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Your Observer

This is the first of this project’s three phases.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 30, 2025
Sarasota city sewer project will prompt lane closures on South Osprey Avenue

Work begins June 3 replacing sewer lines that have approached their useful lifetimes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office Dive Team takes a celebratory photo after pulling a sunken minivan out of the Manatee River.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 30, 2025
Dive team extracts stubborn minivan from the Manatee River

The vehicle was so heavy with sand, three prior attempts by the Manatee Sheriff's Office divers failed.

  • East County
  • News
Daniel Bryan-Beachler and Bryan Thomas both grew up in Indiana and have each taught for 38 years. Bryan-Beachler has been a teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School since 2001 and Thomas has been a teacher there since the school opened in 1998.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2025
Two Lakewood Ranch High teachers retire after 38-year careers

Bryan Thomas has taught at LWRHS since its opening while Daniel Bryan-Beachler has taught at the school since 2001.

  • East County
  • Schools
"The seamless transition to outdoor living is where this estate truly shines," the listing says. "Expansive balconies and terraces provide uninterrupted views of the turquoise Gulf waters."
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 30, 2025
$15.5 million estate listed for sale on Siesta Key

The Gulf-front property features balconies with each of its five bedrooms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
From left to right, Bruce Udell, Howard Kilman, Mark Gordon and David Fried outside Leket Israel, the country's largest food bank.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 30, 2025
Israel: A Love story

Lots of people told me going to Israel would be a life-changing trip. They were right.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A rendering by Humphreys & Partners Architects of Fruitville Gateway.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 30, 2025
More downtown Sarasota apartments advance toward approval

Three projects totaling 435 units, 48 priced affordable and attainable, receive partial signoff from the city's Development Review Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although the wave off tradition has occured since 2015, this is Board Member Heather Felton's first time.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2025
Manatee school district leaders thank bus drivers the last day of the school year

The bus drivers' "wave-off" has been a tradition since 2015 in the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Red drum would be raised in an underwater pen, about 40 miles from area beaches.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 29, 2025
EPA approves aquaculture operation offshore Sarasota

Red drum would be raised in an underwater pen, about 40 miles from area beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Don Roberts, left, and Bob Rosinsky worked together at Goodwill Manasota for decades. (Photo is from 2012.)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 29, 2025
Longtime Goodwill CEO, prominent pastor dies at 82

Don Roberts leaves a large legacy not only in growing a nonprofit, but in giving people a job — and ‘human dignity and a sense of hope when no one else would give it to them.’

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport posted nearly $146.29 million in total revenue in FY 2024.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 29, 2025
SRQ airport names new chief financial officer

After 10 years at Tampa International Airport, Kevin Podsiad has been named executive vice president and CFO of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Luther Archibald Youngs III (1935-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • May 29, 2025
Luther Archibald Youngs III

Luther Archibald Youngs III, 90, longtime resident of Longboat Key, Florida, passed away on May 17, 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Cardinal Mooney's RJ Mosley catches a deep ball from Devin Mignery against Booker High in the fall 2024 season. Mosley would score on the play.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 29, 2025
Few teams want to face Cardinal Mooney football

The Cougars struggled to find opponents for the 2025 season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The TripleR Atelier was created mostly from recycled parts.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 29, 2025
Sarasota hobbyist used recycled parts to rebuild Volkswagen Beetle

Jae Honda has been working with cars his whole life, from the time he was a child driving them on the beach in Hawaii.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bill Waddill, pictured speaking March 25, 2021, moved to Sarasota almost 25 years ago where he continues to make an impact on the community.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 29, 2025
Bill Waddill wants and plans for a more walkable Rosemary District

Following a six-year hiatus with the Bay Park Conservancy, the former head of Kimley-Horn's Sarasota office is back and focused on completing the downtown Sarasota puzzle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
St. Armands Circle is one of this year's nominees for USA Today's Top 10 best shopping centers.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 29, 2025
St. Armands Circle aims for readers' choice award

Sarasota's St. Armands Circle hopes to take the title of USA Today's top shopping center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The first property in Cherokee Park on South Drive was built in 1936 and has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 4,696 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1936 and has one bedroom, one bath and 264 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 29, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for May 12-16 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A two-property sale in Cherokee Park on South Drive tops the week's sales at $3.3 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Harry's Continental Kitchen is highlighting all things local at a seafood-based fundraiser dinner benefitting Suncoast Waterkeeper.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 29, 2025
Harry's Continental Kitchen to feature local seafood at benefit dinner

Longtime Longboat Key restaurant Harry's Continental Kitchen is partnering with Sammy's Seafood and Jackson Family Wines for a one-night "Sea-to-Table" fundraiser.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Two stormwater storms
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 29, 2025
Two stormwater storms

County commissioners are facing two storms that could blow them away: how to pay for and prevent another 2024 and dumping stormwater on the city.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The damage at 335 North Washington Boulevard on St. Armands Key following Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 29, 2025
Homeowners can apply for Resilient SRQ hurricane recovery funds

Federal dollars aimed to help address continuing recovery needs from 2022 and 2024 storms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Speaker Perez has it right
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 29, 2025
Speaker Perez has it right

While President Donald Trump and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson gloat over the passage of their “big beautiful bill,” Florida Speaker Danny Perez is preparing for his own budget battle next month.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Tidewell Foundation
  • May 29, 2025
Empath LIFE: Empowering Seniors to Live Safely at Home

Empath LIFE empowers adults aged 55+ to continue living at home while receiving extra care during the day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM)
  • May 29, 2025
The Advocacy Down Payment: How Your REALTORS® Are Investing in Our Region’s Future.

The REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) plays a critical role in shaping policy and protecting the foundations of homeownership and quality of life in the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Catherine Avery, Founder
  • May 29, 2025
From Wall Street to Longboat Key: How CAIM Built a Top-Tier Investment Firm with a Personal Touch

Catherine Avery, owner of Catherine Avery Investment Management (CAIM), began her investment journey as an 18 year old New York University finance student while working at Oppenheimer Funds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Concession Golf Club reached a three-year agreement with the PGA Tour of America to host the Senior PGA Championship from 2026-28 on May 20.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 28, 2025
PGA Senior Championship a test run for PGA Championship at The Concession

The Concession Golf Club is one step closer to hosting a major golf tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Meet Jessica Spitalnic Mates, the new senior rabbi at Temple Beth Israel on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 28, 2025
Meet Temple Beth Israel's new senior rabbi

Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates looks forward to promoting educational programming at the temple, guided by her knowledge of art and history related to the Holocaust.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The intersection of General Harris Street and Norton Street after Hurricane Debby at high tide around 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 5.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 28, 2025
Drainage improvement projects garner allocations in upcoming fiscal year

Although still pending Town Commission approval, Longboat Key's five-year capital plan includes several drainage improvement projects that are in various stages of design and surveying.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Riverview offensive lineman Luke Chappell helped the Rams score 42 points in a spring game win over Largo.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 28, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Luke Chappell

Riverview rising senior didn't allow any sacks or pressures in spring game win.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Flower Child is the last restaurant to open in Center Point at Waterside.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 28, 2025
Center Point at Waterside is fully leased

The 50-acre mixed-use project is six years in the making.

  • East County
  • News
Impaired man not sure how he got to downtown Sarasota
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2025
Impaired man not sure how he got to downtown Sarasota

Found face-down on an outdoor table after purging the night's misadventures, a man told officers he thought he was on Siesta Key. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
A condominium in Lido Key sold for $725,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 28, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for May 12-16 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in The Condominium Residences at Longboat Key tops the week's sales at $9.13 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
BJ Ivey's players said the relationships he's built with them have made it easy to buy in to his instruction.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 28, 2025
Sarasota High athletics are on the rise

The Sailors had a historic athletic year, and better results could be on the horizon.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Mariano Martinez rescued seven people from a rip current at Lido Beach in 2024.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 28, 2025
Sarasota County lifeguard received Medal of Valor for 2024 rescue

Mariano Martinez was also named the state's Lifeguard of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A missed opportunity?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 28, 2025
A missed opportunity?

With a looming $14 million library-community center a football field away from the $2.1 million Tidewell building, it makes you wonder.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Arts can (and should) stand on their own
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 28, 2025
Arts can (and should) stand on their own

Whenever the region’s arts organizations and their leaders and representatives convene for a conference or summit, inevitably, discussions get around to lamenting the state of taxpayer funding for the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Pool Perfection - Get out of the Stone Age with the Latham advantage
  • By Latham Pools
  • May 27, 2025
Pool Perfection - Get out of the Stone Age with the Latham advantage

Built to last, easy to maintain, with options for your needs - Latham fiberglass pools are crafted to turn any outdoor space into the ultimate retreat.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The building at 6131 S. Tamiami Trail used to be owned by New Dynasty and is between the Pho 101 Noodle House and Public Storage.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 27, 2025
Restaurant on US 41 in Sarasota sells for $2.1 million

A veteran restaurateur purchased the building on South Tamiami Trail, which spans more than 5,500 square feet.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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