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Your Observer

Among the proposed changes to the city's parking program is metered spaces on Ben Franklin Drive along Lido Beach. Those spaces are currently free of charge.
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 31, 2023
What separates Sarasota from other Florida cities

A reader writes that free parking contributes to Sarasota's inclusiveness and quality-of-life appeal.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A plea for community engagement: Sarasota's attainable housing plan
  • By David Lough
  • August 31, 2023
A plea for community engagement: Sarasota's attainable housing plan

As the city embarks on increasing density to create lower-cost housing, neighbors should still have a venue to give feedback on future developments.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The 75th Annual Labor Day Regatta will be held Sep. 2 and 3.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 31, 2023
Labor Day Regatta celebrates its 75th year under sail

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron event is the oldest of its type in the region, according to organizers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unit 1210 condominium in the Mark Sarasota, 111 S. Pineapple Ave, tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $3.35 million. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,803 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 31, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 14-18 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in the Mark Sarasota tops the week’s sales at $3.35 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Our Lady of the Angels' Pat Martino joins Catholic Charities' Gloria Romero and Eddie Gloria as they collect items for the Boots and Bandanas' silent auction.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2023
Our Lady of the Angels event brings out the best in the community

Lakewood Ranch's generosity is on display as Catholic Charities' Boots and Bandanas event approaches.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Chad Davis talks with his Cardinal Mooney High volleyball team following an Aug. 28 practice. Davis said he expects the Cougars to be as strong as ever in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2023
Cardinal Mooney High volleyball out to prove doubters wrong

Despite losing key graduates, Cougars Head Coach Chad Davis said the team should be as good as ever in 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Norton Street, a historically flooded street, was one of the side streets that was still flooded when residents were allowed back on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 30, 2023
See Longboat Key after Idalia: North-end flooding, strewn debris

Some parts of Gulf of Mexico Drive and side streets remained flooded when Longboat Key reopened Wednesday evening.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The flooding extended to the lifeguard tower on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 30, 2023
Hurricana Idalia leaves flooded roads, properties on Siesta Key

The intermittent rain and wind, as well as the difficulty of traveling, on Wednesday kept most of the public indoors throughout the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Caddy's sign in Bradenton along the Manatee River takes on a different meaning after Hurricane Idalia went through.
    By
  • Jay Heater, Liz Ramos
  • August 30, 2023
Lakewood Ranch only dealt a glancing blow from Hurricane Idalia

Those on the Manatee River were threatened with flooding, but most of East County escaped unscathed.

  • East County
  • News
City, county, schools set to resume normal operations Thursday
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 30, 2023
City, county, schools set to resume normal operations Thursday

Government offices will reopen and schools used as shelters are being prepared for students to return.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hibiscus Way and Poinsettia Avenue in north Longboat Key on Wednesday morning
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 30, 2023
Longboat open to residents, business owners via Cortez Bridge

Longboat Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said widespread flooding has rendered many roads impassable.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
U.S. Army veteran Eric Onstad of Lakewood Ranch waves while riding in Lakewood Ranch's 2023 Tribute to Heroes Parade.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 30, 2023
Lakewood Ranch man retires after 41-year career in law enforcement

Army veteran Eric Onstad, a Country Club resident, worked in Customs and Immigration, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Riverview football had its offense clicking in week one of the 2023 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 30, 2023
Takeaways from the first week of high school football in Sarasota

One game doesn't portend a season's outcome, but some area teams made a strong first impression.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Staff member Dezirae Walls holds Clairee.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 30, 2023
Humane Society of Sarasota County provides storm shelter for dogs and cats

The shelter is hosting a group of 15 dogs from Dixie County and 20-30 cats from Highlands County in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
O'Leary's picnic area at Sarasota's Bayfront Park was flooded at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 30, 2023
See Hurricane Idalia damage in Sarasota

Bayfront Park and areas of downtown Sarasota are flooded.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kylee Davis, an eighth grader at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, diligently works on a pre-AP World History and Geography assignment.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 30, 2023
Manatee County middle schools add pre-AP classes

The pre-Advanced Placement classes prepare students for more rigorous courses in high school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Restaurant worker claims boss punctured her tire
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 30, 2023
Restaurant worker claims boss punctured her tire

A woman told police that she believes her general manager hired someone to puncture her tire. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Braden River sophomore Molly Horalek (16), sophomore Mia McGuire (7), senior Riley Hinkle (9), junior Morgan Beane (13) and junior Baylee Hinkle (15) celebrate a win over ODA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 30, 2023
Shorthanded Braden River High volleyball ready for another big year

The Pirates won their season opener 3-0 over ODA despite sickness, injury and a rowdy crowd.

  • East County
  • Sports
Eric LoStorto and Justine Holcomb
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 30, 2023
Tuttle Elementary teachers write children’s books

Science teacher Justine Holcomb and math teacher Eric LoStorto self-published children’s books to educate and inspire students.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
"Jumping Fish" is one of the installations in the city's Art in the Roundabouts program, standing at Cocoanut and North Palm avenues.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 30, 2023
Public art plan looks to draw cash rather than donations of artwork

Historically heavy on in-kind versus cash contributions, the Sarasota City Commission-approved plan seeks to bring in more cash than donated pieces.

  • Sarasota
  • News
KB Invictus LLC sold the home at 352 N. Washington Drive to Andrew and Jennifer Gater, of Ontario, for $3.45 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 30, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 14-18 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in John Ringling Estates tops the week's sales at $3.45 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Cafe L'Europe staff in the Late '70s.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 30, 2023
Cafe L'Europe builds on tradition for 50th anniversary

The St. Armands Circle restaurant has served the area for 50 years and trained many local restaurateurs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
A Menzi Muck machine owned by Manatee County makes clearing out a canal an easier proposition.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 30, 2023
Stormwater team clears canals and ditches to prevent flooding

Stormwater Section of Manatee County Public Works employees strive to keep system functioning at 100%.

  • East County
  • News
Helena Hebda.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 30, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Helena Hebda

The Cardinal Mooney High volleyball senior had 12 assists, six digs, eight service points and two aces Aug. 24 against Palmetto High.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Julie Farmer stops by the sandbag station at the Myakka Community Center. She's not as worried about her cabin off River Road as she is her cottage on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 29, 2023
Myakka City residents are calm, but they respect Idalia's threat

No one was overly worried about Hurricane Idalia's possible impacts, but preparations carried on just in case.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Idalia cannot be ignored
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • August 29, 2023
Idalia cannot be ignored

For native Floridians, it’s easy to get jaded and to brush off another hurricane as "no big deal." But coming off last year’s devastating Hurricane Ian, it’s no time to be complacent.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Alex Fabrizo taking in signs and other outdoor items from the Publix parking lot.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 29, 2023
Business owners on St. Armands Circle, Longboat prep for Hurricane Idalia

Few businesses stay open as they make last-minute preparations and residents evacuate for the coming Category 3 hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton lended a helping hand at sandbag distribution early Tuesday morning.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 29, 2023
North Longboat residents quietly get ready for Hurricane Idalia

Residents make small preparations for possible storm impacts while abnormal water activity foreshadows potential flooding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bayfront Park on TuesdayCaptain Bobby Chiodini ties down the historic tour boat the Carefree Learner, also known as Sarasota High School’s “floating classroom,” at Bayfront Park on Tuesday.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2023
Sarasota area prepares for the impact of Hurricane Idalia

Residents filled sandbags and secured their boats in anticipation of the storm’s impacts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key resident Roger Lusins fills sandbags before Hurricane Ian. Longboat Key will be offering sandbags in anticipation of heavy rain this week.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 29, 2023
Longboat Key braces for Hurricane Idalia

With the Key under evacuation orders, residents made final preparations for the approach of Hurricane Idalia.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The breezeway over Quay Commons in the proposed One Park development. A transfer of air rights to the developer is being challenged in 12th Judicial Circuit Court.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 29, 2023
Hurricane Idalia forces delay in One Park air rights trial

Following opening day of a defining The Quay trial, judge calls two-day recess to ride out the storm.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Lake Club home at 7951 Matera Court sold for $1.99 million. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,938 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 29, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 14-18 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Matera Court tops the week's sales at $1.99 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
This Bay Isles modern home on Longboat Key, designed by DSDG Architects, recently won the Aurora Award for Custom Home of the Year (5,000 sq ft – 10,000 sq ft) at the South Eastern Builders Conference. It features resilient deign aspects such as fake wood made of aluminum and solar panels.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 29, 2023
Resilient construction attempts to solve risks of beachfront living

Local architects explain how waterfront homes are built to withstand powerful storms.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Deputy Director of Development Services Denise Greer stands by for questions, as Robert Giarraputo looks at a map of his neighborhood. Giarraputo attended the workshop to offer input on Manatee County's comprehensive plan.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 29, 2023
Residents offer opinions on shaping Manatee development plan

Workshops were held to ask citizens on what they'd like to see in the plan moving forward.

  • East County
  • News
Police investigate report of loud screaming
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 29, 2023
Police investigate report of loud screaming

A late-night complaint about a woman screaming prompted a police response. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Ed Kolodzieski, owner of Ultra-Marine on Longboat Key, hopes to start adding Duffy electric boats to his chartering service.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 29, 2023
Longboat Key boat retailer highlights benefits of electric vessels

Ed Kolodzieski has a long history in the boating world, but lately he's been sharing the love for "luxurious floating living rooms."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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