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Your Observer

Faith Holliday constructed this agility course for dogs at Donte's Den over the summer of 2017.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 25, 2018
Girl Scout goes for the gold

Cardinal Mooney’s Faith Holliday built an agility course for dogs at Donte’s Den.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
With the sale of its Sarasota theater, The Players Centre for Performing Arts can go forward with building Phase 1 of its Waterside Place complex.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 25, 2018
Players won't be 'missing tooth' in Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place

Sale of existing theater means The Players can build simultaneously with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Siesta Key residents will attend the Jan. 30 County Commission meeting to oppose a potential change to the zoning code.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 25, 2018
Residents plan to oppose proposed Siesta Key zoning change

On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the County Commission will decide whether or not to amend part of the zoning code that says how close commercial buildings can be to the sidewalk.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Two of the six condos at Oceane Siesta Key have already been sold.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 25, 2018
New luxury condos coming to Siesta Key

The six-unit project is located north of the Siesta Key Village, and is expected to be completed next year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Christian McKay chats with coach Bob Smithers while changing weights during a practice at Booker High on Jan. 23. McKay will compete for a state title Feb. 2 at Panama City Beach.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 25, 2018
Sports gave Booker High senior a needed lift

The state title favorite weightlifter originally joined to gain mental toughness.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Isabella McDevitt.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 25, 2018
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Isabella McDevitt

The Cardinal Mooney girls soccer captain talks breaking her back and mission trips to Jamaica.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
John Norcross is the author of "Changeology: 5 Steps to Realizing Your Goals and Resolutions."
    By
  • Kristine Nickel
  • January 25, 2018
Ch-ch-ch changes

You have to be all in if you really want to change, one expert says

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
 The home at 763 Freeling Drive recently sold for $1.7 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 25, 2018
Bay Island Shoes home sells for $1.7 million

Residential real estate transactions for Jan. 8-12.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Melinda Delpech and other Tahiti Park residents say a commercial development near their neighborhood would be problematic.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 25, 2018
Residents make play to block commercial development

Tahiti Park residents hope to turn two privately owned properties in their neighborhood into parkland.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A proposed Florida Senate bill would allow builders to remove trees from private property without city intervention.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 25, 2018
City lobbies to retain tree regulation power

Residents and officials are fighting against a state bill that would eliminate the city’s right to regulate the removal of trees from private property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
As crews complete construction of an 18-story condo at 624 S. Palm Ave., another developer is planning to build another high-rise next door.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 25, 2018
Downtown high-rises remain in demand

Another 18-story luxury condominium is coming to the bayfront, a sign of continued interest in high-end downtown residences.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2018
Cops Corner: Police remove untagged dog from business

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 24, 2018
Christ Church hosts first Wednesday night dinner

Pianist Jeremy Silverman performed for church members on Jan. 24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 24, 2018
Sarasota schools thank first responders

Students from Sarasota Military Academy and Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences presented gifts to local police officers and firefighters Jan. 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unicorp National Development Inc. President Chuck Whittall used the town's 712 zoning code changes to try to persuade commissioners to approve his application to adapt town policy.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 24, 2018
Longboat developer backs off on Colony density request

"We heard the community loud and clear,'' Whittall says.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Larissa and Ann Green were two of thousands who sought shelter from Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 24, 2018
County may transport evacuees to shelters

A lack of evacuation centers in South Sarasota County presented a problem during Irma, but a new center is out of the question for the next hurricane season.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Palm Aire's Pattie Meades learns to fold her clothing using the KonMari Method with the help of professional organizer Elizabeth Player, of Tampa. The method is famous for its folding technique, which makes items "stand."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 24, 2018
Decluttering process takes focus at Bradenton home

Palm Aire woman says getting rid of clutter has positive impacts.

  • East County
  • News
This home at 409 Meadow Lark Drive on Longboat Key recently sold for $3,899,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 24, 2018
Meadow Lark Drive home sells for $3,899,000

Residential real estate for Jan. 8-12.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
This home in Esplanade at 4906 Benito Court recently sold for $966,300.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 24, 2018
Esplanade home tops sales at $966,300

Residential real estate transactions for Jan. 8-12.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Longtime friends Liz Jones and Chris Marquez, both of Lakewood Ranch, are joining fashion and tennis for a social tennis fundraiser benefiting pets.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 24, 2018
Tennis tournament set to raise money

Social tennis tourney will raise funds for the Humane Society.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Colony has been closed since August 2010.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2018
Colony conversation continues

Too big, too dense, just what the town needs. The opinions on the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort redevelopment are as varied as the neighborhoods on Longboat Key. This week, we publish letters in response to last week’s editorial, ‘Make Longboat Special.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Carol Lucas returns a shot during a practice round at Country Club West's public courts.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 24, 2018
Pickleball seeds planted in Lakewood Ranch

New club lobbies for public courts in the area.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jack and Jason Mickan. Jack was born Dec. 11 at 9:41 a.m. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 24, 2018
Pirates coach balances hoops and a newborn

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
Ted Kohn, 84, was never a religious person, but this photo has him questioning his belief.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 24, 2018
Seeing is believing: Longboater believes he sees Holy Trinity in photograph

Ted Kohn thought he was just taking a photo of a sunset. Then, he turned the photo vertical and spotted what he believes are religious symbols.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
“The Pit and The Passion: Murder at the Ghost Hotel follows a reporter and author as they try uncover the truth about a skeleton found in a deserted hotel.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 24, 2018
Spanish Main author keeps her readers guessing in 11th book

“The Pit and The Passion: Murder at the Ghost Hotel,” debuted on Jan. 22.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The EVEN Hotel concept is new to InterContinental Group's portfolio with only six locations in the country currently.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 24, 2018
An EVEN better option for overnight stays?

Wellness-focused hotel debuts in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch Chargers U11 player Corbin Hynson, a student at Gene Witt Elementary, prepares to protect the goal during a scrimmage game Jan. 18 at Premier Sports Campus.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 24, 2018
Commissioners field questions about Premier Sports Campus

Premier complex will be under the microscope for a few years before future growth is determined.

  • East County
  • News
Harmony residents Cameron, Jen, and Gavyn Gregory go through a tunnel under  White Eagle Boulevard that eventually will be part of a 25-mile trail system in that area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 24, 2018
New Lakewood Ranch parks system about to debut

New White Eagle trail system eventually will connect with all of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Earth Fare opens Jan. 27 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 24, 2018
Earth Fare's top banana talks about Lakewood Ranch opening

Company's CEO tells why Lakewood Ranch is a perfect fit.

  • East County
  • News
The spring tide event of September 2015, where water flooded the streets on a sunny day.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 24, 2018
Longboat to install new valves to mitigate north end tidal flooding

The Public Works department is investigating new valves and new stormwater drain locations as tidal flooding becomes more frequent.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dozens of cases of cybercrime, fraud and identity theft were reported to the Longboat Key Police Department last year.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 24, 2018
Cybercrime takes aim at Longboaters

The best way police say they can stop cybercrime, one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world, is with a dose of skepticism.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chase Sharp.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 24, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Chase Sharp

The senior wrestler talks conditioning, instincts and wanting to work for NASA.

  • East County
  • Sports
McNeal Elementary School's Suha Batool is on a quest to improve her robotic skills.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 24, 2018
Your Town: Building blocks of success

Stories from your neighbors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chris and Mark Lawson show their support for creating a taxing district to buy the land, called the future Braden River Preserve.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 24, 2018
Braden River preserve still in question

County Commission calls March public hearing to consider forming a special taxing district.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 24, 2018
Cops Corner: Your papers, please

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Chris and Mark Lawson show their support for creating a taxing district to buy the land, called the future Braden River Preserve.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 23, 2018
Special taxing district idea progresses

Manatee County commissioners voted to advance special taxing districts for two communities.

  • East County
  • 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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