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Your Observer

Braden River senior wrestler Jessey Colas captured the Class 2A title in the 182-pound division March 4 at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 24, 2023
The top 10 East County sports moments of the 2022-23 school year

Moments include a wrestling state title and a huge turnaround for ODA's football program.

  • East County
  • Sports
CASTO Managing Director of Southeast Development Michael Chadwick talks to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance about his company's many projects.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 24, 2023
More restaurant choices headed to East County

CASTO executive talks about his company's many development projects in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Built in 1994, units J-204 and K-205 have four bedrooms, two-and-two-half baths and 5,185 square feet of living area. (File photo)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 24, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for May 8-12 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A condominium in L'Ambiance on Longboat Key tops the week's sales at $3.2 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Joni and Ziggy von Schweinitz show off the gold flag they received from the America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association for completing the Great Loop.
    By
  • James Peter
  • May 24, 2023
Longboat couple completes the Great Loop

The 10-month journey covered more than 6,000 miles of eastern U.S. seas, lakes and waterways.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man promises to keep front yard yelling 'to a minimum'
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 24, 2023
Man promises to keep front yard yelling 'to a minimum'

After screaming obscenities for hours a man tells police he'll tone it down. This and other reports from the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Country Club Shores IV and V will be the first of the neighborhoods to get their water main replaced.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 24, 2023
Country Club Shores asbestos pipe replacement starts late summer

Replacing the entire pipe is expected to cost about $9.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The upper floors of Obsidian would offer bayfront views to the east and downtown views to the west.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 24, 2023
Downtown condo moves closer to final approval as neighbors object

Although the developer says the height-limiting ordinance does not apply, the Sarasota Design Review Committee still suggests reducing the scale of the condominium tower, Obsidian.

  • Sarasota
  • News
New patrol cars assigned to an officer will add years to the vehicle's lifetime.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 24, 2023
Longboat police seek additional patrol vehicles

The seven additional vehicles will each be assigned to an officer, increasing department morale and vehicle lifespan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation Leadership Development Institute class of 2023.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 23, 2023
Leadership Development Institute selects 29 for class of 2023

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation initiative prepares participants for leadership roles.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bradenton woman killed in I-75 accident
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 23, 2023
Bradenton woman killed in I-75 accident

The 25-year-old woman had left her disabled car and was struck by another vehicle just north of University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
This bench in front of Linger Lodge was made from a slab of oak from a tree that was uprooted during Hurricane Ian.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 23, 2023
Linger Lodge restaurant perseveres despite setbacks

Rita Lewis launches into her first full summer at the quirky Bradenton restaurant and says business never has been better.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Tara Preserve residents Peyton Phillips, Marian Murdoch and Darby Connor at the intersection of Tara Boulevard and Tara Preserve Lane. Residents have been rallying for a four-way stop here since 2017.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 23, 2023
Key Tara intersection becomes a four-way stop

Residents of Tara Preserve have been rallying for safety measures at the Tara Boulevard and Tara Preserve Lane intersection since 2017.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat police enforce rules to keep dogs off the beach
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 23, 2023
Longboat police enforce rules to keep dogs off the beach

After multiple warnings, an officer wrote the dog owner a citation for continued violation. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Will Luera of Florida Studio Theatre had everyone pick a pose or movement to go with their name.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 23, 2023
The Paradise Center hosts improv classes on Longboat Key

The workshops are designed to build creativity, self-confidence and, of course, a sense of humor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 16026 Topsail Terrace sold $3,075,000. It has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,387 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 23, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for May 8-12 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Topsail Terrace tops the week's sales at $3.08 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A rendering of exterior renovations at Payne Park Auditorium proposed by The Players Centre for Performing Arts.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 23, 2023
The Players finds a home at Payne Park Auditorium

Sarasota city commissioners authorize staff to craft a lease agreement with The Players Centre for Performing Arts, which hasn't had a permanent home for seven years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rendering of planned parking garage at St. Regis with landscaping.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 23, 2023
St. Regis multilevel parking proposal headed before Town Commission

Public hearings will be held June 5 and June 20 on the matter.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Summerfield's Nina Antonetti and Karen Dewey discuss Manatee County's road project at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Clubhouse Drive on May 22 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 22, 2023
Revised Clubhouse Drive intersection plan presented to public

The intersection with Lakewood Ranch Boulevard will have signal lights and a turn lane along the boulevard but not Clubhouse Drive.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2023
Click it or get a $116 ticket

Memorial Day weekend brings emphasis on seat belt enforcement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Daniel Bradshaw will serve as Parrish Community High School's interim principal beginning July 1.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 22, 2023
Parrish Community High names new interim principal

Daniel Bradshaw will begin serving as principal July 1 as Craig Little assumes an administrative position with the district.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Survivors in Sync dragon boat team finish second overall in New Zealand, beating every team from the northern hemisphere.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 22, 2023
Paddlers share stories from international breast cancer dragon boat event

Survivors in Sync finished second overall at the festival, held April 15-16 on Lake Karapiro in Cambridge, New Zealand.

  • East County
  • Sports
Chef Jeremy Thayer and Chef Steve Phelps
    By
  • James Peter
  • May 22, 2023
Local chefs gather at St. Armands Daiquiri Deck for book-signing

The recently released cookbook "Cooking with Friends" brings together recipes from standout chefs from the city, region and across the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Readers respond to the St. Regis parking garage's potential impacts
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • May 22, 2023
Readers respond to the St. Regis parking garage's potential impacts

Readers differ over the value of the proposed St. Regis parking garage.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Police officers help lead the 2022 Memorial Day Parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2023
Street closures announced for Memorial Day Parade

Downtown Sarasota streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to noon Monday. Vehicles not moved will be towed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Frances Powers stands next to her digital paintings at All Angels By the Sea Episcopal Church.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 22, 2023
Frances Powers displays digital art at All Angels By the Sea

The local artist combines digital art with a traditional form to create vibrant works.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Deputy Director of Public Safety Steve Litschauer and Acting Director of Public Safety Jodie Setnor Fiske speak to members of the media about the upcoming hurricane season.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 22, 2023
Manatee County prepares residents for hurricane season

After Hurricane Ian, county's public safety officers are issuing stronger warnings this year.

  • East County
  • News
A building on 10th Street near downtown Sarasota collapsed in September 2022.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2023
County poised for $201 million Housing and Urban Development grant

Sarasota County is developing a plan to put disaster recovery funds to use in order to qualify for the grant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Amani Washington and Trinity Adams
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 21, 2023
Graduation 2023: Booker High School

Multiple students offered words of advice as students headed into the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Gabriel Chiha and Julianna Chin
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 21, 2023
Graduation 2023: Riverview High School

Students celebrated the future as they received their diplomas.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Siblings Alexandria Smith and Rex Smith
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 21, 2023
Graduation 2023: Sarasota High School

Students received words of advice while friends parted ways on Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Longboat Island Chapel donated baby items to teen parents enrolled in the Cyesis Program.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 21, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel hosts charity event benefiting young parents

The chapel donated baby items for teen parents in the Riverview High School Cyesis program.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Joan Novak, Sarasota's Tina Backhus, Lakewood Ranch's Judy Balmer and Salwa Youssef, the manager of the Walmart off State Road 70 near Interstate 75, are excited to support Stillpoint Mission's Backpack Program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 21, 2023
Lakewood Ranch woman seeks donations for backpack program

Judy Balmer hopes to donate 800 backpacks through Stillpoint Mission to distribute to low-income families.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School's Cesar Valera and Erika Vargas are excited for graduation.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2023
Braden River High graduates look to the future

Braden River High School celebrates the graduation of 385 students.

  • East County
  • Schools
The town of Longboat Key is hosting its annual disaster preparedness seminar on June 1.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 20, 2023
Longboat gears up for hurricane season with tips from local meteorologist

Town Manager Howard Tipton spoke with ABC7 Chief Meteorologist Bob Harrigan about preparing for the upcoming season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Police Department 2022 Officer of the Year Timothy Bales with Police Chief Rex Troche.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 20, 2023
From saving lives to hurricane IT support, SPD honors accomplishments

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche hands out sworn and civilian personnel awards during the department's annual awards ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Country Club residents Maria and Marty Fullam are members of Strings Con Brio. They joined the orchestra a few months after moving to Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 19, 2023
Strings Con Brio featured in Waterside Place's Sights and Sounds series

The all-volunteer string orchestra includes Lakewood Ranch residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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