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Your Observer

Sarasota County Communications operator Ashley Patrick and Lt. Michelle DiCapua got a tour of Longboat Fire Station's 91 fitness facility in November 2021.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 30, 2023
New county dispatch system will enhance response times

Upgrades at the Sarasota County Public Safety Communications Center will provide more accurate data with location-based routing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Eyla Grayce Jackson, Jewel Love Jackson and Skylar Rae Jackson receive prizes for reading books as part of Music Compound's Rock Your Summer Reading program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 30, 2023
Music Compound encourages reading with summer program

Children can earn prizes based on the number of books they read.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Police help a Longboat Key beachgoer find belongings
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 30, 2023
Police help a Longboat Key beachgoer find belongings

A theft was reported — only for the belongings to be found further down the beach. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The town is looking to education as the solution to a rise in rabbit populations.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 30, 2023
Town looks to educate residents on rabbit-repelling plants

A resident emailed Longboat Key town staff with concerns about the rise in rabbit populations prompting discussion on the best methods for deterring them.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Young Marines from the Imagine School post the colors.
    By
  • James Peter
  • May 29, 2023
Bird Key Yacht Club Memorial Day ceremony honors fallen military

Tribute was paid to the sacrifices service members made in defense of the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
David Bonci and Commander Ron Evans of Veterans of Foreign Wars Sunshine Post 3233 greet the crowds lining Main Street on May 29, 2023, during the Memorial Day parade.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 29, 2023
Memorial Day parade celebrates those who gave all

The parade brought together numerous participants from across Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rich Greenberg, president of the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters at Del Webb, salutes during the Star Spangled Banner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 29, 2023
Tribute to Heroes Parade draws thousands to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

The annual event honors veterans but also provided plenty of entertainment for families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The fence is being removed from the perimeter of John H. Marble Park in preparation for some major upgrades.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 29, 2023
Manatee County's John H. Marble Park closes for improvements

The Manatee County park closed on May 22 and won't reopen until fall 2024.

  • East County
  • News
A child in the migrant camp in Matamoros, Mexico, in May of 2023.
    By
  • James Peter
  • May 29, 2023
Local photographer documents migrant crisis at the border

Allan Mestel captured thousands of images of migrants and their living conditions coinciding with the expiration of Title 42.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Campaign Against Summer Hunger co-chair Lisa Keverian-Press, All Faiths Food Bank CEO Sandra Frank and campaign co-chair Clare Segall announce a matching challenge for the food bank at the March 2023 fundraising campaign.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 29, 2023
Sarasota ranked Florida’s sixth-most charitable county

The SmartAsset study used tax return data to measure charitable contributions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Victoria B. Cooley of Sarasota paints with acrylic and oils to create beach scenes.
    By
  • James Peter
  • May 28, 2023
Fine arts fest draws crowd to St. Armands Circle

Local and regional artists showed and sold their work, including coastal scenes, shark-tooth art and paintings that prompted disbelief.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Work began in February with project completion expected in late 2024.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 28, 2023
Traffic shifts planned for Bradenton Beach sewer line project

Two lanes will still be operating with the western-most lane moved into the sandy parking area.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota's Bay Runner trolley service turned one year old on March 2.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2023
Bay Runner trolley hours change for offseason

Starting June 1, the free Sarasota trolley service will start and end earlier.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dan Goodman, a Lakewood Ranch High School physics teacher, died May 14.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 28, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High mourns death of physics teacher

Dan Goodman is remembered for his NASA career and dedication to his students and family.

  • East County
  • Schools
Erin Masciulli and 15-year-old Aly Miller place a flag in the ground.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 27, 2023
Memorial Day tribute at Sarasota National Cemetery honors the fallen

Held at the Sarasota National Cemetery following the Flags for Fallen Vets flag placement, the event honored service members who died in the line of duty and their families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
If approved, a new ordinance will increase an annual fee paid by downtown restaurants with sidewalk cafe permits by $3 per square foot of outside space used for additional sidewalk and alley cleanings.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 27, 2023
Fee hike proposed on downtown restaurants with sidewalk seating

The Downtown Improvement District board asks the city to add a fee of $3 per square foot for additional sidewalk cleaning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A 2022 rendering of One Main Plaza, which is within 5 miles of 168,130 people.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 26, 2023
Sprouts grocery store coming to downtown Sarasota

Sprouts Farmers Market has signed a long-term lease to be part of One Main Plaza, the Main Street development under construction.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's Nicole Durbal signs freshman Sara Johnson's T-shirt.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 26, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Prep freshmen celebrate end of school year

The inaugural upper school class looks forward to moving onto the next school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • May 26, 2023
William A. Cook

Bill Cook passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 15th at his home on Longboat Key from complications of Lewy Body and Vascular Dementias.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Donations for the Pet Food Bank are growing at Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 26, 2023
Animal sanctuary's new food bank supports pets in low-income families

Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary in Myakka City hopes that by providing pet food and supplies, families will be able to keep their animals.

  • East County
  • News
Firefighter/paramedic Trey Bowlin shows what protective gear is worn when responding to a fire.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 26, 2023
Local firefighters learn about occupation's cancer risks

Firefighters have a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the United States' general population.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The conceptual drawing for The Bay master plan includes a site for a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center, shaded in purple.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 26, 2023
Architect finalists for new arts center come to town Wednesday

Three candidates to design the Sarasota Performing Arts Center will present in person to the task force and the public. The selection will be made the next day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
222nd Street resident Carla Tralick holds up an old newspaper article that featured her son Thomas Tralick and said today was his birthday. The proposed East River Ranch thoroughfare was originally planned through the Tralicks' backyard, where Thomas is buried.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 25, 2023
Rezoning for East River Ranch approved

Residents voiced concerns about traffic and a lowered quality of life at the recent Manatee County Commission land use meeting.

  • East County
  • News
Seaward Development has bought the Mira Mar building on Palm Avenue in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 25, 2023
Mira Mar building sold for $17M to developer

The historic downtown Sarasota building on Palm Avenue has sold to a local developer after safety concerns and an inability to get a demolition permit killed the previous deal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Myakka City Elementary School second grader Marshyll Scott has the chance to show her teacher, Jackie Blue, her rodeo skills.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 25, 2023
Myakka City Elementary students end the school year with a rodeo

More than 40 students show their skills in barrel-racing, goat-tying, pole-bending and bull-riding.

  • East County
  • Schools
Siesta Key's Benjamin Aguilar competed at the 2023 U.S Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 25, 2023
The top 10 moments of the Sarasota high school sports 2022-23 year

A strong list is filled with state titles, individual awards and breakthrough seasons.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
This home at 4034 Roberts Point Road, Siesta Key, tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Built in 1990, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,599 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 25, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for May 8-12 in Sarasota, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Roberts Point Road tops the week’s sales at $5.6 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Coach Bailey Brauch teaches a group of students.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 25, 2023
Lessons at Aqua-Tots Swim Schools promote water safety

Aqua-Tots' "Swim with Your Clothes On" lessons teach young children how to survive falling fully clothed into a pool.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Contractor Jon F. Swift of Sarasota is working on an Old Florida design for the Bobby Jones Golf Club clubhouse.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 25, 2023
Bobby Jones clubhouse may cost up to $9 million

City commissioners abandon the plan for a "bare-bones" $2.5 million facility in favor of a broader community asset and revenue generator.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Black skimmers gather on South Lido Key.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 25, 2023
A colony of shorebirds nests on South Lido Beach

Nesting shorebirds need room to thrive, so give them space, Audubon Florida reminds.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 25, 2023
SMH earns Level II trauma center recertification

Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Sarasota Campus trauma team meets or exceeds all national benchmarks for the seven-year designation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Medallion Financial Resources
  • May 25, 2023
Are You Ready for the High Cost of Aging?

The question is, what are my options and how do I move forward?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Best in the U.S.
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • May 24, 2023
Best in the U.S.

We know Sarasota is great. Don’t hate. Let’s celebrate.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Never too senior to have fun
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 24, 2023
Never too senior to have fun

Senior Friendship Centers hosted couples 50 and older for a prom night of dancing and dining.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Retired Col. Herman Bell of River Club served in the Army for 22 years with most of that time in Special Forces.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 24, 2023
Colonel's story worthy of Lakewood Ranch parade's tribute

Retired Col. Herman Bell says surviving Vietnam was a combined factor of being blessed and lucky.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tiffany Mautino is the new branch manager at the Lakewood Ranch Library opening this fall.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 24, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Library hires branch manager

The library won't be open until the fall, but Tiffany Mautino is going full-steam ahead.

  • East County
  • News
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