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Your Observer

The rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza shows marquee signage granted as adjustments by the Sarasota Planning Board.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 13, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre scores a marquee victory

The Sarasota theater organization secured multiple Planning Board adjustments for its McGillicuddy Arts Plaza, including additional signage to enhance its theater district ambience.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 13, 2025
The Paradise Center closes Aug. 22 for move

The Longboat Key community center is preparing for its move to Longboat Island Chapel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
New ODA quarterback Eduoard Chaput hopes to win a state championship and earn a college scholarship in his senior season this fall.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 13, 2025
New ODA quarterback makes bold move

Edouard Chaput moved from Quebec to Bradenton with the hope of improving his chances to earn a football scholarship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Commissioner Bob McCann stands behind the amendment he brought before the commission in January that would reinstate additional wetland buffers in Manatee County. He says the amendment is not more "burdensome or restrictive" because it was already in place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 13, 2025
Upcoming Manatee land use meeting should grab your attention

Wetland buffers and the Future Development Area Boundary will be discussed.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Setter Layla Larrick is one of a few key returners who expect Cardinal Mooney volleyball to make another run deep into the postseason.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 13, 2025
Cardinal Mooney volleyball sets sights on state tournament

A young and deep Cougars team believes it has the players to make a run at a title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee detectives investigate shooting, stabbing incident in Silver Lake
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 12, 2025
Manatee detectives investigate shooting, stabbing incident in Silver Lake

A 23-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times while a 21-year-old male was shot twice.

  • East County
  • News
Laurie Breslin of the School District of Manatee County and Misty Mathis of Nassau County School District have been selected as finalists in the superintendent search.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 12, 2025
Manatee School Board selects two finalists for superintendent position

Laurie Breslin and Misty Mathis will meet the public Aug. 18 at Manatee Technical College.

  • East County
  • Schools
Allegiant is one of the top airlines at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
Allegiant adds new route from Sarasota to Rochester

Allegiant Air's new route between Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and Rochester, New York, begins Feb. 13, 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Shoreview home at 7864 Grande Shores Drive sold for $1.8 million. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,413 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 12, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for July 28-Aug. 1 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in The Lake Club topped the week’s sales at $2 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sarasota High senior Jake MacDonald wants to win a state championship this fall after finishing 10th overall at the Class 3A state championship in 2024.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 12, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Jake MacDonald

The Sarasota High golfer wants to win a state title in his senior season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Paola Ramirez, Jairo Badilla and Anderson Pelaez
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 12, 2025
Sarasota's CreArte Latino celebrates its birthday with fundraiser

The nonprofit held a fundraiser celebration for its eighth birthday and first birthday in its new space, inviting the local community to join.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ship gets stuck on sand bar in the Gulf
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
Ship gets stuck on sand bar in the Gulf

Marine patrol responds to a couple running aground off Longboat Key. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Amy Blair, the manager at the Old Salty Dog on City Island, said visitors often enjoy seeing dolphins, sharks, seabirds and other wildlife from the waterfront seating.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 12, 2025
Old Salty Dog celebrates post-recovery recognition

Not long after reopening from a five-month closure caused by hurricane damage, the longstanding Sarasota bar is celebrating a new national commendation.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
City undergoes billing system change for water customers

Beginning in October, the city of Sarasota will implement electronic payment system InvoiceCloud for water bills, shift convenience fees to customers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An aerial rendering of the planned Sarasota Memorial Hospital-North Port.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
SMH expands plans for full-service North Port hospital

Before ground is broken on the new Sarasota Memorial Hospital in south county, the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board has approved plans for a four-floor expansion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch volleyball seniors Julia Vendramini, Kora Yanes and Ava Collins are aiming for a district title in their final season together.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 12, 2025
Senior-led Mustangs volleyball team expects to vie for regional title

It's now or never for Lakewood Ranch High's top senior players in the 2025 season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ventura’s Italian Kitchen's menu ranges from a Margherita Pizza to Chicken Piccata.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 12, 2025
Longboat Italian eatery to open second Manatee County location

The owner says Ventura’s Italian Kitchen "promises a warm, welcoming atmosphere."

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ricardo Vasquez and Monica Rodriguez wish their daughter Kiali Vasquez good luck on her first day with a kiss. Kiali is determined to get straight A's.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 opens to students for the first time in Lakewood Ranch

On the first day of school, Principal Todd Richardson was eager to finally have students on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Andre Evans, 11, his mother Heather Abling, and cousin Nyomii Knight, 9, left with backpacks for the school year.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2025
Church of the Redeemer prepares Alta Vista students with Back-to-School Bash

The event offered supplies and services before the start of school including shoes and clothing items, backpacks and vision and dental exams.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Martina Kandrachoff sees off her older sister, Guillermina, for her first day of school at Alta Vista Elementary School on Aug. 11.
    By
  • Dana Kampa, Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2025
Recess is over as school begins in Sarasota

Southside Elementary and Alta Vista Elementary kids make their return for the 2025-26 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Peter and Athena Hotaling enjoy using their phones to connect with friends and family, play games, use social media and more. With the new phone restrictions, they will have to save those things for after school hours.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
New phone policy will be 'learning curve' for Manatee students

Per House Bill 1105, elementary and middle school students will be required to turn off and stow away electronic devices during school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch setter Julia Vendramini is embracing the expectations of being a senior leader this fall.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Julia Vendramini

The Lakewood Ranch volleyball player has become a key player for the Mustangs.

  • East County
  • Sports
An aerial perspective of the 777 Palm Avenue Condos planned to be built across Mound Street from the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens parking structure.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 11, 2025
Mound Street condo project sailing through staff review

On its second submittal to the city's Development Review Committee, the 66-unit 777 Palm Avenue Condos project, with few staff comments remaining, has received partial sign-off.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Demolition began last week on the home at 634 Buttonwood Drive, which was badly damaged by hurricane-related flooding.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • August 11, 2025
Buttonwood Harbour residents on Longboat remain mixed toward rebuild

Some homeowners have homes finished, some are starting from scratch, and others are getting out.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
No positive ID on body found in SR 70 pond near I-75
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 10, 2025
No positive ID on body found in SR 70 pond near I-75

Detectives believe the body to be 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier, who was reported missing from Charlotte County last week.

  • East County
  • News
Evelyn Lucas, 5, and her friends Kevin McGuckin, 3, and his sister Kinsley McGuckin, 5 (front row) pose with Flight Nurse Pamela Young.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 10, 2025
Fire department open house showcases Bayflite medical helicopter

The open house events allow community members to visit fire stations and meet local firefighters and community partners.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A portion of damaged sea wall along the Marina Jack A Dock adjacent to Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 10, 2025
City plans Bayfront Park seawall replacement

A project to replace seawall fronting Bayfront Park and compromising the A Dock area of the marina received partial sign-off from Sarasota's Development Review Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The plan to redevelop the Marian Anderson site includes a medical facility, light industrial and a cell tower.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 10, 2025
Newtown landfill property advances toward commercial development

The developer of the brownfield Marian Anderson site make strides toward rezoning for commercial use.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Island Chapel Chef Chef David Stone, Longboat Key Police Department Training Captain David Eggleston, Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/P) Ryan Corso, Lt. Jose Rivera, FF/P David Oliger, Assistant Chief Mike Regnier, Lt. Ron Koper, Lt. Tim Haas, FF/P Jamison Urch, FF/P William Lewis, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi; front row Rev. Brock Patterson Fire/Rescue Liaison CC Imbriaco, chapel members Carol Peschel and Connie DiMaggio. Members of Longboat Island Chapel provided a special lunch to firefighters at Station 92 on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 9, 2025
Longboat Key first responders enjoy midsummer cheer

Longboat Island Chapel members delivered lunch to firefighters and police officers on the Key last week as a thank you for their service to the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Betsy Friedman, interim executive director, and Andy Blanch, founder and director, of Sarasota Strong, and Sister Kristina Abernathy and her husband Father Paul Abernathy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 9, 2025
Pastor leads trauma-informed community development workshop

A workshop hosted by SRQ Strong is part of a project to build community resources from within the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Peppercorns Steak and Seafood opens on State Road 70
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 9, 2025
Peppercorns Steak and Seafood opens on State Road 70

Owner Justin Boudreau is eager to perfect the menu at the Bradenton restaurant.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Michel Simon and Hayden Wilding talk with Attorney Patrick Iyampillai, who served as the judge, after a February 2024 session of Teen Court.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 9, 2025
Culverhouse donates $25,000 to Sarasota Teen Court

In addition to a $25,000 gift from Hugh Culverhouse Jr., Teen Court of Sarasota is planning its first fundraiser in November.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Linn Torres, All Angels by the Sea administrative assistant and art sale coordinator, holds up a decorative glass piece, one of the many art items for sale at this summer's New to You art sale at the church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 9, 2025
All Angels by the Sea Episcopal kicks off summer art sale

The Longboat Key church is holding a smaller-scale version of its spring New to You art sale through September, featuring jewelry, decor and more.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Publix store at Shops at Siesta Row will be demolished and rebuilt as a slightly larger model.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 9, 2025
Siesta Row Publix to be replaced

The owner of Shops at Siesta Row plans to demolish the 48,000-square-foot Publix and rebuild the store into its 50,800-square-foot prototype.

  • Sarasota
  • News
William Rasulo and Grayson Blaney do not let the heat stop them from putting their all into a game of soccer. Blaney has played soccer for four years and calls it "fun soccer" when he plays at the Y.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch YMCA wraps up its summer camp program

The summer camp keeps kids busy with sports, crafts, games, pool time and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Schroeder-Manatee Ranch has a contract with Manatee County to build a roundabout on University Parkway where Legacy Boulevard meets Deer Drive.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 8, 2025
Planned University Parkway roundabout sparks debate but no action

Technical issues stop the Manatee County Commission from ending the debate and any attempts to stop the roundabout.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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