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Your Observer

Sarasota County has approved funding to widen a 1.5-mile stretch of Legacy Trail with a bifurcated path.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 8, 2025
Legacy Trail bridges, widening projects advance

Overpasses at Clark Road and Bee Ridge Road expected to wrap up in June.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 7, 2025
Manatee County launches water meter replacement project

Work begins this month on installing remotely read devices.

  • East County
  • News
Frank Folsom Smith (1931-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • April 7, 2025
Frank Folsom Smith

Frank Folsom Smith was an influential member of the Sarasota School of Architecture and the lead architect for Sarasota’s landmark Plymouth Harbor retirement community.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the Sarasota Police Department will take part in the 2025 Torch Run on Friday. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 7, 2025
Special Olympics Torch Run hits Sarasota streets on Friday

County and city law enforcement officers will carry the flame in support of the May event.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Artist Erica Ferguson incorporates preserved mosses into her work, which she shared with visitors at the debut "Artists in the Garden."
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 7, 2025
Arts in April officially kicks off with garden party

Community members had the opportunity to connect directly with local artists at this weekend's Artists in the Garden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dennis and Jody Matthier dress to the nines for the pirates and mermaids-themed beach party closing out the peak season for the Lido Key Residents Association.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 7, 2025
Lido Key residents embrace maritime theme for farewell party

Lido Beach had pirates and mermaids galore as members of the Lido Key Residents Association had its end-of-season party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wetlands provide essential wildlife habitat, buffers for excess rain and filter impurities that would otherwise degrade our waterways.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 7, 2025
Commissioner warns that wetlands reversal will spring legal action

Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn voted against bringing back expanded wetland buffers for fear of legal consequences.

  • East County
  • News
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key volunteers host this year's pancake breakfast fundraiser.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 6, 2025
Kiwanis pancake breakfast makes triumphant return

Volunteers sling well over 500 pancakes at the revived fundraiser, with donations earmarked for local charities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carey Beychok, Lorrie Muldowney, Jake Lasala, staff scientist and program manager with Mote, Sandy Moutoux and Tina Williams
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 6, 2025
Runners raise funds for sea turtle conservation

The annual Run for the Turtles by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium supports its Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
This 2024 McLaren was Chet Kitchen's gift to himself for beating stage 4 cancer.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 5, 2025
Engines and lions roar at Big Cat Habitat

The animal sanctuary hosted Sarasota Cars and Coffee on April 5.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alexandra Gutierrez and Aliah Reyes enjoy a break between songs during their performance.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 5, 2025
Imagine school at Lakewood Ranch showcases students' artistic talents

"Artistry & Insights" features a collage of artwork and music.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Michael Bodnyk, minister of music and director of operations, demonstrates the features of the new pipe organ at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 5, 2025
St. Armands church celebrates installation of pipe organ years in the making

With more than 2,000 pipes involved, the new organ at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church brings a bold musical presence to the Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The sun sets over Siesta Key Beach in late February, four months after Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 4, 2025
Siesta, Sarasota beaches are open but still recovering

Whether sifted, saved or shipped out, post-hurricane sand from Lido Key to Turtle Beach posed a gritty predicament.

  • Sarasota
  • News
On April 3, Director of Public Works Chad Butzow presents options to commissioners on how to fund Manatee County's stormwater maintenance moving forward.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 4, 2025
Stormwater fees are back on the table in Manatee County

After a brutal 2024 hurricane season, commissioners are looking to residents to help fund stormwater solutions.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Palm One Group
  • April 4, 2025
The Gallery: Thoughtfully Designed, Distinctively Sarasota

This luxury condominium development features 60 exquisite residences across five levels, topped by a stunning sixth-floor rooftop.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Rosedale Golf Classic co-founders Deb Kehoe and Kathi Skelton get together with Army Sgt. Aaron Cornelius, who was being honored April 2 at the 2025 event and who will receive an adaptive home from Homes for Our Troops.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 3, 2025
Teeing off for Homes for Our Troops at Rosedale Country Club

The East County community was No. 1 in the nation in 2024 raising money to build adaptive homes for disabled troops through Homes for Our Troops.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Groundbreaking on phase two of Selby Gardens expansion master plan is expected in late 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 3, 2025
Selby Gardens passes three-quarter mark in Phase 2 fundraising

Work is planned to begin in late 2025 for the second of three rounds of improvements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
SPAF names new chief development officer
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 3, 2025
SPAF names new chief development officer

Kelly Addington will lead the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation's capital campaign for its proposed performing arts center.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
A contrast in scale with the new Demarcay 18-story condo tower only a few feet away from the Mira Mar Building.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 3, 2025
Developer goes all-in on restoring Mira Mar

The deteriorating condition of the remnant of Sarasota's early to mid-century past means saving it requires tens of millions of dollars and a zoning change.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 1430 Harbor Drive was built in 2002 and has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,631 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 3, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 17-21 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Casey Key home tops the week’s sales at $9.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Riverview beach volleyball is now ranked among the top 20 teams in the state after the school invested resources into its program.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 3, 2025
Riverview sets example of beach volleyball's potential

The Rams are a top 20 team in Florida after adding sand courts and a D-1 head coach.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Hurricane Milton at 4:50 p.m. Oct. 9, 2024.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 3, 2025
Climate Adaptation Center predicts another active hurricane season

The forecast is ranked the most accurate in the nation, the Sarasota-based nonprofit says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The other side of Hi Hat
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 3, 2025
The other side of Hi Hat

Who is trying to rip off whom? Tom Knight fueled outrage with incorrect statements. Follow the history. It’s a totally different story.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Students Cameron Ogilvie and Faith Bright helped unwrap and present a symbolic check.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 2, 2025
Alta Vista Elementary wins STEM classroom makeover grant from FPL

The grant will provide new materials for a classroom while also supplementing specials at the school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The conceptual design of the new Sarasota Orchestra Music Center by Rawn Associates.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 2, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra reveals conceptual plan for new music center

The concept of the Sarasota Orchestra's new music center features three distinct spaces surrounding a central courtyard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Orlando Buexcuda, Nick Waldron and Michael Vickers are part of Manatee County's Stormwater Maintenance team.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 2, 2025
Manatee County prioritizes Braden River in stormwater plans

Clearing the Braden River's banks of debris and downed trees landed in the first phase of a nearly $10 million project.

  • East County
  • News
Samantha McKee, the Blue Butterfly brand strategist, talks about the program with Manager Danielle Wondrak.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 2, 2025
Blue Butterfly manager provides a lifetime of hugs to children who are grieving

Danielle Wondrak, whose dad died when she was 10, said it is her calling to help grieving children.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Chaitanya Kurakula, Riley Harris and Sriya Boggavarapu with their Alice in Wonderland themed animatronics project that they are fixing and altering for nationals.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 2, 2025
Braden River High TSA president leads team to a state championship

Sheena Kurakula now finishes her TSA career with a trip to the nationals with her teammates.

  • East County
  • Schools
Members dressed in attire from across decades to celebrate the anniversary, including Mary Beth McLeod and Shawna Smith (1920s) Mary Lou McFate (circa 1920s) Diane Kingery Gentsch, Angela DeForest and Cynthia Flynn (1920s), Ronelle Ashby (1930s), Peggy Torgerson (1940s), State Registrar Jennifer Lawton Marks (1950s) and Clarissa Thomasson (1990s).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 2, 2025
Daughters of the American Revolution chapter celebrates 100 years

The service organization, which is open to women who are descended from someone involved in aiding the American Revolution, hosted a celebration at Marina Jack.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis (center) speaks during the commission's budget workshop flanked by Director of Intergovernmental Relations Rob Lewis and Financial Management Director Kim Radke.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 2, 2025
Sarasota County begins fiscal year 2026 budget cycle

Sarasota County staff predicts a slowdown in property value escalation as it factors revenue based on no millage increase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ethan Hacker, Braden River Middle School band director since February 2024.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 2, 2025
New Braden River Middle teacher takes concert band to superior ratings

Ethan Hacker has his band finely tuned only a year after he took over the program.

  • East County
  • Schools
Man goes postal on a post office glass door
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 2, 2025
Man goes postal on a post office glass door

Two men arrested after one throws a brick through a post office door and scatters newspapers across the street. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Tim Widing gives the LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy a kiss. Widing won the tournament in a two-hole playoff against Patrick Cover and Steven Fisk.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 2, 2025
LECOM Suncoast Classic wins have led to mixed PGA Tour results

Byeong Hun An, the 2022 winner, has earned $19,967,667 competing on the PGA Tour.

  • East County
  • Sports
The home at 523 N. Spoonbill Drive has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,932 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 2, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 17-21 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Vizcaya on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week's sales at $3 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
SpaceX plans to open a launch site as part of a new expansion at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ).
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • April 2, 2025
It's annual, it's fun, and we gotcha with the Observer's April Fool's editions

SRQ's Rick Piccolo had to dispel a "rumor" that SpaceX is building a spaceport at the airport.

  • April Fools
Longboat Key commissioners continue to meet about a fair canal maintenance tax for town residents.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 2, 2025
Canal maintenance tax methodology refined toward more equity

Longboat Key town staff and consultants presented a new method, which gained more appeal from commissioners than previous iterations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
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
2
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
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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