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Your Observer

General permits allow for mangroves to be trimmed to 6 feet measured from the sediment.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 28, 2023
Mangrove trimming under dispute with Florida environment agency

State regulations for trimming mangroves are strict due to the benefits that the plants can provide their ecosystems.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Prep upper school principal Cheryl Cendan and athletic director Racquel Standifer said the school's football field cost approximately $1.4 million to construct.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 28, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Prep athletics building for the long term

The school is building a football field even though it will not field a team for several seasons.

  • East County
  • Sports
New co-presidents of Temple Beth Israel Marion Levine and Michael Boorstein are transitioning into their new positions keeping the late David Gorin in mind.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 28, 2023
New co-presidents of Temple Beth Israel keep David Gorin’s legacy alive

Michael Boorstein and Marion Levine plan to pursue big goals for the temple following in the footsteps of their hard-working predecessor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota PD grants 4-year-old's wish, swears in youngest officer
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 28, 2023
Sarasota PD grants 4-year-old's wish, swears in youngest officer

At age 4, cancer patient Andrew Pickart's beach trip wish was enhanced as he became an honorary officer of the Sarasota Police Department.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioners Deborah Murphy (beck left) and Gary Coffin (back center) were sworn in on March 20. Also pictured: Penny Gold, BJ Bishop, Debra Williams, Mayor Ken Schneier and Vice Mayor Mike Haycock.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 28, 2023
Newest commissioners graduate from first step of elected official training

Longboat Key commissioners Debbie Murphy and Gary Coffin recently attended the first of two sessions of the Florida League of Cities' Institute for Elected Municipal Officials.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Declaration of Independence: Most important civil document in the world
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 28, 2023
Declaration of Independence: Most important civil document in the world

The Declaration represented a movement of a people. "It was in no sense a radical movement but took on the dignity of a resistance to illegal usurpations."

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The June 24 boat explosion occurred in the New Pass channel near Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 27, 2023
Boat explosion off Longboat sends six to hospital, under state investigation

The explosion occurred on June 24 in New Pass channel between Longboat Key and City Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bridget Ipjian, a rising junior, laughs as a chicken rests on her back.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 27, 2023
Junior Ranchers program introduces campers to life in agriculture

Kids get a firsthand look at chickens, pigs and cows at the Lakewood Ranch High School camp.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mario Martinez Reyes.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 27, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Mario Martinez Reyes

The Lakewood Ranch Little League 11U All-Star hit .571 in the team's district tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Peppi Elona
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 27, 2023
Sarasota artist and arts advocate Peppi Elona dies at 86

Elona was one of 13 founding members of the contemporary Sarasota Art Museum.

  • Arts + Culture
    In Memoriam |
  • June 27, 2023
Peppi Elona

Peppi Elona, a vibrant, colorful, unconventionally imaginative and kind woman passed away peacefully at her home on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • June 27, 2023
Deborah Chalmers

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our special Mom, Deborah Chalmers, on June 1, 2023, at the age of 84.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Take Care Home Health is run by Sue Wise and two of her daughters Erika Wise Borland and Courtney Wise Snyder.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • June 27, 2023
Home health care agency continues 28 years of growth, success

Sarasota-based Take Care Home Health started with one office and four employees. It has grown into a multimillion-dollar business with multiple locations and nearly 400 employees.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Ocean Prime plans to build a two-story, 9,500-square-foot restaurant on Block 10 in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 27, 2023
Seafood, steak restaurant coming to The Quay

The centerpiece restaurant in The Quay is planned to open in late 2024.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Alex Ortega started building a career for himself at Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay when he was 16 years old and new to the country.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 27, 2023
Alex Ortega built an American dream at Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay

Now 50 years old and the general manager, Ortega started working at the Siesta Key restaurant when he was only 16 and didn't speak English.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 16921 Clearlake Ave. sold for $2.8 million. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,596 square feet living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 27, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for June 12-16 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue tops the week's sales at $2.8 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Stefan Campagna volunteers as a Teen Court of Sarasota County judge in addition to serving as a board member.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 27, 2023
Sarasota attorney gives back to court program that saved him

Stefan Campagna used his second chance to become an attorney and champion Teen Court of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harvest House CEO Erin Minor embraces a Freedom client after she receives her graduation certificate.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 27, 2023
Sarasota, Manatee nonprofits push their clients' lives forward

Support for clients comes in the form of financial assistance, education, creative outlets and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Myakka River State Park gives people an opportunity to see a variety of wildlife while exploring its trails, boating, fishing, birding, horseback riding, paddling and more.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 27, 2023
Seven places to take in Manatee County's natural beauty this summer

From parks to preserves to farms, East County has plenty of spots to enjoy the outdoors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
NBP dragon boat Coach Angela Long and nine NBP teammates were selected to represent Team USA at the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships. (Not pictured: Duneska Grant.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 27, 2023
East County dragon boat paddler picked for US Senior Women's team

Mandy Boyers' selection to the team was years in the making.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 27, 2023
Manatee commissioners say days of three-term leaders are numbered

Following the resignation of Vanessa Baugh from the board, only first-term commissioners remain.

  • East County
  • News
Construction projects, like the St. Regis development, would likely need many inspections from the town planning and zoning department throughout the course of building.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 27, 2023
Longboat faces high demand for inspections amid staff shortage

The town currently has one inspector on staff and has been relying on private providers to meet the demand for services.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
New home construction in the Sarasota market is helping facilitate continued relocation into the area.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2023
Sarasota has second-highest number of new residents in US

The local market has slipped from No. 1 in an annual report on relocation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents argue over who parked on private property
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 27, 2023
Residents argue over who parked on private property

Late at night, neighbors argue over parking on private property. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Curtiss Schantz, a past commodore, shakes Steven Horton's hand after swearing him in as the commodore for 2023-24.
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 26, 2023
Bird Key Yacht Club installs new commodore, Board of Governors

The club looks to grow membership and improve facilities while maintaining a "personal touch."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The annual powerboat event draws large crowds to Lido Key and downtown Sarasota every summer. Photo courtesy Pete Boden.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 26, 2023
Expect closures, delays over July 4 weekend

The annual Powerboat Grand Prix and bayfront fireworks display will clog streets between downtown Sarasota and Lido Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nancy Krohngold, owner of Nancy's Bar-B-Q, is bringing the restaurant back to downtown Sarasota after the Lakewood Ranch location closes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 26, 2023
Nancy's Bar-B-Q will close in Lakewood Ranch

The restaurant is returning to downtown Sarasota after not being able to reach an agreement to renew the lease at Lorraine Corners.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Gulf of Mexico Drive and Broadway Street is intended to slow traffic.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 26, 2023
Major improvements to Gulf of Mexico Drive hit a snag

The roundabout and complete street projects designed for Gulf of Mexico Drive now require further design and discussion before moving forward.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rich Schineller
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 25, 2023
Ringling College media maestro Rich Schineller dies

The PR guru helped raise the profile of the arts, the environment and social justice in Sarasota.

  • Arts + Culture
Workforce Development & Innovation award with PGT Innovation staff Rob Moulds, Debbie LaPinska, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center chief operating officer Diego Perilla, and PGT Innovation staff Jeff Jackson, Don Vichitvongsa, and Stephanie Cz.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 25, 2023
2023 Small Business Awards reveal a caring community

The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's awards highlighted area businesses that are positioned for continued success and have provided opportunities for the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Laura Wallace, Walter Killings, Shirley Pearson, Karen Pashkow, Jurome Killings and Sandra Johnson
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 25, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel outreach event overflows with donations

More than a vanload of shoes, clothing, personal items and toiletries was donated to the Mt. Carmel Resource Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bricks Smoked Meats at 1528 State St. has been among the restaurants leading the charge to preserve parklet dining as a permanent fixture in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 25, 2023
City proposes plan to make on-street dining permanent

The policy presented would cost Sarasota restaurants at least $13,000 per year plus construction to offer dining in city parking spaces.

  • Sarasota
  • News
While it was a cooking class, all the women who participated in "Cooking Queens" say they are cooks. It's just a great social event and a chance to try recipes.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 25, 2023
'Cooking queens' enjoy camaraderie while trying new recipes

Angela Massaro-Fain hosted a social gathering at her Lakewood Ranch home to teach recipes from her "Bacio Di Cucina" cookbook.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dan Mohl says horseback riding benefits him as much mentally as it does physically.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 25, 2023
Therapy in the saddle makes perfect horse sense at SMART

The Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy offers therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted learning programs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Hermitage presents "Songs from the Sand: A Hermitage Cabaret" on Friday night at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 24, 2023
Waterside Place hosts another sight to see in Lakewood Ranch

Hermitage Artist Retreat is latest to perform in the Sights and Sounds series.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Barry Gaines aims perfectly to dunk people in the dunk tank while other employees cheer around him.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 24, 2023
Longboat Key’s town staff gather for employee appreciation luncheon

The town hosted a BBQ honoring all town employees and showing appreciation through different bonding activities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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