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Your Observer

Finley enjoys some extra attention from Sea Glass Lane owner Manon Giguere as they oversee the boutique's moving sale.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 15, 2025
Fire-damaged St. Armands boutique looks forward to relocation

Sea Glass Lane is closing its temporary location on St. Armands Circle while awaiting the reopening of its main location.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A home in the Concession at 19458 Beacon Park Place tops the week’s sales at $2.77 million. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,674 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 15, 2025
Concession home tops Lakewood Ranch-area sales at $2.77 million

Fourteen East County homes sell for more than $1 million in week's residential real estate transactions.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sarasota Paradise striker Andres Freire leads the Paradise with 10 goals this season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 15, 2025
Local striker makes his case to remain with the Sarasota Paradise

Andres Freire hopes to re-sign with the Paradise next season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key's first grants coordinator, Kalee Shaberts, started hunting for possible grants on July 17, 2023.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 15, 2025
Longboat grant coordinator focuses on relationship-building, organization

Two years into her new-to-the-town role, Shaberts' job zooms in on funding that isn't tax based.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cantorial sololist Kei Sulhi hands out challah to start the celebration of the Shabbat.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 14, 2025
Temple Beth Israel holds Shabbat ... with a twist

The temple's midsummer Shabbat barbecue brought together community and good food.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brooks DeLoach, 10, holds an albino Okeeteee corn snake.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 14, 2025
ReptiDay provides destination for reptile enthusiasts

The event also featured other unusual pets and exotic animals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Already well under construction, New Trail Plaza required a Planning Board front yard setback adjustment over a property line snafu.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 14, 2025
County mistake forces urgent request for New Trail Plaza development

After learning Sarasota County sold it land it did not own, the under-construction New Trail Plaza became non-compliant with city code.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Some Breeze OnDemand vans recalled
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 14, 2025
Some Breeze OnDemand vans recalled

Contractor replaces 21 of 29 affected vehicles in a fleet of about 70.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The School District of Manatee County owns and utilizes 4 electric buses: 2 that can go 130 miles on a charge and 2 that can go up to 200. Jamie Warrington, director of transportation for the district, says there are pros and cons in terms of the environment and efficiency.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2025
Manatee needs more testing on electric school buses

Cost and the ability to serve open areas are just some of the areas that need more exploration before the School District of Manatee County purchases additional electric buses.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gorjana stylist Sydney Scovill and Taylor Lingreen, the store manager, want the customers to feel comfortable and beautiful when shopping at their store.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2025
California-based jewelry company opens location at UTC mall

Gorjana makes Sarasota its 106th location.

  • East County
  • Business
Construction takes place on Wellen Park High School on May 7.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 14, 2025
Construction projects are on the move in Sarasota's schools

As the school year approaches, the Sarasota school district progresses on several high-profile construction projects.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
East County native Conner Morrell is in his rookie year on the World of Outlaws sprint car tour this year.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 14, 2025
Braden River High grad has turned racing hobby into a lifestyle

Conner Morrell was signed to the World of Outlaws sprint car tour this year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Owner Andrea Meythaler and employee Kiki Von Blumen are all good vibes at the Bambooty Bodygear bus.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 14, 2025
Rain or shine, count on the Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market to be there

No matter the weather, the Sarasota Farmers Market is home to an array of unique finds and foods.

  • Sarasota
Lake Manatee K-8 is the biggest and most well known construction project. The elementary part of the school will open in August, with the middle school set to open the following school year.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 13, 2025
3 major construction projects are almost finished for Manatee schools

Along with the new Lake Manatee K-8, the other two projects will increase capacity for students and help with overcrowding.

  • East County
  • Schools
With the recent release of a live-action version of "Lilo & Stitch," Disney-themed backpacks fill store shelves. But so do bags with characters like Kuromi and My Melody from the company behind Hello Kitty.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 13, 2025
Accessories dominate 2025 back-to-school fashion

From the smash phenomenon of troll-like dolls strapped onto belts and bags to character-themed backpacks, accessories are how students are sharing their personal fashion sense this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Dan Sidler is the Greater Sarasota Chamber’s vice president of CareerEdge and economic development.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 13, 2025
Gulf Coast Community Foundation grants CareerEdge $150,000

Gulf Coast Community Foundation grants CareerEdge $150,000 to suppport the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce initiative's career training and advancement program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Meadows Country Club includes multiple golf courses as well as a Racquet Club, pool, fitness center and restaurant.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • July 13, 2025
The Meadows Country Club in Sarasota files for bankruptcy

A Sarasota country club has filed Chapter 7 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch resident Stephanie Chen brought her daughters Aurora Chen, 3, and Stella Chen, 6 along with family friend Lola Nguyen, 7, to Waterside Park for a "girls night out."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 12, 2025
Waterside Place feels the energy during Movie in the Park

The monthly event in Lakewood Ranch is sponsored by Grace Community Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lottie, the four-year-old miniature poodle, rides to victory in a toy car with Magnolia and Goldie Lowry in the "Most Creative" category of the virtual Hot Diggity Dog contest organized by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 12, 2025
Rotarians award virtual winners of Longboat's Hot Diggity Dog contest

Winners from this year's canine costume contest collected their prizes at Bayfront Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 12, 2025
Sarasota continues experiment with electric school buses

As the district tests electric buses under a grant-funded initiative, leaders track factors like costs per mile and long-term maintenance needs.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Tim and Lauren Macri, co-owners of Beef 'O' Brady's Braden River, want the community's support to achieve their goal of providing gifts to Tara Elementary School teachers to help ease the burden of digging into their own pockets to provide for their students.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 12, 2025
Beef 'O' Brady's hosts second supply drive for Tara Elementary teachers

Community members can participate until July 31 to help ease the burden of teachers spending their own money for supplies.

  • East County
  • Schools
The TMINI hand-held robotic system is now in use at Sarasota Memorial Hospital for knee replacement procedures.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2025
SMH deploys mini robots for knee replacement surgeries

Sarasota Memorial Hospital orthopedic surgeons are using the TMINI Miniature Robotic System accurate bone preparation and implant placement for knee replacements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2025
Selby Gardens names new board leadership

Katherine Martucci and Jeannie Russell have been elected chair and vice chair by the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Board of Trustees.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The town of Longboat Key distributed sand to residents July 3 to help guard against flooding during hurricane season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 11, 2025
Sandbags distributed on Longboat Key for hurricane season

Future dates for distribution are set for Aug. 7 and Sept. 4 at Broadway Beach Access.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Stefanie and William Booth thank crew members from the West Bradenton EMS station Jan. 23 for saving his life the month before.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 11, 2025
Manatee County’s Emergency Medical Services recognized for excellence

EMS received a gold achievement award from the American Heart Association.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota city and county governments want to ban beaching and mooring of motorized watercraft within 300 feet of South Lido Beach.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 11, 2025
Sarasota explores watercraft restrictions for South Lido Beach

With growth in non-licensed commercial activity crowding public beaches, Sarasota city and county look to ban beaching and mooring boats near Ted Sperling Park and other city parks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2025
Water quality warning issued for North Lido Beach

Conditons at North Lido Beach in Sarasota are unsafe for swimming, according to the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Roller skating sensation Anita Zeman manages to keep smiling, even as her husband Karoly Zeman launches her into the air under the Waterside Place Pavilion July 4 during Star-Spangled Spectacular.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 10, 2025
Star-Spangled Spectacular tests the limits of Waterside

Lakewood Ranch's first major July 4 draws more than 8,000 people.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Meeks is 2 months old and up for adoption.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 10, 2025
A merry Barks and Brews at University Town Center draws people and pups

The monthly fundraiser celebrated Christmas in July at The Green in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Commission Chairman Joe Neunder presides over the commission's July 1 budget workshop.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 10, 2025
Preliminary Sarasota County budget shows 4% spending increase

Sarasota County's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget includes requests for 152 new full-time positions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Interim Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock looks on during his first City Commission meeting on July 7.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 10, 2025
City manager search firm list narrowed to three

The Sarasota City Commission instructs staff to pursue further communications with three executive recruiting firms in its search for a new city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Unit 1014 condominium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. was built in 2019 and has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,035 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 10, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for June 23-27 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home on Siesta Key on Shell Road tops the week’s sales at $4.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The Sarasota American 8-9-10 year-old Little League All-Stars will play in the state tournament beginning July 11 in Freeport.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 10, 2025
Sarasota American 10U All-Stars head to state tournament

Experience, trust and fun have fueled clutch wins for Sarasota Little Leaguers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The beginning of Sarasota's renourishment of Lido Beach is timed to begin after nesting seasons for shorebirds and sea turtles come to a close in late October.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 10, 2025
Lido Beach set for new round of renourishment, dune work

New Pass sand will propel project, expected to begin late in 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering by architect Igor Reyes depicting the two residential towers behind the Mira Mar building on South Palm Avenue.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 9, 2025
Mira Mar restoration project wins rezoning approval

The historic Mira Mar property along South Palm Avenue will be restored with the addition of twin condominium towers in a multi-use redevelopment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The two performances of "Alice in Boogie Wonderland" will take place on July 12 and 13.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 9, 2025
WBTT to conclude summer camp with 'Alice in Boogie Wonderland'

The performance combines "Alice in Wonderland" with music including pop, disco and R&B.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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