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Your Observer

City of Sarasota Parking General Manager Broxton Harvey celebrating with Lido Key resident Fran Seminerio as the 250,000th Bay Runner rider.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 26, 2023
Sarasota Bay Runner trolley hits 250,000 passengers

The free trolley service reaches its quarter-million rider mark in 18th months.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Catherine Avery of Catherine Avery Investment Management was nominated for Investment News Women's Portfolio Manager of The Year.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 26, 2023
Longboat resident nominated for Portfolio Manager of The Year

Catherine Avery Investment Management employs an "ultra-personal" strategy to engage clients in the investing process.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Country Club home at 8028 Royal Birkdale Circle sold for $1.34 million. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,505 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 26, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 11-15 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake View Estates home on Lucerne Loop tops the week's sales at $3.2 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key police department recently added Officer Michael Mathis to the fleet, sworn in on Set. 18.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 26, 2023
Longboat Key Police Dept. adds another fresh face before peak season

Officer Michael Mathis was sworn in on Sept. 18 after relocating from Georgia.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chef Sol Shenker will not reveal where the ingredients from Wolfie's mouthwatering sandwiches will come from.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • September 26, 2023
New York-style deli finds new home in Sarasota's Rosemary District

Sol Shenker is executive chef at The Original Wolfie's, which opens in October in the Rosemary District.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Chris Sachs, Glenda Leonard and Ed Krepela at a Kiwanis Club meeting in 2022
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 26, 2023
New Kiwanis Club president discusses love for mission, hopes for future

Before moving to Longboat, Christopher Sachs worked in publishing, on magazine titles like Men's Journal and National Geographic Adventure.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The upper floors of Obsidian would offer bayfront views to the east and downtown views to the west.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 26, 2023
Downtown condo tower faces more obstacles before approval

Key administrative adjustments were denied for Obsidian, an 18-story, 14-unit luxury condo tower. The decision may be appealed to the Sarasota Planning Board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bones found at Quick Point preserve investigated by Longboat Key police
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 26, 2023
Bones found at Quick Point preserve investigated by Longboat Key police

Concerned citizens called to report bones found in the park, which led to an investigation. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
In early 2023, with red tide rampant on area beaches, 92 black skimmers sought refuge at Myakka River State Park. One of them was 5B, a member of the Lido Key nesting colony banded as a chick in 2019.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • September 25, 2023
Local shorebird finds refuge during Hurricane Idalia

Thanks to bird banding, researchers know that black skimmer 5B fledged a chick and survived the storm.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Island Chapel collected underwear to donate to Turning Points in the month of September
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 25, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel collects donations at September charity happy hour

Chapel members gathered in fellowship and collected clothing for Turning Points in Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Aryanna Spainhower is a senior on the Braden River High volleyball team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 25, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Aryanna Spainhower

The Braden River High volleyball senior had 11 kills, 18 digs and a block in a 3-1 win over Riverview High.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was built over fill, which created land on what was formerly Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 25, 2023
Van Wezel study group receives scope of work report

The Purple Ribbon Committee has two years to complete the evaluation and recommendation for reuse of the performing arts hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lt. Daniel Heath (left) and other Longboat Key firefighter paramedics practice running into the water with rescue boards.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 25, 2023
Longboat Key Fire Rescue crew refreshes water-rescue skills

The town's firefighter-paramedics teamed up with Manatee County lifeguards to learn proper water rescue techniques.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Antigua residents Nicole and Robert Hildreth are new to the area and are considering joining the congregation at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 24, 2023
Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice hosts gala at Lakewood Ranch church

Boots and Bandanas is a hit at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ashley Smith, Leo Pecarina, 8, Scarlett Racki, 11, Felicity Racki, 8 and Joselyne Racki, 18, learn about different marine specimens from Kimberly Scaringe, education specialist at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 24, 2023
Bay Fest opens the underwater world to all ages

The event brought together area organizations for an educational experience at Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Construction on the roundabout is expected to begin in late fall 2023 and end in late fall 2024.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 24, 2023
Roundabout planned for Honore, Old Farm Road gets mixed reviews

Manatee County staff held a public information meeting to present the project to residents and answer questions.

  • East County
  • News
Syndicated radio host Matt Bruce spoke to the audience at the 9/11 Remembrance ceremony held Sept. 11, 2023, at Sarasota National Cemetery. He told an incredible story of survival at the World Trade Center on 9/11, but how much of it is true?
    By
  • James Peter
  • September 23, 2023
Radio host told Sarasota he's a 9/11 hero. Was he really there?

The Observer found inconsistencies throughout radio personality "the Captain" Matt Bruce's story of 9/11 heroism, military service and record as a firefighter.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The former headquarters of Michael Saunders & Co. has been sold to local developers.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • September 23, 2023
Prime downtown Sarasota property sold to prominent local developers

The Kauffman Family Partnership and Jebco Ventures have bought a nearly acre piece of property along Main Street and between two developments set to change the commercial corridor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 23, 2023
High school football roundup: Week five

Four area schools walked away with big wins Sept. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Booker junior Jordan Radkey (55) and sophomore Jason Thomas (16) celebrate after a tackle for loss.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 23, 2023
Booker High football wins thriller over Braden River High

The Tornadoes came back from a 10-point second-half deficit to win 24-20 at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 22, 2023
Sarasota School Board approves $1.5B final budget

The Sarasota County School Board voted 4-1 to approve the budget, which decreases total millage.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Original Rainbow Cone, a five-flavored ice cream cone, is set to debut its first franchise location outside of Illinois in Bradenton.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • September 22, 2023
Popular Chicago ice cream shop to open in east Bradenton

The nearly century-old Chicago business is known for its five-flavor ice cream cone named the Rainbow Cone.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
St. Pete's Gene Turovsky, Sarasota's Jessica, Marie and David Polimeni, Parrish's Wayne Parrish and Lakewood Ranch's Gareth Stevenson of Rite Technology.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 22, 2023
Businesses score at tailgate expo in Sarasota

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance revised the experience of its expo in celebration of football season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Christina Sisti, Parrish's Kim Bailey, Lakewood Ranch's Peggy Kronus and Sarasota's Tanya Peters are ready for a fun night of playing bingo while raising money for area nonprofits.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 22, 2023
Sisterhood for Good hosts annual Designer Bag Bingo

The Designer Bag Bingo fundraiser drew more than 100 women to raise money for Manatee and Sarasota nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A condominium in The Tower Residences tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,985 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 21, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 4-8 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in The Tower Residences tops the week’s sales at $2.93 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • Real Estate
Riverview's DJ Johnson cuts upfield against Cardinal Mooney.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 21, 2023
Rams football proves it can win multiple ways

A week after winning a 52-42 shootout with Palmetto High, Riverview High shut down Cardinal Mooney High 35-7.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
General Manager Steve Dietz shows off the pristine conditions at Waterlefe Golf & River Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 21, 2023
The grass is greener after $5M renovation at Waterlefe Golf & River Club

The Bradenton upscale community is improving the golf course and expanding its clubhouse.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Gabriel Cortes, or in this case Kristoff, sings alongside his reindeer friend, Sven, while singing "Lost in the Woods."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 21, 2023
Braden River High spreads magic through cabaret show

Students performed classic songs as families sang along.

  • East County
  • Schools
How capitalism is starting to fill an unmet need
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 21, 2023
How capitalism is starting to fill an unmet need

Neal Communities plans to build hundreds of attainable homes. But the economic reality is they must be built out in the suburbs.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A rendering of The Owen.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 21, 2023
Planning Board supports airport rezoning, approves downtown condo tower

Rezoning will permit the eventual commercial development of airport property while the Sarasota bayfront gets another condo tower.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photographs by Karen Arango adorn the walls.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 21, 2023
Library exhibition celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

The exhibition showcased a diverse range of styles, mediums and subject matter.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the proposed One Park in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 21, 2023
One Park vs. Block 6 condo conflict awaits judge's decision

A trial concluded, a Planning Board hearing is set to resume, and an ethics complaint was filed — all centering on the One Park project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Communities' Morgan Bettes-Angell and Nicole Hackel love seeing people enjoy the Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch, which has been named No. 1 in Florida.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 21, 2023
Lakewood Ranch farmers market is named No. 1 in Florida

The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch is entering its sixth season.

  • East County
  • News
Former Riverview Rams softball player Devyn Flaherty is a star shortstop at FSU.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 20, 2023
What I've learned from 300 Sarasota athletes of the week

Sports Editor Ryan Kohn still hasn't forgotten to "be a goldfish" or to watch out for the geese.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Charlie Bishop is named the permanent Manatee County Administrator.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 20, 2023
Board dynamics play into Manatee County administrator choice

Charlie Bishop says the addition of Ray Turner to the County Commission made him change his mind about pursuing administrator's job.

  • East County
  • News
Cardinal Mooney High junior boys golfer Nicolas Bencomo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 20, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Nicolas Bencomo

The Cardinal Mooney boys golf junior tied for second at the 2023 Crutchfield/Hawkins Invitational on Sept. 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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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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