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Your Observer

Mark Ursini, owner and developer of Brista Commons at the 3100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive, said the commercial complex will be open by December.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 10, 2025
Shopping plaza opens soon with furniture, windows, flooring tenants

Brista Commons, a new commercial complex on Longboat Key closing in on completion, will feature everything needed to build and decorate a home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Brookside Middle School is one of three campuses upon which space has been requested by a South Florida charter school company under the provisions of Florida's Schools of Hope program.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 9, 2025
Charter school claims space in Manatee, Sarasota county schools

Mater Academy names under-capacity Booker Elementary, Brookside Middle and Oak Park in a request to co-locate. Space in Bradenton and Palmetto also sought, Manatee district tells parents.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lunara is located in Sapphire Shores, just south of the Ringling Museum along Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 9, 2025
Priced at nearly $19 million, Sarasota home offers a touch of California style

The Sapphire Shores property includes a collection of features alongside Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Early attendees beat the heat at last weekend's St. Armands Circle Craft Festival, which featured artisans in a variety of specialties.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 9, 2025
Get ready for a free art fest on St. Armands Circle

St. Armands Circle is set to host a free fine art festival this October.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mote's Brad Tanner, the manager of school programs, is ready to coordinate visits from students to the aquarium's teaching labs.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 9, 2025
Manatee educators plan to capitalize on new Mote aquarium

Educators say they will arrange field trips and virtual tours and will take advantage of Mote's outreach teams.

  • East County
  • Schools
A man riding his bicycle on the Legacy Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 9, 2025
South Sarasota greenway ditched to fund other trail extensions

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously agrees to reallocate $1 million funding for design to help potentially fund Legacy Trail or Circus Trail extension projects, or both.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jordyn Byrd is pictured during Florida's match against Baylor on Sept. 14 at Exactech Arena. The redshirt sophomore outside hitter is playing her first collegiate season after transferring from Texas.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 9, 2025
Jordyn Byrd surges and smashes with Florida women's volleyball

The Sarasota native and Cardinal Mooney graduate has become the go-to outside hitter for the Gators.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sue McGregor
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 9, 2025
Local octogenarian prepares for Athens marathon

Sue McGregor has been running for about 30 years and has competed in races around the globe. Now she sets her sights on Greece.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 2554 Arlington St. was built in 2024 and has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,906 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 9, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for September 22-26 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Palmer Ranch home on Legacy Estates Boulevard tops the week's sales at $2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Morning commuters take Osprey Avenue in Laurel Park into downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 9, 2025
Citywide speed limit of 20 mph proposed

As part of a developing traffic calming plan, Sarasota neighborhood street speed limits will be set at a slower pace by 2055.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Privada Homes
  • October 9, 2025
Modern Coastal Living Comes to Sarasota with Privada Homes

Privada Homes is bringing fresh design and vision to Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By PIckleballing Pete
  • October 9, 2025
Local Pickleball Coach to Compete in World Championships

Pete Capobianco, also known as Pickleballing Pete, will be competing in the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour 2025 World Championships.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The city of Sarasota will replade 16,000 residential and commercial water meters throughout the city.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 8, 2025
Water meters in Sarasota to be replaced with remote-read technology

The Sarasota City Commission approved a nearly $4 million contract to upgrade nearly 16,000 residential and commercial water meters.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview volleyball's Jason Mocherman looks on during a match. The third-year coach previously led the program to the 2024 FHSAA Class 7A regional quarterfinals.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 8, 2025
Columnist reflects on Sarasota-area girls volleyball as playoffs near

The Observer's sports columnist shares his thoughts on the volleyball teams at Cardinal Mooney, Riverview, Sarasota Christian, Sarasota and Booker high schools following the regular season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Anthony Baffo celebrates his win in the stein-holding competition at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime's inaugural Oktoberfest on Oct. 4.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
Oktoberfest in Sarasota tests strength and food temptations

Attendees at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime's festivities joined in stein-holding and yodeling competitions, among other themed activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Talia Casey and Alex Perez brought their cat, Mister Figment Spirit Wink, to the Oct. 4 pet blessing at St. Boniface Episcopal Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
St. Boniface hosts paw-inspiring event for pet owners

Rev. Nikki Seger led the Siesta Key church's annual pet blessing on Saturday.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Matt Baar is hosting the first annual Turkey Toss cornhole tournament in his Myakka City backyard Nov. 22 to benefit the Children's Dream Fund.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 8, 2025
Myakka City resident's dream is to help critically ill children

At 14, Matt Baar received a dream from the Children's Dream Fund. At 27, he wants to grant dreams in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kuro Sushi, owned by Daniel Dokko, is set to open on Nov. 1 on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 8, 2025
New sushi restaurant brings multiple cultural influences to its menu

Restaurateur Daniel Dokko tests the Main Street at Lakewood Ranch market with Kuro Sushi, opening Nov. 1.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Car window smashed over a $30 dispute
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2025
Car window smashed over a $30 dispute

A man tells police his car's rear window was shattered by his girlfriend because he wouldn't give her $30. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Helios, a Bare-Eyed Cockatoo at Save Our Seabirds, quite literally dives headfirst into enjoying the new enrichment toy he received through the avian rescue center's new Beaks and Boxes campaign.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
New donation program keeps birds engaged at Save Our Seabirds

With its new Beaks and Boxes program, Save Our Seabirds invites fans near and far to give enrichment toys to feathered friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Yoga instructor Angela Mali has been leading by-donation sunset yoga classes on Longboat Key for three years. Whether she will be able to continue the classes is in question as she and town leaders debate usage of the beach.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
Yoga instructor, town officials at odds over beach classes

Longboaters debate beach usage after a yogi faces new fees and regulations for sunset classes at Bayfront Park beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Students from The Out-of-Door Academy volunteer at Mixon Fruit Farms Oct. 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 8, 2025
Mixon Farms benefits from ODA students' cleanup effort

Out-of-Door Academy seniors volunteered with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance program Alliance Gives Back.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche hopes to add Spot the robotic dog made by Boston Dynamics to the SPD's arsenal of advanced technology tools.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 8, 2025
Emerging technology ecosystem is an SPD 'game changer'

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche credits law enforcement of the future for the reduction in crime rates and promises more to come.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Will Thomas follows through on an approach shot at the Qdoba Tournament of Champions on Oct. 3 in Davenport. The sophomore is in his first year on varsity for the new-look Mustangs.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team looking to take the next step

After placing second in the state the past two years, the Mustangs have high hopes despite heavy graduation losses.

  • East County
  • Sports
The home at 465 E. Royal Flamingo Drive sold for $4.5 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 8, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for September 22-26 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on East Royal Flamingo Drive tops the week's sales at $4.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps speaks at a town commission meeting Oct. 6, 2025 where he spoke about the rebuilding efforts of the town following back-to-back hurricanes in 2024.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 8, 2025
Longboat Key waits on insurance, FEMA money from storm cleanup

A year after hurricanes Helene and Milton ravaged the Gulf Coast, town officials are still rebuilding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Buttonwood Harbour in Longboat Key was one of many residential communities that experienced significant storm damage in Manatee County from 2024 hurricanes. Manatee County’s Local Mitigation Strategy explains the threats facing the county and unlocks state and federal funding for participating municipalities like Longboat Key, which passed a resolution in October to renew its participation.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 8, 2025
Mitigation plan unlocks state, federal funding for Longboat Key

Storm-proofing buildings, raising roads and stormwater enhancements are among projects eligible for federal mitigation funding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County’s housing yields shortages and high prices
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • October 8, 2025
Sarasota County’s housing yields shortages and high prices

Despite the obstacles a potential local homeowner faces, there are solutions.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Mike Wagner, Andy Demartini and Gretchen Demartini walked at the 5th annual NAMIWalks Sarasota and Manatee fundraiser on Oct. 4 at Payne Park in memory of Jennifer Demartini.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 7, 2025
Mental health spotlighted at Payne Park fundraiser walk

Sarasota and Manatee community members raised nearly $90,000 to support NAMI's mental health services.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Instructors Juan Uribe and Miranda Vidro from Fred Astaire Dance Studios demonstrate some salsa dance moves at The Bay's third anniversary celebration.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 7, 2025
The Bay nears a million visits on its third anniversary

Sarasota celebrants practiced their salsa moves and raised their glasses to mark three years of community activities at the park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
More than 70,000 students are expected to take advantage of Mote SEA educational opportunities annually.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 7, 2025
Mote SEA opens with a wave of excitement in Sarasota

A sneak preview for members precedes Mote Science Education Aquarium's Oct. 8 opening to the general public.

  • East County
  • News
Oil painter Allan G. Cumming uses short brush strokes to enliven the trees in his miniature paintings.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 7, 2025
Artist exhibit provides boost to Siesta Key church's hurricane recovery

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church on Longboat Key is displaying and selling paintings by a local artist to support St. Boniface's final phase of hurricane rebuilding.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Adalynn Lund poses for a photo during an Oct. 6 practice at Lakewood Ranch High School. The sophomore has been crucial up front for the 15-win Mustangs entering the final week of the regular season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 7, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Adalynn Lund

The sophomore setter/middle blocker has contributed heavily on both the block and attack for Lakewood Ranch girls' volleyball

  • East County
  • Sports
Evan Booth poses for a photo on Oct. 2 before a match at Sara Bay Country Club. The senior put together a standout performance at the West Coast H.S. Championship, finishing third individually.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 7, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Evan Booth

The senior for Sarasota boys' golf placed third at the South Florida PGA West Coast H.S. Championship

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Longboat Key town attorney Maggie Mooney spoke about several issues including a potential Gulf of Mexico Drive renaming and a proposed communications policy at Town Commission's Oct. 6 meeting at town hall. Commission voted to approve a contract, if needed, with outside counsel to represent the Zoning Board of Adjustment in a potential variance hearing with St. Regis.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 7, 2025
St. Regis, town could square off in hearing

The case centers around whether the resort's sea dam satisfies waterproofing requirements in the town's flood code.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Linda McMillan, Gail Edelman, Mercedes Andrus and Helene Levin gather to play Canasta through the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club Canasta/Mahjong Club.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 7, 2025
Canasta and Mahjong mean socialization and strategy for women's club

Beginners receive instruction and patience when they join the Lakewood Ranch club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Hunter Eichhorn watches his approach shot fly on the ninth hole. He already has four top-10 finishes this season on the Korn Ferry Tour, and leads the LECOM Suncoast Classic after round one at nine under par.
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