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Your Observer

Matthew DePalma, teenage owner of 941 Mobile Detail, cleans vehicles throughout Sarasota when not attending classes at Out Of Door Academy in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 4, 2023
Nearly half of Sarasota-area teens are in the workforce

A study shows 46.6% of teens age 16-19 in the North Port-Sarasota-Brandenton metro area have jobs. That ranks it 20th nationally among midsize markets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hurricane preparedness is among topics introduced in the 2023 survey.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 4, 2023
Deadline nears for Longboat Key citizen survey

Residents have until Feb. 11 to complete town's annual check on attitudes and services.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Residents and tourists, young and old, found something to enjoy at the Lido Casino.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • February 4, 2023
The legendary local hot spots of the past

Before the condos and traffic, Lido, Siesta and Longboat keys housed a whole host of haunts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
SMR's Laura Cole, Pulte's Josh Graeve, Ivette, Lyanna, Lucious, and retired Army Sgt. Lucio Gaytan, Pulte's Wes Copeland and Building Homes for Heroes' Cody Brannon break ground for the Gaytan's new home at Sapphire Point Feb. 3 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 3, 2023
Pulte heads partnership to provide Lakewood Ranch home to veteran

Pulte, Building Homes for Heroes and SMR combined to provide a mortgage-free home in Sapphire Point for veteran Lucio Gaytan.

  • East County
  • News
Palm Aire's Katherine Pike showcases a classy outfit, and a smile.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 3, 2023
Models sparkle during Palm Aire's fashion show in Sarasota

The event showcased a series of colorful outfits for a charitable cause.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh has been elected chair of the MPOAC.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 3, 2023
Commissioner Baugh elected chair of transportation planning organization

The statewide organization helps coordinate planing policy decisions between local metropolitan planning organizations.

  • East County
  • News
The proposed diverging diamond interchange at Fruitville and I-75.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 3, 2023
Fruitville Road interchange among 20 on DeSantis' fast track

An expedited road project could be underway by 2024 if the Florida Legislature approves the $7 billion request.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The lanai overlooks a pool and a small grove of mangroves and sea grape lining the bayou.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • February 3, 2023
1950s ranch transforms into the epitome of Sarasota style

Dan Denton transformed an ordinary Lido Shores ranch home with midcentury bones into a spectacular, modern glass pavilion set in a garden.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The current posted speed limit on Broadway Street is 20 miles per hour.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 3, 2023
Longboat Village residents differ with town on traffic-calming measures

Options to slow vehicles in the north-end neighborhood include new striping, mini-traffic circles and more.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Site work is underway at the site of the new Sarasota County Administrative Center in Fruitville Farms. In the background is Celery Fields, a county park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 3, 2023
County approves millions for new administration center

The Sarasota County Commission has funded construction of its new administration center with $28 million in bonds and a $75.1 million budget amendment. The building is expected to be completed in late 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Electric vehicles and charging stations will be key topics at the workshop.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 3, 2023
Town workshop to focus on electric vehicles

The Feb. 22 Longboat Key event will cover topics of sustainability for potential buyers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sam Ramey fell fast and furious in love with the life aquatic. For him, the experience was so life-changing that he finished his schooling while living aboard a sailboat.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 3, 2023
A guide to get your Sarasota fishing adventures started

As the saying goes, a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work. Or, as outdoorsman and angler Fennel Hudson puts it: “Having a fishing rod in your hand is merely an excuse to explore out-of-sight depths and reveal mysteries that previously only existed in dreams.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Parrish Community High School resumes classes after two lockdowns inadvertently initiated by medical emergencies on campus two days in a row.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 2, 2023
Parrish Community High resumes classes after two lockdowns

The School District of Manatee County says that the lockdowns were triggered by "medical emergencies."

  • East County
  • Schools
Drayton Saunders and Michael Saunders pose with representatives of all of the organizations that received grants during the Jan. 26 grant distribution event at the company’s Lakewood Ranch office.
  • By Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2023
Michael Saunders Foundation donates to 47 causes

Agents and employees of the Sarasota real estate company contribute to the twice-a-year grant distribution.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The DeMarcay pays homage to its predecessor at 33 S. Palm Ave. with the preservation of the DeMarcay Hotel facade.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 2, 2023
Downtown luxury condo tower nearly sold out

Only two of 39 condominiums remain available at The DeMarcay, including a two-level, 6,814-square-foot unit priced at $12.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction on homes takes place in Sweetwater, Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 2, 2023
No limits on speculative homes for Manatee County builders

Builders can now have completed homes in stock to serve the area’s growth.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 2, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Jan.16-20 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch

Two McClellan Park properties topped the week's sale at a combined $1.8 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball forward Kevin O'Donoghue.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 2, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kevin O'Donoghue

The Cardinal Mooney boys basketball junior had 11 points against Booker High on Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
George Leibold takes a long-range shot against Booker High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 2, 2023
Cardinal Mooney boys basketball has the depth needed for a deep run

The Cougars, 15-9, are closing year two under Coach Vince Cherry on an upswing.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Drum circle newbie Julia Clark (center) bangs her worries away among the usual cadre of characters.
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • February 2, 2023
The beat goes on at Siesta Key drum circle

Now in its 26th year, the Siesta Key drum circle is as steady and evocative as the tide. And much like the beach’s famous sand, its rhythm is just as healing.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The county's wastewater treatment plant on Lena Road is a source of reclaimed water in Manatee County.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 2, 2023
In response to growth, Manatee seeks to expand reclaimed water supply

Manatee County is doing research on a possible reclaimed water partnership with the city of Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Declare fentanyl a WMD
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 2, 2023
Declare fentanyl a WMD

President Joe Biden’s ineptness at stopping fentanyl from China and Mexico has fueled Florida’s fentanyl death toll — second highest in the U.S. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody makes a case for decisive action.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Eric Garwood started as managing editor of the Longboat Observer and Sarasota Observer in 2017.
  • By Observer staff
  • February 2, 2023
Observer managing editor leaves legacy of laughter, mentoring

After six years at the helm of the Longboat and Sarasota Observers, Garwood is moving on.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hayley Roberts is a five-star tennis player according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 2, 2023
GreyHawk Landing tennis player has ace potential

Hayley Roberts is a five-star player according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Inter-District Authority meets at the Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 2, 2023
Quest to privatize Lakewood Ranch CDD roads hits road block

The Community Development Districts of Lakewood Ranch likely will need new legislation to privatize roads.

  • East County
  • News
The Town Center Green is in phase two of construction, which includes a privately funded stage.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 2, 2023
Town lays out expectations of county library project

The county is funding the project and deems design, planning and operations as its responsibility.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Don Malko, who won a trip for two to the Super Bowl, shows off his drawings of significant members of the aerospace industry.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 2, 2023
Lakewood Ranch aerospace journalist flying high after winning Super Bowl tickets

Don Malko and his grandson are heading to the Super Bowl courtesy of Verizon.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Failure to secure the air rights over Quay Commons led to One Park developer Quay 1 and 9 to decline to close on the property resulting in mutual lawsuits with the master developer, Quay Venture.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 2, 2023
Contention remains in the air over One Park plan

As it awaits its scheduled court date, the City Commission lays out the plan for consideration of One Park in The Quay. Final approval rests on either amending or revising the original development agreement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Town Square
  • February 2, 2023
It Takes a Village: Town Square's Unique Approach to Senior Care

Picture a 1950s-style town, filled with vintage memorabilia, midcentury storefronts and even a 1956 Pontiac. That’s what you’ll find when you step into Town Square University Parkway.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Chateau Sarasota officially opens Feb. 4 in the former Roy's space.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 1, 2023
French cuisine to open at former Roy’s in Sarasota

After more than a year of delays, The Chateau Sarasota on Siesta Drive will open Feb. 4.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
B.J. Ivey was presented by Sarasota High with a commemorative basketball and shirt in recognition of his 300th varsity win.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 1, 2023
Sarasota High coach reaches 300-win mark at varsity level

B.J. Ivey has taken his time on the basketball sidelines to heart.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
For years, Blasé Café has been the go-to spot for locals escaping the tourist hustle.
  • By Su Byron
  • February 1, 2023
Where to find the hidden nightlife in Sarasota, Longboat

Night owls rejoice. If the day’s winding down but you’re still going strong, you don’t have to go to bed. Nighttime is still the right time for some of us.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Kelly Harmon with Lakewood Ranch Community Activities calls out the letter and number in bingo while asking residents about themselves to allow everyone to get to know each other.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 1, 2023
LWR Community Activities ramps up programming to meet demand

With more people getting involved, the social organization is creating new programs to meet the expanding needs of its residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River High School senior Christian Bell is nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy, and senior Terrence Tysall is nominated to the U.S. Naval and Air Force academies.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 1, 2023
Two Manatee students receive military service academy nominations

Braden River High seniors Christian Bell and Terrence Tysall hope to attend the U.S. Naval Academy with their nominations from U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.

  • East County
  • Schools
Police called after disturbance over bad haircut
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 1, 2023
Police called after disturbance over bad haircut

A mother causes a disturbance at a barber shop over an alleged bad child's haircut. This and other reports from the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
350 Morningside Drive sold for $1.95 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 1, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 16-20 for Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Lido Key home on Morningside Drive tops the week's sales at $1.95 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
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  • June 3, 2026
Keys & Courses: A High-Energy Dueling Piano Dinner Party
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Selby Gardens’ Selenicereus cactus blooms for one night only.
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University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
  • June 3, 2026
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Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service
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Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
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