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Your Observer

Failure to secure the air rights over Quay Commons led to One Park developer Quay 1 and 9 to decline to close on the property resulting in mutual lawsuits with the master developer, Quay Venture.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 2, 2023
Contention remains in the air over One Park plan

As it awaits its scheduled court date, the City Commission lays out the plan for consideration of One Park in The Quay. Final approval rests on either amending or revising the original development agreement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Town Square
  • February 2, 2023
It Takes a Village: Town Square's Unique Approach to Senior Care

Picture a 1950s-style town, filled with vintage memorabilia, midcentury storefronts and even a 1956 Pontiac. That’s what you’ll find when you step into Town Square University Parkway.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Chateau Sarasota officially opens Feb. 4 in the former Roy's space.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 1, 2023
French cuisine to open at former Roy’s in Sarasota

After more than a year of delays, The Chateau Sarasota on Siesta Drive will open Feb. 4.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
B.J. Ivey was presented by Sarasota High with a commemorative basketball and shirt in recognition of his 300th varsity win.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 1, 2023
Sarasota High coach reaches 300-win mark at varsity level

B.J. Ivey has taken his time on the basketball sidelines to heart.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
For years, Blasé Café has been the go-to spot for locals escaping the tourist hustle.
  • By Su Byron
  • February 1, 2023
Where to find the hidden nightlife in Sarasota, Longboat

Night owls rejoice. If the day’s winding down but you’re still going strong, you don’t have to go to bed. Nighttime is still the right time for some of us.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Kelly Harmon with Lakewood Ranch Community Activities calls out the letter and number in bingo while asking residents about themselves to allow everyone to get to know each other.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 1, 2023
LWR Community Activities ramps up programming to meet demand

With more people getting involved, the social organization is creating new programs to meet the expanding needs of its residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River High School senior Christian Bell is nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy, and senior Terrence Tysall is nominated to the U.S. Naval and Air Force academies.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 1, 2023
Two Manatee students receive military service academy nominations

Braden River High seniors Christian Bell and Terrence Tysall hope to attend the U.S. Naval Academy with their nominations from U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.

  • East County
  • Schools
Police called after disturbance over bad haircut
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 1, 2023
Police called after disturbance over bad haircut

A mother causes a disturbance at a barber shop over an alleged bad child's haircut. This and other reports from the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
350 Morningside Drive sold for $1.95 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 1, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 16-20 for Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Lido Key home on Morningside Drive tops the week's sales at $1.95 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Yesterdayze is performing at the Town Center Green for the Savor the Sounds concert series.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 1, 2023
Savor the Sounds returns to Longboat and the 1960s

Yesterdayze will perform at Town Center Green on Saturday night at the first Savor the Sounds concert of the year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Howard Tipton's first day as town manager was Jan. 30.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 1, 2023
Tipton recounts his picture-perfect first day

A dream of coastal living has become reality for Longboat Key's new town manager.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Carol Swed hits a "hole in one."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 31, 2023
New members ace their debut

The 18-hole Women's Golf Association welcomed 23 new members on Tuesday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Scott Wilson has taken golf trips to Scotland, Ireland, England, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand, among other countries.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 31, 2023
Lakewood Ranch golf pro links players to unique experiences

Wilson Links company has sent groups to Scotland, England, Ireland and other top golf destinations.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Concession home at 8353 Lindrick Lane sold for $3,075,000. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,860 square feet
of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 31, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 16-20 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Lindrick Lane tops the week's sales at $3.08 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch High senior Devlin Loynd.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 31, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Devlin Loynd

The Lakewood Ranch High senior wrestler went 5-0 at the team's round robin meet Jan. 22.

  • East County
  • Sports
Traffic on and off Longboat Key remains a top concern for residents who filled out the survey.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 31, 2023
FDOT resets schedule for roundabout work, lane closures

Work on U.S. 41 and on Gulfstream Avenue exiting the barrier islands will require overnight and daytime lane closures Sunday through Thursday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The steak frites features chimichurri Sauce and french fries.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 31, 2023
Post Kitchen and Bar in Sarasota puts a new twist on old favorites

The restaurant at The Shoppes at University Town Center features seafood and craft cocktails.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Braden River High School Chorus performs at Christ Church.
  • By Marc Fors
  • January 31, 2023
Braden River High choir performs at Christ Church

The high school chorus is competing in the Smoky Mountain Spring Choral Festival held in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 31, 2023
Engineering, preservation expertise sought for Van Wezel repurposing

City commissioners held an initial discussion about qualifications for a committee to study the renovation and repurposing of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Check with rental company first
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 31, 2023
Check with rental company first

What first appeared as a stolen rental car turned out to be a scheduled towing. This and other Longboat police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Any property rented for less than six months will be subject to the new program, unless one of 30 properties excluded by the town.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 31, 2023
Short-term rental program could start this fall on Longboat

If passed, the program to register properties rented for under six months would kick-off Oct. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The media center in R. Dan Nolan Middle School, along with every other media center in the School District of Manatee County, has had its books vetted and approved. Now schools are working on vetting books in classroom libraries.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 31, 2023
Manatee schools continue book-vetting for state compliance

Some books brought into Manatee County classrooms by teachers face the possibility of being deemed inappropriate after a new Florida law has increased the scrutiny on reading material.

  • East County
  • Schools
Members of the town's volunteer boards were recognized for their efforts by town staff Friday.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 31, 2023
Volunteers recognized as integral part of Longboat government

Members of the town's advisory boards were formally recognized for the first time in more than a decade.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Steve Koenig revealed his superman shirt under his button-down as he asks Southside Elementary students what their favorite superhero is.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 30, 2023
Southside Elementary invites Holocaust survivors to speak

The Sarasota elementary school hosted two guest speakers to share their stories of the Holocaust on Jan. 27.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tzeva features a Mediterranean menu with Israeli influence.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • January 30, 2023
New restaurant concept to open in downtown Sarasota

The new Mediterranean dining spot is set to begin service Feb. 8.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
SPD investigates two Friday night hit-and-run fatalities
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 30, 2023
SPD investigates two Friday night hit-and-run fatalities

Two pedestrians were struck and killed within 20 minutes on Fruitville Road. SPD investigators do not suspect the two incidents are related.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Outgoing Chair Allison Imre hands over the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance gavel to new Board Chair Erik Hanson.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 30, 2023
Growing Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance names new board chair

Erik Hanson says that the growth of the LWRBA and affordable housing are two priorities for the board in 2023.

  • East County
  • Business
The clubhouse at Gulfshore filled up quickly on Saturday morning for the community's annual Trash to Treasure sale.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 30, 2023
Trash to Treasure sale is a Longboat Key tradition

The annual Trash to Treasure Sale was held in the clubhouse of the Gulfshore mobile home park on Saturday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Amy Watson serves seafood at the 7th Annual Sarasota Seafood and Music Festival.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 30, 2023
Seafood and Music Festival brings flavor to Sarasota

The seventh annual Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival was held at JD Hamel Park over the weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
St. Armands Circle Association Marketing and Events Director Rachel Burns said she doesn't fault promoters of the Winter Spectacular for trying something different.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 30, 2023
St. Armands Circle Association leader seeks seat on BID

The merchants' organization at St. Armands Circle could be on the hunt for its third executive director in two years if Rachel Burns is appointed to the Business Improvement District.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Past and present Seaplace residents pose for a picture to add to the time capsule.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 30, 2023
Residents celebrate 50 years at Seaplace

The Longboat Key condominium complex celebrated its 50th anniversary on Jan. 25.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Patty Schreiber, Stan Liner, Steve Swedlow, Pearl Perlinski and Patty Glah celebrate the 15th annual Sarasota Jewish Food Festival.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 29, 2023
Sarasota Jewish Food Fest returns after pandemic hiatus

Temple Sinai celebrated its 15th annual Sarasota Jewish Food Festival on Jan 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Chef David Stone shows Karen Pashkow how to butter the phyllo dough for the spanakopita.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 29, 2023
Longboat Chapel chef reveals 5 quick-bite secrets

Former Longboat Key Club Chef David Stone held a cooking demonstration at the Longboat Island Chapel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Girl Scouts learn how to handle a zombie attack at Bradenton camp
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 29, 2023
Girl Scouts learn how to handle a zombie attack at Bradenton camp

The Camp Honi Hanta event was designed to teach the girls survival tactics.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sean Clougherty, also known as the "Human Cannonball", explains how he would perform his act.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 29, 2023
Art fans enjoy exhibit at Sarasota's City Hall

The city's cultural origins are on display through May in the halls of municipal government.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 29, 2023
Longboat 'Shark Guy' gives the ABC’s of shark fishing

Rob Metz has learned just about everything there is to know about catching sharks. And he’s not afraid to show you.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
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2
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
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Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
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Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
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5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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