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Your Observer

Mike Ferguson and Kim Ettel, two residents who have property bordering Lena Road, check out future plans for the road at a public meeting hosted by Manatee County at Peace Presbyterian Church.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 3, 2023
Manatee County explains Lena Road extension project at public meeting

Bradenton residents who live in the corridor received answers at a county information session on how the project will affect them.

  • East County
  • News
Upgrades to the University Parkway interchange are included in the project.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 2, 2023
FDOT unveils I-75 regional plan, discusses 'managed lanes'

Research is being done to see if tolled lanes would help the flow of traffic in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • East County
  • News
The 2-Person Back & Arms Combo is included in the purchase.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 2, 2023
Greenbrook Adventure Park buys new exercise equipment

The current exercise bars will be replaced with safely designed moving workout equipment.

  • East County
  • News
Renderings include the possible design of a 12-foot wide multiuse trail on the east side of Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 2, 2023
Longboat explores plans for GMD multiuse trail, updates roundabout funding

An FDOT resurfacing project is planned for the sidewalk along Gulf of Mexico Drive that the town is hoping to widen. A new funding source is identified for the Broadway roundabout.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Letter to the Editor: Quay is circumventing city rules
  • By Guest
  • March 2, 2023
Letter to the Editor: Quay is circumventing city rules

A former city commissioner and Planning Board chair responds to the Quay project.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center Communication Specialist Amanda Just leads the group of walkers.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • March 2, 2023
Lighthouse takes steps toward a brighter future

Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center continues helping those with vision loss as it works on repairing its home.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball junior Kali Barrett (21) is the Cougars' leading scorer at 12.8 points per game as of Dec. 15.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 2, 2023
Cougars girls basketball built to rebound in 2023-2024

After a third-straight Final Four run, Cardinal Mooney will return all but one player next season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 1572 Eastbrook Drive was built in 2019. It has two bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,834 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 2, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 13-17 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Kentwood Estate home on Eastbrook Drive tops this week's sale at $3.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 2, 2023
SMH makes Newsweek top hospitals ranking for fifth straight year

At No. 146 in the U.S., Sarasota Memorial Hospital has made the Newsweek and Statistca Inc.'s top hospitals ranking.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Carol Edwards serves soup during the 2022 Empty Bowls fundraiser that benefits Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 2, 2023
Meals on Wheels prepares for 2023 after seeing increased demand in 2022

The nonprofit says community support has been crucial to meeting the increased demand for food and services.

  • East County
  • News
The seating area of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has no center aisle, requiring patrons seating toward the center to step over dozens of others to enter or exit their rows.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 2, 2023
Behind the curtain: A backstage look at the Van Wezel

Management of Sarasota's performing arts hall discusses operational and physical challenges as the city explores repurposing the 58-year-old icon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Child Protection Center
  • March 2, 2023
10th Anniversary Celebration Blue Ties and Butterflies on March 29

Child Protection Center invites you to bring transformational healing for victims of abuse at the 10th anniversary celebration of Blue Ties and Butterflies.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Sips owners Justina Condensa and Chris Carter celebrated their grand opening March 1.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 1, 2023
Sips celebrates grand opening on Longboat Key

The coffee shop in Whitney Plaza is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is closed Monday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Sarasota High's Maximillian Farrugia (8) and Cooper Oriol (3) chest bump after a goal against Venice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 1, 2023
Sarasota boys lacrosse battles for first win

The Sailors had four heartbreaks in a row before a Feb. 28 win over Venice High.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The party is on at Rocco's Tacos in Sarasota as owner Rocco Mangel hosted an invitation-only party to celebrate the official opening that will come on March 6.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 1, 2023
The party begins at Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar in Sarasota

Rocco Mangel held an invitation-only party featuring tons of free tequila at the new restaurant at UTC.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Crash knocks out traffic lights at downtown intersection
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 1, 2023
Crash knocks out traffic lights at downtown intersection

A two-car collision at Fruitville Road and Osprey Avenue is expected to delay traffic for several hours on Wednesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the planned Banditos Tacos & Tequila at the former Tavern on Main location at 1468 Main St., which the company plans to open in fall 2023.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 1, 2023
Banditos will bring its 'taco temple' to downtown Sarasota

Maryland-based Banditos Tacos & Tequila will occupy the former Tavern on Main Brewery location as it makes its Florida debut, featuring the chain's first rooftop patio.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sarasota High boys lacrosse senior Kellen Rector.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 1, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kellen Rector

The Sarasota High boys lacrosse senior is an offensive leader for the Sailors.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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
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Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service
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