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Your Observer

From left, Rep. James Buchanan, Sen. Joe Gruters, Rep. Michael Grant and Rep. Fiona McFarland comprise the Sarasota County delegation in the Florida Legislature.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 17, 2023
With local delegation approval, much work lies ahead in quest to incorporate Siesta Key

Although the Sarasota legislative delegation approved taking Siesta Key incorporation request to Tallahassee, a referendum is a long way from reaching the ballot late next year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Longboat park saxophonist's Sinatra standard falls flat
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 17, 2023
Longboat park saxophonist's Sinatra standard falls flat

A saxophonist who didn't have a Frank Sinatra standard down pat is just one of the complaints Longboat Key police responded to in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Risen Savior Lutheran Church Pastor Caleb Free and Jodi Batsch, an elementary administrator for Risen Savior Academy, are excited to welcome kindergartners to the academy's new elementary school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 17, 2023
Risen Savior Lutheran Church to add kindergarten in 2023-24

The addition of kindergarten is the first step in the expansion of Lakewood Ranch's Risen Savior Academy to include an elementary school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Robert Jendelund is the new contract tennis pro at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 17, 2023
New tennis pro joins Longboat tennis center

The Longboat Key Public Tennis Center hired a new contract pro to handle the overflow of requests for tennis lessons.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
AJ Sanders participates in the Unity and Historical march with a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. flag that reads "I HAVE A DREAM"
  • By Dariela Delgado
  • January 16, 2023
Sarasota honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

With an interfaith tribute, an awards breakfast and a march, the city honored the civil rights leader on Jan. 16.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch teacher found dead in Parrish
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch teacher found dead in Parrish

Justin Darr, 39, had been missing for a week when he was found near his Parrish home.

  • East County
  • News
Piles are driven as part of the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Phillippi Creek in the Pinecraft neighborhood.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 16, 2023
8-inch-wide pedestrian bridge in Sarasota? 'I'm no engineer, but…'

Twitter followers have some fun after a county government gaffe on social media.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's Marni Abrams participates in her first Mega Challah Bake with her 13-year-old daughter Rachel Abrams. Marni Abrams says it's important to pass traditions, like making challah, onto the next generation.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 16, 2023
Mega Challah Bake brings tradition with a twist in Lakewood Ranch

Women pass down the tradition of making challah bread to future generations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 16, 2023
North-end road repair begins Monday on Longboat

Work is focused in the north-side Village, Norton Street and Jungle Queen Way.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
D'Kai Shaw attends State College of Florida and has been a mentee for five years. Shaw shares his reasons why this program is important.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 16, 2023
Sarasota police, youth organizations say Y.E.S. to teaming up on empowerment

The police chief says that the organization aims to provide mentorship and services to at-risk kids in the city.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andrew Vac and Cindy Jessup
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 16, 2023
Longboat Chamber's 'Off the Clock' goes off island

About 40 members of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce met at Fleming's in Sarasota for their monthly networking event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dave Hughes serves to MaryAnn Miller and Deborah Richards
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 16, 2023
Pickleball tournaments start at Cedars

Tennis Resort & Club plans Thursday Games and Drinks nights.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dr. Andrea Clarkson, Doug and Hilory Seaton, Eve Kanoff,.Susan Hunter and Commodore Lisa Adams
  • By Tony Britt
  • January 16, 2023
Flappers, fedoras and fireworks

Bird Key Yacht Club welcomed the new year with a bash.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sophie Lemus gets a high five from Gabrielle Madrid after Lemus scored against Manatee High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer team gallops through the competition

The Mustangs, ranked third in Class 7A, are 11-0-1 and have emerged as a state title contender.

  • East County
  • Sports
Parrish 3-year-old Harper Dillon and her mother Ashley Dillon enjoy a swinging Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 15, 2023
Manatee County Fair has the beef during annual auction

Cold weather couldn't dampen the spirits at the family event in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kristen VanderVeen and Jasmijn race through the course at the TerraNova Equestrian Center during the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota. Although that pair didn't make the final four, VanderVeen won the event aboard Jireh.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 15, 2023
Grand Prix of Sarasota crowns champ at TerraNova

The Myakka equine facility hosted some of the world's best jumpers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Police Chief George Turner brings previous accreditation experience to the department.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 14, 2023
Longboat police department enters review process for accreditation

The department is on track to earn the status, a certification of law enforcement standards and professionalism, in less than two years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Excavation takes place amid investigations on the pipe on Jan. 4.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 14, 2023
Repairs to major Manatee waterline to be complete in February

A section of the 42-inch transmission line will have to be removed and replaced with new pipe.

  • East County
  • News
Mooney volleyball player Jordyn Byrd was named the Gatorade Florida Volleyball Player of the Year in January.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 13, 2023
Mooney's Jordyn Byrd repeats as Gatorade Florida Volleyball Player of the Year

Byrd, who also won the award in 2021-2022, is the No. 16 player nationally in the class of 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Arcadia man dies in east Manatee crash on CR 675
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2023
Arcadia man dies in east Manatee crash on CR 675

Two people were hospitalized in a serious condition after a head-on collision near Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
Allegiant is one of the top airlines at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 13, 2023
SRQ's 2022 passenger traffic breaks record again

In the past five years, passenger traffic has tripled at the airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Heritage Harbour Golf Club held a special event Jan. 7 to meet its course architect Nick Campanelli.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2023
Heritage Harbour Golf Club celebrates architect's design

The Bradenton golf club held a special event to celebrate architect Nick Campanelli's redesign of the course.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
In the aftermath of the powerful storm, access during the count was hampered by storm-fallen trees and unseasonably high water levels.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • January 13, 2023
Myakka park reopens after Ian with encouraging bird count

The post-hurricane tally suggests that birds weathered impacts to the park's natural systems.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 13, 2023
Sarasota area ranked third in top retirement destinations

In a study of the nation's top 100 retirement destinations, the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro is third and is one of five Florida metro areas in the top 20.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tightening the rock groin protects sand placed on the barrier island's beaches for a longer period of time.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 13, 2023
Longboat still waiting on New Pass groin permits

The project to keep sand from slipping through the rocky structure is the final portion of town's latest beach renourishment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Stephanie Peabody, who is the founder of the Brian Health Initiative, and Lakewood Ranch's Heather Lyon have fun during the yoga class. Lyon says the class was excellent and rejuvenating.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 12, 2023
Sirius Day Spa of Lakewood Ranch rings in the year with fundraiser

Patrons attend the New Year, New You event to raise money for Sisterhood for Good of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Residents of Siesta Key cheer after Sarasota County's legislative delegation approved their request to place a bill paving the way for a vote on incorporation on this year's legislative agenda in Tallahassee.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 12, 2023
Sarasota legislators agree to take bill on Siesta incorporation vote to Tallahassee

By a 3-1 vote, the Sarasota County state legislators endorsed a plan by Siesta Key residents to place an incorporation referendum on the November 2024 ballot. Now it's up to the Florida Legislature to approve.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The home at 2163 Datura St. has three bedrooms, two full baths, one half bath and more than 3,000 square feet of living space.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 12, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 26-30 for Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis, Osprey

A Sarasota property on Datura Street tops the week's sales at $1.95 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The wondrous Cleo is a bearded dragon who teaches seventh grade students the responsibilities of caring for a reptile while incorporating the science of aquaculture.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 12, 2023
Classroom pets play key role in school’s success story

Sarasota School of the Arts and Sciences' animals bring a sense of calm to the classroom alongside a unique learning opportunity.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Booker's Annette Castro dives for a loose ball against Lake Placid High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 12, 2023
Booker girls basketball wants a repeat performance

The Tornadoes have a different look in 2022-2023, but a return to the Final Four is the goal.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, will retire June 30. The School Board of Manatee County is in the beginning stages of the search for a new superintendent.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 12, 2023
Manatee School Board clashes on preference for new superintendent

Some board members say they would prefer a Florida resident while others say they are open to all candidates.

  • East County
  • Schools
Rick Boyce has made it a personal mission to make Siesta Key Beach a safer and healthier place to watch the waves.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 12, 2023
Siesta man is on a daily mission for a cleaner, safer beach

Rick Boyce has dedicated the past three years and eight months to cleaning up Siesta Key Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House is on its way to Waterside Place in 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 12, 2023
Seeking clarity on major Manatee County issues in 2023

The fate of a county administrator, a major development and Premier Park are among the Manatee County items that will draw attention this year.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Groundwater seepage and occasional flooding from Sarasota Bay are among the reasons the city is pursuing a replacement for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 12, 2023
Van Wezel preservation talks elicit polarizing viewpoints

As commissioners start talks of a committee to explore the future of the Van Wezel, citizens draw battle lines between refurbishing and repurposing it as a replacement is planned.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tim Tremblay, 61, said he loves baseball because of the people the sport attracts.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 11, 2023
40-and-up baseball finds a home in Manatee County

The league, which also includes players from Sarasota County, prepares for its inaugural season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Booker senior Sariah Bradley.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 11, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Sariah Bradley

The Tornadoes girls basketball player led the team to a 58-12 win over Lake Placid Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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