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Your Observer

    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 27, 2023
One year later, Fruitville roundabout art decision nears

Clouds and birds are the themes as the Public Art Committee sees revisions of finalists' sculptures for the Fruitville Road roundabout.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gwendolyn Smith, a client at Daybreak Adult Day Center, feels like a teacher again when she's reading to Braden River Elementary School first graders.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 27, 2023
Elementary students make grand-friends at Daybreak Adult Day Center

The Braden River first graders write letters, visit, and learn about aging at the Lakewood Ranch facility.

  • East County
  • Schools
The walk proceeds alongside Cattlemen Road.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 26, 2023
Campaign gets moving at Walk to End Summer Hunger

The walk kicked off the Campaign Against Summer Hunger, which addresses hunger among schoolchildren during the summer months and this year includes a $900,000 matching challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee board members line up for a photo at the start of the program.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • March 26, 2023
Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee brings Hollywood theme to annual fundraiser

Guests embraced the spotlight during the fundraiser at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Joe Martinez conducts the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble on March 24, 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 26, 2023
Sights and Sounds series debuts at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble was featured as the cultural music series kicks off.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
AARP volunteers provide assistance at Fruitville Public Library.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 26, 2023
Sarasota Library service offers free tax help for those in need

The programs, which are funded by the AARP and certified by the IRS, accept users from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Keisha Boyd of Armed Forces Brewing Co. offers a brew to Sarasota's Pam Hogan.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 25, 2023
My Hometown Fest supports Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota

The festival raised funds in support of children and adults with speech, language and hearing challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioners Deborah Murphy, Debra Williams, BJ Bishop, Penny Gold and past commissioner Sherry Dominick
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 25, 2023
Taste of the Keys Fashion Show stars Longboat Key officials

Town commissioners and Fire Chief Paul Dezzi strutted in support of the Garden Club's Town Center Green beautification project.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bradenton 6-year-old Vincent Wang gets some tips from Robert LaVopa of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club during the annual Youth Fishing Tournament March 25 at Lake Uihlein.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2023
Kids fall for fishing in Lakewood Ranch — hook, line and sinker

The annual Youth Fishing Tournament reeled in 68 participants to Lake Uihlein.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kim Luther finished off a 20-year career with East Manatee Fire Rescue by earning the 2022 Fire Officer of the Year award.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2023
East Manatee firefighter earns top honor before retiring

Kim Luther finishes her 20-year career with East Manatee Fire Rescue by being named Manatee County Fire Officer of the Year.

  • East County
  • News
Construction of an FDOT-funded roundabout at Midnight Pass and Beach roads on Siesta Key is scheduled to begin construction in the second half of 2024.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2023
Roundabout coming to busy Siesta Key intersection

The Sarasota County Commission has approved the $2.9 million roundabout at Midnight Pass and Beach roads. The seven-month project will begin in the second half of 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Heavy rain and high tide can lead to flooded roads on vulnerable parts of the Key.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 24, 2023
Town armed with actions to combat sea-level rise

Actions including mitigating tidal flooding and protecting natural areas were recommended for Longboat Key to implement over the next five to 20 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sean Allison, Shannon Johnson, Chris Pfahler, Andrew Vac and Delesa Morris
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 24, 2023
Tidewell Foundation hosts Off the Clock

Interim President Delesa Morris says Tidewell is growing.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Stephanie Crockatt is the first full-time president and CEO of the Bay Park Conservancy.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 24, 2023
Bay Park Conservancy names first president and CEO

Stephanie Crockatt comes to The Bay after nine years of leading the development of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, an 850-acre park network.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Tom and Diane Carter say the county has told them they will no longer be taking part of their Creekwood backyard to build a roundabout.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 24, 2023
Creekwood residents voice roundabout concerns

Manatee County Public Works has stopped the Bradenton project to come up with other design options.

  • East County
  • News
Jeanne Guertin-Potoff has her first solo exhibit at Art Center Sarasota.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 24, 2023
Longboat Key resident shows at Art Center Sarasota

Jeanne Guertin-Potoff's "Adjust Your Focus" exhibition is on display through April 29.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Red tide levels at Siesta Beach were in the medium range. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 23, 2023
Red tide advisory lifted for Sarasota County beaches

The red tide advisory has been in place since December 2022.

  • Sarasota
  • News
10-year-old Kylie Ung, 12-year-old Isaiah Edwards, 11-year-old Isariah Edwards and 13-year-old Isaialyah Edwards at the 2023 Sarasota County Fair.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 23, 2023
Community is part of the show at Sarasota County Fair

Attendees praised the fair’s atmosphere and local youths' livestock exhibits.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 23, 2023
Bobby Jones restoration focus turns to short course

With the Donald Ross golf course project down to mostly growing grass, architect Richard Mandell's attention has shifted to creating the par-3 companion short course from scratch.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Valorant team member Ana "POWER" Payro, Super Smash Bros. team super captain Hanz “RawSauce” Ago, Recreation & Wellness Coordinator E Ramey, Super Smash Bros team member Jaehee “AsianShack” Kim, Overwatch team member Bennett “BlitzStorm” Hanus, and Super Smash Bros. team member Viktor “Tachio” Niksdorf.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 23, 2023
Ringling College embraces growth of esports

The Ringling Rollers esports team will receive a dedicated gaming arena.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A home in Bay Island Park ties with a Sarasota Beach home in topping all transactions in this week's real estate. The home at 3455 Anglin Drive sold for $2.4 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 23, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 6-10 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis and Osprey

Two Siesta Key homes tie as the week's top sale at $2.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Jolie Pastorick said she practices golf in some form every day.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 23, 2023
Sarasota golfer headed to Drive, Chip and Putt finals at Augusta National

Jolie Pastorick won the girls 14-15 division at The Bear's Club in Jupiter last October with 143 points.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Part II: ‘Courage to Be Free’
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 23, 2023
Part II: ‘Courage to Be Free’

The more you read Gov. DeSantis book, the more convinced you become that it is his way of giving voters a quick-read of from where he came; his principles; and that he wants to be in the White House.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
John Cannon's Oulina model will offer more modern architecture along Kingfisher Lake in Waterside.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 23, 2023
Lakewood Ranch adds two small, exclusive neighborhoods

John Cannon fires off his new designs for neighborhoods Monarch Acres and Kingfisher Estates, which will offer a combined 21 homes, starting at $3 million.

  • East County
  • News
The site of Centennial Park, the location of the 10th Street boat ramps and parking area slated for future expansion and improvements as part of The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 23, 2023
Zoning changes clear The Bay for Canal District planning

Boaters worry about ramp and parking obstacles as plans are developed for the park's Canal District.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High's Susan Lowther finished 10th in the U.S. in points (162) in 2024 according to MaxPreps statistics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 22, 2023
Riverview girls lacrosse star leads nation in goals, total points

Rams junior Susan Lowther has 79 goals and 37 assists (116 points) through 13 games.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota High senior Tyler Pack.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 22, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Tyler Pack

The Sarasota High senior is sixth in Class 4A boys high jump (6 feet, 2.75 inches) as of March 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Mayor Kyle Battie and Dr. Josie Hamilton cut the ribbon at Burns Court Veterinary Care.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 22, 2023
New downtown vet clinic takes fear out of exams

Burns Court Veterinary Care, now open on Dolphin Street, follows Fear Free, a veterinary initiative to alleviate anxiety in pets during the clinic visit.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Ian Black Real Estate has been contracted to scout Sarasota for potential properties for affordable and attainable housing.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 22, 2023
City hires Ian Black to find affordable housing properties

The Sarasota real estate firm will scour the market for locations to help ease the housing crisis.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Shortage of courts: It’s not that big of a pickle
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 22, 2023
Shortage of courts: It’s not that big of a pickle

Does Longboat really need more public pickleball courts?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch High girls lacrosse senior Morgan McCabe.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 22, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Morgan McCabe

The Lakewood Ranch High girls lacrosse senior has 29 goals in 10 games for the 8-2 Mustangs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Commissioners Deborah Murphy, Penny Gold, Gary Coffin, BJ Bishop, Debra Wiliams, Mayor Ken Schneier and Vice Mayor Mike Haycock.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 22, 2023
Longboat welcomes new commissioners to their seats

Gary Coffin and Deborah Murphy were sworn into the Longboat Key Town Commission on March 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The second annual doubles pickleball tournament is held at Longboat Harbour.
  • By Ken Comeforo
  • March 22, 2023
Pickleball is a big dill at Longboat Harbour

The condominium's second annual pickleball tournament was held on March 14 and 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
In the summer of 2021, the Volt Power Co. workers removed several light poles in the Country Club Shores neighborhood.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 22, 2023
Underground work, power line removal slated to finish this summer

All underground infrastructure work is completed in phases 1, 2 and 3 on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
701 Old Compass Road
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 22, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for March 6-10 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

An Emerald Harbor home on Old Compass Road tops the week's sales at $4.7 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Woman IDs robbery suspect as he talked to police
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 22, 2023
Woman IDs robbery suspect as he talked to police

A purse snatcher is identified by the victim who was driving by when he was talking to police. This and other reports from the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
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