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Your Observer

In one of his final official acts as mayor of Sarasota, Erik Arroyo (left) presents outgoing City Commissioner Hagen Brody with a plaque commemorating his service to the city as commissioner and former mayor. (Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 14, 2022
Read the text of Sarasota Mayor Erik Arroyo State of the City address

Outgoing mayor Erik Arroyo says the state of the city of Sarasota is strong, and getting stronger.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After being selected as the new mayor, Kyle Battie presents his predecessor, Erik Arroyo, with a key to the city.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 14, 2022
Sarasota city commissioners sworn in, pick Battie as mayor for 2022-23

After Jen Ahearn-Koch and Debbie Trice were sworn in, the Sarasota City Commission selected Kyle Battie to succeed Erik Arroyo as mayor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parrish Community High School's Lilianna Hussain, Jonathan McIntyre, Ally Carpenter, Louis Panico and Caleb Couchois will compete in the band's second state championship in Class 2A. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 14, 2022
Manatee County marching bands prepare for state championship

Former middle school bandmates are now competitors as Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high schools vie for a championship.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Main Street Market founders are looking for locally owned businesses that either handcraft or locally source the goods they sell. (Photo by Nancy Guth)
    By
  • Abby Weingarten
  • November 14, 2022
Locals-first market blossoms on Lakewood Main Street

Niki Dalsing and Lindsay Wood, the founders of Main Street Market, launched these boutique-style shopping experiences in 2020 with 24 vendors. The vendor list has now grown to more than 75.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The bar at Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar at its November 2022 opening.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 14, 2022
New Italian restaurant opens in Whitney Plaza

Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar has replaced the Bayou Tavern, but you can still order the veal cannelloni.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The property takes advantage of its scenic setting, with expansive windows, sliding doors and balconies overlooking the beach. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 14, 2022
Beachfront home sale is Longboat Key's second highest price of 2022

A waterslide and views of the shore are among the key amenities of the $11.5 million property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • November 14, 2022
Clarice May Schetter (Meyer)

Clarice, age 95, passed away at Freedom Village, Bradenton, Florida on October 28, 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • November 14, 2022
All Faiths Food Bank serves Bowls of Hope

Hundreds gathered for the annual Bowls of Hope event to enjoy hot soup from local restaurants and caterers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
It's a giant tower of meat served in its own juices, and Grove's pork osso buco is a meal for all seasons. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • November 14, 2022
Grove's pork Osso Buco is an eye-catching vertical standing meat shank

You can call it a dinosaur bone or a turkey leg. But Grove's pork osso buco is drawing attention whenever you order it.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lassies race in Sarasota Bay. (Photo by Jennifer Joy Walker)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 13, 2022
The Luffing Lassies celebrate 50 years of friendships on the water

The Luffing Lassies is celebrating its 50th anniversary of bringing together adventurous women who bond over good company and the fine art of sailing.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Imperiled epiphytes, such as these young giant air plants, are being collected from damaged trees at Myakka River State Park and will be reattached to new host trees. (Photo by Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • November 13, 2022
Rain and wind place endangered air plants in peril

Myakka River State Park rangers collect specimens from damaged trees for future relocation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 13, 2022
Missing woman returns home safely, police say

The 45-year-old woman was last seen on 10th Street nearly a week ago.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 13, 2022
Suncoast Food and Wine Fest once again the toast of Lakewood Ranch

The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch offers another successful food and wine festival.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Waterlefe's Glenda Myers works with Ballard Elementary kindergartner Kemora Wallace once per week. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 13, 2022
Rotary Club pilots new Books for Kids kindergarten program

Volunteers work one on one with kindergartners at Ballard, Oneco and Daughtrey elementary schools in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 12, 2022
St. Mary's Church honors WWII veteran Bill Kelley

Uncle Sam on stilts led the parade, and a ball drop raised money for victims of Hurricane Ian.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 12, 2022
Pedestrian killed on Clark Road, FHP says

32-year-old Sarasota woman pronounced dead at the scene of Friday evening crash.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marilyn Blazakis, the president of the St. Barbara Philoptochos Society, shows off the various pastries and foods available at Autumn Fest. (Photos by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 12, 2022
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church to host Autumn Fest in Sarasota

The annual festival offers a taste of Greece while benefiting charities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
High school football roundup: FHSAA regional quarterfinals
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 12, 2022
High school football roundup: FHSAA regional quarterfinals

Two Sarasota teams advanced, setting the stage for a rivalry rematch next week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 11, 2022
Sarasota High football wins first playoff game in 18 years

The Sailors defeated Manatee High 30-20 on the road Friday night.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Deep Lagoon gives every diner an up-close view of Little Sarasota Bay. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Su Byron
  • November 11, 2022
Must-try waterfront restaurants in Sarasota, Longboat Key, Osprey

Looking for a table by the water? For a close encounter with Florida’s natural splendor, enjoy one of these waterfront restaurants on a nearby key.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 11, 2022
Rotary holds annual Veterans Day event at Temple Beth Israel

Tuskegee Airman George Hardy was the guest of honor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Myakka area saw Manatee County’s largest struggles from Hurricane Ian. (File photo)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2022
Myakka residents want better hurricane response communication

Attendees at a county meeting in Myakka City said they hoped to see a quicker response.

  • East County
  • News
Congressman Vern Buchanan presents the Congressional Veteran Commendation award to Richard Petrucci. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2022
Former Navy pilot reaches great heights

Lakewood Ranch resident Richard Petrucci continues to serve the military community long after his retirement and was honored with the Congressional Veteran Commendation award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Howard Millman ad Carolyn Michel's home on St. Armands Key evolved and flourished along with their marriage.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • November 11, 2022
At Home With: Carolyn Michel and Howard Millman

Their home on St. Armands has long served as centerstage for important fundraisers and social gatherings for artists, performers and the town’s social set.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • November 11, 2022
Veterans Day parade marches with pride down Sarasota's Main Street

A grateful crowd honors the service of those in uniform.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
New appointments were made to the Planning and Zoning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment. (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 11, 2022
Town appoints board members, alternate special magistrate

The town entered a contract with Trask Daigneault LLP for three lawyers to serve as alternate special magistrates as needed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The swimming pool at the new condo complex planned for Main Street at Lakewood Ranch will overlook Lake Uihlein. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2022
Lakeshore condominium project in Lakewood Ranch targets 2023 groundbreaking

Often-delayed project along Lake Uihlein gets off the ground with developer Frank Dagostino.

  • East County
  • News
Second Nature Band rehearses for the Rock the Preserve event. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • November 11, 2022
Rock the Preserve to jam out at the Bay Preserve on Sunday

This music fundraiser honors Mary Terese Finnegan, a supporter of the Conservation Foundation who died in December 2021.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The bulk of the planned Aventon Sarasota apartment community's residential buildings are located beneath the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport's 65 DNL noise contour. (Courtesy)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 11, 2022
City gives final approval to Aventon Sarasota in the face of legal opposition

With an administrative law hearing pending and possible subsequent litigation by Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, city commissioners approve apartments at the former Sarasota Kennel Club.

  • Sarasota
  • News
When Judy Fryer is not working, she’s managing a 25-acre farm and participating in equestrian eventing. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 10, 2022
Old Salty Dog owner dishes on origin story of its quirky menu, sustained success

This astute businesswoman and restaurateur shares her insights on hot dogs, horses, happy employees — and the secret sauce behind running one of the most popular restaurants on the keys.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Red tide levels at Siesta Beach were in the medium range. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 10, 2022
Red tide detected on all 16 Sarasota County beaches

Most concentrations are categorized as low to medium, but one spot was found to have high concentrations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
(Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • November 10, 2022
Casey Key home makes the most of its tranquil surroundings

A spacious Casey Key estate reflects a life well lived for the former CEO of Cadbury and his family.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
A man aboard a trimaran sailboat that was driven against the seawall at Hart's Landing works with a crew on shore to secure the craft with lines. (Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 10, 2022
Tropical Storm Nicole updates in Sarasota and Manatee counties: SRQ wind gusts to 51 mph

Forecasters envision 35-40 mph winds and the potential for some storm surge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Allini fizzy bath truffles: $18.95. Allini bath bombs: $6.95. Allini artisan bar soap: $9.95. Set of 3 cosmetic bags: $59.95. Yellow natural sponge: $19.95.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • November 10, 2022
Up and down the keys, great gifts abound

Want to bring something special to a special someone? These local offerings lend a personal touch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The watercolor paintings of Stacey Lipton will be featured at the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch's 20th annual Fall Show and Sale on Nov. 19 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2022
Lakewood Ranch artist hopes to draw crowds to Fall Show and Sale

Painter Stacey Lipton will be featured during the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch event Nov. 19.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 10, 2022
Avelo adds new flight from SRQ to North Carolina

The low-cost carrier initiated service from Sarasota last year to New Haven, Connecticut.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
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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3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
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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