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Your Observer

Child-neglect charges filed against Sarasota man
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 19, 2025
Child-neglect charges filed against Sarasota man

The home had cockroaches and little food, and the children missed extended periods of school, Sarasota Police say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Town Commission meets at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 19, 2025
Longboat Key Town Commission election will be uncontested

The three seats will go to incumbents Gary Coffin and Sarah Karon, while Nick Gladding will assume District 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Penny Robinson, a member of Fiber Friends, has knitted a couple of bears, a rhinoceros and a hedgehog after being inspired by other artists to do so. Fiber Friends is made up of 28 members who come together to knit, crochet, sew and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 19, 2025
Fiber Friends of Lakewood Ranch will give you the needle

Whether it is knitting, crocheting or sewing, these club members can spin a yarn that will keep you interested.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ryan Waldschmidt runs the bases during a spring training game with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was selected No. 31 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Kentucky, and now ranks as the organization's No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 19, 2025
Braden River High graduate blazes a path toward MLB

Ryan Waldschmidt, a 23-year-old outfielder, was named the Arizona Diamondbacks' Minor League Player of the Year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota Ski-A-Rees sound technician Madison Ditmars demonstrates how she makes the crab figurines she offers by donation to support the group in its ongoing recovery from last year's hurricanes.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 19, 2025
Craftswoman fabricates marine critters to support ski group

The Ski-A-Rees sound technician has a talent for crafting miniature crabs, which she offers by donation to support the City Island-based group.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Steve Postle and Tom Walrath are changing the way ponds are maintained in Lakewood Ranch's Central Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 19, 2025
Grant funding flows to Lakewood Ranch community ponds

Central Park has 29 ponds, five of which are being supplied with plants thanks to the Healthy Pond Collaborative.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies are stationed at the exit of Cars and Coffee Nov. 8.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 19, 2025
Cars & Coffee cuts the gas on revving engines

Organizers of the Sarasota event warned motorists to quiet down or be banned from all future events.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 531 Ranger Lane sold for $3.7 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 19, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 3-7 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Yonker on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week’s sales at $17.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sheena Works, Sebastian Works, 7, Alissa Silvers, and Isabella Coulton, 7, pose together in front of the mural.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 19, 2025
Community unites to paint mural at Arlington Park

The project, led by Alissa Silvers, brought a tropical-themed mural to the park's lifeguard building.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kendra Simpkins has been working in brain-based health with military veterans for nearly a decade.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 19, 2025
Ambitious nonprofit resolves to help more military veterans

With new space at the ready, Kendra Simpkins has big plans for Operation Warrior Resolution — dedicated to providing holistic mental health services for the region's veterans.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club General Manager Tammy Hackney and Commodore Tony Britt donned the hard hats for the official groundbreaking of the new clubhouse on Nov. 13 at the site of the former facility.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 19, 2025
Bird Key leaders break ground on new yacht club facilities

During early fall, the old building came down, and on Nov. 13, the first shovels of dirt were turned over on the site of the future clubhouse.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eric Nuxol, the championship director for the Senior PGA Championship, says community involvement will be a huge key to success for the tourney.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 19, 2025
Sarasota, Manatee community involvement key to Senior PGA Championship success

Championship Director Eric Nuxol stimulates interest as ticket sales and volunteer registration has begun.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Plymouth Harbor on Coon Key opened in 1966, at the time the 25-story residential tower the tallest in Florida.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 19, 2025
Sarasota approves property sale to Plymouth Harbor

The Sarasota City Commission approved the sale of a 650-square-foot pieced of unused city property that presented an obstacle to Plymouth Harbor's expansion plans on Coon Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Man's dreadlocks cut goes unresolved
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 19, 2025
Man's dreadlocks cut goes unresolved

A man accuses his cousin of cutting his dreads while he slept and gaslighting him to believe he cut them himself. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Gladys Delgado with Chuck Sidlow (Chucko the All American Clown).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 18, 2025
Fundraiser event in Sarasota spotlights babies in need

Baby Basics of Sarasota County brought a circus theme to its annual fundraiser, held at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
SPD closed traffic outside Sarasota Military Academy Tuesday after a suspicious package was reported.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 18, 2025
Inert explosive devices investigated at Sarasota Military Academy

Sarasota police and outside bomb squad respond after a backpack with hollowed grenades are brought to the Sarasota Military Academy campus.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ella Javier and Paityn Carr, sophomores who plays flute in the Braden River High School Marching Band, didn't let their nerves get the best of them at the FFCC Outdoor Championships, where they earned the title of Grand Champion.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 18, 2025
More marching band championships for Braden River High School

The Pirates were named the FFCC Grand Champion overall, the 3A Class Champion and the Best in Class for color guard and percussion.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 18, 2025
Longboat restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving

The following local restaurants plan to feature turkey-centric menus for the holiday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes events on the beach adjacent to its campus.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 18, 2025
Artist retreat receives more than $300,000 in grants

The grants will help fund Hermitage Artist Retreat's operations, storm recovery and programming.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kaden Knott challenges his players during a practice-opening hustle drill. The first-year coach is tasked with leading the Mustangs to their first winning season since 2021-22.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 18, 2025
Coach brings high energy and intensity to Lakewood Ranch boys basketball

The former Florida State graduate assistant looks the part of a program-changing leader.

  • East County
  • Sports
Fax machine goes haywire, mysteriously places 911 call
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 18, 2025
Fax machine goes haywire, mysteriously places 911 call

Police dispatched to a condo complex learn an abandoned 911 call came from a faulty fax machine. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
St. Armands experienced catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in 2024.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 18, 2025
City seeks resilience funding for St. Armands Key

With the backing of the town of Longboat Key, Sarasota has asked the county for $24.5 million in Resilient SRQ grant funding to mitigate flooding on St. Armands.

  • Sarasota
  • News
John Morrison takes his Gadsden flag down after receiving two notices from his homeowners association saying the flag violates community deed restrictions.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 18, 2025
Preserve at Tara HOA tells resident to remove his Gadsden flag

The homeowner says the flag fits within the community's guidelines, but he removed it when threatened with fines.

  • East County
  • News
This Lake View Estates at Lake Club home at 14831 Como Circle ​sold for $3,725,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,096 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 18, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 3-7 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Lake View Estates at Lake Club topped the week’s sales at $3.725 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Eric Konovalov moved to the Lakewood Ranch area five years ago.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 18, 2025
This Lakewood Rancher has found success. Now he helps others do the same.

Grew up poor in a faltering communist country. Bullied in school. Served in combat zones as a U.S. Marine. Sold copiers. Eric Konovalov has done all that — and a lot more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop and Scott Dudley with the Florida League of Cities Advocacy Committee.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 18, 2025
Longboat Key commissioner appointed to FLC committee

Town Commissioner B.J. Bishop has been appointed by Florida League of Cities President Holly Smith.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bert Wood, Karl Kaminski, Hudson Nesmith and Jane Conrad were among the 120 volunteers helping pack meals for Kids Against Hunger on Nov. 8 at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. Part of the meals went to help local families, and part went to support hurricane survivors in Jamaica.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 18, 2025
St. Armands church lends hand to families and hurricane survivors

The meals volunteers helped pack with Kids Against Hunger went to both local families in need and Jamaica's hurricane survivors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Madison Muller poses for a photo after a Nov. 17 practice at Riverview High School. The record-breaking sophomore will lead the Rams into the FHSAA Class 4A girls' cross country state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 18, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Madison Muller

The sophomore placed first for Riverview girls' cross country at the FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Broden Beorlegui poses for a photo before a Nov. 17 practice at Lakewood Ranch High School. He led the Mustangs in goals and assists during the 2024-25 season en route to an FHSAA Class 6A regional finals berth.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 17, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Broden Beorlegui

The senior forward/midfielder is off to a hot start with the Mustangs, contributing seven goals in four games.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Ohana estate at 6633 Gulf of Mexico Drive, photographed in 2013.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 17, 2025
Longboat Key's Ohana sells for $17.5 million

The property previously sold in May 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Artists including Isabelle Gasse (front) compete during the festival.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 17, 2025
Siesta Key's 'sand manager' has made a career out of sand

Andy Daily grew up on the sands of Siesta Key beach, and now his life involves serving the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Festival.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Riverview boys/girls and Sarasota boys pose for a photo with their medals and trophies on Nov. 14 at Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training in Ocala. Both programs dominated at the FHSAA Class 4A state championships.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 17, 2025
Riverview girls, Sarasota boys win swimming state titles

The two high school programs both extended their respective reigns in FHSAA Class 4A.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee School District shares redrawn zoning maps, seeks feedback
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 17, 2025
Manatee School District shares redrawn zoning maps, seeks feedback

The zones for elementary, middle and K-8 schools will be implemented in the 2026-2027 school year, while high school rezoning begins 2027-2028.

  • East County
  • Schools
Charlie Kirk, left, and Chris Pavlovski share the stage at a Turning Point USA event. Pavloski, chairman and CEO of the video platform Rumble, said Kirk was an early investor in Rumble and played a large part in bringing Rumble's headquarters to Longboat Key.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 17, 2025
Request for Charlie Kirk memorial road approved

The Sarasota County Commission approved a measure requesting the state designate a segment of Fruitville Road as a Charlie Kirk memorial.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Phyllis Black and Andrew Vac flag down hungry diners to join the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's pancake breakfast fundraiser on Nov. 15 at the Lazy Lobster.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 17, 2025
Longboat Kiwanis Club hosts breakfast fundraiser

Volunteers with the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key dished up breakfast for their annual pancake fundraiser.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Elaine Cichon, Lorri Harrison and Claudia Stieber bring their festive spirit to the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church annual Christmas bazaar, held last weekend at the church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 17, 2025
St. Mary market fundraiser on Longboat features holiday finds

Proceeds from the Christmas bazaar go toward supporting the Women's Guild outreach, including through scholarships.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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