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Your Observer

9. Lucas Anthony had 91 points for the Lakewood Ranch boys lacrosse team in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 28, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Lucas Anthony

The Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse star has 21 goals through four games.

  • East County
  • Sports
A seven-car train derailment in southern Manatee near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport included two propane tankers. No leaks or injuries were reported.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 28, 2023
Seven train cars, including two propane tankers, derail in Manatee County

No propane leakage was detected and no injuries reported in the derailment near the Sarasota-Manatee International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Lake Club home at 16904 Verona Place sold for $1.9 million. It has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,429 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 28, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 13-17 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Verona Place tops the week's sales at $1.9 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Commissioners discussed processes for vetting, categorizing, and selecting library books.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 28, 2023
Manatee commissioners discuss a closer examination of library materials

Some residents say the commissioners should leave the evaluation of materials to the professionals they hired to run the system.

  • East County
  • News
The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus is building a new 100,000-square-foot student center.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • February 28, 2023
Work starts on $42M, 100,000-square-foot student center at USF Sarasota-Manatee

The University of South Florida campus hopes to change its reputation as a commuter college with new residences and a student center set to open at start of the 2024 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Joe Ostrowski (right) said his approach is to tailor his advice to each individual client instead of using a "cookie-cutter" approach.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 28, 2023
Concession golf instructor named a 'best young teacher' by Golf Digest

Joe Ostrowski previously received the honor from 2018-2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
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
  • February 28, 2023
Tunnel vision: One Park hopes to overcome perceptions of breezeway

The development will go before the Planning Board on March 8 to defend its design of a structure to bridge two blocks of The Quay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lost credit card found quickly
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 28, 2023
Lost credit card found quickly

Before a lost property report could be filed, an individual came to the department to return the credit card. This and more Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The purple line running from the Key to the orange dot represents the town-owned wastewater pipeline.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 28, 2023
Town progresses toward replacement of sewer line under Sarasota Bay

The town of Longboat Key has obtained permits to dig up the underwater bed of the bay and install the pipe.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Instead of cutting a ribbon, community members hold the hose and drop it.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 27, 2023
Banyan Bay Club goes native with planting project

About 30 community members dropped a hose, instead of cutting a ribbon, on Feb. 27 to celebrate a native planting project at the Banyan Bay Club on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch sophomore Olivia Shephard rounds the bases after hitting her first varsity home run.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 27, 2023
Defending state champion Mustangs off to fast start

Despite heavy graduation losses, the Lakewood Ranch High girls softball team is going for their third consecutive softball state title.

  • East County
  • Sports
It's not uncommon for the three regulation courts and two temporary courts on one of the tennis courts to be in use simultaneously at Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 27, 2023
Longboat pickleball expansion contingent on parking

Town commissioners opted to move forward with adding a temporary pickleball court under the condition that additional parking spots are found at Bayfront Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Junior League of Sarasota Committee Chairs Caroleen Brej and Kari-Jo Koshes end the 46th Annual Tour of Homes with a celebratory happy hour at CinéBistro on Feb. 25.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 27, 2023
Junior League of Sarasota celebrates Tour of Homes

The nonprofit's 46th Annual Tour of Homes returned in-person and ended with happy hour at CinéBistro.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Daytona's Jo Stevens and Kathy Gately play along with Tyler Austenfeld at the first Aloha UkeFest on Feb. 25, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 27, 2023
Ukulele Festival in Lakewood Ranch brings together talent

Renowned musician Tyler “Ten Thumbs” Austenfeld highlighted the first Aloha UkeFest, held by the Lakewood Ranch Communities Activities Club Aloha Ukulele.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 27, 2023
Barry Lee Napiecek

Barry Lee Napiecek passed away February 1, 2023 following a brief illness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Andres Evans, Unicorps CEO Chuck Whittall, Bob Moss, Mike Ogorek and Josh Mutchler speak to attendees at Friday's topping-off.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 27, 2023
St. Regis celebrates completing the building's structure

After the topping-off ceremony, the condo project on Longboat Key is expected to take another 16 months to complete.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ariel Rischer sells her handmade bracelets at the Young Entrepreneur Market at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 26, 2023
Young CEOs set up shop at The Bazaar

The fourth annual Young Entrepreneur Market brings young CEOs to sell their creations at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artists from all over the country display their work at the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2023
Longboat Key art festival draws a crowd

The Longboat Key Festival of the Arts was held Feb. 25 and 26 at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Eleven-year-old Liam Pacheco (No. 12 on his shirt) roasts a marshmallow during the Community Campout.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2023
Lakewood Ranch's Community Campout fires up interest

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities had to expand from 50 to 80 campsites to accommodate families for the annual event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A glass-encased stairwell extending from the north elevation of the Sarasota County Administration Center will be the dominant architectural feature.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 26, 2023
New county administrative center emphasizes health, fitness

A glassed-in staircase and views of Celery Fields are intended to promote fitness and vitality among staff. The $75 million building is also planned to be more public-friendly.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mooney senior Olivia Davis goes one-on-one with Miami Country Day's Kristina Godfrey.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 25, 2023
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball falls in state championship game

The Cougars lost 54-38 to Miami Country Day School on Saturday in Lakeland.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee County is considering the purchase of Mixon Fruit Farms, which went on the market in February 2023 for $15.8 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 24, 2023
Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton goes on market for $15.8 million

Janet and Dean Mixon had announced their plan to sell their business in October.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 24, 2023
Beach University returns Thursdays in March

Sarasota County's free coastal education program is back for its 17th year with five one-hour sessions at Siesta Beach starting March 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 24, 2023
Agnes “Dionne” Reinert

Agnes “Dionne” Reinert of Longboat Key, Fl, passed away on February 18, 2023, at 89.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
County Commissioner Nancy Detert, who has supported the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County in the past, said this year could the last time she does unless tangible results are presented to the commission at budget time.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 24, 2023
EDC teeters on further county funding cuts

Sarasota County commissioners were not persuaded by the Economic Development Corp.'s annual report that it merits a sustained level of county funding.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jeffrey Nunes is commissioned as a pastor by Rev. Brock Patterson on Tuesday.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel commissions a new reverend

Jeffrey Nunes is not just Rev. Brock Patterson's right-hand man anymore. He's his right-hand reverend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County has been operating the Bishop Animal Shelter since March 2022.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 24, 2023
Manatee commissioners draw hard line on animal shelter spending

Presented with a $17 million plan, commissioners told county staff to come back with a more frugal $8 million plan for the Bishop Animal Shelter addition.

  • East County
  • News
Attendees listen to a presentation about electric vehicles and solar energy Wednesday.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 24, 2023
Longboat residents learn value of electric vehicles, solar energy

About 15 people attended Wednesday's workshop in partnership with Sarasota County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 23, 2023
Officer rescues Chihuahua from Sarasota Bay

A Chihuahua named Tinkerbell fell overboard Friday night near the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Third grader Jayla Fields shows off her project on Serena Williams. "It was fun learning she was the face of women's tennis," Fields says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 23, 2023
Bashaw Elementary hosts Black History Month celebration

Students shared their projects on prominent Black Americans.

  • East County
  • Schools
The condo at 340 South Palm Ave, Unit #75 was built in 1998. It has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,761 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 23, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 6-10 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Sarabande condo on South Palm Avenue tops this week's sales at $2.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Chef Swaran Singh (center) cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine. Owners Poonam Maini and Shubi Maini are on the left.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 23, 2023
Indian culture, kindness are key ingredients at Tandoor restaurant

Poonam Maini considers all the patrons at Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine in University Town Center to be her extended family.

  • East County
  • Opinion
A burglary is captured on a camera in Parrish.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 23, 2023
Manatee Sheriff’s Office reacts to rise in vehicle burglaries

Officers encourage residents to take simple steps, such as locking their cars, to protect their belongings.

  • East County
  • News
Steph Davis has advice for people thinking about getting into rock climbing: keep your overhead low.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 23, 2023
Record-setting rock climber shares advice on risk and reward

Steph Davis, who spoke Feb. 16 in Sarasota, was the first woman to free climb the Salathé Wall of El Capitan in Yosemite, California.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bricks Smoked Meats at 1528 State St. has been among the restaurants leading the charge to preserve parklet dining as a permanent fixture in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 23, 2023
Parklet dining gets six-month stay as city cooks up permanent policy

The permitted use of city street parking spaces for outdoor dining is extended through September as the Sarasota City Commission directs staff to develop an ordinance to consider.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Gulf Coast Lions' on their last day of training camp at Newtown Estates Gym.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 23, 2023
Athletes leap for their dreams with Newtown basketball team

The Gulf Coast Lions are in their fourth year operating and plan to keep giving basketball athletes a second chance to go professional.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
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.
  • December 20, 2025
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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.
  • December 20, 2025
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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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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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