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Your Observer

Vivian Masters, 10, blows the shofar.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 22, 2025
Temple Emanu-El Religious School celebrates Rosh Hashanah

The school went outdoors, to Phillippi Estate Park, to celebrate the holiday, which celebrates the beginning of the Jewish New Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Staff at the newly opened Spartina 449 on St. Armands Circle celebrate the opening of the clothing boutique this month. The brand blends flowery linens and leather goods.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 22, 2025
South Carolina-inspired boutique comes to St. Armands

Spartina 449 hopes to help the rebuilding process of St. Armands Circle with the opening of its newest clothing shop.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Man dies after he's pulled from Gulf on Siesta Key
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2025
Man dies after he's pulled from Gulf on Siesta Key

The incident is the second in about 10 days at the beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Jordan Brown sets down his ball on one of the greens at New Jersey's Liberty National Golf Club. The Princeton men's golf commit finished sixth at the 2025 Curry Cup Championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Jordan Brown

The Lakewood Ranch senior at IMG Academy thrives on Stephen Curry's Underrated Golf Tour

  • East County
  • Sports
Rowdy maintenance workers prompt calls to Longboat police
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 21, 2025
Rowdy maintenance workers prompt calls to Longboat police

A mysterious blinking light in the Gulf, rowdy maintenance workers and a suspected lemon thief are some of the calls from this week's Longboat Key Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Yovanina Wainio has been a member of LWR Art Club for seven years and appreciates getting critiques from her fellow artists.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 21, 2025
LWR Art Club brings experienced painters together

Their current show at ComCenter At Lakewood Ranch features art from four artists, including a member that died in April.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jim Heskett and Marion Levine measure out flour for their challah at a free community baking workshop hosted Sept. 18 at Temple Beth Israel for Rosh Hashanah.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 20, 2025
Temple rings in new year with challah-bake goodness

To celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Longboat Key's Temple Beth Israel invited community members to join a free workshop on baking challah.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Steven Leone, Robert Carolla and Steve Nagy celebrate Carolla's hole in one, which is the first of his 40 year golfing career, at the Communi-tee Golf Classic by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 20, 2025
Hole-in-one makes Communi-Tee Golf Classic even more fun

The fundraiser by and for Lakewood Ranch Community Activities at Calusa Country Club is a "win-win."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Henry Rodriguez has more than 100,000 instagram followers, under the handle Henry is fulfilled.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • September 20, 2025
Once-powerful Sarasota developer reshapes, reprioritizes his life

A go-star in local development and statewide politics, Henry Rodriguez laments the direction his life took. "I was young, influential and making a ton of money," he says, "but I was miserable."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
In a vote of 4-3, Manatee County commissioners opt not to renew the county's contract with the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 19, 2025
County ends funding of Manatee EDC

Other public and private sources still exist, but commissioners question the value of their contribution.

  • East County
  • News
Joe Reuth, executive director of Resurrection House, explains the multitude of ways the multi-denominational group assists community members struggling to make ends meet, even as demand increases.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 19, 2025
Longboat, Sarasota organizations join together to aid homeless

Leaders at Resurrection House say demand is up 20% and face challenges in meeting the needs of the people it supports.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Scot Ruberg, known as Scooter of the Beach, on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 19, 2025
Legendary Siesta Key lifeguard Scooter of the Beach retires

Scot Ruberg announced his retirement from the lifeguarding role he has held since 1984.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Fire Department has deployed the Butterfly iQ3 ultrasound system to provide paramedics with real-time internal imaging.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 19, 2025
New internal imaging system in use by Sarasota County EMS

The Sarasota County Fire Department's new life-saving tool delivers internal imaging to paramedics on the scene.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager spoke at the Rotary Club of Longboat Key's monthly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16, where he shared his background in Delray Beach, his wife's connection to the Gulf Coast and his priorities for the department as he establishes himself in the new role.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 18, 2025
Longboat police chief stresses community visibility

Visibility, transparency and collaboration have been priorities for the department as Chief Russ Mager gets accustomed to leading the Longboat Key Police Department.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of Adagio as viewed from the northeast.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 18, 2025
Sarasota 18-story condo project inches closer to reality

A handful of outstanding issues plus an administrative adjustment need to be taken care of before a Development Review Committee resubmittal for the 18-story Adagio.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Yacht Club Sailing Director Dalton Tebo and teammate John Casey won the overall title at the 2025 Formula 18 North American Championship, which pitted 30 global teams against one another in a four-day competition.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 18, 2025
Locals take prestigious sailing title

Sailing Director Dalton Tebo and teammate John Casey took the Formula 18 North American Championship title in Rhode Island.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Laurel Park resident Kelly Franklin points to plans for Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2 development while addressing the Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 18, 2025
Resident denied aggrieved person status for Selby Gardens plan appeal

The Sarasota City Commission votes 4-1 to deny Laurel Park resident Kelly Franklin aggrieved party status in her attempt to appeal the Planning Board approval of Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gillian Daniels walks through the gallery with Stanley.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 18, 2025
Dogs Inc. service dogs in training visit The Ringling

The Observer joined a group of service dogs in training at The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 2127 Lusitania Drive was built in 2006 and has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,870 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 18, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for September 1-5 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Phillippi Gardens home on Lusitania Drive tops the week's sales at $2.68 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sarasota Christian football coach Jacob Spenn (left) shakes hands with Krakow Kings U19 coach Robin Volkmar (right). After the Blazers visited Poland in June, Volkmar and one of his assistants visited Sarasota last week.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 18, 2025
Sarasota Christian football begins partnership with Kraków Kings

After a summer trip to Poland, the Blazers welcomed Kings U19 Coach Robin Volkmar last week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The location of the proposed 575 North Washington live-work townhomes.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2025
Live-work townhomes proposed for North Washington Boulevard

Eight townhomes with individual commercial space on the ground floor planned for a live-work infill project on North Washington Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Harper Health
  • September 18, 2025
Harper Health redefines membership medicine, one relationship at a time.

Harper Health’s comprehensive approach combines both diagnostic and preventive care.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Michael Saunders & Company
  • September 17, 2025
For Sale: 16336 Daysailor Trl, Lakewood Ranch

This completely custom home was built in 2016 by award-winning Nutter Custom Construction.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
The Emergency Operations Center call center works in "pods," each team working on a certain aspect such as fire dispatch, law dispatch and call taking.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 17, 2025
911 callers in Sarasota will soon receive surveys

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office rolls out new feedback tool that will reconnect with callers to both emergency and non-emergency lines.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Farm Manager Kate Traugott speaks while holding a rooster named Napoleon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 17, 2025
The Farm at McIntosh Middle School fully opens

The 30,762-square-foot facility provides Sarasota students with a dedicated space for agricultural and horticultural projects.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Megan Fudge demonstrates technique to a pair of senior pros during a Sept. 14 practice at Dill Dinkers. The pro pickleballer has become an advocate for the sport's growth while competing across the world.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 17, 2025
Megan Fudge visits Dill Dinkers, challenges anti-pickleball views

The APP Tour's all-time medals leader put true athleticism on display at the Sarasota-based club.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The district makes sure students are served fruit and vegetables along with protein.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 17, 2025
Manatee schools try to stay 'on trend' when it comes to student meals

Students are served popular items for breakfast and lunch but with slightly different — and healthier — ingredients.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lilliana Sultana, Wesley Wrigley, Grant Campbell and Calista Ream are gaining new leadership skills as heads of the Sarasota Yacht Club's youth Ensign Board.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 17, 2025
Sarasota Yacht Club young leaders learn more than sailing

Since the Ensign program launched four years ago, young members of the club have been learning the ins and outs of grant writing, event organizing and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Employees will mainly be working out of cubicles, but the administration building has several collaborative meeting spaces of all sizes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 17, 2025
Manatee County starts shift of some administration services to Lakewood Ranch

Director of Property Management Cary Knight provides a first look inside the new administration building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
Woman leaves two downtown restaurants without paying her tab
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 17, 2025
Woman leaves two downtown restaurants without paying her tab

After skipping out on tabs at two restaurants, a woman is banned by police from both establishments. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Chloe Pogoda gets into her stance during practice Sept. 11. She has helped her team win six of its last eight matches.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 17, 2025
Braden River High's volleyball team puts rough start in the past

The Pirates have won six of their past eight games during a resurgent stretch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Samantha Bozza is serenaded by Bradford Anderson, who played Damian Spinelli on "General Hospital."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch bubbles with excitement during soap stars' visit

More than 100 fans attend Lakewood Ranch Country Club event to meet their favorite stars supporting Samantha's Friends.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The condominium at 1445 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $1.19 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 17, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for September 1-5 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on North Owl Drive tops the week's sales at $3.85 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key police Sgt. Adam Montfort speaks with bikers pulled over on Gulf of Mexico Drive Friday, Sept. 12 while the department was performing “high visibility enforcement.”
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 17, 2025
Police presence increases on Longboat for pedestrian safety initiative

The Longboat Key Police Department uses FDOT grant money to have three to four more officers patrolling during its "high visibility enforcement" initiative to educate first, enforce second.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Krista Brock is the artist behind this football photo op at The Green at UTC.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch entrepreneur works hard and parties harder

Oh What Fun Party Co. is a small business with some big clients.

  • East County
  • Business
Sarasota Director of Finance Kelly Strickland talks fiscal year 2026 budget with the Sarasota City Commission as Budget Manager Tyler Harris looks on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 17, 2025
Sarasota approves budget for fiscal year 2026 with millage increase

The Sarasota City Commission has given final approval of the $303 million fiscal year 2026 spending plan that includes money earmarked to rebuild fund balance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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