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Your Observer

Lakewood Ranch's Jill Wellinger works the packed crowd at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club during the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch's Divas and Dogs fundraiser March 31.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 1, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Country Club hosts fashionable fundraiser

Divas and Dogs packed the house and raised funds for the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The University Town Center-Waterside connector awaits federal approval, which is expected by June, and will cross I-75 near the Sarasota water tower.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 1, 2023
Overpass connecting Lakewood Ranch, UTC awaits state approval

The Interstate 75 overpass bridging Lakewood Ranch and Cattleman Road has an anticipated construction start in 2025 with completion in 2027.

  • East County
  • News
Maya Biter, age 6, takes in a view of the sky through a telescope set up by the Sidewalk Science Center.
    By
  • James Peter
  • March 31, 2023
Southside Elementary STEAM Night entertains with science and art

Over 300 Sarasota children explored exhibits including telescopes, meteorites and robots.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jerry Lutgen and Donna Cornell
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 31, 2023
Seaplace residents bury time capsule

Residents gathered under the flagpole on March 30 to bury the capsule that was filled with 50 years of history.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • March 31, 2023
Michael Scott Kadish

Longboat Key resident Mike Kadish died Sunday March 19th at the age of 72 after a 28 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • March 31, 2023
Nancy Mueller

Nancy Mueller (Odgers) was born on May 17, 1938 in Dearborn Michigan.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells rides in a Ferrari during the 2023 Exotic Car Show on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch March 25. Legendary circus performer Bello Nock follows in the next car.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 31, 2023
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be

The Waterside Place hub is spectacular, but crowds continue to flock to Lakewood Ranch's original hub.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Graduates of the CareerEdge construction training program sponsored by Selby Gardens.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 31, 2023
Selby Gardens program graduates class of 10 electricians

Partnership with CareerEdge provides free training in construction trades with many students hired before completing the program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County Commissioner Mark Smith addresses audience members at a Miracle on the Key Town Hall Tuesday afternoon.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 31, 2023
County Commissioner Mark Smith talks development, affordable housing

Smith was hosted by Miracle on the Key at Temple Beth Israel on Tuesday afternoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Yard House General Manager Richard Sauceda shows off his restaurant's huge beer cooler. Yard House opens April 2 at UTC.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 30, 2023
Yard House brings 110 beer taps, diverse food menu to Sarasota

The new restaurant at University Town Center will open its doors on Sunday, April 2.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sailors senior pitcher Tanner Crump holds a 0.87 ERA as of April 25.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 30, 2023
No matter the test, Sailors baseball finds winning ways

Sarasota High is 10-2 as of March 27, bringing home victories however it can.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Are we the Byzantines?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 30, 2023
Are we the Byzantines?

Nowhere is it foreordained that America has a birthright to remain the world’s preeminent civilization. We should take heed from all of the parallels that led to the fall of the Byzantine empire.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
AG Lafley helped lead the formation of the Bay Park Conservancy and the opening of the first phase of The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 30, 2023
AG Lafley talks handing off leadership of the Bay Park Conservancy

When Stephanie Crockatt takes over as president and CEO of the BPC, the volunteer founding CEO will step back but not away from The Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A home in Sarabay Acres tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. The home at 722 Sarabay Road sold for $4.4 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 30, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 13-17 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis, Osprey

An Osprey home in Sarabay Acres tops the week’s sales at $4.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
A man riding his bicycle on the Legacy Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 30, 2023
County land-buying fund may run dry by 2029

Rising maintenance costs might deplete Sensitive Lands Protection Program in six years unless voters approve a referendum to extend it a second time.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Transit Operations Manager Benjamin Pearl with the 2023 Rodeo plaque.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 30, 2023
SCAT drivers top rodeo competitors

Two Sarasota County Transit drivers advance to this weekend's Florida Triple Crown Bus Roadeo after winning the local Interagency Bus Rodeo.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Phipps Home Design
  • March 30, 2023
Today’s Homes Are Sophisticated, Yet Casual Entertaining Spaces

“What we’ve seen, especially here in Florida, is the gravitating toward a more casual, open great room style,” says Brian Phipps of Phipps Home Design.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By One Park Sarasota
  • March 29, 2023
SPONSORED CONTENT One Park Sarasota: Driven by Quality and Mindful Design

One Park is committed to delivering a best-in-class lifestyle to Downtown Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Del Webb's Rich Greenberg speaks on National Vietnam War Veterans Day during a special ceremony in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 29, 2023
Soldiers' memories flood back on National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Del Webb's Association of Veterans and Military Supporters hosted a special event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Riverview High junior Luis Castaneda finished second in the discus.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 29, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Luis Castaneda

The Riverview High thrower is tops in Class 4A in the discus (171 feet, 11 inches) as of March 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bryan Wisnom and Chris Kopp worked together in the town's code enforcement department for four months.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 29, 2023
Meet Longboat's new face of code enforcement

Chris Kopp left his post with the town March 24, leaving Bryan Wisnom as the sole code enforcement officer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The entrance of the Harbourside ballroom celebrates the Friars.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 29, 2023
Longboat Key Club Friars celebrate 30 years of friendship

The anniversary party was held on March 28 at the Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
545 Kingfisher Lane
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 29, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 13-17 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A home in Longboat Key Estates tops the week's sales at $4.65 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Orioles, represented by the mascot the Oriole Bird, have been in a six-year valley in terms of record, but the 2022 team is turning things around. (File photo)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 29, 2023
Orioles worth your attention — even after they're back in Baltimore

The baseball team has been a downtrodden franchise for years, but that should change in 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The project will widen the roadway to two in each direction from the Fort Hamer Bridge to S.R. 64.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 29, 2023
Fort Hamer Bridge corridor improvements on the way

After widening Upper Manatee River Road, county officials will move quickly to build a new span next to the existing Fort Hamer Bridge.

  • East County
  • News
The Easter bunny will make a grand entrance as he did at EGGstravaganza in 2022.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 29, 2023
EGGstravaganza to return to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch's biggest egg hunt will have thousands of eggs for children to gather on April 1.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Shantel Norman Group backed up their eponymous leader.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 29, 2023
Last chance to Savor the Sounds

Shantel Norman and the Shantel Norman Band are performing April 1 at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
SPD officers tell noisy apartment residents to be quiet
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 29, 2023
SPD officers tell noisy apartment residents to be quiet

Noisy neighbors, a shed eviction and nonpayment for a car sale are among reports from the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • James Peter
  • March 29, 2023
What’s the point of writing (and editing)?

The Longboat Key Observer's new managing editor wrestles with lightweight issues like our unreliable memories and the purpose of writing and reading.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Alonzo Rhodes, Anthony Segui-Pourel, Tamia Munnings, Jadie Raymond, Issac Amir Boyce and Elijah Quintana-Gratacos played in the Waterlefe clinic.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 29, 2023
Waterlefe Youth Golf Program gives kids a love of the game

The program covers costs for underserved and minority youth, giving them an experience they otherwise might not get.

  • East County
  • Sports
The town's 81 canals were split into seven groups.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 29, 2023
Longboat's canal maintenance program still years from reality

Early 2025 is likely the earliest a canal dredging program will be implemented.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River High senior Corin Mohammadbhoy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 28, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Corin Mohammadbhoy

The Braden River High junior is tied for 11th in Class 3A in the high jump (4 feet, 11.75 inches) as of March 27.

  • East County
  • Sports
Allison Coleman, a second grader at Myakka City Elementary School, snuggles with Ruby Sue, the school's future therapy dog, while reading to her.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 28, 2023
Therapy dogs gain popularity in East County schools

Myakka City, McNeal and Tara elementary schools see benefits of having therapy dogs on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Waterside Place, which hosts a weekly farmers market, has been growing. On Tuesday, the Black Dog store joined the retail lineup.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 28, 2023
Clothing store, Italian restaurant join lineup at Waterside Place

Black Dog and Osteria 500 have been announced to open at the Lakewood Ranch hub.

  • East County
  • Business
Senior Biologist Valeriy Palubok samples water from a dock at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 28, 2023
Mote red tide water samples remain unalarming

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium scientists have been collecting daily water samples for over 50 years regardless of the presence of red tide.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Lake Club home at 8019 Bowspirit way sold for $5.15 million. It has six bedrooms, six-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,507 square of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 28, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 13-17 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Bowspirit Way tops the week's sales at $5.15 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
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Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
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