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Your Observer

The Concession Golf Club's director of instruction, Joe Ostrowski, was named one of Golf Digest's 160 Best Young Teachers in America for 2023-2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 14, 2023
Concession director named a Best Young Teacher in America by Golf Digest

Joe Ostrowski previously received the honor from 2018-2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
Emma Chapman said she feels confident in her abilities despite being new to the varsity team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 14, 2023
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer team puts faith in young goalie

Emma Chapman has impressed Mustangs coaches with her poise and shot-blocking.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High softball senior Addyson Bruneman.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 14, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Addyson Bruneman

The Lakewood Ranch High softball senior hit .400 with 11 extra-base hits in 2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Country Club East home at 7619 Cavendish Cove sold for $1,265,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 14, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 30 to Feb. 3 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Cavendish Cove tops the week's sales at $1.27 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Dynasty Stars Samantha Allspach and Georges Assif
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 14, 2023
Dancing with the Dynasty Stars at St. Mary's

The dance troupe for children, teens and adults with special needs entertained at the church's Galentine's party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The St. Armands Business Improvement District will expire later this year unless it is renewed by Aug. 7
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 14, 2023
St. Armands property owners to make second bid to renew business district

Falling just short of a 10-year renewal of the St. Armands Business Improvement District, its board will begin the process for a second ballot for property owners on the Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Doesn't matter if Dad said yes
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 14, 2023
Doesn't matter if Dad said yes

A father was issued a citation for his juvenile operating a personal watercraft. This and other police reports on Longboat Key in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
An updated view of the 50 vertical oyster gardens hung under the observation deck at Joan Durante Park. Even from a distance, the growth is easily visible.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 14, 2023
Vertical oyster gardens grow habitats and communities

Vertical oyster gardens are being deployed across Longboat Key to improve the water quality in Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The resort-style pool will be one of the main amenities at Wild Blue at Waterside.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2023
Wild Blue adds luxury homes to Waterside at Lakewood Ranch

Stock Development emphasizes the natural setting as sales begin this spring in the 500-home village.

  • East County
  • Business
Isha Pramudyasworo picks up her book from the Sarasota Ballet booth.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 13, 2023
Storybook Street brings literacy to life

Early Learning Coalition give families and their children books to grow their libraries.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pat Watral shows Pam Toft how to hold her arm while performing CPR. Toft's husband, Graham, watches.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 13, 2023
Longboat residents learn basics of CPR

The course covers the basics of hands-only CPR and the use of an AED.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 13, 2023
Public invited to comment in SPD accreditation program

The Sarasota Police Department will undergo examination by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of operations, congratulate Kelly Smith-Williams (center), a Lakewood Ranch High School teacher, on being a finalist for Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High instructor earns Manatee's top teacher award

Kelly Smith-Williams, an anatomy and physiology teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, is named the School District of Manatee County's Teacher of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • February 13, 2023
Abdul Gaffar, PhD

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Abdul Gaffar, PhD; a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and inventor, in Lakewood Ranch FL, on February 2, 2023.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy sixth grader Ely Chappell conducts observational data collection with Stephanie Peabody, the founder of the Brain Health Initiative, and sixth grader Cadence Clay.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Brain Health Initiative develops program with Lakewood Ranch Prep

The new program Schools for Brain Health teaches students the importance of brain health and the impacts of a brain healthy lifestyle.

  • East County
  • Schools
Suzy Brenner, Amy Steinhauser, Irina LaRose, Carol Peschel, Sandi Love and Janet Milliken
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 13, 2023
The Paradise Center dances through the decades

The Paradise Center held its annual fundraiser on Feb. 12 to raise money for all the programs it provides Longboat residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
One northbound lane on U.S. 41 near the roundabout at Gulfstream Avenue will be closed 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday for drainage construction.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 13, 2023
Daytime lane closure in effect Monday, Tuesday at Gulfstream roundabout

Ongoing construction at the new roundabout at Gulfstream Avenue will close a northbound lane on U.S. 41.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Greenbrook 13-year-old Drake Cohen settles into the campsite with his father, Tom Cohen, during Lakewood Ranch Community Activities' Community Campout.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Community Activities to host its Community Campout

The Community Campout has become a tradition for Lakewood Ranch families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Yianni Chalvadakis is ready to serve up saganaki and loukaniko at the Greek Glendi.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2023
Greek Glendi in Sarasota adds to its menu

From saganaki to frappés, St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church is providing new food and drink items at the annual festival.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Margaret Dugan, Lindy Jacobi and Judy Behny prepare for the soup and chili cook-off.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 11, 2023
Spanish Main Yacht Club is in full swing

The club held a chili cook-off and welcome back party last month.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Third grader Kaylee Casablanca loves dancing with her sister Briana Casablanca and third grader Aubrielle Deaugustinis.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 11, 2023
Tara Elementary hosts its annual Sweetheart Dance

The annual dance gives students and their families a chance to show off their moves.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kodak is the fourth member of the Sarasota Police Department's K-9 unit.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 11, 2023
SPD welcomes new four-legged officer

Kodak becomes the fourth sworn K-9 officer at the Sarasota Police Department.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A program to manage sand on the Greer Island spit are among projects in the works on the barrier island.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 10, 2023
Major projects make progress on Longboat

Over a dozen projects were included in the town's January update.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Violet Link, Elle Zukas, Eloise and Zachary Friedman, Colton Zukas celebrate The Birthday of The Trees at Celery Fields.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 10, 2023
Trees at Celery Fields get some birthday TLC

Temple Emanu-El Religious School students celebrated “The Birthday of The Trees” at Celery Fields on Feb. 5.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Barbara Claudy shops at the Longboat Library book sale on Saturday.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 10, 2023
Books, bargains and lobster on the lawn

The Longboat Library brought the books outside for a sale on Saturday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The purple line running from the Key to the orange dot represents the town-owned wastewater pipeline.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 10, 2023
Town receives $3 million for sewer main replacement

The funding will aid in covering costs for the portion of the project running under Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cardinal Mooney won a district title Feb. 3 with a 70-30 win over Bradenton Christian.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 10, 2023
Trio of stars lead Cardinal Mooney girls basketball to No. 4 class ranking

The Cougars are seeking a third-straight trip to the state semifinals.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of operations, congratulate Kelly Smith-Williams (center), a Lakewood Ranch High School teacher, on being a finalist for Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Manatee schools names Lakewood Ranch High teacher as Teacher of the Year

Kelly Smith Williams, an anatomy and physiology teacher, is the School District of Manatee County's 2023 Teacher of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ann Walborn and Ernie Smith volunteer to assemble care packages for Lutheral World Relief.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 9, 2023
Quilting bee aids in disaster relief

Members of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church met on Feb. 3 to assemble 1,000 personal care packages for Lutheran World Relief.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Panache with Pooches Fashion Show models Zooey and Sandy Koolkin give their best pose.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 9, 2023
Pooches take the catwalk

Sarasota Garden Club presents a charity fashion show with furry models.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrested a Parrish Community High student for making a video threat against the school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Students arrested for making mass shooting threats at Parrish Community High

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested two Parrish Community High students for posting a video simulating a shooting on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
The War of Education
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 9, 2023
The War of Education

The inevitable has been exposed: State-controlled, taxpayer-funded education doesn’t work. The power needs to shift from politicians to parents.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Earth movers continue shaping the 18th fairway at the Bobby Jones Golf Course as sod around the green takes hold and the green awaits planting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 9, 2023
City approves budget for Bobby Jones buildings

A guaranteed maximum price of $5.29 million is set for restrooms, starter building, range building and a temporary clubhouse at the city-owned golf course as restoration work continues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lofts on Lemon, which opened in fall 2022, is an example of what a city-owned workforce housing apartment complex might look like.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 9, 2023
City considers a new approach to workforce housing

Commissioner Erik Arroyo suggests the city build and hold its own workforce housing developments. Staff is now working on a plan to partner with firms to build and operate apartment complexes to bring greater numbers of attainable units online.

  • Sarasota
  • News
School District of Manatee County board members Richard Tatem, Mary Foreman, Chad Choate, Cindy Spray and Gina Messenger are seeking input on the superintendent search.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Public's feedback sought on hiring of next Manatee district superintendent

The School Board of Manatee County is looking for input on what qualities and characteristics the community wants to see in the next leader of the district.

  • East County
  • News
The new substation will be located at 11506 Rangeland Parkway, which used to be the Lakewood Ranch Information Center.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 9, 2023
Manatee County Sheriff's Office is opening new substation in Lakewood Ranch

Former Lakewood Ranch Information Center will house substation until new facility is built at Premier Park.

  • East County
  • News
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