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Your Observer

Dreamers Academy founder Geri Chaffee (center) cuts the ribbon at the Newtown campus.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 9, 2023
Dreamers Academy holds ribbon-cutting for Newtown campus

The bilingual school’s new campus, located in Sarasota's Newtown, offers a dedicated space for learning.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Tommy Tyler.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 9, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Tommy Tyler

The Cardinal Mooney boys golfer believes the Cougars can win a state title in 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
What is the benefit to us?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 9, 2023
What is the benefit to us?

Last week, we urged Republicans to think whether a second Trump presidency would be any different or better than the first. This week: Tell us, Joe Biden, how persecuting Trump will improve our lives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Brothers tussle with a router during fight over gaming
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 9, 2023
Brothers tussle with a router during fight over gaming

A man frustrated with his brother's constant gaming started a tug-of-war over a router. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Averleigh Cross can't wait to start kindergarten at Freedom Elementary School. She's looking forward to learning how to read better.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 9, 2023
First day of kindergarten can be emotional time for parents

Parents often have a hard time deciding whether to cry or celebrate as they drop off their kindergartner on the first day of school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Charles Snowden Jones, trustee, of Bedford Hills, New York, sold the Unit L-207 condominium at 435 L’Ambiance Drive to Ronald and Margaret Roth, of Longboat Key, for $2.4 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 9, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for July 24-28 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A condominium in L’Ambiance at Longboat Key Club tops the week's sales at $2.4 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The town of Longboat Key has had conversations with the Florida Department of Transportation about making improvements to six crosswalks along Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 9, 2023
Visibility upgrades on the way for GMD crosswalks

A new FDOT project along Gulf of Mexico Drive will bring improvements to four crosswalks on Longboat Key and add a new one.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Michael DeWulf painting at his live art show at Wyland Gallery on Aug. 4.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 9, 2023
Sarasota artist draws audience with live show at Wyland Gallery

Sarasota-based artist Michael DeWulf paints for 10 to 14 hours to grow in his craft.

  • Arts + Culture
Mateo has had enough of pictures and is ready for his walk. He's accompanied by Shelter Director Dani Ziegler and Board and Executive Committee Member Cheryl Johnson.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 9, 2023
Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch volunteers go above and beyond

The Myakka City nonprofit uses care and love to prepare pets for adoption.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
GreyHawk Landing's Raymond Turner took over as District 5 commissioner on Aug. 1, 2023
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 9, 2023
New commissioner wants to help Manatee be prepared for inevitable growth

Raymond Turner says proper planning can both prepare for growth and protect the environment.

  • East County
  • News
St. Armands Circle is among Sarasota's primary attractions for visitors and residents alike.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 9, 2023
Bid to renew St. Armands Business Improvement District falls short

The special tax district and its enhanced level of city services will end Sept. 30. Now the debate begins over what to do with unspent funds.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ruthie Ball, 7, looks at her "hall of fame" with her mom Jill.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 9, 2023
Families find benefits outweigh challenges of living on Longboat Key

Parents and their children have adapted to school commute and extracurricular challenges — and found communities that span generations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alana Bjork and Chuck Wolfe
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 8, 2023
Chiles Hospitality awards student scholarships to nine employees

Employees at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub qualified for scholarships funded by Manatee Community Foundation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Henry Burbee.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 8, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Henry Burbee

The Lakewood Ranch High boys golfer is primed for a big 2023 season.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Lake Club home at 17110 Verona Place sold for $1.85 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 3,767 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 8, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 24-28 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Gail Loefgren returned to the chamber in September 2013 after a five-year hiatus.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 8, 2023
Gail Loefgren reflects on 25 years of service as chamber president

After announcing her retirement, the president of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce recounts the impact that the island has had on her.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • August 8, 2023
Rosenberg, Michael

Rosenberg, Michael, 84, of Longboat Key and Sarasota, passed peacefully on August 2, 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Mayor Erik Arroyo speaks at an event in February 2022.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 8, 2023
State attorney office declined Arroyo case on grounds of 'insufficient evidence'

State records show that Arroyo's charity had been registered with state and federal governments. Arroyo's attorney called the FDLE investigation "wasted time and resources."

  • Sarasota
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • August 8, 2023
Sara Smuda and Kevin Hussey

Sara Smuda and Kevin Hussey are pleased to announce their marriage on June 9, 2023 in Longboat Key, which family and a few close friends joined in to celebrate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Celebrations
Lakewood Ranch High School junior Byron Simon, who launched Southernly Simon Apparel, hopes people like Parrish Community High's Makayla Chenard relate to his clothing brand.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 8, 2023
Lakewood Ranch high schooler launches clothing brand

Southernly Simon Apparel encourages mental health awareness and addresses other topics.

  • East County
  • Business
Annabeth Howell and James Nicholson at the stingray touch tank at Mote Marine Aquarium in August 2023.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 8, 2023
Education coordinator leads her first redesigned summer camps at Mote

The summer camps at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium engage children in themed fun and education.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Payne Park Auditorium.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 8, 2023
Nonprofit CEO details mission for expansion, operation of Payne Park Auditorium

A subsidiary of The Players Centre for Performing Arts begins its work to raise capital and begin planning to create a venue for local theater groups.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River tight end Cody Kawcak and linebacker Micah Fedd are two players Coach Curt Bradley is designating as senior leaders.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 8, 2023
Braden River High football team has big holes to fill on offense

The Pirates' starting quarterback and running back both transferred, but coaches are high on the team's overall talent.

  • East County
  • Sports
Updated town budget lowers millage rate, increases revenue, expenses
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 8, 2023
Updated town budget lowers millage rate, increases revenue, expenses

Town Manager Howard Tipton presented the Longboat Key Town Commission with slight changes to the anticipated budget, which is set to be adopted in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Police refuse to take resident's unwanted ammunition
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 8, 2023
Police refuse to take resident's unwanted ammunition

Longboat Key Police were called by a resident to take possession of unwanted ammunition. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Commissioners Jason Bearden and Kevin Van Ostenbridge spoke to the crowd about the importance of the 44th Avenue Extension project on Aug. 7 as the bridge over the Braden River opened.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 7, 2023
Manatee County opens 44th Avenue Bridge over Braden River

Commissioners and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the 44th Avenue Extension project's penultimate phase.

  • East County
  • News
April Glasco lines up children to get a free Kona Ice.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 7, 2023
Committee at Temple Beth Israel donates $1,000 worth of school supplies

The Social Action Committee brought three cars full of school supplies to the Second Chance Last Opportunity back-to-school drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key golden retriever befriends a manatee
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 7, 2023
Longboat Key golden retriever befriends a manatee

The two friendly animals got to know each other during a fishing excursion.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Barb Torrence has been working at the Longboat Key Library for about seven years, since she retired from being a librarian in Michigan.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 7, 2023
Town Center Phase 3 on horizon — with focus on new library

The Sarasota County-led project will take off next fiscal year, aimed at providing a new public resource on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This three-piece modular building will serve as the temporary clubhouse at Bobby Jones Golf Club. A permanent structure is currently under design.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 7, 2023
Bobby Jones clubhouse delivered as project manager retires

The three-piece temporary modular unit marks another milestone in the restoration of the city-owned golf complex.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Sue Carlton had just had dinner at Good Liquid Brewing at Waterside Place Aug. 5 when she heard the music and decided to have some fun with singer Sheri Nadelman.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 6, 2023
Stay tuned for musical growth at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch

Singer Sheri Nadelman says the crowds at the entertainment hub will continue to grow.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Scarlett Hafner, a fifth grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, her mother, Cassie, brother Preston, a seventh grader, and father, Mark Hafner, at the 80th parallel just north of Svalbard, Norway.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 6, 2023
Lakewood Ranch-area teachers, students take the summer to travel the world

From Tennessee to Peru to Japan, teachers and students on break traveled to five of the seven continents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Selby Gardens promotes new COO from within
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 6, 2023
Selby Gardens promotes new COO from within

Crystal Bailey joined the organization in January as chief administrative officer and general counsel.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Bradenton's Nicole Figueroa, who is 11, and Abdiel Figueroa, who is 8, show off the school supplies they received during the Back to School Bash.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2023
Mall at UTC's Back to School Bash prepares students for a new year

Character greetings, free school supplies, face painting and more get students excited about school starting.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarah Orcutt, a second grade teacher at Freedom Elementary School, loves the book nook she's created in her new classroom. She says the new addition is a fresh start.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2023
Freedom Elementary teachers move into school's new addition

Teachers in the eight new classrooms begin decorating with a blank slate.

  • East County
  • Schools
Spearheading the fundraising effort for the Stage at Payne Park: Brian McCarthy, William Skaggs, Bill Porter, Bill Rusling and Steven Butler
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2023
The Players raises curtain on fundraising for Payne Park theater project

The theater will match up to half of the $8 million in community donations that The Stage hopes to raise for the project.

  • Arts + Culture
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