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Your Observer

Third man charged in fatal 2024 Twin Lakes Park shooting
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 9, 2025
Third man charged in fatal 2024 Twin Lakes Park shooting

18-year-old Bradenton man charged with murder in connection with the Nov. 3 incident.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Principal Kathy Price will be leaving Willis Elementary School after six years to become the executive director for the Manatee Education Foundation, which is a bittersweet transition for her.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 9, 2025
Willis Elementary principal leaving for new challenge

Price said Willis has become her home away from home, but she was in need of a change.

  • East County
  • Schools
L.L. Bean District Manager Kenon Mitchell holds the ribbon while Store Manager Jennifer Molloy cuts it as L.L. Bean Vice President Corey Bouyea looks on at the store's grand opening Friday in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 9, 2025
L.L. Bean opens at UTC in Sarasota

The Freeport, Maine retail giant opens its first store in Florida

  • East County
  • Business
Platoon Sgt. John Skeen is honored at the Elks Lodge in Lakewood Ranch May 8 on Victory in Europe Day.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 9, 2025
East County WWII veteran knighted into the Legion of Honor

The honor is only awarded to United States veterans who fought on French soil.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The lot at 6920 Gulf of Mexico Drive may be the new home for a north-end community center through Manatee County.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 9, 2025
Manatee County commissioners reaffirm commitment to LBK community center

County commissioners verbally committed to making the community center a reality on Longboat Key, though a property purchase appears to be the new best option.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Members of the Sarasota County Fire Department accept the Heart Safe Award from the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2025
Sarasota Fire Department wins global award for cardiac response program

The Heart Safe Community Award was given by the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The St. Regis Longboat Key resort.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 9, 2025
St. Regis Longboat Key project wins regional construction award

The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors recognized Moss Construction and BCH Mechanical by awarding the St. Regis Longboat Key the 2025 Project of the Year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rebecca Adams, the CEO of Keller Williams Coastal Living II, finishes a Scripture verse that will go to a child in need of a bed.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 8, 2025
Keller Williams' volunteers work on 'Red Day' to put this problem to bed

Company employees provide labor for the Beds for Kids nonprofit on their annual day of service.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The city of Sarasota will share important community notices through its verified Neighbors account.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2025
Sarasota adds Neighbors by Ring to its news and alert network

Through its verified Neighbors account, the city will share important community notices, including critical information during hurricane season.

  • Sarasota
  • News
New Trail Plaza by Blue Sky Communities, with all 90 of its units priced as affordable and attainable, is under construction at 4644 N. Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 8, 2025
Affordable housing program takes root in Sarasota

With more than 900 affordable and attainable units in the pipeline, 269 by for-profit developers, Sarasota's efforts to address the city's housing crisis show signs of momentum.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 1344 Harbor Drive was built in 1949 and has five bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,322 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 8, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for April 21-25 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A Sarasota home on Harbor Drive tops sales at $4.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Attorney Bill Merrill addresses the Sarasota Planning Board with developer SS Sasquatch principal Paxton Kinol during a hearing about Sarasota Station.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 8, 2025
Sarasota Station plan remains on track to move forward

Although nearly derailed by City Commission concerns, the profit center portion of the affordable housing project wins two key approvals.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Two teens stop their electric bikes on White Eagle Boulevard near Eagle Trace.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 8, 2025
Electric bikes speed toward regulations in Manatee County

Commissioner Bob McCann is pushing for an ordinance that will establish rules to ensure safety.

  • East County
  • News
Felicia Donson and her dog, Jasper, sit surrounded by donated books.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 8, 2025
In honor of her mom, daughter founds nonprofit to gift books to kids

The recently-founded Mom's Book Nook aims to provide books for children through various community organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview football players said their spirits are higher this season, with no more rumors of players transferring, unlike 2024.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 8, 2025
Sarasota Riverview football embraces a new start

The Rams are feeling renewed after a season filled with turnover.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
There’s no need for search
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 8, 2025
There’s no need for search

The idea of enduring the City Commission's search for a city manager could make you cringe. So why do it when the best and right candidate is already here?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Crews remove debris in the wake of Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 7, 2025
Experts set to talk hurricane preparedness with Sarasota

Local, state and federal speakers are planned for Thursday night Community Conversation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Alex Bates placed first at the Class 4A Region-3 meet with a pole vault of 4.20 meters on May 3.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 7, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Alex Bates

The Riverview junior won his region in pole vaulting.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota baseball coach Greg Mulhollen and the Sailors faced an uphill battle in regionals with the new best-of-three format.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 7, 2025
Rich get richer with new high school baseball playoff format

Underdog stories in prep baseball may become a thing of the past.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tampa resident and stilt walker Natasha Eriksen performs on Cinco de Mayo at Agave Bandido.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 7, 2025
Agave Bandido hosts Cinco de Mayo event with fire performers, stilt walkers

Guests celebrate in Waterside Place with food, drinks, music and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 7, 2025
Manatee's proposed $23.5 million purchase raises transparency issues

While buying a Lakewood Ranch building appears to be positive for East County, residents had little chance to offer input.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 7, 2025
Manatee County purchases administration building in Lakewood Ranch

The downtown administration building will remain in place, but several departments are relocating.

  • East County
  • News
Gov. Ron DeSantis made a quick stop at Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar in Sarasota on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, to survey damage from Tropical Storm Debby.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 7, 2025
Sarasota commissioners OK a range of dredging plans, spending

Officials urge the public to speak up to help expedite work in Phillippi Creek.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Christian Link described being a bus driver as his unexpected dream job. He has worked there for three and a half years and has trained other drivers for two and a half.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 7, 2025
Manatee County aims to fill school bus driver shortage

Between sick days, vacations and leaves of absence, Manatee County needs more bus drivers to ensure students get to school efficiently.

  • East County
  • Schools
Unnamed subject caught hitting golf balls into a vacant house
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2025
Unnamed subject caught hitting golf balls into a vacant house

Two males were hitting golf balls from a back yard into a canal and through glass into a home; one of them evading police. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The home at 419 Partridge Circle has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,229 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 7, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for April 21-25 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Grande at Longboat Key on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week’s sales at $2.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Families join in celebrating the grand reopening of The Beaufort Bonnet Company on St. Armands Circle on Saturday, just in time for Mother's Day.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 7, 2025
Families celebrate reopening of trendy tot boutique on St. Armands

Just in time for Mother's Day, The Beaufort Bonnet Company invited families to come celebrate its grand reopening from 2024's hurricanes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Pirates senior Nick Curbelo celebrates scoring the first run of a 9-3 win over Manatee on a triple by senior Camden Pope in a regional semifinal game on May 1 at Braden River High School.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 7, 2025
Braden River baseball's playoff run is no accident

A senior-laden Pirates team is playing as if every game is its last.

  • East County
  • Sports
Erik Arroyo will be reimbursed by the city just more than $10,000 in legal expenses stemming from a 2024 ethics complaint.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 7, 2025
Former commissioner wins legal fees reimbursement from city

Former Sarasota City Commissioner Erik Arroyo requested remittance of $10,285 for his defense against a 2024 ethics complaint.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Investments trend positive for Longboat in fiscal 2025
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 7, 2025
Investments trend positive for Longboat in fiscal 2025

Longboat Key finance personnel's mid-FY25 update showed positive trends in investment income, but work still to be done on recuperating financial losses from the hurricanes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City Commissioner Kyle Battie says he is confused and disgruntled over the process to hire a new city manager.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 7, 2025
Sarasota city manager search firm resigns, process back to 'square one'

Colin Baenziger and Associates has informed the city that it will no longer be leading the search to replace Marlon Brown, who retired on October 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mote staff must carefully introduce the manatees into the holding tank using specialized equipment.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 7, 2025
Manatee rehab made possible at Mote with new federal designation

Approval through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium a secondary care facility for manatees, aiding a larger statewide issue.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Baber presents an award to Dorothy Korwek.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 7, 2025
Heritage Awards honor history preservation efforts in the community

The awards honor outstanding efforts towards preservation and understanding of Sarasota's history.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
LBK survey: What about $?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 7, 2025
LBK survey: What about $?

It's no surprise Longboat Key residents expressed high satisfaction in the town survey. That's great. But maybe they also should be asked about their taxes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused vegetative damage across Longboat Key, including killing or severely damaging large trees.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 6, 2025
Longboat passes tree ordinance exemption for storm-damaged properties

The amendment eliminates the replacement requirement for properties that need to remove dead or severely damaged trees caused by natural disasters.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota friends Veronica Muñoz, Maria Veronica Guillen Vasquez and Benito Enriquez, who are from Mexico, and Maria Stephens, who is from Venezuela, dressed up to represent their home countries. "I love Mexicans and I think they're my brothers and my sisters," Stephens said.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 6, 2025
El Melvin hosts Cinco de Mayo Block Party

The event still featured an elevated VIP deck, outdoor vendors, costume performers and live music by the Bri Rivera Band.

  • 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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