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Your Observer

The future land use map above identifies in green the areas in the city with a future land use designation of Urban Mixed-Use.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2023
City to hold attainable housing open houses in August, September

With downtown plan complete, city staff turns its attention to commercial corridors and centers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Those who come to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch will now have more places to dine, shop and dance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 18, 2023
Eatalia, The Wellness Space sign to join Waterside Place lineup

Agave Bandido, a Mexican-American restaurant, and the Deep Lagoon seafood and oyster house are expected soon.

  • East County
  • Business
Terrence Connor was selected as superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 18, 2023
Sarasota County superintendent to host listening tours

Superintendent Terry Connor is hosting a series of events to gather feedback from school district employees and the community as he transitions into his role.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Greg Kerchner was among the swarm of citizens speaking out against cuts to the comprehensive plan regarding wetlands.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 18, 2023
Manatee votes to reduce wetland protections in county development plan

Commissioners said they want to protect property rights and guard against overregulation.

  • East County
  • News
Henry Fioriglio (53) should have a big senior season for Riverview High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 17, 2023
Riverview football wants better early results in 2023

The Rams have questions to answer, but plenty of choices, especially at quarterback.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota senior running back Joe Ziegler has set an initial target of 1,200 yards for the 2023 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 17, 2023
Sarasota High football gets a new attitude for 2023

First-year Head Coach Josh Phillips ushers in a fresh Sailors era.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A conceptual site plan shows remote airport parking on the west side of the former Sarasota Kennel Club property with future commercial development on the east site.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 17, 2023
New development in the works at former Kennel Club site

A plan to offer temporary off-site airport parking while a master plan is conceived met obstacles from Sarasota's Development Review Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tara Poulton has the perfect pairing of personality and work ethic for her job.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 17, 2023
Putting politics into action locally isn’t easy. Tara Poulton just makes it look that way.

With a cool-under-pressure personality mixed with a get-stuff-done work ethic, Tara Poulton is the right fit as the new district director for Lakewood Ranch’s only U.S. Congressman.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A home at 1915 Clematis St. sold for $2.95 million. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,161 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 17, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for July 31 to Aug. 4 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A two-property sale on Casey Key tops the week's sales at $4.53 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Seeburg’s 1951 Model B (right) was among the first jukeboxes that could play 45 RPM records.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 17, 2023
This home collection of jukeboxes is a museum-worthy experience

When a jukebox in a store window caught Vickie Compton’s eye, she had to have it. That led to four decades of collecting and restoring them with her husband, Rodger.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 17, 2023
Cities, counties throw a bone

As their revenues and spending will be rising at double-digit rates, your tax rates will be falling a pittance.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Concession Golf Club will once again receive worldwide attention when it hosts The World Champions Cup in December.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 17, 2023
The Concession will host first World Champions Cup golf event

East Manatee County’s premier golf course, The Concession, will host the most famous players from the Champions Tour in a Ryder Cup-like event.

  • East County
  • Sports
Parking Division General Manager Broxton Harvey is proposing gate-free entry and exit systems for city owned parking garages such as this one at St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 17, 2023
Parking program proposals would mean $3.5M increase in city revenue

The new parking director proposes replacing free spots with paid ones and stricter parking garage polices, but Sarasota city commissioners were told it's not about the money.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sights + Sounds debuted in May 2022 with Broadway on the Lake.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 17, 2023
Waterside gets lively with a new performance series

Sights + Sounds at Waterside Place is a monthly series showcasing performances by area arts groups.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jeanne Dubi and Christine Johnson are longtime friends and allies, and their organizations have regularly partnered over the years. This project is their most consequential undertaking.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 17, 2023
Nonprofits pair up to preserve Celery Fields

The Sarasota Audubon Society and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast have collaborated to rewild the Quad Parcels at the Celery Fields, creating new bird habitats and wildlife viewing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Fairy Village, like the group's other work, is created from a wide variety of repurposed materials.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 17, 2023
The Artful Codgers find beauty in unwanted materials

The crafting class, held for residents of the Sunnyside Village retirement community, transforms recycled materials into art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Board member Tom Edwards and Superintendent Terry Connor talk with Bryson Day, a Venice High School junior who was student representative at the Aug. 15, 2023, meeting.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 17, 2023
Sarasota School Board votes to suspend strategic plan

Board members emphasized a need for clarity and a "refocus on academics" in the strategic plan.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Miami-based cafe is expected to open in the UTC West District in the first quarter of 2024.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2023
Health-conscious cafe Pura Vida coming to UTC in Sarasota

The Miami-based cafe is expected to open in the UTC West District in the first quarter of 2024.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Angelina Bens, Leo Bens, Michael Nunes, Karen Pashkow, Jeffrey Nunes, and Anne Summers
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 16, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel hosts happy hour for Stillpoint Mission donations

The chapel's monthly event collected children's socks and shoelaces just in time for the back-to-school season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 16, 2023
Sarasota man gets two life sentences for 2018 shootings

While awaiting trial for the attempted murder of two victims, Linval Raymond Cohoone Jr., tried to hire a fellow inmate to kill one of the survivors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
AG Moody tries to snuff weed
  • By Adrian Moore, Geoffrey Lawrence, Madison Carlino
  • August 16, 2023
AG Moody tries to snuff weed

Florida’s attorney general is trying to prevent voters from deciding whether the state should legalize recreational marijuana for adults.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Purple Ribbon Committee will tour the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at its next meeting on Aug. 28.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 16, 2023
Van Wezel repurposing panel begins study of performing arts hall

Sworn in on Tuesday, the Purple Ribbon Committee will soon tour the building it is tasked with assessing for a possible second life.

  • Sarasota
  • News
St. Armands Circle has enjoyed an enhanced level of service via revenues raised from the special tax district.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 16, 2023
As St. Armands BID dissolves, funding uncertain for trolley, holiday tree

All approved purchases of goods and services must be delivered by the business improvement district's Sept. 30 sunset.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High alumna Taylor Gould will take over the Lakewood Ranch High softball program from Todd Lee.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High softball makes Gould-en hire

Former Mustangs star Taylor Gould, formerly Taylor Newton, will take over the program from Todd Lee.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tennis Coach Dickie Herbst and Cornell Professor Emeritus Joe Novak formed a friendship after Herbst read a story about Novak in the East County Observer. Novak died in September.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2023
Former Cornell professor lends education theories to sports training

Lakewood Ranch's Joe Novak, 92, works as a consultant for NXT Athletics Institute for Learning and finds that his learning theories are still in demand.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Matt Ballew prefers getting the trash run done before the sun rises and other cars at the access points get in the way.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 16, 2023
Dawn patrol: The town workers who take out the beach trash

Public Works staff battle overflowing garbage cans, discarded furniture and lazy litterers to keep Longboat beach access points tidy.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
About time they give back
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 16, 2023
About time they give back

Sarasota County officials say they’ll use county money to build a public library on Longboat. They also should fund a community center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Alexia, Suzanne and Juliana Mattes perform together for the first time at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 16, 2023
'Something Rotten' a family affair for Lakewood Ranch mom, daughters

Suzanne Mattes and her two daughters, Juliana and Alexia, appear in the ensemble cast at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Breaking and exiting apparent at medical office
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 16, 2023
Breaking and exiting apparent at medical office

An investigation into a damaged door reveals someone may have broken out of a locked building. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Captains Bill Brooker and Charlie Schmitz
    By
  • James Peter
  • August 16, 2023
Sailing lessons you won’t soon forget

The instructors of Sara-Bay Sailing School have loads of experience and plenty of punchlines.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Richard and Martha Barone, of Lyndhurst, Ohio, sold their Unit J603 condominium at 435 L’Ambiance Drive to David Rayner and Wendy O’Neill, of Longboat Key, for $3.85 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 16, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for July 31 to Aug. 4 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in L’Ambiance at Longboat Key Club tops the week's sales at $3.85 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A new home at 3515 Gulf of Mexico Drive is one of the properties listed as new construction for 2023, valued at $6.5 million.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 16, 2023
New residential construction on Longboat increases in quantity, value

According to new permit data, the residential units being built on Longboat Key have been increasingly expensive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
John Breiner's Peculiar Pub on Lakewood Main Street will offer a large selection of draft beers.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2023
Peculiar Pub set to open on Lakewood Main Street

Former Ed's Tavern owner John Breiner returns to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch with another restaurant/pub.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
As executive director of Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, Rhonda Leiberick has found work that is deeply meaningful.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 16, 2023
Get-it-done attitude put to work for Meals on Wheels of Sarasota

Rhonda Leiberick, a Lakewood Ranch resident and the executive director of Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, finds her calling creating meaningful connections.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Morgan Barton.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 15, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Morgan Barton

The Lakewood Ranch High girls lacrosse player is committed to Berry College.

  • East County
  • Sports
Garden Club at the 1980 celebration of Longboat's 20th anniversary
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 15, 2023
Garden Club helps community, beautification bloom on Longboat Key

The history of the club is intertwined with beautification and community-building efforts on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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