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Your Observer

Rev. Chris Wood holds the cross during the Good Friday walk down Main Street.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 5, 2023
Stations of the Cross walk welcomes all denominations

The event is expected to draw 1,000 attendees from across the community and is led by area churches of different denominations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Scarlett Lewis, the founder of the Choose Love Movement, will be at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy to share skills and tools that can be used to promote emotional well-being.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 5, 2023
Brain Health Initiative teaches emotional wellness with Choose Love Movement

Scarlett Lewis, the founder of the Choose Love Movement, will help Lakewood Ranch community members learn social-emotional skills.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 465 E. Royal Flamingo Drive recently sold for $1.5 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 5, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 20-24 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on East Royal Flamingo Drive tops the week's sales at $3.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Troche will be sworn in during a ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday at SPD headquarters.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 5, 2023
'Chat with the Chief': SPD's Troche starts a podcast

The new podcast with Police Chief Rex Troche will share unknown stories of department activities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Backup cameras blinded by spray-painting vandal
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 5, 2023
Backup cameras blinded by spray-painting vandal

Green paint, a smashed windshield, damaged tires and more from a vehicle vandalism week from the files of the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Officer Jeffery Vogt was driving unit 83 in the collision with the Tesla driven by Charles and Marjory Barancik.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 5, 2023
Police department arrests increase in crime-free Longboat

The increase in arrests is attributed to the higher visibility of the department's officers under Chief George Turner's leadership.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
DeSantis’ weapon: The law
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 5, 2023
DeSantis’ weapon: The law

No Florida governor in the past 50 years has wielded as much power and used the law the way Gov. DeSantis has. It’s all about the ‘BHAGs.’

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School's Noble Pinto, Julian LaBranche, Jaxon Grew and Chloe Kenya pinky promise to go out and play in honor of Justin Darr, who was a physical education teacher.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 4, 2023
McNeal Elementary celebrates life of beloved physical education teacher

In honor of Justin Darr's philosophy to "go out and play," students, staff and Darr's family played sports during the dedication.

  • East County
  • Schools
Willis Smith Construction CEO and owner David Sessions looks back on 35 years with the company, and leading it through its significant growth.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 4, 2023
Willis Smith Construction CEO looks back on 35 years of growth

David Sessions has led the Lakewood Ranch-based firm to its status as a giant in the building industry.

  • East County
  • Business
Southeastern Guide Dogs of Palmetto provides service dogs to recipients at no cost.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 4, 2023
Daiquiri Deck promotion supports service dog program

Daiquiris for Dogs seeks to raise $10,000 for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
This Lake View Estates at Lake Club home at 14770 Como Circle sold for $2.7 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,821 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 4, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 20-24 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake View Estates at Lake Club home on Como Circle tops the week's sales at $2.7 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Traffic moves through Longboat Key on Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 4, 2023
Traffic, development remain top concerns of Longboat residents

The 2022 Annual Citizen Satisfaction Survey yielded a 15% response rate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Attempted kidnapping reported at North Lido Beach Park
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 4, 2023
Attempted kidnapping reported at North Lido Beach Park

Sarasota police are investigating a reported abduction attempt that took place April 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Caught before the crime occurred
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 4, 2023
Caught before the crime occurred

An illegally parked vehicle was handled earlier and had a plastic bag in the door. The same bag was seen later and a citation written for littering. This and other reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
David Mizejewski and Peter Gros film an episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in July.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 4, 2023
Wild Kingdom stars speak up for National Wildlife Week

National Wildlife Week was established in 1938. It runs from April 3-9 this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kate Barlaug has been named the principal of Dr. Mona Jain Middle School. Irene Nikitopoulos has been named the principal of Carlos E. Haile Middle School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 4, 2023
Two east Bradenton schools to have new principals

Haile and Mona Jain middle schools will have new leaders for the 2023-2024 school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche, Deputy Chief Scott Mayforth and City Manager Marlon Brown with 10 new patrol officers who were sworn in on Thursday.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 3, 2023
SPD welcomes class of 10 new patrol officers

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche swears in largest class of new recruits in recent memory.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Braden River sideline erupts after big plays.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 3, 2023
Braden River flag football showcases super team talent

The Pirates flag football team hasn't lost a regular-season game since April 2021.

  • East County
  • Sports
Eliana Lasko-Scott, Eva Hakim, Colton Zukas, Nora Chapman, Nathaniel Geffre, and Alana DeRowe
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 2, 2023
Temple Emanu-El educates through community as Passover approaches

An All School Passover Celebration on Sunday taught children the traditions of the Seder.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
LaDazhia Williams said the draw of playing for Coach Kim Mulkey was a factor in her decision to transfer to LSU.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 2, 2023
Former Mustang helps LSU win women's basketball national title

LaDazhia Williams had 20 points and five rebounds in the Tigers' 102-85 championship win over the University of Iowa.

  • East County
  • Sports
The new Kilwins location on Siesta Key is now open.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 2, 2023
New Kilwins opens in Siesta Key Village

Siesta Key native Lance Cassagnol returns to his childhood roots with the new dessert shop in Davidson Plaza.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 2, 2023
Longboat Key residents to walk to cure ALS

Bob and Teresa Simmons will lead the Simmons Sole Mates at the Walk to Defeat ALS at Payne Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Stephanie Crockatt is the first full-time president and CEO of the Bay Park Conservancy.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 2, 2023
CEO Stephanie Crockatt talks future for The Bay

“We want this conservancy to be sustainable,” says the new president and CEO of the Bay Park Conservancy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 1-mile fun run begins.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 1, 2023
Runners on Siesta Key raise funds for turtle conservation

The 37th annual Run for the Turtles raised more than $55,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A car makes the journey over a pink jellyfish.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 1, 2023
Racetrack puts kids’ imagination to the test at Fab Lab competition

A competition allowed over 160 elementary and middle school students to race their own custom-designed remote-controlled cars.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Canada's Colleen Loach wanted to make a big splash in the event but failed to finish in the top three with Golden Eye.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 1, 2023
TerraNova Equestrian Center hosts top cross country field in eventing

The new equestrian center in Myakka hosts its Spring Event featuring cross country on Saturday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Myakka City's Riley Smith, who is 5, runs as fast as he can to collect eggs April 1, 2023, at EGGstravaganza.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 1, 2023
Families enjoy annual EGGstravaganza at Waterside Park in Lakewood Ranch

Children have different strategies when it comes to trying to collect the most eggs in the annual Lakewood Ranch egg hunt.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Jill Wellinger works the packed crowd at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club during the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch's Divas and Dogs fundraiser March 31.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 1, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Country Club hosts fashionable fundraiser

Divas and Dogs packed the house and raised funds for the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The University Town Center-Waterside connector awaits federal approval, which is expected by June, and will cross I-75 near the Sarasota water tower.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 1, 2023
Overpass connecting Lakewood Ranch, UTC awaits state approval

The Interstate 75 overpass bridging Lakewood Ranch and Cattleman Road has an anticipated construction start in 2025 with completion in 2027.

  • East County
  • News
Maya Biter, age 6, takes in a view of the sky through a telescope set up by the Sidewalk Science Center.
    By
  • James Peter
  • March 31, 2023
Southside Elementary STEAM Night entertains with science and art

Over 300 Sarasota children explored exhibits including telescopes, meteorites and robots.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jerry Lutgen and Donna Cornell
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 31, 2023
Seaplace residents bury time capsule

Residents gathered under the flagpole on March 30 to bury the capsule that was filled with 50 years of history.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • March 31, 2023
Michael Scott Kadish

Longboat Key resident Mike Kadish died Sunday March 19th at the age of 72 after a 28 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • March 31, 2023
Nancy Mueller

Nancy Mueller (Odgers) was born on May 17, 1938 in Dearborn Michigan.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells rides in a Ferrari during the 2023 Exotic Car Show on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch March 25. Legendary circus performer Bello Nock follows in the next car.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 31, 2023
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be

The Waterside Place hub is spectacular, but crowds continue to flock to Lakewood Ranch's original hub.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Graduates of the CareerEdge construction training program sponsored by Selby Gardens.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 31, 2023
Selby Gardens program graduates class of 10 electricians

Partnership with CareerEdge provides free training in construction trades with many students hired before completing the program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County Commissioner Mark Smith addresses audience members at a Miracle on the Key Town Hall Tuesday afternoon.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 31, 2023
County Commissioner Mark Smith talks development, affordable housing

Smith was hosted by Miracle on the Key at Temple Beth Israel on Tuesday afternoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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