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Your Observer

Angela Stephanides teaches a geometry lesson at Riverview High School.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 14, 2023
Sarasota County's teacher shortage below FL average

Pay, political climate, testing demands and classroom behavior are cited as contributing to the unfilled teaching jobs.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
How to avoid a cookie-cutter downtown
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 14, 2023
How to avoid a cookie-cutter downtown

A reader writes that Sarasota's appeal depends on its mixture of building heights downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Waterside of Lakewood Ranch's Bob Smith was honored as Humanitarian of the Year by the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund in 2022.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 14, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund's Humanitarian of the Year nominations due

A new Junior Humanitarian of the Year will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

  • East County
  • Opinion
17-year-old Braden River High School student Alex den Boggende became an Eagle Scout at 13 years old and recently won the Distinguished Conservation Service Award.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 14, 2023
East County Boy Scout leaves a lasting impact

Alex den Boggende received the Distinguished Conservation Service Award on Sept. 7.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A three-property sale in Whitakers tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. The first property at 900 Alameda Lane was built in 1970 and has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,209 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 14, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 28 to Sept. 1 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A three-property sale in Whitakers tops the week's sales at $6.03 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Cardinal Mooney senior Addison Dempsey spent seven years living abroad in Dubai.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 14, 2023
Sarasota runner began her state title journey on Dubai's waterfront

Addison Dempsey finished second at the FHSAA Class 2A girls cross-country meet in 2022.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Many St. Armands residents returned home after Hurricane Idalia to find two feet or more of water on their streets and inside their homes.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 14, 2023
St. Armands drainage system can't keep up with 'perfect storm'

Designed for a 25-year rain event, St. Armands Key's pump and baffle network was overwhelmed by storm surge combined with king tide from Hurricane Idalia.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The eFoil is growing in popularity in Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 14, 2023
Ready for a real-life 'magic carpet' ride? Hop on an eFoil.

Learning to fly on a surfboard isn't easy, but the "unreal feeling" is worth it, Sarasota eFoil owners say.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch junior Jonathan Leatt finished third overall (17:28.29) at the 2023 Pasco Invitational, held Sept. 2 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 13, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Jonathan Leatt

The Lakewood Ranch boys cross country runner finished third overall (17:28.29) at the 2023 Pasco Invitational on Sept. 2.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By Adrian Moore, Baruch Feigenbaum
  • September 13, 2023
A new path for local public transit

Despite population growth, county bus systems have seen a decline in riders.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Cardinal Mooney senior quarterback Michael Valentino transferred to the program from Charlotte High for the 2023 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 13, 2023
Impact players abound on the Sarasota football scene

Through three weeks, teams are winning with expected and unexpected pieces of the puzzle.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee County Commissioners and dignitaries board a bus to have the honor of taking the first official trip on the 44th Avenue Bridge across the Braden River on Aug. 7.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2023
Road projects continue in east Bradenton to address growth

With 5,000 homes added in Manatee County annually, road projects across East County speed forward.

  • East County
  • News
Johnny Mouradian coached a clinic for The Armenian Youth Lacrosse Mission at Debi Arach Children's Center.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 13, 2023
Longboat resident builds an Armenian lacrosse team

Johnny Mouradian merged his Armenian roots and his passion for teaching physical education to create a lacrosse camp in Armenia.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A conceptual plan for Payne Park Auditorium shows expansions to the building in dark gray and 96 spaces of paved parking.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 13, 2023
Preliminary Payne Park Auditorium plans revealed to public

The Players Centre for Performing Arts unveiled a conceptual plan for the expansion and renovation of Payne Park Auditorium during a community workshop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's Ely Chappell conducts observational data collection with Stephanie Peabody, the founder of the Brain Health Initiative, and Cadence Clay.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2023
Expanding Lakewood Ranch Prep offers more opportunities

With the upper school building complete, school staff members say the sky is the limit for extracurriculars.

  • East County
  • Schools
The beach landscape of the Gulfside Road public beach access changed after Hurricane Idalia, now exposing an old sea wall.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 13, 2023
Longboat's beaches withstood Idalia's surge, but flooding still prevailed. How?

The beaches helped protect Longboat Key's gulf side, but bayfront properties don't share those same protections.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This cat is waiting to move to her permanent home at the Lakewood Ranch EMS station.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 13, 2023
Manatee County sends feisty cats to work

The Working Cat Program by the county's Animal Service Division allows residents to adopt feral cats to control vermin.

  • East County
  • News
Teen advised against phony fighting in public
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 13, 2023
Teen advised against phony fighting in public

Responding to a reported brawl, police were told it was all make-believe. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Mark Hiser, the new executive director at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, has been around horses his whole life. He looks forward to taking on his new role.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2023
Riding therapy nonprofit welcomes new executive director

Mark Hiser wants to use his experience of working with "misfit horses" to expand the programming at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.

  • East County
  • Business
KCDC Properties LLC sold the home at 560 Putter Lane to Richard and Geri Ann Bradley, of Longboat Key, for $5.25 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 13, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 28-Sept 1 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Country Club Shores tops this week's transactions at $5.25 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Susan Goldfarb previews the newly released brochure for the 2023-2024 year at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 13, 2023
Temple Beth Israel Education Center courses open for sign-ups

Program Director Susan Goldfarb has planned a year jampacked with new courses for its many Education Center students.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The existing signs for The Town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 13, 2023
Millage rate, town staffing key focus of Longboat budget hearing

The first public hearing for Longboat Key’s fiscal year 2024 budget included a change to the millage rate and public comment about the personnel increase.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key commissioners were all present and ready to kick off the first meeting back on Sept. 11.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 13, 2023
Public concern, project updates kick off Town Commission’s return

The Sept. 11 regular commission meeting included concerns about emergency dispatch, undergrounding updates and a few resolutions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Charlie Bishop has been named the permanent Manatee County administrator.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2023
Charlie Bishop named Manatee County administrator

Commissioners went away from the search company's suggestions to name Bishop, who has served shortly as the interim.

  • East County
  • News
Reuben Fernandez teaches his intermediate tai chi class at The Paradise Center.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 12, 2023
Paradise Center instructor creates special tai chi community

Reuben Fernandez has practiced tai chi for more than 20 years. He teaches students how to implement balance and stability in their lives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carley Ramsden is a junior libero on the Sarasota High volleyball team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Carley Ramsden

The Sarasota High junior volleyball libero and team captain has 12 assists and 34 digs through Sept. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Analise Gallant, 6, Yonatan Rachmin, 7; Isaiah Gallant, 2; Maya Moronta, 9; Jacob Shefrin, 7; Mia Sinanian, 7; Ari Sinanian, 10,
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 12, 2023
Community Shofar Factory attendees make ram's horn trumpets

The event offered the chance to craft shofars, a traditional Jewish musical instrument.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sea turtle nests are marked with bright yellow stakes connected with fluorescent tape. This is meant to protect them from beach rakers and everyday beachgoers.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 12, 2023
Sea turtle nesting season, ordinance continue through Oct. 31

There could still be unmarked nests and others could still hatch, said the Longboat Key Turtle Watch vice president.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key commissioners Penny Gold, Gary Coffin and BJ Bishop were appointed to serve on committees with the Florida League of Cities.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 12, 2023
Longboat commissioners appointed to Florida League of Cities committees

Three Longboat Key town commissioners will join statewide committees to exchange ideas with other local officials.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Rhett Bogacz leads his Foundation Training class at The Paradise Center.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 12, 2023
Chiropractor wants to make Longboaters' lives easier and more enjoyable

Dr. Rhett Bogacz provides accessible chiropractic care at The Paradise Center Medical Suite every Tuesday and Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Mote International Film Festival was Sept. 9.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 12, 2023
Mote shows award-winning films to teach ocean conservation

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium hosted an ocean film festival to share marine research with the public.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rock star Mick Jagger and former ballerina Melanie Hamrick's Lake Club home at 15809 Clearlake Ave. sold for $3.25 million. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,726 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 12, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 28 to Sept. 1 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.25 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Joan Leonard, the community liaison for Suncoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch, hopes the shelves can be fully stocked with blood for the next hurricane.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2023
SunCoast Blood Centers seeks donations as hurricane season continues

The Lakewood Ranch blood center wants a full blood supply in preparation for more storms.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School seniors Ryan Donnelly and Lucas Anthony cheer their loudest as the football team gains a first down.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2023
Braden River, Lakewood Ranch student sections stage cheering rivalry

When it comes to supporting their schools, the Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high school student sections never back down.

  • East County
  • Schools
Police investigate suspicious contractor requesting after-hours access
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 12, 2023
Police investigate suspicious contractor requesting after-hours access

A man stating he was with an air conditioning vendor had a shaky story to tell the complex security guard. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Reverend Randall LaRoche and his wife Heidi attend a planning commission meeting on Aug. 10 with about 25 other Elwood Park residents. Heidi LaRoche came up with the idea for everyone to wear matching Elwood Park T-shirts when attending commission meetings. She makes the T-shirts, too.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2023
History trumps density in Manatee County's Elwood Park

The 650-acre, 100-year-old neighborhood has fended off two developers over the past year.

  • East County
  • News
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