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Your Observer

Kids can sit in the driver's seat of big tractors and trucks at the 27th annual Big Truck Day.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 21, 2023
Big trucks on display at CoolToday Park

Get behind the wheel of some big rigs at the 27th Annual Big Truck Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cheryl Taub, local artist, has a master's in art education and has been creating art all her life.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 21, 2023
Town exhibit showcases work from local artists

The seventh annual Artists’ Reception at Longboat Key Town Hall was the largest one yet.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Curtis Luck drives the ball off the No. 18 hole at Lakewood National. Luck shot 1 over par during the first round of the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 20, 2023
Three tied for Suncoast Classic lead after first round

Logan McAllister, Jackson Suber and Patrick Cover all shoot 8-under at the Korn Ferry Tour at Lakewood National Golf Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mary Lou Johnson, chair, Aaron Virgin, CEO, and Judy Kozlowski
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 20, 2023
Save Our Seabirds soirée breaks records

The 2023 Sunset Soirée benefiting Bird Key-based nonprofit Save Our Seabirds exceeded previous attendance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A home in Bay Island tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $3.55 million. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths, a pool and 3,960 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.4 million in 2020.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 20, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for April 3-7 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis, Osprey

A Bay Island home on Flamingo Avenue tops the week’s sales at $3.55 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Miami special teams Coach Marwan Maalouf and Stone Springman throw up "The U" hand gesture on Springman's visit to the school.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 20, 2023
Riverview High kicker commits to Miami after arduous senior season

Stone Springman fought through a broken back to earn a spot with the Hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Daniel Lubner is loving life at the new Clive Daniel store in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 20, 2023
Clive Daniel story can't be swept under the rug

The Sarasota interior design/furniture business has driven, and sometimes comical, Clive Daniel owner Daniel Lubner.

  • East County
  • Business
Hillsdale dogma should not dominate schools
  • By Lisa Schurr, co-founder and CEO of Support Our Schools
  • April 20, 2023
Hillsdale dogma should not dominate schools

Support Our Schools supports the separation of church and state and questions the school board’s efforts to adopt Hillsdale dogma.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Elizabeth Moore, Climate Adaptation Center director; Robert Bunting, Climate Adaptation Center CEO and chair; Jon Thaxton, Gulf Coast Community Foundation senior vice president for community leadership; Jennifer Compton, Bay Park Conservancy board secretary; Amy Grossman, Climate Adaptation Center chief operating officer; Ed Chiles, All Clams on Deck founding board member; and Charles Reith, Sarasota Urban Reforesters.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 20, 2023
Environmental leaders honored at inaugural climate awards

Sarasota-based Climate Adaptation Center's Champions Award Ceremony showcased individuals' potential to drive climate action.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jim Lamb holds a Toys for Tots backpack.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 20, 2023
Toys for Tots coordinator looks back at growth of community giving

Since 2006, the nonprofit has increased its output from an estimated 8,000 toys to 28,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
An example of a beautified and activated alley in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 20, 2023
City to study alley beautification proposal

The Sarasota City Commission backs Erik Arroyo's request to clean up and activate downtown alleyways.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Buy a Bud Light and toast the distributors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 20, 2023
Buy a Bud Light and toast the distributors

If you’re one of the Anheuser-Busch beer drinkers who was totally offended by the Mulvaney fiasco, apply some perspective.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
David Spagnuolo said he had never used a Marana rotary pizza oven before coming to the King's Corner at Legacy Golf Club. He said it is "odd, but helpful."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 19, 2023
New cook revamps menu at Legacy Golf Club's restaurant

Former New England restaurant/bakery owner David Spagnuolo has brought pizza to the restaurant with hopes of bringing in more non-golfers.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Cardinal Mooney beach volleyball team captured the Sunshine State Athletic Conference state title on April 30 in Taveras.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 19, 2023
Cardinal Mooney beach volleyball prepares to defend SSAC title following first loss

The Cougars lost 3-2 to Bradenton Christian on April 13, but are confident heading into the SSAC tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Some future buyers of Bayso (left) and owners in Ritz Carlton Residences are opposing the One Park development plan at the north end of Quay Commons in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 19, 2023
One Park developer calls bribe investigation a 'delay tactic'

The suspension of a Planning Board hearing over a conflict of interest charge is called "a joke" by Property Markets Group CEO Kevin Maloney.

  • Sarasota
  • News
East County's Irene Nikitopoulos is thrilled to become the leader of Carlos E. Haile Middle School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 19, 2023
Haile Middle to welcome new principal for 2023-24

East County's Irene Nikitopoulos is thrilled to be principal of her community's middle school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cardinal Mooney senior Marc Dalmau.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 19, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Marc Dalmau

The Cardinal Mooney High senior is second in Class 2A in the boys discus (48.77 meters).

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
ODA senior Jack Bancroft has a 4.0 GPA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 19, 2023
ODA athlete's classroom determination lands him on All-Academic state team

Jack Bancroft holds a 4.0 GPA while playing three sports throughout the school year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Certain areas of Gulf of Mexico Drive are prone to flooding when there are heavy rains. File photo
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 19, 2023
Longboat Key Town Commission sets its goals for the future

Commissioners' focus includes community character, fiscal sustainability, environment and resiliency, infrastructure, and services.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • April 19, 2023
Read print, digitally!

I’m happy to introduce a way to read our printed papers each week without getting ink on your fingers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Man declines to press charges after assault with wooden plank
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 19, 2023
Man declines to press charges after assault with wooden plank

A man was hit in the head with a plank during an argument, and other reports from the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Before becoming entangled in legal disputes, the former Sarasota Kennel Club site was approved for an apartment complex through both legislative proceedings to amend the city's comprehensive plan and the quasi-judicial process for rezoning and site plan approval.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 19, 2023
Legislative vs. quasi-judicial hearings: Why they are different

How decisions are made at the local level depends on policy versus implementation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A condominium in L’Elegance on Lido Beach recently sold for $1.4 million. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,230 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1 million in 2012.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 19, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for April 3-7 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A condominium in L’Elegance of Lido Beach tops the week’s sales at $2.85 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Helsin Pujols experiments with his orange.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 19, 2023
Attendees discover the joys of juggling at Ringling Museum

Filmmaker and juggler Paprika Leaverton hosted a juggling workshop at Ringling Museum alongside the premiere of her film “The Queen’s Influence – The Vanishing Culture of Hiko in Tonga.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Trespassing on private property led to the placement of a sign near the Gulfside Road beach access.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 19, 2023
New sign raises access concerns for beach walkers

A sign was recently placed reminding pedestrians of private property near the Gulfside Road public beach access on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Larry Frankel strikes his jumping pose.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 18, 2023
Siesta Photo Bomber hopes to keep beachgoers smiling

“It’s refreshing," Larry Frankel says. "I'm passing on good vibes. I just want to see people happy.”

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
James Hugglestone and Kirk Bauer have received promotions to principals at Fawley Bryant Architecture.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 18, 2023
Fawley Bryant Architecture names new principals

Kirk Bauer and James Hugglestone are named principals at the Lakewood Ranch firm.

  • East County
  • Business
Although some Siesta Key residents offered vocal opposition to plans for a hotel on Calle Miramar, a majority of the County Commission said the proposal adhered to all applicable regulations. File rendering
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 18, 2023
Siesta Key hotel plans face more legal scrutiny

With a state ruling favoring opposition, two approved hotels have been challenged over their consistency with the Sarasota County comprehensive plan.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2023
Public invited to comment on Fruitville roundabout sculpture finalists

A meeting via Zoom will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday when three artists will present their proposals and receive feedback.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River High junior Alex den Boggende.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 18, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Alex den Boggende

The Braden River High junior won the boys discus (137 feet, 4.5 inches) April 12 at the Manatee County Championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
Police respond to suspected burglary, find out it's family
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 18, 2023
Police respond to suspected burglary, find out it's family

Town police received a call of a potential burglary for an out-of-town resident, but it was family that had arrived early. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
This Lake View Estates at Lake Club home at 14757 Como Circle sold for $2.8 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,220 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 18, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for April 3-7 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Como Circle tops the week's sales at $2.8 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch's Tiffany McCoy is the reigning 2022 Senior Majorette Queen of the Drum Majorettes of America.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 18, 2023
Lakewood Ranch twirling champ ready to pass the baton

Tiffany McCoy will pack her national twirling crown away when she enters Oral Roberts University in August.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County's OnDemand service could cover all of Longboat Key under an agreement with Manatee County.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 18, 2023
Islandwide transit system approaches reality on Longboat

In the proposed agreement, Sarasota County would provide services for the entire island with Manatee County reimbursing a portion of the costs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Quinessential and Orion are neck and neck during the race.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 17, 2023
67 boats set sail in 2023 Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta

Bird Key Yacht Club's annual Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta was held April 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former state senator and representative Bill Galvano, Manatee Commissioner Jason Bearden, Visitor Bureau's Elliott Falcione, former PGA star Peter Jacobsen, Manatee Commissioner Vanessa Baugh and SMR Senior Vice President Laura Cole announce the World Champions Cup at The Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 17, 2023
The Concession Golf Club lands major PGA Champions Tour event

The World Champions Cup will be a senior players version of the Ryder Cup and is scheduled for Dec. 7-10.

  • East County
  • 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
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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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