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Your Observer

JROTC instructor Alexander Figueroa says his 13 years with Braden River High School has been a blessing.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 11, 2023
Braden River JROTC instructor to retire after building up the program

Alexander Figueroa will lead the Bradenton school's team into one more state tournament before retiring.

  • East County
  • Schools
This County Club East home at 16116 Kendleshire Terrace sold for $2.3 million. It has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,182 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 11, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 27-31 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Kendleshire Terrace tops the week's sales at $2.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Possible street improvements at St. Armands Key will be discussed at a public workshop on April 18.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 11, 2023
Workshop set for St. Armands complete street project

With the project delayed by rising costs, the public can provide input on the future of street and multimodal improvements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The demand for pickleball is expected to continue growing on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 11, 2023
Longboat pickleball demand continues with request for more courts

Pickleball fans spoke at the Longboat Key Town Commission's annual goals and objectives meeting to further the discussion on the growing demand for the sport.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jake and Connor Krug have mainly played doubles matches with other teammates in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch brothers grow as tennis players, individuals at Duke

Sophomore twins Connor and Jake Krug say their time playing tennis at Duke University has given them opportunities off the tennis court.

  • East County
  • Sports
Police assist changing cellphone settings
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 11, 2023
Police assist changing cellphone settings

A woman asked police to help put her phones in airplane mode so she couldn't be tracked. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Reese Gurski, Isabella Arteaga and Alice Barr, who are members of Girl Scout Troop 701, create blankets out of chip bags to donate to those who are homeless to earn their Silver Award.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Girl Scout troop members earn their Silver Awards

The girls made blankets out of chip bags and cat scratchers from cookie cases.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 11, 2023
City financial report honored for ninth straight year

Sarasota's fiscal 2021 budget summary won a top award from Government Finance Officers Association.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Flooding and sea level rise was another issue groups asked commissioners to prioritize.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 11, 2023
Canals, flooding, traffic among concerns for town consideration

Organizations spoke and submitted written comments for consideration at the Longboat Key Town Commission's annual goals and objectives meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High softball senior Cassidy McLellan.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 11, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Cassidy McLellan

The Lakewood Ranch High softball senior is hitting .569 with four home runs and 16 RBIs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Bob Smith, Judy Balmer and Diane and Greg Brune and Gene Tischer, the president of Stillpoint Mission, celebrate Smith's donation of $70,380 to the nonprofit.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 10, 2023
Lakewood Ranch rallies for record donation for Stillpoint Mission

The annual collection by Bob Smith resulted in $70,380 to the Bradenton nonprofit.

  • East County
  • News
Evelio Rodriguez has been named the new Director of General Services for Sarasota County.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 10, 2023
Sarasota County promotes insider to director of general services

Evelio Rodriguez will replace the retiring Jeff Lowdermilk in June.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Good egg Margo Semenchuk poses with the Easter Bunny.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 10, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel hosts Ukrainian Easter for refugees

The Danube International Company threw an Easter party on April 8 in the chapel's garden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hurricane Ian made landfall Sept. 28, 2022.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 10, 2023
2023 hurricane season predicted to bring 14 named storms

Climate Action Center CEO Bob Bunting forecasts seven hurricanes, two or three of which as a Category 3 or higher, more evenly distributed throughout the hurricane season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
SPD investigates Sunday evening shooting that left two injured
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 10, 2023
SPD investigates Sunday evening shooting that left two injured

Two people were injured in a Maple Avenue shooting that also resulted in bullet holes in 11 vehicles and two homes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Freedom Elementary School's eight-classroom addition is expected to be complete in July.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 10, 2023
Freedom Elementary addition on schedule for July completion

The $4 million, eight-classroom addition at the school is on time and on budget.

  • East County
  • Schools
Byeong Hun An won the 2022 LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 10, 2023
How past winners of the Suncoast Classic are faring now

Some have thrived, while others have struggled to replicate their Suncoast Classic success at Lakewood National.

  • East County
  • Sports
Guests have the opportunity to meet characters related to the prom's theme. This year, guests will meet Beast, Mrs. Potts and other "Beauty and the Beast" characters.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 9, 2023
Night with the Stars Prom to return to Bradenton for those with disabilities

After a three-year absence due to the pandemic, the prom is back at Woodland Community Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Items from Daiquiri Deck are displayed at the expo.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2023
Businesses come together at Sarasota Chamber Grand Expo

A chamber executive staff member said the turnout at the event saw a significant increase over previous years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
6-year-old George Barnet, Mark Salander, Kiersten Barnet, 2-year-old Elin Barnet, Minda Salander, and Alex Barnet
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2023
Siesta Key Easter Egg Hunt entertains kids, brings families together

The hunt, previously held on Turtle Beach, moved to Siesta Key Chapel this year.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The St. Armands Business Improvement District sunsets on Sept. 30, 2023, unless property owners there vote to renew for another 10 years.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 8, 2023
St. Armands business district renewal bid stumbles out of the gate

Tensions over the makeup of the business improvement district board cloud the election to extend special tax district extension.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Palm Aire's Nick Barbi is seeking members for his new Science and Technology Society.
    By
  • James Peter
  • April 8, 2023
Sarasota science club raises red tide awareness

The Sarasota Science & Technology Society will host a red tide panel discussion April 17.

  • Sarasota
  • News
6-year-old Brentley Green, Sue Hill, 9-year-old Mikiah Savens, and 5-year-old Sofia Green.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 7, 2023
Disabilities education fair offers resources and networking opportunities

The event brought together numerous local agencies and drew about 200 families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Easter Bunny makes a stop at the Sand Cay Beach Resort on Friday.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 7, 2023
Easter Bunny hops by the Sand Cay Beach Resort

The Sand Cay Beach Resort held its annual Easter party on April 7.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The walk begins with Rev. David Svihel, priest associate for Christian formation and outreach at Church of the Redeemer, carrying the cross, with County Commissioner Joe Neunder (left) also participating.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 7, 2023
Hundreds of believers walk Main Street for Stations of the Cross on Good Friday

The annual event drew attendees from across the local church community to downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Career soldier Christopher Blauvelt is dropped off during a procession to honor him before the Rosedale Golf Classic.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 7, 2023
Rosedale golf tournament helps buy homes for severely injured veterans

Career soldier Christopher Blauvelt is the latest to benefit from an adaptive home through Homes for Our Troops.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Changes to St. Regis parking plans include landscaping to disguise the structure.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 7, 2023
St. Regis parking changes headed to Planning and Zoning

A proposal to add more than 50 parking spots to the Longboat Key hotel and condo development will go before the board and allow public input April 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Steve Germaine has been named CFO of the Bay Park Conservancy.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 7, 2023
Bay Park Conservancy hires first full-time CFO

The Bay Park Conservancy continues to develop its executive suite by naming Steve Germaine to lead its finances.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Juniors Lourdes Capote-Dishaw and Chase Dougal and seniors Ethan McKay and Morgan Sowards are excited to be at prom. "It's 18 years in the making," McKay says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 6, 2023
Braden River High students enjoy their 'Gatsby' prom

Many students dressed to the "Gatsby" theme in the event held at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Schools
Steve Horton shares his experience drafting the USS Cole Commission report at the Bird Key Yacht Club on Wednesday.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 6, 2023
Bird Key Yacht Club's new commodore shares story of USS Cole commission

The former lawyer and rear admiral was charged with drafting the report.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home in Siestas Bayside at 624 Waterside Way sold for $4,562,500. Built in 2008, it has fourbedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,986 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 6, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 20-24 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home in Siestas Bayside tops the week's sales at $4.56 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Nancy Detert parlayed her influence as a state and local elected official to benefit the lives of foster children and people with disabilities.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 6, 2023
Nancy Detert's passing 'leaves a huge hole'

The Sarasota County Commission vice chair and longtime elected public official died Wednesday at her home.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney junior Gio Zanoni gives a high-five to senior Sean Laureano (1) after a Laureano goal.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 6, 2023
Cardinal Mooney boys lacrosse sharpened by seasonlong gauntlet

Plus, a look at other Sarasota-area teams before postseason play begins.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 6, 2023
Public input sought for Fruitville Road roundabout art

The three finalists for the latest roundabout sculpture will meet with the Public Art Committee, and the public, on April 18.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Class members practice at The Glenridge Fitness Center and Spa on March 29.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 6, 2023
Zumba class at The Glenridge keeps senior residents moving

Attendees said the physical fitness, friendships and sense of engagement they find in the experience keep them returning.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The VFW Braden River Post 12055 marches in the 2022 Tribute to Heroes Parade.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 6, 2023
Will you take a stroll to honor veterans in Tribute to Heroes Parade?

The annual Lakewood Ranch parade to honor veterans and first responders is seeking participants.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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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
5
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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