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Your Observer

The show will go on
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • June 25, 2025
The show will go on

Marina Jack, operated by Suntex Marinas, and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens step up as this year’s sponsors of the city of Sarasota’s Fourth of July fireworks display.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Olga Bracciano (1933-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • June 24, 2025
Olga Mary Bracciano

Olga Mary Bracciano, known affectionately as “Nene” to those closest to her, was born February 19, 1933 in Detroit Michigan.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Ora Mendels (1936-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • June 24, 2025
Ora Mendels

Ora Mendels passed away at the age of 88 in her home on Longboat Key, FL, on June 23rd, with her family around her.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Chef José Martinez of Maison Blanche hops in the cab of a fire engine after he and Juan Gomez join the Rotary Club of Longboat Key in preparing a special thank-you lunch to members of Fire Station 2 with Longboat Key Fire Rescue.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 24, 2025
Maison Blanche continues pandemic-era firehouse tradition

The high-end French restaurant was one of several that joined the Rotary Club of Longboat Key in feeding the island's first responders.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
SRQ names new president and CEO to succeed retiring Rick Piccolo
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 24, 2025
SRQ names new president and CEO to succeed retiring Rick Piccolo

Currently at Pittsburgh International Airport, Paul Hoback Jr. will succeed Rick Piccolo as presidet and CEO at Sarasota-Manatee International Airport this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Artist Darnell “Solo the Artist” Kirkwood shared his series "Discoveries Along the Way" with visitors at Cirque St. Armands Beachside during a pop-up event open to the community.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 24, 2025
Cirque St. Armands Beachside features pop-up abstract artist

The luxury hotel invited the public to enjoy the pop-up, and leaders said they hope to feature more community events.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
As a member of the Savannah Bananas, Correlle Prime's career takes him on the road, but his heart always is with his family in Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 24, 2025
Savannah Banana's greatest connection is with his Manatee County family

Ballplayer Correlle Prime maintains a balanced diet: Bananas on the road and his family at home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Greg Fiore, Sylvia Day, Maria Ray and Angela Bennick (not pictured) all boosted their brainpower with fun cognitive thinking exercises.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • June 24, 2025
The Paradise Center boosts brainpower with Brain Games

The Longboat Key Paradise Center Brain Games that took place June 17 was filled with laughing, singing and storytelling.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Windy weather a prime suspect in fallen flag
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 24, 2025
Windy weather a prime suspect in fallen flag

An officer wasn't ready to make the association between a fallen flag and criminal activity. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A Sapphire Point home at 16438 Slate Placeto sold for $1,548,000. Built in 2023, it has six bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,323 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 24, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for June 9-13 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Country Club East on Seacroft Cove topped the week’s sales at $1.72 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Former Sarasota High running back Brian Battie played one season at Auburn University before he was shot in the head on May 18.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 24, 2025
Former Sarasota High football player faces long recovery after shooting

Auburn University running back Brian Battie was awarded the 2025 Wilma Rudolph Award for his resilience.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The removal of one of the last poles on Longboat Key by Irby Construction.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • June 24, 2025
Longboat's underground utilities project has finally come to completion

Longboat Key celebrates the completion of their undergrounding project by the removal one of the last utility poles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Edwin Jackson hands an autographed baseball to Luke Holcomb, a friend of Raining Berries Founder Bimal Bhojani.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 24, 2025
Former Rays pitcher is behind new Raining Berries location in Sarasota

The new Raining Berries location is co-owned by former MLB player and World Series Champion Edwin Jackson and Super Bowl champion star Kenneth Gainwell.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch's Kevin Allen connects with the crowd during the Florida Studio Theatre's improv show at Waterside Place June 20.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 23, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre entertainers provide the laughs at Waterside

The improv artists collected fodder from the audience for their outdoor show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"Shrek the Musical Jr." was put together from beginning to end in a span of two weeks at a summer camp led by Michelle McCord, the director and owner of Ovation School of Musical Theatre.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 23, 2025
Young performers tell the story of 'Shrek the Musical Jr.'

In a two-week camp at Ovation School of Musical Theatre, the actors learned the musical from start to finish.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tripletail Seafood and Spirits at 4870 South Tamiami Trail is a participant in the extended days of the 2025 Savor Sarasota event.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 23, 2025
Savor Sarasota restaurants extend fixed-price menus

Locations extend fixed-price menus beyond original 20 days of the 2025 edition of Savor Sarasota.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Seaplace has 461 units and is located in the 1900 and 2000 blocks of Gulf of Mexico Drive. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 23, 2025
No parking deal between Seaplace and St. Regis

Resident opposition prompts leadership to back away from initial talks with resort to the north.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brasfield and Gorrie's Bill McCartha and Kevin Lorie watch as the beam goes skyward.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 23, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center expansion hits key milestone

Brasfield and Gorrie complete the LWRMC tower's structural framework as the $120 million project heads into its homestretch.

  • East County
  • News
Harper Greene, an 8-year-old Myakka City resident, and Drew Randenburg, a 10-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident, were two of the "crazy cooks" at the camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 23, 2025
'Crazy cooks' broaden their palettes at The Out-of-Door Academy

In a camp hosted by Pure Imagination Studio and Sarasota Parks and Recreation, 22 campers learned to prepare 10 different meals and desserts.

  • East County
  • Schools
Joaquin Cortez and Craig Mutch won first place in the people's choice awards, doubles, for "Be the Change" at the 2024 Siesta Key Crystal Classic.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 23, 2025
Tickets now available for 2025 Siesta Key Crystal Classic

Early-purchase ticket, parking and sponsorship opportunities for the annual Siesta Beach sandsculpting event are now available.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Shirley Pearson, executive director of Strength in Action, Inc., explains how Longboat Island Chapel's donation at the latest Gather and Give will support formerly incarcerated people successfully rejoin the community, among the group's other initiatives.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 22, 2025
Longboat church uplifts Palmetto partners to serve community

Longboat Island Chapel shined a spotlight on Palmetto's Strength in Action program that offers educational opportunities and other resources to those who need it.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
From left, SPD Chief Rex Troche Det. Maria Llovio, Det Jessica Sullivan, Sgt. Charlie Riffe, Deputy Chief Scott Mayforth and Capt. John Todd.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 22, 2025
Sarasota Police honors personnel with quarterly awards

Police Chief Rex Troche honors sworn officers and civilian personnel for life-saving and crime-solving performances.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Drayton Saunders and Jenne Britell are the new co-chairs of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 22, 2025
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation makes leadership move

Board Chair Jim Travers steps back as Jenne Britell and Drayton Saunders step in as co-chairs.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Heather Rippy, owner of Driftwood Beach Home and Garden poses after a successful first of the Season Summer Night Out.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • June 21, 2025
Summer Night Out has the Whitney Plaza buzzing with laugher and chatter

Artists and locals celebrate community and artistry at the seasons first Summer Night Out event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sisterhood for Good's Pamela Modisett presents a grant check for $5,000 to Save Our Seabirds Executive Director Brian Walton June 19 at the Annual Grants Ceremony at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 21, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's Sisterhood for Good presents $150,150 in grants

Thirty regional nonprofits were awarded funds in the nonprofit's annual grants ceremony.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The owner of the vacant Winn-Dixie site at Midtown Plaza is planning to redevelop it into a mixed-use project that includes apartments, a hotel and retail space.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 21, 2025
Midtown Plaza redevelopment begins its run through city approval

Plans are to redevelop the site of the long-vacant Winn-Dixie next to Michael's on East into a mixed-use project with apartments, a hotel and retail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Aerosmith rockers Steven Tyler and Joe Perry stopped into Morton's Gormet Market last week.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 21, 2025
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry stop in Sarasota for lunch

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and Longboat Key condo owner Joe Perry stopped in last week for lunch at Morton's Gourmet Market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key resident Susan Phillips, pictured with a photo of her first time leading the Freedom Fest parade, returns this year as parade marshal.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 20, 2025
Longboat Key Freedom Fest leader returns to head annual celebration

After a busy year of pushing forward community development projects, including at the park where the Fourth of July fest takes place, Susan Phillips is leading the celebration as the marshal.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Manatee County school board held a special meeting on Tuesday to further discuss the details of the timeline and search for a new superintendent. Richard Tatem said good leaders tend to work in different industries, not just education, and wants the candidate pool to be as big as possible.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 20, 2025
Superintendent applications open for Manatee County School District

In a special meeting, the school board further discussed its expectations and approved a new timeline.

  • East County
  • Schools
The St. Armands Garage, one of four city-owned parking garages, opened in April 2019.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 20, 2025
Gates open at Sarasota parking structures

The city of Sarasota is opening up the gates at main parking structures, giving visitors 15 minutes to pay for parking.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Raining Berries will be at 1935 S. Osprey Ave. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 20, 2025
Former Rays pitcher to appear at Southside coffee shop opening

Meet MLB legend and World Series winner Edwin Jackson at new business grand opening.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mattison's City Grille is now open in Terminal B at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 20, 2025
Mattison's opens at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

The establishment is part of the new restaurants located in Terminal B.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Incoming Longboat Key Chief of Police Russ Mager speaks during a ceremony in 2022 when he was Delray Beach's chief.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • June 19, 2025
Longboat Key's new police chief has plenty 'left in the tank'

Russ Mager brings nearly 30 years of experience to the force from Delray Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jean Yessin (1929-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • June 19, 2025
Jean Brent Warren Yessin

Jean Brent Warren Yessin passed away at the age of 95 in her home on Longboat Key, FL on May 25th, with family and her longtime caregiver in attendance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Jennifer Joseph has collected approximately 80 dolls from about 40 countries.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 19, 2025
Local library volunteer showcases collection of dolls from around the world

Jennifer Joseph has collected what she estimates at around 80 dolls from 40 different countries.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
As commissioners, George Kruse and Bob McCann are required by state statute to remain unbiased when voting on quasi judicial matters.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 19, 2025
How much is too much communication between commissioners and residents?

Manatee County Commissioner Bob McCann's quasi judicial conduct is questioned by fellow commissioners.

  • 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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