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Your Observer

School Board of Manatee County members Richard Tatem, Mary Foreman, Chad Choate, Cindy Spray and Gina Messenger have selected 12 semi finalists in the search for the next superintendent.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 14, 2023
Manatee School Board selects semifinalists in superintendent search

The board will move forward with 12 applicants in the search for the next leader of the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 14, 2023
No property tax rate change expected for city's fiscal 2024 budget

City Manager Marlon Brown tells Sarasota commissioners that he plans to hold the rate at 3.0 mils for the coming fiscal year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The event committee members, Mary DelPup, Betty Lou Miccio, Dottie Mueller, Nancy Hjort, June Hessel and Peggy Schwass, stand together before mingling with other guests.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • April 13, 2023
Seaplace Condo members party with ‘Sinatra’

The end-of-season event drew 100 fun-loving residents for a farewell soiree.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Eighth grader Hope Li finds comfort in the crash pad.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 13, 2023
Nolan Middle sensory room provides solace for disabled students

The new sensory room, funded by the school's parent-teacher organization, helps relieve students' anxiety and provides a calming environment.

  • East County
  • Schools
7-year-old Lillian Huff works on a school assignment.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 13, 2023
Nature helps nurture a love of learning at new Sarasota school

Roots Nature & Leadership Academy, founded in September 2022, follows a model of student-led learning.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
This home at 3740 Tangier Terrace sold for $8.35 million. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,277 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 13, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 27-31 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A San Remo Estates home on Tangier Terrace tops the week's sales at $8.35 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Booker High junior Jayson Evans sprints with a weighted sled during an April 11 track and field training session.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 13, 2023
Booker High sprinter eyes state spots in a competitive field

Jayson Evans is ninth in the Class 2A boys 200-meter dash.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tracy Jackson and Tim Hensey are cautiously confident that most Siesta Key residents seek independence from county government.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 13, 2023
Siesta Key incorporation inches closer to referendum

The bill that would allow barrier island residents to vote to create a new town is now in the House Ways and Means Committee.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Danielle Craig, the managing partner and general manager of Capital Grille, and server Adam Pratt offered tenderloin sliders that were an absolute hit.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 12, 2023
Nathan Benderson Park offers taste of the future with Mote event

Seasonal Tastings raises awareness of the Science Education Aquarium, which is scheduled to open in late 2024 in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bruno Kuzuhara, 19, lost to Alex Rybakov, 26, at the Sarasota Open, but has a bright future.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 12, 2023
Sarasota Open tennis tournament is aces

Things to watch for and do if you attend the event this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
  • By Adrian Moore and Christian Barnard
  • April 12, 2023
Universal school choice won’t defund public schools

Opponents to Florida’s education savings accounts are misguided. Data show their predictions of doom for public education haven’t occurred.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Planning and Zoning Board has been reviewing the town's comprehensive plan for about a year.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 12, 2023
Revisions on Longboat growth, development goals near completion

The town's comprehensive plan has been broken into six batches for the Planning and Zoning Board to review. Five of the batches have had at least one Town Commission visit.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of One Park, which is planned to span across Quay Commons on blocks 1 and 9 in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 12, 2023
One Park controversy is now a criminal investigation

An unrelated project communication with a Planning Board member by a minor One Park investor has caused the suspension of all hearings about the project in The Quay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the new welcome center at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens downtown campus.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 12, 2023
Selby Gardens' orchid oasis grows on the bay

As the first phase of the Selby Gardens downtown campus master plan nears completion, planning is underway for the rest of the $92 million project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Club president Garnett Black and guest speaker Ronna Romney
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 12, 2023
Republican Club of Longboat Key welcomes Ronna Romney

Ronna Romney spoke to the club on April 11 at the Longboat Key Club's Harbourside ballroom.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Arbor Grande's Elizabeth Henderson, who is the founder of the Little Free Library Club, Country Club East's Arielle Monserez and her 4-year-old daughter Millie Monserez and Tampa's Katerina Farese cut the ribbon on the library in April. It burned in the pavilion fire.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 12, 2023
Lakewood Ranch's Little Free Library club writes its first chapter

The new club delivers books at Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
211 Tremont Drive
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 12, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 27-31 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A John Ringling Estates home on Tremont Lane tops the week's sales at $5.55 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Caroline Steinwachs.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 12, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Caroline Steinwachs

The Riverview High girls lacrosse player has 56 goals in 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Final paycheck pickup reportedly becomes a shoving match
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 12, 2023
Final paycheck pickup reportedly becomes a shoving match

Things got physical over a dispute about a paycheck and another over a missing $20. This and more reports from the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Andy Sawyer and David Pitt
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 12, 2023
Potluck party bids farewell at Longboat Key Public Tennis Center

The tennis center has said goodbye to its seasonal members with a potluck dinner since it opened in 1999.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A conceptual drawing shows the location of the proposed new Sarasota Performing Arts Center at The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 12, 2023
City extends Sarasota Performing Arts Center pact deadline

The SPAC Foundation gets another 18 months to develop an implementation agreement with the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The No. 18 hole at Lakewood National Golf Club often sees big crowds during the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 12, 2023
Volunteers still needed for Suncoast Classic

The Korn Ferry golf tournament, held April 20-23, needs course marshals.

  • East County
  • News
Gabriella Vinson grew up on Longboat Key and now lives and works on the island full-time.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 12, 2023
Growing up on Longboat Key

Gabriella Vinson is one of the youngest and most long-term residents on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Members of the Lorraine Lakes community in Lakewood Ranch are concerned a cell phone tower planned not far from the playground will be harmful to children.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 12, 2023
Lorraine Lakes residents concerned about planned cell tower

The Lennar community will have a cell tower built near its amenity center and children's playground.

  • East County
  • News
JROTC instructor Alexander Figueroa says his 13 years with Braden River High School has been a blessing.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 11, 2023
Braden River JROTC instructor to retire after building up the program

Alexander Figueroa will lead the Bradenton school's team into one more state tournament before retiring.

  • East County
  • Schools
This County Club East home at 16116 Kendleshire Terrace sold for $2.3 million. It has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,182 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 11, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 27-31 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Kendleshire Terrace tops the week's sales at $2.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Possible street improvements at St. Armands Key will be discussed at a public workshop on April 18.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 11, 2023
Workshop set for St. Armands complete street project

With the project delayed by rising costs, the public can provide input on the future of street and multimodal improvements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The demand for pickleball is expected to continue growing on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 11, 2023
Longboat pickleball demand continues with request for more courts

Pickleball fans spoke at the Longboat Key Town Commission's annual goals and objectives meeting to further the discussion on the growing demand for the sport.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jake and Connor Krug have mainly played doubles matches with other teammates in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch brothers grow as tennis players, individuals at Duke

Sophomore twins Connor and Jake Krug say their time playing tennis at Duke University has given them opportunities off the tennis court.

  • East County
  • Sports
Police assist changing cellphone settings
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 11, 2023
Police assist changing cellphone settings

A woman asked police to help put her phones in airplane mode so she couldn't be tracked. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Reese Gurski, Isabella Arteaga and Alice Barr, who are members of Girl Scout Troop 701, create blankets out of chip bags to donate to those who are homeless to earn their Silver Award.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Girl Scout troop members earn their Silver Awards

The girls made blankets out of chip bags and cat scratchers from cookie cases.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 11, 2023
City financial report honored for ninth straight year

Sarasota's fiscal 2021 budget summary won a top award from Government Finance Officers Association.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Flooding and sea level rise was another issue groups asked commissioners to prioritize.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 11, 2023
Canals, flooding, traffic among concerns for town consideration

Organizations spoke and submitted written comments for consideration at the Longboat Key Town Commission's annual goals and objectives meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High softball senior Cassidy McLellan.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 11, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Cassidy McLellan

The Lakewood Ranch High softball senior is hitting .569 with four home runs and 16 RBIs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Bob Smith, Judy Balmer and Diane and Greg Brune and Gene Tischer, the president of Stillpoint Mission, celebrate Smith's donation of $70,380 to the nonprofit.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 10, 2023
Lakewood Ranch rallies for record donation for Stillpoint Mission

The annual collection by Bob Smith resulted in $70,380 to the Bradenton nonprofit.

  • East County
  • News
Evelio Rodriguez has been named the new Director of General Services for Sarasota County.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 10, 2023
Sarasota County promotes insider to director of general services

Evelio Rodriguez will replace the retiring Jeff Lowdermilk in June.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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