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Your Observer

Tracy Eisnaugle, professional women in building chair, Jessica Seper deputy executive officer and membership and councils director and Megan Schroeder, young professional committee co-chair were behind the Stuff the Backpack event.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 29, 2025
School supplies donated to kids in Manatee and Sarasota counties

The Suncoast Builders Association made the donations of stuffed backpacks through the Boys & Girls Clubs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The socialized cats have indoor and outdoor access, so Luna is relaxing on the "catio."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 29, 2025
Manatee County kittens need foster and permanent homes

The need is more urgent since an outbreak of feline distemper at the Bishop Animal Center.

  • East County
  • News
Fireworks light up the skies over Bayfront Park
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 29, 2025
City Hall and other facilities will be closed July 4

Sarasota City Hall, municipal swimming pools and recreation complexes will also be closed, waste collection delayed by one day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
It's best to ease into an exercise program that will make you look and feel fabulous.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • June 28, 2025
Take charge of your health now. Don't put it off until later.

Listening to your doctor can lead to exciting diets and exercise plans to make you look and feel healthier.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Anand Pallegar and Rose-Anne Frano have been elected chair and vice-chair of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 28, 2025
Gulf Coast Community Foundation elects new board leaders

DreamLarge Founder and CEO Anand Pallegar has been elected chair and Williams Parker Attorneys at Law partner Rose-Anne Frano has been named vice chair.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The proposed Bobby Jones Golf Course clubhouse features Old Florida architecture reminiscent of the original Gillespie Clubhouse.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 28, 2025
City Commission faces hefty agenda after June break

The Bobby Jones clubhouse, city manager search, Mira Mar rezoning and formalizing its decision about Obsidian highlight the Sarasota City Commission's July 7 agenda.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Edward Stolarski wears Microsoft HoloLens 2 mixed reality glasses to overlay 3D holograms of a patient's pelvis onto the hip during surgery. The enhanced visualization enables him to precisely plan and position custom implants to fit each patient’s unique anatomy.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 27, 2025
New 3D guidance system enhances SMH hip replacement procedures

The new HipInsight 2.0 technology allows surgeons at SMH to project 3D holograms directly over the surgical area to promote precision.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manager Kate Ruh, Co-owner Michael Garey and Head Chef Sebastian Villaseca.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • June 27, 2025
Lazy Lobster is giving thanks and giving back in more ways than one

Lazy Lobster hosts its annual Thanksgiving in June to a packed restaurant and predicts to fill about three bins worth of food donations.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee Technical College graduates Carmen Lesser, Kelsey Seeley and Maria Galante complete the applied cybersecurity program which takes seven months.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 27, 2025
MTC graduates reflect on their lessons at graduation

Graduates Hailey Lopez-Lanuza and Sophia Swim said they found their passions at MTC.

  • East County
  • Schools
Teacher Heather Gomez, River Marshall, 8, her sister Millie Krystyniak, 3, and student Bryan Marchan, 11, meet Scout the Eagle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 27, 2025
Eagle Fest spreads wings across the community at Alta Vista Elementary

The school closed out its summer school with Eagle Fest, held for its families and featuring inflatables, games, activities and community resources.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Planning Board member Shane Lamay asked if the medical office planned for University Parkway near SRQ could be moved to preserve trees.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 27, 2025
Airport-adjacent medical office clears Planning Board scrutiny

A medical office nestled among hotels near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport wins endorsement from the city Planning Board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
To veterans: Ignore the noise; be proud
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • June 26, 2025
To veterans: Ignore the noise; be proud

Retired U.S. Marine Colonel says be proud of your service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Fourth of July 2025 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 26, 2025
Fourth of July 2025 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch

From parades to the classic fireworks, check out these events to help you celebrate Independence Day right.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The Unit 202 condominium at 188 Golden Gate Point was built in 2015 and has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,879 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 26, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for June 9-13 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home in Mira Mar Beach on Avenida Veneccia tops the week’s sales at $5.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sarasota Planning Board members (from left) Vice Chair Shane Lamay, Chair Dan Deleo, Dan Clermont, Douglas Christy and Terrill Salem.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 26, 2025
Planning Board debates affordability of Sarasota housing program

An apartment complex public hearing morphed into a discussion over whether the city of Sarasota's affordable housing incentive program is serving those in need.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fans won't want to miss any of Cardinal Mooney's home football games in what should be a fun 2025 season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 26, 2025
Fall prep sports storylines you won't want to miss

These teams and athletes are gunning for state titles in 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The run begins during the June 3 beach run.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 26, 2025
Kids Summer Beach Runs continue to draw crowds

The event takes place every Tuesday at Siesta Beach through July.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Campers learn to build sandcastles like a pro
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 25, 2025
Campers learn to build sandcastles like a pro

Sarasota County's Sand Sculpture Camp wrapped up June 25 with a series of detailed sculptures encircling a spot on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Jason Guillama, 4, prepares to place a plant into the garden.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 25, 2025
Kids come together to plant butterfly garden at Leonard Reid House

Three different educational organizations in Sarasota came together to help plant the garden.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mark Prisco Jr. plans to attend Omnia Sports Academy, where he can further develop his baseball skills, rather than attend Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 25, 2025
Lakewood Ranch baseball player tries a different path to college ball

Mark Prisco Jr. will attend Omnia Sports Academy in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Sports
The artistry of Pat Neal is building and selling homes, and he continues that journey with the Lakewood Ranch-area's Palm Grove, which hosts a grand opening June 27.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 25, 2025
Palm Grove celebrates its grand opening in Lakewood Ranch area

Pat Neal continues to be a master navigating tumultuous real estate waters.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The School District of Manatee County holds meetings for the public to flip through physical maps of the proposed 2026-2027 Residential Attendance Zones.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 25, 2025
Manatee County School District seeks public feedback on rezoning

School officials and board members ask the public to make comments on the district's website.

  • East County
  • Schools
Barred bar patron finds relief in the street
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 25, 2025
Barred bar patron finds relief in the street

Kicked out of a Main Street bar, a man is arrested for public urination in the street. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Mary Bilkie is one of the original volunteers for Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 25, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Elks volunteers feed empty little tummies

Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies packed 14,000 bags of food for school children last year alone.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Sleepy Lagoon home, built in 1990, has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,313 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 25, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for June 9-13 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Sleepy Lagoon on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week’s sales at $2 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Land use attorney Bill Merrill (speaking) led a legal challenge to the Downtown Master Plan 2020.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 25, 2025
Attorney advises downtown plan committee on avoiding challenges

Land use attorney Bill Merrill recounts to members of the Sarasota Downtown Master Plan 2020 Update Committee how he successfully forced changes to Sarasota's current downtown master plan more than two decades ago.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Both police and firefighter positions were requested to be included in Longboat Key's 2026 budget.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 25, 2025
Longboat proceeds cautiously on new hires in 2026 budget proposal

Mayor Ken Schneier urges the town to focus on "needs, not wants" when considering expansion of staff.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota High quarterback Hudson West has received four Division-I scholarship offers this summer despite being a rising sophomore.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 25, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Hudson West

The Sarasota High quarterback has received four Division-I offers this summer.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Visitors to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium began packing the house this week to pay their final visits before the City Island facility closes to the public, making way for expanded operations in East County.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 25, 2025
Visitors begin bidding farewell to Sarasota's City Island arm of Mote exhibits

After generations of visitors have enjoyed being entertained and educated at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, many took the opportunity to say farewell before operations shift to the new facility near University Town Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Heather Kasten and Daniel DeLeo at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick address attendees.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 25, 2025
Sarasota Chamber of Commerce honors local businesses with spectacle

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce honored winners in 10 categories.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Residences at The St. Regis Longboat Key is at 1591 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 25, 2025
Unknowns cloud view of Longboat budget for 2026 and beyond

Tallahassee tax relief and tax appeals factor into the town's deliberations on a spending plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The show will go on
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • June 25, 2025
The show will go on

Marina Jack, operated by Suntex Marinas, and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens step up as this year’s sponsors of the city of Sarasota’s Fourth of July fireworks display.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Olga Bracciano (1933-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • June 24, 2025
Olga Mary Bracciano

Olga Mary Bracciano, known affectionately as “Nene” to those closest to her, was born February 19, 1933 in Detroit Michigan.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Ora Mendels (1936-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • June 24, 2025
Ora Mendels

Ora Mendels passed away at the age of 88 in her home on Longboat Key, FL, on June 23rd, with her family around her.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Chef José Martinez of Maison Blanche hops in the cab of a fire engine after he and Juan Gomez join the Rotary Club of Longboat Key in preparing a special thank-you lunch to members of Fire Station 2 with Longboat Key Fire Rescue.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 24, 2025
Maison Blanche continues pandemic-era firehouse tradition

The high-end French restaurant was one of several that joined the Rotary Club of Longboat Key in feeding the island's first responders.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
SRQ names new president and CEO to succeed retiring Rick Piccolo
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 24, 2025
SRQ names new president and CEO to succeed retiring Rick Piccolo

Currently at Pittsburgh International Airport, Paul Hoback Jr. will succeed Rick Piccolo as presidet and CEO at Sarasota-Manatee International Airport this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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