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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 26, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: August 25

Dale Hayes captured this mother and baby owl in Myakka River State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The decorated tree in the center of St. Armands Circle has for years been the focus of the shopping district during the holidays. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 26, 2022
Debate ensues over when St. Armands Circle holiday tree can be lighted

Citing city commissioners' wishes, the Business Improvement District board insists the new 60-foot tree be lighted before Thanksgiving. The Merchants Association director is making no promises.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction has begun on One Main Plaza at 1991 Main St. (Photo by Mark Wemple)
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • August 26, 2022
Trio of projects set to transform a portion of downtown Sarasota

The flurry of activity from three major downtown-area projects in the fast-growing, art-infused city is too much for some but just right for others.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The construction crew begins site preparations Aug. 19. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 26, 2022
Cooper Creek Boulevard roundabout project underway in Sarasota

The University Town Center project is expected to enhance traffic flow and access to University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch football game against Lemon Bay High on Thursday night was canceled because of lightning in the middle of the first quarter. Senior Kevin Everhart scored a goal-line touchdown before then. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 25, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High football game canceled because of lighting

The game, which was a home game against Lemon Bay High, will not be rescheduled.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 25, 2022
Candy shop moves in next door to Kilwins on St. Armands Circle

River Street Sweets Savannah's Candy Kitchen, which just opened on the Circle, is the largest praline manufacturer in the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Built in 2006, the home at 1525 N. Lake Shore Drive has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,407 square feet of living area. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 25, 2022
Oyster Bay property sells for $2.9 million

An Oyster Bay home on Lake Shore Drive tops the week's sales at $2.9 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Charles Brantley (0) intercepts a pass against Michigan. The former Riverview defensive back is a big part of the Spartan's defensive plan. (Photo courtesy of Michigan State Athletics)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 25, 2022
As college football begins, a bumper crop of area alumni to watch on the gridiron

Sarasota has infused a lot of talent into the NCAA ranks over the years. The 2022 group is no different.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Guests at Hugo II can choose between indoor and outdoor seating. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2022
New restaurants on Longboat Key focus on fresh ingredients

Hugo II has been serving guests since April. LaVilla Mexican Restaurant will open its doors on Saturday.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 25, 2022
Redevelopment of Bath & Racquet Club moves closer to city approval

Entering its final Development Review Committee stage, the preservation and conversion the 53-year-old tennis complex into a multiuse project will go before the Planning Board this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A business logo greeted visitors at the front entrance. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 25, 2022
The Wellness Way invites the public into its new home in Lakewood Ranch

The national health clinic brand's new location adds additional space and offers aesthetic improvements.

  • East County
  • Business
Joe Jennings has been an enduring tennis fan, to the point of designing his own racket. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 25, 2022
Sarasota resident celebrates a lifetime of achievements with 100th birthday

Joe Jennings' near-century of life has been full of adventures and activity.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pumpkin has beautiful eyes among other qualities. Ava Biasini is trying to find a home for Pumpkin. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 25, 2022
Bradenton 18-year-old spends summer finding homes for stray cats

Chemical engineering will have to wait for the cat-loving University of Florida student.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • August 24, 2022
Excitement on Election Day

Casting the ballot is a key ingredient to our liberty. Sarasota and Manatee candidates and constituents alike make it count.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Rachel Chambers. (Courtesy photo.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 24, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Rachel Chambers

The Sarasota triathlete was the top female finisher at the 2022 Top Gun Triathlon held Aug. 6 in St. Petersburg.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Andrea Dietz.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 24, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrea Dietz

The Lakewood Ranch High senior and North Florida commit led the volleyball team with 10 kills Aug. 20 in its 3-0 home win over Wharton High.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 24, 2022
Bingo brings out the chamber's competitive side

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members got to know each other better with networking bingo.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The fenced property at 203 Garfield Drive includes two buildings, both constructed in 1936. (Photo by Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 24, 2022
Ringling Estates properties sell for $2.9 million

Two Ringling Estates properties on Garfield Drive top the week's sales at $2.9 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Siesta Key's Benjamin Aguilar competed at the 2023 U.S Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 24, 2022
Siesta Key junior gymnast showcases athleticism, grace at U.S. Gymnastics Championships

Benjamin Aguilar finished 12th All-Around in the Junior Men's 16 division of the event, which was held Aug. 18-21 at Tampa's Amalie Arena.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The School District of Manatee County continues to have a bus driver shortage as the school year begins. The district has 106 drivers for its 104 routes. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 24, 2022
Manatee School District addresses bus driver shortage and bus upgrades

During the driver shortage, Myakka teachers have volunteered to learn to operate a bus.

  • East County
  • Schools
(Photo courtesy of Samantha Ponzillo)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 24, 2022
JFCS of the Suncoast and food truck vendors raise funds for family

A food truck rally raised $10,000 for the Mendoza family on Aug. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 24, 2022
Polo Club, Waterside residents concerned about possible rezoning on Lorraine Road

Sarasota County seeks to allow light industrial and office uses on Lorraine Road corridors.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 24, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Auto held hostage

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Steph Ouellette owns and operates SUP Yoga SRQ. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 24, 2022
Paddleboard enthusiast balances yoga with water sports

Steph Ouellette owns and operates her own enterprise that teaches yoga from stand-up paddleboards both on Longboat Key and City Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former City Commissioner Fredd Atkins defeated Hagen Brody.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 23, 2022
Field set for two Sarasota County Commission seats in general election

Fredd Atkins takes close race over two Democrat opponents in District 2 while two Republican races were easily won by Mark Smith and Joseph Neunder.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jason Bearden, his 6-year-old daughter, Tessa; his wife, Katie; and his 8-week-old daughter, Allie, celebrated on election night. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 23, 2022
Jason Bearden wins Manatee County Commission at-large seat

Jason Bearden unseated four-term Commissioner Carol Whitmore with 61.54% of the votes.

  • East County
  • News
Riverwalk's Richard Tatem shakes hands with Steve Vernon, the chair of the Manatee County Republican Party, as Vernon congratulates him on his win. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 23, 2022
Lakewood Ranch's Richard Tatem elected to Manatee School Board District 5

Every vote counted for Richard Tatem as his 50.5% makes him the District 5 representative without the need for a run-off.

  • East County
  • Schools
School Board member Bridget Ziegler snaps a selfie with supporters at an election-night celebration Tuesday.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2022
Ziegler leads Sarasota School Board sweep

The slate of three candidates drew support of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2022
Manatee County Primary Election Results 2022

The 2022 primary election was held Aug. 23, with a 31.12% voter turnout.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2022
Sarasota County Primary Election Results 2022

The 2022 primary election was held Aug. 23, with a countywide 36.53% voter turnout.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Incumbent Jen Ahearn-Koch swept easily into the general election by more than 10 points.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 23, 2022
Ahearn-Koch leads the way in City Commission vote

Lobeck and Trice also make the field for the November general election of two at-large seats.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 23, 2022
Sarasota County Election Day turnout more than 36%

The winner-take-all school board races highlight a ballot that also includes countywide and state campaigns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
No one was home at the time of the 1:25 p.m. crash on Webber Street. (Photo via FHP)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 23, 2022
Driver hurt when SUV crashes into Sarasota garage

A single-vehicle crash seriously damaged a structure, and a 64-year-old man was sent to the hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Mira Mar building, plagued with safety concerns, won't be sold to local developer who was looking to build condos in its place. (File photo)
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • August 23, 2022
Deal to sell Mira Mar is off, but plans to demolish it are not

The Mira Mar building in downtown Sarasota, plagued with safety concerns, won’t be sold to local developer who was looking to build condos in its place.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A roadway construction project to improve four intersections along U.S. 301 north of downtown Sarasota is in the planning stages by FDOT. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 23, 2022
FDOT public meeting on US 301 improvements set for Thursday

The Florida Department of Transportation is planning four intersection improvements on U.S. 301 north of downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2022
Motorcycle rider killed in Sarasota crash

No one else was involved in the 11:30 p.m. wreck Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Sarasota Art Museum Senior Curator Rangsook Yoon poses in front of an unnamed piece in Judy Pfaff's exhibition, "Picking Up the Pieces."
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