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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 15, 2023
7 indicted for meth distributing operation in Manatee County

A multi-agency investigation resulted in seven arrests and the seizure of 1 pound of methamphetamine and other drugs.

  • East County
  • News
This Country Club East home at 16334 Castle Park Terrace sold for $2 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,163 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 15, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for July 31 to Aug. 4 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Castle Park Terrace tops the week's sales at $2 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A rendering of the future aquatic and racket center at Premier Park. Plans could change as the design is only 30% complete.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 15, 2023
Planning at Premier Park in Lakewood Ranch progresses slowly

Manatee District 5 Commissioner Ray Turner said he would like county staff to "step on the gas" in building the Premier Park aquatics and racket center.

  • East County
  • News
Don’t miss the vegan heirloom tomato tarts at Owen's Fish Camp.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • August 15, 2023
New restaurants await your tastebuds in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch region is attracting a host of new restaurants, including those with popular followings in downtown Sarasota.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
New Longboat Key Police officers Adam Swinford and Mike Rizzo recite the oath led by Chief of Police George Turner.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 15, 2023
Two new officers join Longboat Key Police Department

The officers arrived from Indiana and New York and were drawn to the community's culture.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gabriel McDerment has been working on his musical, "Acceptance Pending," since his freshman year at New York University where he is now a junior.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 15, 2023
Braden River High alum to produce musical for Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Gabriel McDerment will debut his musical, "Acceptance Pending," in the international performing arts festival.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
ODA senior Blake Neumann, senior Blaine Bentley, senior Charlie Tack, junior Chase Polivchak, junior Jackson Roth, junior Marvin Palominos and sophomore Max Polivchak will be contributors to the football team in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 15, 2023
Huge offensive line key to ODA's 2023 football season

The Thunder hopes to build off a 9-1 season in 2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ella Rose Sherman teaching Mote visitors about the Strandings Investigation at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 15, 2023
Mote volunteer program gives high schoolers taste of marine science

The fall volunteer program at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is tailored to busy high schoolers' schedules.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Police officer helps citizen locked in public restroom
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 15, 2023
Longboat Police officer helps citizen locked in public restroom

An officer responded to a call about someone locked in a public restroom. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Country Creek's Mila Goetting always keeps her eyes on the next obstacle. In this case, she's thrusting herself from one hopscotch to the next.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2023
Ninja courses no obstacle for Bradenton 12-year-old

Country Creek's Mila Goetting grew to love such competitions by watching "American Ninja Warrior."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commander Steven Bowers of the School Safety Division in Nashville speaks to the attendees.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 14, 2023
Nashville police visit Sarasota school to discuss active shooter responses

Commander Scott Byrd and Captain Steven Bowers visited Sarasota School of Arts & Sciences to discuss how to utilize the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events system.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The chambers are standing room only on August 10 for the Manatee County Planning Commission meeting.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 14, 2023
Manatee to consider development plan changes that will affect wetlands

Manatee County's planning commissioners voted 4-2 against making changes that would lower wetland protections to align with state standards.

  • East County
  • News
Almost all Florida manatees have propeller scars from past collisions with boats. Complying with “Idle Speed No Wake” speed limits for boats helps protect manatees from harm.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • August 14, 2023
Florida manatees find food and shelter at Myakka

Efforts to protect these imperiled mammals at the state park include removing dams that can leave them stranded and increasing awareness about boat speed limits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
7340 Points of Rocks Road in Siesta Key
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 14, 2023
Siesta Key listing voted overall winner in HGTV Ultimate House Hunt

Three listings by Michael Saunders and Co. placed in the annual online luxury home competition.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
5131 Jungle Plum Road in Siesta Key
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 14, 2023
Longboat Key Realtor's listing places in HGTV contest

Cindy Fischer of Michael Saunders and Co. discusses her Siesta Key listing that won best Waterside Home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lori Goldmeier, dressed as Harley Quinn from DC Comics, and Ryan Jacobson
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 13, 2023
SarasotaCon showcases comics and local community of enthusiasts

The experience hosted memorabilia, legendary comic book artists and cosplay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Adrian Olivo brings his canoe to shore after competing in the Men's Masters B 200 meters of the ACA Sprint Canoe National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. He finished third in 57.911.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 13, 2023
Nathan Benderson Park exec says local rowing/paddling talent will surface

The Sarasota park will continue to host world class events with a new staff in place.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Seagrass is one of two U.S. 41 roundabout sculptures that will be placed in a different location on city property.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 13, 2023
New homes sought for roundabout sculptures

The more than $1 million cost of pouring concrete pads exceeds the budgeted amount. Locations on city property are under consideration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An aerial shot of The Bay shows its position alongside Sarasota’s iconic bayfront.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2023
The Bay wins pair of landscape architecture awards

The Frederic B. Stresau Award honors project innovation and design excellence by the American Society of Landscape Architects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Creative Contractors Inc. and Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors is working with the School District of Manatee County to renovate Tara Elementary School and construct an addition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2023
Construction continues at East County schools with students on campus

Tara Elementary and Haile Middle are undergoing campus-wide renovations and additions.

  • East County
  • Schools
The potential Longboat Key Community Center would be located in Whitney Plaza's largest building, at 6810 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 12, 2023
Longboat Key Community Center nears necessary interlocal agreement

The next steps in the community center project rely on conversations between Manatee County and the school district.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A new cellphone lot is now open at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2023
SRQ airport opens new cellphone lot

The new passenger pickup lot offers paved parking and restrooms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
SRQ announced Thursday new service to Delaware and that a seasonal flight to Cleveland would return later this year.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • August 11, 2023
Sarasota-Bradenton airport adds nonstop flight to Delaware

The service is expected to begin in November.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2023
Self-help author, age 94, encourages seniors to embrace their stage of life

Author and former University of Maryland professor Nancy Schlossberg's most recent book was published in May.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 10, 2023
Longboat Key Police officer charged with armed trespassing

Rafael Martinez Jr., 27, of Bradenton is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Oct. 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Shawna Hicks-Cranston, the owner of PostNet, says Mentor Connect benefits both the mentors and mentees that participate.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 10, 2023
Young professionals, mentors connect through LWR Business Alliance

Mentor Connect, an LWRBA Young Leaders Alliance program, brings mentorship opportunities that benefit anyone in the business community.

  • East County
  • Business
Second graders Wyatt Hill, Zachary Choibekov and Hendricks Perez
    By
  • James Peter
  • August 10, 2023
Suncoast School for Innovative Studies welcomes students for new year

Principal Fayth Jenkins said the school located near downtown Sarasota is offering a number of new and enhanced programs to serve students.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ainsleigh Herbert, 5, Katie Herbert, and Anniston Herbert, 8
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 10, 2023
A new year begins at Southside Elementary School

The first day of school saw students led by their families into the start of a new year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Nico Bencomo takes his second shot on the No. 9 hole at Laurel Oak Country Club's Jones course. Bencomo is one of Cardinal Mooney's top boys golfers in 2022. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 10, 2023
Beyond the gridiron: Sarasota-area fall sports packed with big storylines

With returning state champs and rising talent, swimming, golf, cross-country and volleyball deserve time in the spotlight.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Luke Langan, a pre-K student at Gene Witt Elementary School, says another goodbye to his father, Sean Langan.
    By
  • Jay Heater, Liz Ramos
  • August 10, 2023
Students across Manatee County head back to school

The new school year brings new beginnings for teachers, students and their families.

  • East County
  • Schools
With 41 maintenance personnel on staff, the Sarasota Parks and Recreation Department maintains some 700 acres of parks and non-park city property.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 10, 2023
Proposed city spending up $33 million for fiscal year 2024

Inflation, pensions and salaries cited for increase in overall budget. Parks and Recreation looks to add four new positions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Located at 8377 Midnight Pass Road, this home recently sold for $2.9 million. It has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,777 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 10, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for July 24-28 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

An Ocean View home on Midnight Pass Road tops the week's sales at $2.9 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Jaiden Johnson and Sharon Preston-Folta
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 10, 2023
Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative adds two new team members

Sharon Preston-Folta and Jaiden Johnson are joining the nonprofit.

  • Arts + Culture
Residential developments containing attainable housing units may soon rise among the luxury condominium towers in the downtown Sarasota zoning districts.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 10, 2023
Downtown attainable housing ordinance approved on first reading

Sarasota takes a step toward achieving affordable and attainable housing in the downtown zoning districts. Primary corridors are next on the list.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Charlie Bishop was named as Manatee County's interim administrator on Aug. 3. A new county administrator is expected to be named by Aug. 22.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 9, 2023
Manatee commissioners to meet with final four administrator candidates

Selection of the new Manatee County administrator will be made Aug. 18 or Aug. 22.

  • East County
  • News
Jacqueline Putrino finished third at the 2023 Florida Women's Open, her first event as a professional.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 9, 2023
Former Riverview state champion golfer sets sights on professional tour

Jacqueline Putrino will take part in the Epson Tour's Q School this month.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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