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Your Observer

UF/FAS extension water resources agent Michael D’Imperio, IslandWalk representatives Audrey Sansotta-Weis and Mike Wasylik, Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Abbey Tyrna, IslandWalk representative Russ Gerry, START Chair Sandy Gilbert, and Healthy Ponds Collaborative science communications coordinator Victoria Goldner
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 28, 2023
Sarasota initiative guides homeowners to help combat red tide

County stormwater ponds are only preventing around half the red tide-fueling pollution they are designed to filter. The Healthy Pond Collaborative released a pond maintenance guide to help.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat's most-wanted beach chair
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 28, 2023
Longboat's most-wanted beach chair

A beach chair has gone missing two years in a row only for it to be found half a mile down the beach. This and more Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Women discuss Too Young to Wed, an organization dedicated to ending child marriage globally, during a Potlucks for a Purpose meeting.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 28, 2023
Lakewood Ranch woman forms new chapter of Together Women Rise

Potlucks for a Purpose brings women together to learn about gender inequality.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A new home is planned for the lot at 3515 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 28, 2023
Development firm clears property for new home on GMD

Seaward Development has submitted plans for a building permit for the lot at 3515 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This home was the highest-selling priced property sold in 2022 by Michael Saunders & Company for more than $17 million.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 28, 2023
Michael Saunders makes top 500 real estate ranking

Sarasota-based Michael Saunders & Co. is ranked 77th nationally with near-record 2022 sales.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Ricardo Robinson-Shinall, the theater director at Braden River High School, presents Roxane Caravan, the theater director at Lakewood Ranch High School, with the Dr. Sherry Lawrence Theatre Education Award.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 27, 2023
Manatee Arts Education Council celebrates the arts at annual Arts Alive

School District of Manatee County students showcased talents, and two east Bradenton fine arts teachers were recognized for their dedication.

  • East County
  • Schools
The former Italian restaurant sold for $2.8 million.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • March 27, 2023
Shuttered Sarasota landmark restaurant sold for nearly $3 million

Benderson Development plans to "reimagine" the former Café Baci property on Tamiami Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sandra LaFlamme uses a wheelchair to demonstrate the abilities of Cowgirl, a service dog.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 27, 2023
Family of veterans and canine companions forms in Sarasota

IslandWalk Veterans will ceremonially present a check to Canines 4 Heroes on May 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jake Parsons, 26, said he'll spend up to three hours playing pickleball with friends if he has the time, and tries to play three to four times a week.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 27, 2023
Pickleball gets its hooks into a younger audience in East County

The sport is catching on with high school and young adult athletes in the area as it explodes nationally.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 27, 2023
One year later, Fruitville roundabout art decision nears

Clouds and birds are the themes as the Public Art Committee sees revisions of finalists' sculptures for the Fruitville Road roundabout.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gwendolyn Smith, a client at Daybreak Adult Day Center, feels like a teacher again when she's reading to Braden River Elementary School first graders.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 27, 2023
Elementary students make grand-friends at Daybreak Adult Day Center

The Braden River first graders write letters, visit, and learn about aging at the Lakewood Ranch facility.

  • East County
  • Schools
The walk proceeds alongside Cattlemen Road.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 26, 2023
Campaign gets moving at Walk to End Summer Hunger

The walk kicked off the Campaign Against Summer Hunger, which addresses hunger among schoolchildren during the summer months and this year includes a $900,000 matching challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee board members line up for a photo at the start of the program.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • March 26, 2023
Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee brings Hollywood theme to annual fundraiser

Guests embraced the spotlight during the fundraiser at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Joe Martinez conducts the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble on March 24, 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 26, 2023
Sights and Sounds series debuts at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble was featured as the cultural music series kicks off.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
AARP volunteers provide assistance at Fruitville Public Library.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 26, 2023
Sarasota Library service offers free tax help for those in need

The programs, which are funded by the AARP and certified by the IRS, accept users from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Keisha Boyd of Armed Forces Brewing Co. offers a brew to Sarasota's Pam Hogan.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 25, 2023
My Hometown Fest supports Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota

The festival raised funds in support of children and adults with speech, language and hearing challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioners Deborah Murphy, Debra Williams, BJ Bishop, Penny Gold and past commissioner Sherry Dominick
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 25, 2023
Taste of the Keys Fashion Show stars Longboat Key officials

Town commissioners and Fire Chief Paul Dezzi strutted in support of the Garden Club's Town Center Green beautification project.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bradenton 6-year-old Vincent Wang gets some tips from Robert LaVopa of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club during the annual Youth Fishing Tournament March 25 at Lake Uihlein.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2023
Kids fall for fishing in Lakewood Ranch — hook, line and sinker

The annual Youth Fishing Tournament reeled in 68 participants to Lake Uihlein.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kim Luther finished off a 20-year career with East Manatee Fire Rescue by earning the 2022 Fire Officer of the Year award.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2023
East Manatee firefighter earns top honor before retiring

Kim Luther finishes her 20-year career with East Manatee Fire Rescue by being named Manatee County Fire Officer of the Year.

  • East County
  • News
Construction of an FDOT-funded roundabout at Midnight Pass and Beach roads on Siesta Key is scheduled to begin construction in the second half of 2024.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2023
Roundabout coming to busy Siesta Key intersection

The Sarasota County Commission has approved the $2.9 million roundabout at Midnight Pass and Beach roads. The seven-month project will begin in the second half of 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Heavy rain and high tide can lead to flooded roads on vulnerable parts of the Key.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 24, 2023
Town armed with actions to combat sea-level rise

Actions including mitigating tidal flooding and protecting natural areas were recommended for Longboat Key to implement over the next five to 20 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sean Allison, Shannon Johnson, Chris Pfahler, Andrew Vac and Delesa Morris
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 24, 2023
Tidewell Foundation hosts Off the Clock

Interim President Delesa Morris says Tidewell is growing.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Stephanie Crockatt is the first full-time president and CEO of the Bay Park Conservancy.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 24, 2023
Bay Park Conservancy names first president and CEO

Stephanie Crockatt comes to The Bay after nine years of leading the development of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, an 850-acre park network.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Tom and Diane Carter say the county has told them they will no longer be taking part of their Creekwood backyard to build a roundabout.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 24, 2023
Creekwood residents voice roundabout concerns

Manatee County Public Works has stopped the Bradenton project to come up with other design options.

  • East County
  • News
Jeanne Guertin-Potoff has her first solo exhibit at Art Center Sarasota.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 24, 2023
Longboat Key resident shows at Art Center Sarasota

Jeanne Guertin-Potoff's "Adjust Your Focus" exhibition is on display through April 29.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Red tide levels at Siesta Beach were in the medium range. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 23, 2023
Red tide advisory lifted for Sarasota County beaches

The red tide advisory has been in place since December 2022.

  • Sarasota
  • News
10-year-old Kylie Ung, 12-year-old Isaiah Edwards, 11-year-old Isariah Edwards and 13-year-old Isaialyah Edwards at the 2023 Sarasota County Fair.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 23, 2023
Community is part of the show at Sarasota County Fair

Attendees praised the fair’s atmosphere and local youths' livestock exhibits.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 23, 2023
Bobby Jones restoration focus turns to short course

With the Donald Ross golf course project down to mostly growing grass, architect Richard Mandell's attention has shifted to creating the par-3 companion short course from scratch.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Valorant team member Ana "POWER" Payro, Super Smash Bros. team super captain Hanz “RawSauce” Ago, Recreation & Wellness Coordinator E Ramey, Super Smash Bros team member Jaehee “AsianShack” Kim, Overwatch team member Bennett “BlitzStorm” Hanus, and Super Smash Bros. team member Viktor “Tachio” Niksdorf.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 23, 2023
Ringling College embraces growth of esports

The Ringling Rollers esports team will receive a dedicated gaming arena.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A home in Bay Island Park ties with a Sarasota Beach home in topping all transactions in this week's real estate. The home at 3455 Anglin Drive sold for $2.4 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 23, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 6-10 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis and Osprey

Two Siesta Key homes tie as the week's top sale at $2.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Jolie Pastorick said she practices golf in some form every day.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 23, 2023
Sarasota golfer headed to Drive, Chip and Putt finals at Augusta National

Jolie Pastorick won the girls 14-15 division at The Bear's Club in Jupiter last October with 143 points.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Part II: ‘Courage to Be Free’
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 23, 2023
Part II: ‘Courage to Be Free’

The more you read Gov. DeSantis book, the more convinced you become that it is his way of giving voters a quick-read of from where he came; his principles; and that he wants to be in the White House.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
John Cannon's Oulina model will offer more modern architecture along Kingfisher Lake in Waterside.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 23, 2023
Lakewood Ranch adds two small, exclusive neighborhoods

John Cannon fires off his new designs for neighborhoods Monarch Acres and Kingfisher Estates, which will offer a combined 21 homes, starting at $3 million.

  • East County
  • News
The site of Centennial Park, the location of the 10th Street boat ramps and parking area slated for future expansion and improvements as part of The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 23, 2023
Zoning changes clear The Bay for Canal District planning

Boaters worry about ramp and parking obstacles as plans are developed for the park's Canal District.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High's Susan Lowther finished 10th in the U.S. in points (162) in 2024 according to MaxPreps statistics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 22, 2023
Riverview girls lacrosse star leads nation in goals, total points

Rams junior Susan Lowther has 79 goals and 37 assists (116 points) through 13 games.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota High senior Tyler Pack.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 22, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Tyler Pack

The Sarasota High senior is sixth in Class 4A boys high jump (6 feet, 2.75 inches) as of March 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Latest News

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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
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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.
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Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
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