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Your Observer

Cody Kawcak is a breakout candidate at tight end for Braden River High in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 1, 2023
The 10 high school senior football players to watch in East County

This group includes both returning stars and breakout candidates from Lakewood Ranch, Braden River and The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • Sports
As of July 18, Longboat Key Police Department received nine of the patrol vehicles for the take-home vehicle program. Five of those nine are hybrid vehicles.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 1, 2023
Investment in police compensation, vehicles already paying off

Take-home vehicles and increased salaries and benefits for Longboat officers have helped the department fill vacancies.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brooke Langston won the big raffle at the World Mangrove Day event on July 29, giving her the opportunity to christen Suncoast Waterkeeper's nee patrol boat.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 1, 2023
Suncoast Waterkeeper christens patrol boat, expands monitoring program

The patrol boat will help Suncoast Waterkeeper monitor the bay and quickly respond to pollution concerns.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The city of Sarasota is exploring future uses of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall once a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center is built.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2023
Van Wezel included on 'places to save' list

The Florida Trust of Historic Places has placed the Sarasota performing arts hall on its 11 to Save list of threatened historic properties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 31, 2023
Arrest made in July 24 shooting near St. Armands Circle

A Punta Gorda teen was in Venice Police Department custody on unrelated charges when identified by Sarasota detectives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Illusionist Marshall Chandler entertains Lynn Hagan and Mary Frances Mondo.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 31, 2023
Magic & Mystery Night Faire offers Sarasota a new experience

The event was the first of four that will be held by art studio Creative Liberties.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Networking at Noon was hosted at the Chart House from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 31, 2023
Networking at Noon welcomes new, potential members to the chamber

The Chart House hosted the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce for a summer networking luncheon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rachel Scharbo, the teen librarian at Braden River Library, goes over opening a checking account and savings account during an Adulting 101 session.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 31, 2023
Braden River Library offers classes on 'adulting'

Adulting 101 teaches teens about finances, budgeting, nutrition, time management and more to help prepare them for their futures.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key's first grants coordinator, Kalee Shaberts, started hunting for possible grants on July 17, 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 31, 2023
Longboat Key’s new grants coordinator streamlines review process

Kalee Shaberts hit the ground running on July 17 as other town employees share her optimism about the new position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An artistic illustration of the Alton Lakewood apartments being planned for the southeast corner of State Road 64 East and Lorraine Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 31, 2023
Pet-friendly apartment complex slated for SR 64, Lorraine Road

The Alton Lakewood apartments will feature a dog park and pet spa along with an oversized fitness center and outdoor running track.

  • East County
  • News
LJ Govoni, president of Fat Point Brewing Co., offers up a Keywaydin Island blonde ale at the grand opening July 28 at UTC.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2023
Fat Point Brewing offers pint-sized satisfaction at UTC

Sarasota's newest craft beer pub opened at a small, intimate setting on Cattlemen Road.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sarasota city commissioners adopted an ordinance in 2021 to register and regulate vacation rentals in coastal communities.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 30, 2023
Sarasota considers expansion of ordinance regulating vacation rentals

Current vacation rental fee revenues fall short of city's regulatory expenses by roughly $100,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Jacqueline Darby shares memories of going to Mixon Fruit Farms with Janet Mixon. Darby has been going to Mixon Fruit Farms for 40 years.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2023
Mixon Fruit Farms closes its doors in Bradenton

Patrons said goodbye to Mixon Fruit Farms after 84 years of memories.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School welcomes John Wilkerson as its new director of bands.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High welcomes new director of bands

John Wilkerson wants to focus on the little things as he works with his students.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Greer Island Spit Management Project began with clearing necessary vegetation the week of July 24.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 29, 2023
Beer Can Island dredging to be finished by end of August

After slight delays caused by wildlife, the town began clearing vegetation on-site to prepare for a quick dredging.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dance instructor Daisy Saunders, 75, and student Helen McBean, who, at 88 years old, is a regular in Saunders' classes
    By
  • James Peter
  • July 28, 2023
Health fair encourages seniors to stay in motion

The Senior Friendship Centers Wellness in Motion Health and Services Fair drew a crowd for dance and fitness demos and outreach from 20 vendors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Eleven-year-old Henry Greenwell, 12-year-old Max Dinetz and Mike Donnerstag make banana bread together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 28, 2023
Kids choose their own culinary adventures at Chef Mike’s Catering camp

The camp helped children prepare an entire buffet with a wide variety of dishes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gail Loefgren, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce president
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2023
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce president announces retirement

Gail Loefgren served in the role for more than 25 years and led the chamber’s development.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The caution tape around a blank area in Publix on Longboat Key will be replaced with self-checkout machines.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 28, 2023
Revamp underway at Longboat's Publix

The Publix on Bay Isles parkway is under minor construction, which will include the addition of self-checkout machines.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This 1977 Porsche 930 turbo valued at $250,000 was stolen on June 14 from Sarasota Classic Car Museum. It has since been recovered.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2023
Sarasota man held in connection with theft from Classic Car Museum

Daniel Boyce is being held without bond in the theft of a 1977 Porsche 930 turbo valued at $250,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fire and Police department of Longboat Key mingle over ice cream provided by the Longboat Key Rotary Club on July 25.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 28, 2023
Longboat Key first responders enjoy ice cream provided by Rotary Club

The Rotary Club arranged for an ice cream truck to deliver frozen treats to the police and fire departments to celebrate their hard work around the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2023
Back-to-school sales tax holiday continues through Aug. 6

During the holiday, purchases of school essentials are exempt from sales taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 28, 2023
Workshop on county administration workshop set for Tuesday

Benderson will present its proposal for comprehensive plan changes to allow for new urbanism redevelopment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Raymond Turner, with his wife Debbie at his side, takes the oath of office to become the District 5 Manatee County Commissioner Aug. 1, 2023. He is running for reelection.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 27, 2023
Manatee County welcomes its newest commissioner

Raymond Turner has been named as District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh's replacement.

  • East County
  • News
No new local malaria cases reported since July 13
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 27, 2023
No new local malaria cases reported since July 13

The outbreak will be declared over if no new cases are reported by Sept. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Christina Unkel was named the club president of Super League Tampa Bay on July 15.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 27, 2023
Sarasota's Unkel selected as team president of Super League Tampa Bay organization

Christina Unkel, a former FIFA referee, has spent 15 years working at the highest levels of the sport.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A Coast Guard helicopter flies over Nathan Benderson Park on July 26 for the Spirit of America camp week.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 27, 2023
Coast Guard teaches boating safety at Nathan Benderson Park

Campers, ages 10 to 14, enjoyed fun, adventure and safety during Spirit of America week at the park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mural Organizer Walter Gilbert, Colson family member Sonja McCoy Harvey and Mayor Kyle Battie
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 27, 2023
New mural in Rosemary District celebrates local Black history icons

The mural on the Planned Parenthood health center features Lewis and Irene Colson.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
What we do matters
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • July 27, 2023
What we do matters

While some say artificial intelligence poses threats to the media, Florida newspapers remain strong with local journalism reporting human experiences and connections — something AI will never do as we do.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
To the campers, it's all fun and games at Dream Oaks Camp, but goals are set by parents and staff members ahead of their arrival.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 27, 2023
Dream Oaks camp is a dream come true for campers and parents

Foundation for Dreams and its camp offer horseback riding, canoeing and swimming for kids and a respite for their parents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A home in Cocoanut Bayou tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $6 million. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,865 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 27, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for July 10-14 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Cocoanut Bayou home on Higel Avenue tops the week’s sales at $6 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Superintendent Terry Connor talks with board member Robyn Marinelli.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 27, 2023
Sarasota School Board begins consideration of annual budget

A vote will take place on the tentative budget during a meeting on Aug. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Little Free Library founder Elizabeth Henderson and Neel Menon dedicate the new library in Bob Gardner Park to Jai Menon, Neel's brother who died in 2016.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 27, 2023
Little Free Libraries continue to grow in the Lakewood Ranch area

The smallish libraries have a great impact to the communities they serve.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The bid to build a pad for the sculpture commissioned for the roundabout at U.S. 41 and 10th Street was $743,651.70.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 27, 2023
Concrete pad prices prompt reconsideration of public art placement

The bid for concrete foundations in U.S. 41 roundabouts was nearly four times the cost of the sculptures.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Homes in Lakewood Ranch, including this Neal Signature Homes' Seaside model, continue to fly off the shelf. Lakewood Ranch continues to be ranked as the No. 1-selling, multi-generational, master-planned community in the U.S.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 27, 2023
Lakewood Ranch retains standing as the top multigenerational, master-planned community

The RCLCO rankings also noted that Lakewood Ranch was No. 2 in total sales with 1,227, up 20% from the same period a year ago.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 26, 2023
City caps millage rate at 3.000

The max millage approved by commissioners will support the proposed $285.68 million budget.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Selby Gardens’ Selenicereus cactus blooms for one night only.
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Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
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Maddie Baehr was hesitant to join Braden River flag football as a freshman. Now, she's a member of the Ireland Flag Football Women's National Team with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics just over two years away.
  • June 3, 2026
Braden River High graduate takes her dual athleticism overseas

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