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Your Observer

Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2023-24
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 1, 2023
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2023-24

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2023-24 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
314 Bird Key Drive
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 1, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 13-17 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Bird Key home tops the week's sales at $4.6 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
For SMH, context matters
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 1, 2023
For SMH, context matters

All things considered, in the fog of the crisis, Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s handling of COVID was exemplary — except in one area.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Marina Proskurina, a digital design and photography instructor at Manatee Technical College, is one of 24 people to earn a Master Artist degree from Professional Photographers of America.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 1, 2023
MTC instructor earns prestigious degree from photography nonprofit

Marina Proskurina is one of 24 people to earn the Master Artist degree from Professional Photographers of America in 2023.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Trumpeter Vincent DiMartino has more than 160 cornets and trumpets in his collection.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 1, 2023
Renowned trumpeter takes center stage in Lakewood Ranch

Vincent DiMartino is the featured soloist during the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble's Spring Concert at Peach Presbyterian.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tricycle thief attempts a slow getaway from police
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 1, 2023
Tricycle thief attempts a slow getaway from police

A stolen trike causes a slow-speed police chase on foot. This and other highlights from the files of the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Town rules only cover size of docks and permanent structures.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 1, 2023
Town considers regulating vessel sizes in canals

If passed, Longboat Key rules would change to limit vessel sizes in addition to dock sizes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Don Janezic, president of the Manatee Library Foundation; Tammy Parrott, the Manatee County library services services manager; and Sue Ann Miller, president of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, hold a $200,000 check that was presented to library services.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 1, 2023
Nonprofits fill the shelves of the Lakewood Ranch Library

Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library and the Manatee Library Foundation presented $200,000 toward books.

  • East County
  • News
Pastor Norman Pritchard preaches to over 400 people on Sunday.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 28, 2023
Over 400 attend Kirkin' o' the Tartans at Christ Church

Christ Church held its annual Kirkin o' the Tartans service on Sunday, Feb. 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
9. Lucas Anthony had 91 points for the Lakewood Ranch boys lacrosse team in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 28, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Lucas Anthony

The Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse star has 21 goals through four games.

  • East County
  • Sports
A seven-car train derailment in southern Manatee near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport included two propane tankers. No leaks or injuries were reported.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 28, 2023
Seven train cars, including two propane tankers, derail in Manatee County

No propane leakage was detected and no injuries reported in the derailment near the Sarasota-Manatee International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Lake Club home at 16904 Verona Place sold for $1.9 million. It has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,429 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 28, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 13-17 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Verona Place tops the week's sales at $1.9 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Commissioners discussed processes for vetting, categorizing, and selecting library books.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 28, 2023
Manatee commissioners discuss a closer examination of library materials

Some residents say the commissioners should leave the evaluation of materials to the professionals they hired to run the system.

  • East County
  • News
The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus is building a new 100,000-square-foot student center.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • February 28, 2023
Work starts on $42M, 100,000-square-foot student center at USF Sarasota-Manatee

The University of South Florida campus hopes to change its reputation as a commuter college with new residences and a student center set to open at start of the 2024 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Joe Ostrowski (right) said his approach is to tailor his advice to each individual client instead of using a "cookie-cutter" approach.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 28, 2023
Concession golf instructor named a 'best young teacher' by Golf Digest

Joe Ostrowski previously received the honor from 2018-2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
The breezeway over Quay Commons in the proposed One Park development. A transfer of air rights to the developer is being challenged in 12th Judicial Circuit Court.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 28, 2023
Tunnel vision: One Park hopes to overcome perceptions of breezeway

The development will go before the Planning Board on March 8 to defend its design of a structure to bridge two blocks of The Quay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lost credit card found quickly
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 28, 2023
Lost credit card found quickly

Before a lost property report could be filed, an individual came to the department to return the credit card. This and more Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The purple line running from the Key to the orange dot represents the town-owned wastewater pipeline.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 28, 2023
Town progresses toward replacement of sewer line under Sarasota Bay

The town of Longboat Key has obtained permits to dig up the underwater bed of the bay and install the pipe.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Instead of cutting a ribbon, community members hold the hose and drop it.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 27, 2023
Banyan Bay Club goes native with planting project

About 30 community members dropped a hose, instead of cutting a ribbon, on Feb. 27 to celebrate a native planting project at the Banyan Bay Club on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch sophomore Olivia Shephard rounds the bases after hitting her first varsity home run.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 27, 2023
Defending state champion Mustangs off to fast start

Despite heavy graduation losses, the Lakewood Ranch High girls softball team is going for their third consecutive softball state title.

  • East County
  • Sports
It's not uncommon for the three regulation courts and two temporary courts on one of the tennis courts to be in use simultaneously at Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 27, 2023
Longboat pickleball expansion contingent on parking

Town commissioners opted to move forward with adding a temporary pickleball court under the condition that additional parking spots are found at Bayfront Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Junior League of Sarasota Committee Chairs Caroleen Brej and Kari-Jo Koshes end the 46th Annual Tour of Homes with a celebratory happy hour at CinéBistro on Feb. 25.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 27, 2023
Junior League of Sarasota celebrates Tour of Homes

The nonprofit's 46th Annual Tour of Homes returned in-person and ended with happy hour at CinéBistro.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Daytona's Jo Stevens and Kathy Gately play along with Tyler Austenfeld at the first Aloha UkeFest on Feb. 25, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 27, 2023
Ukulele Festival in Lakewood Ranch brings together talent

Renowned musician Tyler “Ten Thumbs” Austenfeld highlighted the first Aloha UkeFest, held by the Lakewood Ranch Communities Activities Club Aloha Ukulele.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 27, 2023
Barry Lee Napiecek

Barry Lee Napiecek passed away February 1, 2023 following a brief illness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Andres Evans, Unicorps CEO Chuck Whittall, Bob Moss, Mike Ogorek and Josh Mutchler speak to attendees at Friday's topping-off.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 27, 2023
St. Regis celebrates completing the building's structure

After the topping-off ceremony, the condo project on Longboat Key is expected to take another 16 months to complete.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ariel Rischer sells her handmade bracelets at the Young Entrepreneur Market at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 26, 2023
Young CEOs set up shop at The Bazaar

The fourth annual Young Entrepreneur Market brings young CEOs to sell their creations at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artists from all over the country display their work at the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2023
Longboat Key art festival draws a crowd

The Longboat Key Festival of the Arts was held Feb. 25 and 26 at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Eleven-year-old Liam Pacheco (No. 12 on his shirt) roasts a marshmallow during the Community Campout.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2023
Lakewood Ranch's Community Campout fires up interest

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities had to expand from 50 to 80 campsites to accommodate families for the annual event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A glass-encased stairwell extending from the north elevation of the Sarasota County Administration Center will be the dominant architectural feature.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 26, 2023
New county administrative center emphasizes health, fitness

A glassed-in staircase and views of Celery Fields are intended to promote fitness and vitality among staff. The $75 million building is also planned to be more public-friendly.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mooney senior Olivia Davis goes one-on-one with Miami Country Day's Kristina Godfrey.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 25, 2023
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball falls in state championship game

The Cougars lost 54-38 to Miami Country Day School on Saturday in Lakeland.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee County is considering the purchase of Mixon Fruit Farms, which went on the market in February 2023 for $15.8 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 24, 2023
Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton goes on market for $15.8 million

Janet and Dean Mixon had announced their plan to sell their business in October.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 24, 2023
Beach University returns Thursdays in March

Sarasota County's free coastal education program is back for its 17th year with five one-hour sessions at Siesta Beach starting March 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 24, 2023
Agnes “Dionne” Reinert

Agnes “Dionne” Reinert of Longboat Key, Fl, passed away on February 18, 2023, at 89.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
County Commissioner Nancy Detert, who has supported the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County in the past, said this year could the last time she does unless tangible results are presented to the commission at budget time.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 24, 2023
EDC teeters on further county funding cuts

Sarasota County commissioners were not persuaded by the Economic Development Corp.'s annual report that it merits a sustained level of county funding.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jeffrey Nunes is commissioned as a pastor by Rev. Brock Patterson on Tuesday.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel commissions a new reverend

Jeffrey Nunes is not just Rev. Brock Patterson's right-hand man anymore. He's his right-hand reverend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County has been operating the Bishop Animal Shelter since March 2022.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 24, 2023
Manatee commissioners draw hard line on animal shelter spending

Presented with a $17 million plan, commissioners told county staff to come back with a more frugal $8 million plan for the Bishop Animal Shelter addition.

  • East County
  • News
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