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Your Observer

Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School's Slap 'N' Slide team consists of third grader Parker Poplaski, fifth graders Noble Pinto and Okhan Ozturk and fourth grader Luna Locke.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 25, 2023
Manatee County to send 13 Vex teams to world championship

Willis, Gene Witt, Willis and McNeal elementary schools will have 10 of the 13 county teams competing on the world stage.

  • East County
  • Schools
Are we keeping Longboat, Longboat?
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • April 25, 2023
Are we keeping Longboat, Longboat?

Readers take issue with the St. Regis parking garage proposal.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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
  • April 25, 2023
Quay Commons air rights trial continued until August

Circuit Court Judge Hunter Carroll intends to render a decision on One Park by September.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Staghorn coral outplants at Eastern Dry Rocks reef in Florida's Lower Keys.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 24, 2023
Mote awarded nearly $7 million for coral reef restoration

Efforts will be focused on 10 reef sites throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 24, 2023
Eddie Abrams appointed to Longboat Planning and Zoning Board

The new board member brings 47 years of engineering experience to the position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 24, 2023
Sarasota County implements new system for non-emergency calls

The changes follow a rise in call volume in 2022. It is said to better direct non-emergency calls.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Turtle Watch educated visitors about sea turtles and how the temperature of the sand determines the gender of the hatchlings.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 24, 2023
Longboat organizations share environmental commitment for Earth Day

The third annual Nature Talks and Walks for Earth Day event at Longboat Island Chapel drew visitors to learn about local organizations and institutions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Tiger King Clayton Rosaire
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 24, 2023
Despite mistaken identity, Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota is open

After Big Cat Rescue in Tampa closed, Kay Rosier says many people called to ask if Big Cat Habitat is out of business.

  • East County
  • News
Brittany Lamont, president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance talks to Take Stock of Sarasota's Diana Dill about the $1,000 scholarship presented to Take Stock.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 24, 2023
Lakewood Ranch area nonprofits benefit from special partnership

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliances has joined forces with the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund to present six $1,000 grants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Fairway Bay Women's Book Club started meeting in the '90s but was officially formed in 2000.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 24, 2023
Longboat Key book clubs keep the written word alive

Four Longboat Key book clubs share their passion for reading.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hanna Hornung of North South Wealth Management/Avalon Farms watches her shot soar into the goal to start the scoring April 23 in a match at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 23, 2023
One Sunday match remains in Sarasota Polo Club season

The April 30 finale marks the end of a season that saw huge crowds but also the loss of the clubhouse due to a January fire.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Scott Gutschewski holds up the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 23, 2023
Scott Gutschewski wins 2023 Suncoast Classic in a playoff in Lakewood Ranch

Gutschewski made his birdie putt on the No. 18 hole at Lakewood National while Logan McAllister missed.

  • East County
  • Sports
Becki Creighton and Ian Bland look over photos from the church's past.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 23, 2023
Trinity United church members celebrate 75 years of community

Parishioners said a sense of family at the church has led to its enduring presence.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Cardinal Mooney High beach volleyball team captured the SSAC state title April 22 in Orlando.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 23, 2023
Cardinal Mooney beach volleyball captures SSAC tournament title

The Cougars beat Bradenton Christian School 3-0 in the tournament finals.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Frank Sulzman, Friars golf group member, presents Sam Seager with the Bill Flinter Memorial Award.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 23, 2023
Sam Seager celebrates a milestone at Longboat Key Club

The Friars and Seager's children got together to mark his birthday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
2-year-old Zakylee Elliott, 3-year-old Zynylah Elliott, 5-year-old Nikolas Cotirla, 8-year-old Ava Colindres, and 5-year-old Nikolas Cotirla learn about composting at the Sunshine Community Compost station.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 23, 2023
Third rock is the star at Earth Day celebration at Sarasota's Bay Park

Family activities and tables on the bay were designed to encourage appreciation of the environment.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
7-year-old Jett Claymore, Kristen Shepherd, and 5-year-old Bodhi Claymore
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 23, 2023
Attendees climb aboard for Suncoast Boat Show

The event at Marina Jack returned with more boats and gear than previous years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The cast strikes a final pose after performing "All I Care About is Love."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 23, 2023
Ovation Theatre's razzle-dazzle thrills audience with 'Chicago'

Lakewood Ranch performers were among those to land key roles in the production of "Chicago."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alex Chiarella walks down the No. 18 hole at Lakewood National after his tee shot. Chiarella shot 3 under par in round three of the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic and is 12 under par for the tournament.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 22, 2023
Dougherty holds one stroke lead after Suncoast Classic round three

Six golfers are within three strokes of the lead at Lakewood National Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Seniors Kaitlyn Harper, Ryan Garrison, Tyler Woodin and Ali Thomas say it feels great to be at prom.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 22, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High seniors enjoy last dance before graduation

Prom was bittersweet for seniors who were able to dance the night away with classmates at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Schools
Speed tables are currently used at crosswalks at St. Armands Circle. A complete street project would include enhanced pedestrian safety features.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 22, 2023
St. Armands complete street project could be costly, take a decade-plus

City staff presented three options for the St. Armands project ranging from $45 million to doing nothing at all.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rendering of planned parking garage at St. Regis with landscaping.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 22, 2023
Planning and Zoning Board approves St. Regis parking changes

Following hours of public comment, board members voted 5-2 to pass the issue onto the Longboat Key Town Commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mac Meissner shows off his ball and scorecard after round two of the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic. Meissner shot 59 (12 under par) in round two after an even par round one and sits 12 under par for the tournament.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 21, 2023
Mac Meissner's 59 highlights second round of 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic

Meissner scorches the Lakewood Ranch course to become the eighth player to break 60 in Korn Ferry Tour history.

  • East County
  • Sports
Postal worker arrested for fraud and money laundering
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 21, 2023
Postal worker arrested for fraud and money laundering

At least 60 businesses were victims of stolen mailed checks amounting to more than $70,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kids can sit in the driver's seat of big tractors and trucks at the 27th annual Big Truck Day.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 21, 2023
Big trucks on display at CoolToday Park

Get behind the wheel of some big rigs at the 27th Annual Big Truck Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cheryl Taub, local artist, has a master's in art education and has been creating art all her life.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 21, 2023
Town exhibit showcases work from local artists

The seventh annual Artists’ Reception at Longboat Key Town Hall was the largest one yet.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Curtis Luck drives the ball off the No. 18 hole at Lakewood National. Luck shot 1 over par during the first round of the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 20, 2023
Three tied for Suncoast Classic lead after first round

Logan McAllister, Jackson Suber and Patrick Cover all shoot 8-under at the Korn Ferry Tour at Lakewood National Golf Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mary Lou Johnson, chair, Aaron Virgin, CEO, and Judy Kozlowski
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 20, 2023
Save Our Seabirds soirée breaks records

The 2023 Sunset Soirée benefiting Bird Key-based nonprofit Save Our Seabirds exceeded previous attendance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A home in Bay Island tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $3.55 million. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths, a pool and 3,960 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.4 million in 2020.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 20, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for April 3-7 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis, Osprey

A Bay Island home on Flamingo Avenue tops the week’s sales at $3.55 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Miami special teams Coach Marwan Maalouf and Stone Springman throw up "The U" hand gesture on Springman's visit to the school.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 20, 2023
Riverview High kicker commits to Miami after arduous senior season

Stone Springman fought through a broken back to earn a spot with the Hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Daniel Lubner is loving life at the new Clive Daniel store in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 20, 2023
Clive Daniel story can't be swept under the rug

The Sarasota interior design/furniture business has driven, and sometimes comical, Clive Daniel owner Daniel Lubner.

  • East County
  • Business
Hillsdale dogma should not dominate schools
  • By Lisa Schurr, co-founder and CEO of Support Our Schools
  • April 20, 2023
Hillsdale dogma should not dominate schools

Support Our Schools supports the separation of church and state and questions the school board’s efforts to adopt Hillsdale dogma.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Elizabeth Moore, Climate Adaptation Center director; Robert Bunting, Climate Adaptation Center CEO and chair; Jon Thaxton, Gulf Coast Community Foundation senior vice president for community leadership; Jennifer Compton, Bay Park Conservancy board secretary; Amy Grossman, Climate Adaptation Center chief operating officer; Ed Chiles, All Clams on Deck founding board member; and Charles Reith, Sarasota Urban Reforesters.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 20, 2023
Environmental leaders honored at inaugural climate awards

Sarasota-based Climate Adaptation Center's Champions Award Ceremony showcased individuals' potential to drive climate action.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jim Lamb holds a Toys for Tots backpack.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 20, 2023
Toys for Tots coordinator looks back at growth of community giving

Since 2006, the nonprofit has increased its output from an estimated 8,000 toys to 28,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
An example of a beautified and activated alley in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 20, 2023
City to study alley beautification proposal

The Sarasota City Commission backs Erik Arroyo's request to clean up and activate downtown alleyways.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Buy a Bud Light and toast the distributors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 20, 2023
Buy a Bud Light and toast the distributors

If you’re one of the Anheuser-Busch beer drinkers who was totally offended by the Mulvaney fiasco, apply some perspective.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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