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Your Observer

Brad Kroenig
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 17, 2023
Model Brad Kroenig inspired a fashion icon before becoming a local Realtor

Brad Kroenig's modeling career reached new heights after meeting fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Little League's Finley Miller.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 17, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Finley Miller

The Sarasota Little League slugger hit a grand slam in his team's 50/70 Championship win May 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Nikki Pelier Simon, John Simon and their daughter Ashley Sanchez are carrying on the legacy of this popular boutique.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • May 17, 2023
Scout & Molly’s new owners share their roots in fashion

When Scout & Molly’s former owner died last year, John Simon, Nikki Pelier Simon and their daughter Ashley Sanchez decided to carry on the legacy of this popular boutique.

  • East County
  • Business
Avian club members are devoted to all feathered creatures
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 17, 2023
Avian club members are devoted to all feathered creatures

The Lakewood Ranch Avian Club and Cindy Gordon, its founder and president, come together over their love of birds — no matter where they find them.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Trevor Kelliher no longer feels alone in his struggle with cerebral palsy.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 17, 2023
Everyone needs friends. All Friends Network helps ensure everyone has them.

Trevor Kelliher started All Friends Network to connect people with cerebral palsy, autism and other developmental disabilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Svetlana Stelmach (Homes by Towne), Harry Fendt (Anchor Builders), Mike Woolery (Pulte Homes), Jack Cannon (John Cannon Homes), Adrienne Bookhamer (LWRCF), David Hunihan (Lee Wetherington Homes), Dominick Giallombardo (Stock Development) and Ashley Miller (AR Homes) gather at Waterside Place to announce the Builders Give Back program.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch builders join Community Fund project

The Builders Give Back program will help area nonprofits through the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.

  • East County
  • News
Boo's Ice House & Dog Bar was named after owners Mindy Kaufman and Bobby Boivin rescue dog, Boo.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • May 16, 2023
Dog bar announces open date in Rosemary District

After three delays, Boo's Ice House & Dog Bar on 10th Street will officially let the dogs in on May 22.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Nikki Fried speaks to the Longboat Key Democratic Club in January of 2022.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 16, 2023
Longboat Democratic club talks election strategy, party unity

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried discussed plans to reenergize party voters and candidates.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior Holden Pollard slides safely into home against Winter Haven High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 16, 2023
Upstart Lakewood Ranch High baseball players excited for the future

The Mustangs have lots of talent and room for further growth in 2024.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jason Wysong says he feels "as well prepared as anyone could be to come into a superintendent seat."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 16, 2023
Jason Wysong named Manatee County schools' next superintendent

If the contract is approved, Wysong will take the helm of the district July 1.

  • East County
  • Schools
Benny Hedgepeth, a senior at Braden River High School, has played baseball since he was 4 years old. He looks forward to continue with his passion for sports at Florida State University.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 16, 2023
Braden River High senior pursues a dream job in sports

Benny Hedgepeth's love for baseball and sports in general inspires him to pursue a career in sports law.

  • East County
  • Schools
Yoga instructor Angela Mali embraces the last of the sun's rays.
    By
  • James Peter
  • May 16, 2023
Longboater teaches yoga students to 'honor your body'

Beachfront yoga class on Longboat Key brings practitioners in touch with a holistic experience.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat police lower the heat over air-conditioning troubles
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 16, 2023
Longboat police lower the heat over air-conditioning troubles

A hot room led to rising heat at a Longboat Key condo. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
This Lake Club home at 16218 Daysailor Trail sold for $2.6 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,025 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 16, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for May 1-5 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Daysailor Trail tops the week's sales at $2.6 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Kelli Kennedy with the School District of Manatee County's Adult, Career and Technical Education department cuts the ribbon to Lakewood Ranch High School's upgraded agriculture lab.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High agriculture program beefs up labs

The school's agriculture lab underwent upgrades that double its beef barn and provide a new swine facility.

  • East County
  • Schools
Taltos Fuszfas, Matrick Thorpe, Cory Coyner, Danae Tran, Katie Evans, Cole Laudenslager, and Caleb Horner
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 16, 2023
Suncoast Music Scholarship winners showcase their talents at concert

The seven scholarship-winning students offered a free community performance at First Presbyterian Church.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Among the ordinance changes sought by the Sarasota Solid Waste Division is holding property owners responsible for the cost of bulk pickup of debris left behind by renters.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 16, 2023
City to consider solid waste rate hikes

Rising costs of collection and disposal and lower recycling revenues have resulted in a request to raise sanitation monthly rates for the first time since 2018.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Schnitzel, a zebra shark, was brought to Sarasota from an aquarium in Minnesota to be featured at the Science Education Aquarium
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 16, 2023
Mote prepares for the animals it will house in its new aquarium

As the infrastructure of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium's new Science Education Aquarium is being completed, the aquatic creatures who will live there are being prepared to move to their new home.

  • East County
  • Business
Mustangs senior Cassidy McLellan will play for the University of Florida next season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 15, 2023
Lakewood Ranch powerhouse teams ousted early in playoffs

After making at least the Final Four two years in a row, Lakewood Ranch High's softball program and ODA's baseball program can't build upon their recent domination.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2023
Road rage ends in fatal shooting Saturday night

A pickup truck driver was killed after shooting into an occupied sedan on Fruitville Road on Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nico Moschini and Wendy Mikula won silver medals at state championship.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 15, 2023
Five Tennis For Fun Sarasota athletes head to state championship

The nonprofit, which offers free clinics for athletes with disabilities, wrapped up its third season with three gold and two silver medals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • May 15, 2023
Barbara Cohen

BARBARA COHEN on May 10, 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Chamber ambassador Brian Wiffin, assistant manager of stores Janeane Diaz, Mayor Kyle Battie, Cariloha owner Jeff Snell and chamber ambassador Patti Bosco.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 15, 2023
Bamboo clothing, bedding retailer cuts ribbon on St. Armands

Cariloha Sarasota celebrated its reopening with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce on May 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Tara Elementary School's Loreena Durrance helps chef and kindergartner Francis Lantican serve rice.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 15, 2023
Tara Elementary opens Banana Leaf Restaurant for one night only

Kindergartners took on roles within the restaurant, which served Italian, Peruvian, Thai and Vietnamese food.

  • East County
  • Schools
A rendering of the proposed second Ritz-Carlton Residences tower along the boat basin in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 15, 2023
Planning Board tables Ritz-Carlton Residences plan for The Quay

Concerns over impact on Belle Haven and the recreational trail cause Ritz-Carlton Residences II developer to request continuance for its proposed 78-condo tower on Blocks 7 and 8.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Barbara Brizdle holds her twin dogs, Moxi and Mazy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 14, 2023
Temple Emanu-El offers its blessing to pets

The Sarasota temple hosted its annual Pet Shabbat/Blessing of the Animals event on May 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
MeteorEYES members George Bikos and Shannon Fortner, executive director and founder of the Fabulous Arts Foundation, at the Be Fabulous Music & Arts Fest on May 14, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 14, 2023
FabAF festival brings community together

The annual Pride: Be Fabulous Music & Arts Fest celebrates the local LGBTQ+ community and encourages activism and fostering change through the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 14, 2023
County reinstates full Economic Development Corp. funding, for now

With new leadership and a new board, county commissioners decided to give the EDC one year to prove itself — or risk a funding cut.

  • Sarasota
  • News
FLC Director of Field Advocacy & Federal Affairs Scott Dudley, Holmes Beach Commissioner Terry Schaefer, Commissioner BJ Bishop, North Port Commissioner Debbie McDowell, FLC President Jolien Carraballo, Sarasota Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, Venice Mayor Nick Pachota
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 14, 2023
Mayor Schneier, Commissioner Bishop win awards for advocacy efforts

The Longboat Key town government officials received Home Rule Hero awards from the Florida League of Cities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unusually large flocks of black skimmers, imperiled due to habitat loss and degradation as result of coastal development, found refuge in Myakka River State Park this winter.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • May 14, 2023
Native wildlife, plants thrive as result of seasonal low water levels at Myakka

Shorebirds, including imperiled species such as black skimmers, benefit from ongoing efforts to restore natural hydrology in the park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Virgina Leon, Kakali Banerjee, Karen Pashkow
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 13, 2023
Longboat Harbour hosts Kentucky Derby Party

Residents got together to watch the derby with barbecue and mint juleps.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Temple Emanu-El Mitzvah Day project captain Merryl Koven and Alexandra Marcus laugh together as they play with an adoptable dog at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue.
  • By Elaine Glickman
  • May 13, 2023
Temple Emanu-El celebrates Mitzvah Day at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue

Temple Emanu-El congregants volunteered at at the Lakewood Ranch animal rescue for Mitzvah Day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Most attendees at the Paradise Center's end-of-season party wore festive hats in honor of the Kentucky Derby.
    By
  • James Peter
  • May 13, 2023
Paradise Center hosts members for season’s send-off party

The event was a special thank-you to members for their continued support.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mary Beth Rempp, a member of the Palm Aire Women's Club, says the grant the women's club gave to Valerie Green and Erline Constant with the Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County will go toward recruiting and training more health counselors.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2023
Palm Aire Women's Club donates to Sarasota, Manatee nonprofits

Grants from the women's club went to six nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Currier, Jeff Kahn, and Laritha Burks
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 12, 2023
Consulting service seeks to empower at-home caregivers

Two certified nursing assistants have launched Senior Consulting & Staff Support, whose goal is to offer caregivers the resources they need to keep seniors at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
    In Memoriam |
  • May 12, 2023
Richard (Rick) Raymond Williams

Richard (Rick) Raymond Williams (almost 95 years around the sun!) of Longboat Key, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2023 surrounded by family and friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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