasota County

A single case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
East County's Ellie Blitz and her horse, Gunner, look forward to improving at Western dressage and continuing to volunteer at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 17, 2023
East Bradenton teen forms winning partnership with American paint horse

Gunner, an 8-year-old American paint horse, has excelled both in dressage and helping with therapy at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ellenton's Barbara Bostrom, the niece of Gilbert McNeal, Lakewood Ranch's Jessica Chmielarski, the granddaughter of McNeal, and Dylan and Michael Chmielarski, the great-grandsons of McNeal, celebrate his legacy at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School's 20th anniversary.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 17, 2023
McNeal Elementary School celebrates 20th anniversary

Teachers, students and administrators, past and present, celebrate 20 years of learning and making memories.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ron Scott has no typical day as Longboat Key's security analyst, but his main focus is to enhance the town's cybersecurity.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 17, 2023
Longboat’s first security analyst protects town government from online threats

Ron Scott brings more than two decades of IT experience to help bolster the town’s online security.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Warren paints at his live art show at Wyland Galleries on Oct 14.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 17, 2023
Grammy-winning artist talks fantasy surrealism at live art show

Jim Warren, who painted the cover for Bob Seger's "Against the Wind," was at Wyland Galleries on St. Armands Circle to meet fans and show his artwork.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Two women with a cat in a stroller raise police suspicions
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 17, 2023
Two women with a cat in a stroller raise police suspicions

An officer asked questions after seeing the group walking down a road in the middle of the night. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
An overhead view of a spinal surgery using Augmedics' xvision augmented reality technology.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 17, 2023
AR technology offers 'X-ray vision' for spinal surgery at SMH

The future of spinal surgery is in use at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This sign hangs along County Road 675. Resident groups regularly band together to attend commission meetings to prevent development east of the Future Development Area Boundary.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 17, 2023
Manatee studies cost of moving county boundary on future development

Commissioners vary whether to hold the Future Area Development Boundary, get rid of it or move it east.

  • East County
  • News
Blaze Belligan with Sarasota County Fire Station 11 prepped sample cups of their sweet chili.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 17, 2023
Fire departments bring heat to chili cook-off with unique recipes, booths

The Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook-Off gave local fire departments the opportunity to showcase chili recipes and creativity.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brian Walton, new executive director of Save Our Seabirds, introduces himself to guests at For the Birds.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 16, 2023
Save Our Seabirds introduces new executive director at fundraising event

Brian Walton made his first community appearance at For the Birds and is excited for a new era of Save Our Seabirds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River sophomore Molly Horalek (16), sophomore Mia McGuire (7), senior Riley Hinkle (9), junior Morgan Beane (13) and junior Baylee Hinkle (15) celebrate a win over ODA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 16, 2023
Braden River High volleyball has its eyes on third-straight district title

The Pirates overcame the loss of a senior leader to finish the regular season 18-6.

  • East County
  • Sports
The 27th Annual Phil Galvano Golf Classic was held at the Longboat Key Club and Resort on Oct. 13.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 16, 2023
Phil Galvano Classic golf tournament fundraises for Manatee schools

The sold-out charity tournament brought golfers together with food, drinks and games at Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Help protect imperiled plants like pine lilies, as well as their sensitive ecosystems, by leaving blooms in place, and minimizing our direct and indirect impact on their habitats.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 16, 2023
Pine lilies thrive thanks to fire

These imperiled flowers are important indicators of health for Florida habitats.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Truly Valued serves about 300 children a year.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 16, 2023
Manatee County nonprofit teaches students skills to succeed in school and life

Truly Valued will host its annual fundraising event, Taste of New Orleans, on Oct. 28 at Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Crowned king and queen, Mason Kramer and Emily D'Agostino lead the 2022 Buddy Walk.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 16, 2023
Manasota BUDS to host 21st Buddy Walk

The Buddy Walk takes place on Oct. 28 at Bayside Community Church’s Lakewood Ranch campus.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County's OnDemand service could cover all of Longboat Key under an agreement with Manatee County.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 16, 2023
Town provides updates on extended bus service, new library

A joint meeting between Longboat Key and Sarasota County officials also included details on the St. Armands pump system failure during Hurricane Idalia.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Circus Arts Conservatory will be one of the many arts organizations showcased in "A Celebration of Youth," the closing performance of Sarasota Rising's first Living Arts Festival on Sunday, Nov. 17.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • October 16, 2023
How the arts power Sarasota's economy

Local growth in arts spending has outpaced national levels by 25% since 2015, a new study finds.

  • Arts + Culture
With so many things to do at the Pumpkin Festival, almost 2-year-old Jameela Williams plays with a flag. Her family was traveling from Tampa back to Sunrise, so they made a pit stop at Hunsader Farms.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 15, 2023
Hunsader Pumpkin Festival opens for its 32nd year

The pumpkin festival runs every weekend through the end of the month in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden Woods' Kathy Varsalona participates in Braden River Library's rock painting class. She's been painting rocks at home to hide in her neighborhood for the past year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 15, 2023
Braden River Library hosts rock painting class for adults

Participants spread joy to others through messages and images on painted rocks.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
University Park's Ronni Loundy and Eileen Cantarella, the co-chairs of Answer to Cancer SRQ, are raising $100,000 this year for research that is exploring the relationship with aging and metastatic breast cancer.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 15, 2023
University Park duo works to raise money for American Cancer Society

Ronni Loundy and Eileen Cantarella's team, Answer to Cancer SRQ, is working to raise $100,000 this year for cancer research.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Seychelle Webster (4) has been competing in SUP races since 2014, of both the sprint and distance variety.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 15, 2023
Stand-up paddler celebrates the sport at Benderson Park

Seychelle Webster, a Guinness World Record holder, won sprint and distance events at the 2023 ICF World Cup.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 14, 2023
High school football roundup: Week eight

As programs prepare for the regular season's final stretch, area teams head in different directions.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Rams junior James Griffitts (20) wraps up a CAI ballcarrier.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 14, 2023
Riverview High football loses to Clearwater Academy International on last-second score

The Rams held a 33-14 lead in the fourth quarter but lost 35-33 after the Knights' comeback.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Rise Up Cafe is located at 1534 State St.
    By
  • James Peter
  • October 13, 2023
Rebranded cafe opens downtown, rolling out 50 new ice cream recipes

Rise Up Cafe challenges New Yorkers to put the Sarasota eatery’s bagels to the taste test.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens decorated its Historic Spanish Point Campus in Osprey for its annual Lights at Spooky Point event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 13, 2023
Selby brings Halloween to Little Sarasota Bay with Lights at Spooky Point

Spooky scenes are all around at Selby Gardens' Historic Spanish Point campus.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 13, 2023
Will Manatee County commissioners' wetlands decision impact 2024 election?

One commissioner suggests that it is mostly Democrats who oppose decision to decrease wetland buffers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lynn Meder is the owner of Uniquely Yours in Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 13, 2023
Jewelry store Uniquely Yours opens in Myakka City

The shop sells handcrafted jewelry, hats, bird feeders and anything owner Lynn Meder is inspired to create.

  • East County
  • Business
The breezeway over Quay Commons in the proposed One Park development. A transfer of air rights to the developer is being challenged in 12th Judicial Circuit Court.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 13, 2023
Planning Board rejects One Park amendment request

A 3-1 vote recommends City Commission denial of a change that would allow the condo tower to span Quay Commons.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's “Soul & Sass” concert will be held Oct. 22.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 12, 2023
Eat, drink, dance at The Bay's upcoming anniversary party

The park's five-day lineup includes former Journey lead singer Steve Augeri and cuisine from premier Sarasota restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Deadly cost of appeasing
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 12, 2023
Deadly cost of appeasing

Because of Presidents Obama and Biden’s evasion of the facts — e.g. Putin’s stated objective to retake Ukraine and Iran’s objective to destroy Israel — we now have what we have: death, destruction and war.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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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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