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Your Observer

    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 23, 2023
New eatery approved below downtown condos after debate

Whether it's a nightclub or a restaurant, Le Petite Brasserie wins approval by the Sarasota City Commission. The piano bar/eatery will occupy space at the base of The Mark condominiums.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Phipps Home Design
  • February 23, 2023
Your Home Should Reflect Who You Are and How You Want to Live

Designing a home that is right for you goes far beyond the number of bedrooms you need. Phipps Home Design, with exceptional home design since 1994, is here to help.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Cardinal Mooney girls basketball team is headed to the state title game for the third-straight season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 22, 2023
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball advances to state title game

The Cougars will play Miami Country Day School at 10 a.m. Saturday in Lakeland.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Downtown Sarasota Alliance Erin Silk and Justin Tobiasz
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 22, 2023
Downtown Sarasota Alliance doles out awards

The alliance hosted its third annual awards ceremony to recognize those making an impact in the downtown community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Crews work overnight Tuesday to repair and replace hydrants and valves in Sarasota County's water system on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2023
Water service restored to 1,600 Siesta Key customers

Sarasota County shut off water service overnight in two areas of Siesta Key to make repairs. A boil notice remained in effect Wednesday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Cougars girls basketball team is headed to states for the third consecutive year.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 22, 2023
Cardinal Mooney, Booker girls basketball teams advance to states

Both teams potentially have state title games this weekend in Lakeland — if they survive the semifinals.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
This nearly eight-acre site at 2211 Fruitville Road is proposed for Sarasota Station, a nearly 400-unit affordable rental community with at least 20% of the apartments priced at or below 80% of the city's average median income.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2023
Affordable housing project granted three-year construction extension

With setbacks including the death of Harvey Vengroff and COVID-19, the City Commission has granted One Stop Housing more time to begin building the Sarasota Station apartment complex in Park East.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Project executive Josh Mutchler leads the Residences at the St. Regis Longboat Key project.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 22, 2023
St. Regis project executive digs into details of its construction

Project executive Josh Mutchler leads over 500 people every day on the Residences at the St. Regis Longboat Key project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • February 22, 2023
Mind the mental health gap

Nearly two years after forming a mental health district, the Sarasota County Commission has yet to distribute $8 million in funding. Now Commissioner Mike Moran wants to restructure the process — and what services get funded.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Riverview High senior boys lacrosse player Billy Snyder.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 22, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Billy Snyder

The Riverview boys lacrosse senior scored a game-winning goal against Sarasota on Feb. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
ODA junior girls lacrosse player Emma Arrigo had 53 goals in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 22, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Emma Arrigo

The ODA junior had 46 goals for the girls lacrosse team in 2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2023
Second vote required to officially adopt new city seal

A Sarasota city staffer discovered that the original city seal was incorporated into the city code, which required an ordinance to legally adopt the new design.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Robert E. Willis Elementary School fifth graders Landon Cuervo and Zachary Danahy compete in an alliance with Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fifth graders Hayden Laning and Noah Jackson. The two teams will share the points earned.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 22, 2023
Vex program expands in Manatee elementary, middle schools

The School District of Manatee County is pushing the importance of engineering and coding lessons.

  • East County
  • Schools
Diaeldin Said, Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, Francois Brun-Wibaux and George Widunas discuss the widening of Lorraine Road.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2023
Manatee commission vows to improve communication on road projects

County commissioners say that residents will have their say before plans for road projects are approved.

  • East County
  • News
Gary Saunders reads some records on the beach.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 22, 2023
Longboat Luau is a labor of love on WSLR

Gary Saunders returns to the radio after a 30-year hiatus. The Ho Dad is live and in color from the Monkey Room.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
2050 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Unit A702
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 22, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 6-10 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A condominium in Orchid Beach Club Residences tops the week's sales at $3.35 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Both residents and hotel guests at SOTA will have access to the amenity level, located on the fifth floor of the building.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2023
Developer calls east Main Street 'what's happening next'

Rodrigo Trepp likes the prospect of developing in Sarasota so much that he's moving his company and his family to the area from Bolivia. His first project, SOTA, breaks ground soon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Studies have been conducted in Longbeach Village and most recently Buttonwood Harbour and Sleepy Lagoon.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 22, 2023
Town works toward north-end flooding solutions

With several low-lying areas throughout Longboat Key, the town is considering its priorities to address flooding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nanny makes off with a new iPhone and a Brazilian butt lift
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2023
Nanny makes off with a new iPhone and a Brazilian butt lift

A woman disappears from a generous employer who funded surgical procedures and a new cellphone. This and more Sarasota Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Man dies in single-car crash on Tara Boulevard in Bradenton
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 22, 2023
Man dies in single-car crash on Tara Boulevard in Bradenton

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the Tuesday afternoon wreck.

  • East County
  • News
Driftwood Beach Home & Garden hosts a class in the garden.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 21, 2023
Garden classes bloom at Driftwood Beach

Classes are scheduled throughout March and April.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lincoln Marine built this home on the banks of the Braden River in 1920 and it still stands today.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 21, 2023
Heritage Days runs through March in Manatee County

Jiggs Landing offers special boat tours of historical spots during the annual monthlong celebration of Manatee's history.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cat Depot Humane Educator Ellie Levine brings Winney to kids to be petted.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 21, 2023
Cat University teaches kids lessons on all things cat

Cat Depot Community Center held Cat University to teach students the basics of cat caretaking while having fun.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The town has one free level two charging station available to drivers at Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 21, 2023
Electric vehicles spark conversation on Longboat

The conversation has returned as the town debates how best to serve residents with electric vehicles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Country Club home at 6931 Brier Creek Court sold for $1.36 million. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,054 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 21, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 6-10 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Brier Creek Court tops the week's sales at $1.36 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A beached dolphin, a wandering dog and an injured snowy egret
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 21, 2023
A beached dolphin, a wandering dog and an injured snowy egret

Police spoke with a construction worker about a noise complaint, but they were only getting equipment for a project off-island. This and more Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Angel Davila said a padel court is 20 meters long, or approximately 66 feet, and 10 meters wide, or approximately 33 feet.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 21, 2023
Palm Aire courts a growing racket sport in padel

The Sarasota country club is the first and only private club in Florida to offer a padel court.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 21, 2023
Longboat couple encourages safety online and in-person

Mike and Lynn Madden are co-founders of Center for Aging Resources and Enrichment, a New York-based program focused on the well-being of retirees.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lynne Short and Izzy wear matching pirate costumes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 20, 2023
Bird Key dogs fundraise for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue

The event raised over $4,000 to go to Nate's capital campaign. The rescue is seeking $10 million to expand their facility.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kolter Hospitality intends to demolish the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota and rebuild it into a Thompson-branded hotel.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 20, 2023
Lack of convention space — again — concerns Sarasota business leaders

With the pending demolition of one major property, a go-to ballroom spot for Sarasota events is being taken off the board.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Honorees Rabbi Michael and Nancy Eisenstat
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 20, 2023
Temple Beth Israel celebrates 44 years on Longboat

The anniversary party was held on Feb. 19 at Michael's On East.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
3. Lakewood Ranch's Regan Kelly (22) slide tackles the ball away from Steinbrenner's Aaliyah Pitts.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 20, 2023
Mustangs girls soccer players reflect after regional final loss

The Lakewood Ranch High team says they have plenty of positive memories from a season that ended short of the state semifinals.

  • East County
  • Sports
    In Memoriam |
  • February 20, 2023
Brian Roy Mahoney Palfrey

Brian Roy Mahoney Palfrey, 88, died Monday, February 13, 2023.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center nurses Megan Buccholz, Ashley Coolidge and Angela Ward try to help Ms. Orange, a fake patient suffering from a postpartum hemorrhage.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 20, 2023
New training prepares maternity nurses for life-or-death tests

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center maternity unit nurses hone their knowledge on postpartum hemorrhages in an escape room activity.

  • East County
  • News
Justina Condensa and Chris Carter own and operate Sips in Whitney Plaza.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 20, 2023
Longboat welcomes new businesses to north end

Sips coffee shop and a mental health private practice have opened their doors on the barrier island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The church's dining hall is filled with 125 community volunteers for a Kids Against Hunger packaging event.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 19, 2023
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church feeds neighbors in need

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church held a packaging event for Kids Against Hunger on Feb. 11 to benefit one organization in Bradenton and another in Fort Myers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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.
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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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