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Your Observer

The original Shake Shack restaurant at Madison Square Park Garden. Photo courtesy of Beyond My Ken (own work) via Wikimedia Commons.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 16, 2018
Shake Shack signs lease near UTC Mall

The location near the mall will be the first in the region.

  • East County
  • News
Dead fish washed along barrier island beaches during a red tide bloom that began in September 2016 and ended the following April.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 16, 2018
Sarasota beaches likely to avoid recent red tide bloom

The latest bloom is not expected north of Venice.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Players Centre for Performing Arts has accepted an offer on its Sarasota theater.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 16, 2018
Players Centre strikes deal to sell Sarasota theater

Players managing director says contract offer is more than the listing price of $9.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 16, 2018
Key Niners brunch with new members

The club currently has 112 members, which is the most it has ever had.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A student peers into a microscope during a Mote program. (Courtesy image from Conor Goulding/Mote Marine Laboratory.)
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 16, 2018
Community Foundation gives Mote $50,000 partnership grant

Part of the funds will support youth education and outreach programs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 16, 2018
Man charged with setting fire behind Mandeville Beer Garden

The fire damaged a phone junction box and its connecting wires, but Mandeville is still open for business.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jonathan Lewis began serving as Interim County Administrator in December.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 16, 2018
County approves contract with new county administrator

Jonathan Lewis is starting his official role as county administrator with a base salary of $195,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
1372 Harbor Drive, one of Pettingell's top sales, closed in April for $6 million.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 16, 2018
Pettingell tops 2017 real estate sales volume

The Longboat Key Realtor was the first in Sarasota County to top $100 million in a year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Fifth grader Tasman Henry started a club to get more kids, and their families, exploring nature. Photo courtesy Julie Henry.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 15, 2018
Fifth grader creates nature club to get families outside

Tasman Henry is a force of nature, and she's using her new club to get families to stop and notice what's around them.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The City Commission has prohibited medical marijuana dispensaries to date, but that could change Tuesday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 15, 2018
City Commission to consider medical marijuana regulations

A proposed ordinance would permit the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries in areas where pharmacies are also allowed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Monaca Onstad joined Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch as lifestyle director in 2016. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 15, 2018
Lakewood Ranch lifestyle director earns top honors

Home builders' council names Monaca Onstad lifestyle director of the year.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 15, 2018
Sarasota residents walk to celebrate MLK Jr., promote unity

The walk was part of the 37th annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Buckaroo Roadhouse, 16300 State Road 64 E., Bradenton, closed its doors for good on Sunday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2018
Manatee County Roadhouse closes

Packed house says goodbye on Saturday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2018
Cops Corner: Deputy takes a bite out of crime

A roundup of this week's most interesting police reports.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Jack Ogren, the Lakewood Ranch Elks' Veterans Committee chairman, and Mike Jernigan of Southeastern Guide Dogs, talk before the Paws for Patriots event.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2018
Elks' event supports veterans

Paws for Patriots expected to raise $10,000 to help pair a veteran with a guide dog.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 13, 2018
Ring of Fame gets new class

The Fredonias, Cedric Walker, Ursula Boettcher, The Ramon Espana Family — The Flying Espanas and Chuck “Chucko” Sidlow were inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame on Jan. 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 13, 2018
Manatee County Fair stuffed with fun

Manatee's 102nd fair runs through Jan. 21.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 13, 2018
Runners support Sarasota YMCA at annual Ringling Bridge Run

Now in its 15th year, more than 1,500 runners participated in the major event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo appeared at an event announcing Elite Airways' Pittsburgh route in December, but the airline is now canceling its plans.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 12, 2018
Elite Airways cancels SRQ-Pittsburgh service

Following Allegiant’s move into the market, Elite Airways is exploring other routes from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jerry and Carolyn Pujol have been an inspiration to those who see their fitness regimen.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 12, 2018
Lakewood Ranch couple still on amazing run

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 12, 2018
Orioles and Sarasota Chamber swing into spring training

The Baltimore Orioles hosted a lunch for Sarasota Chamber of Commerce trustees.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Preserve, a 12-unit housing development, will be built on the site of the former Longboat Key Center for the Arts. (Courtesy image).
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 12, 2018
Town grants final approval for The Preserve

The single-family housing complex will be built on the former Longboat Key Center for the Arts property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Harvey Vengroff doesn't know what the future holds for his property at 2211 Fruitville Road, but he says he won't be building affordable housing there.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 12, 2018
Vengroff ends plans for affordable housing project

Harvey Vengroff says fees and rising construction costs have made it impossible to build affordable apartments near downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 12, 2018
Designing Women Boutique rolls out program to increase education funding

GroundWorks is a way for DWB to partner with area nonprofits and provide ongoing funding to further education.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Work on the sidewalk has prompted a lane closure and contributed to traffic backups along westbound John Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 12, 2018
Ringling Causeway sidewalk work snarls traffic

The project will replace a stretch of sidewalk damaged by Hurricane Irma.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Robert Haft and Noelle Haft, the majority stockholders of Mercedes Medical, and CEO Alex Miller, break ground for the start of their business at the CORE in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 11, 2018
Mercedes Medical breaks ground in Lakewood Ranch

The laboratory supplies company is the first medical-related business to break ground at CORE.

  • East County
  • News
The city previously tested parking meter models on St. Armands Circle in November.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 11, 2018
Parking meter showcase returns to St. Armands

On Friday and Saturday, the city is inviting the public to share feedback on potential parking meters for installation on St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Officer Jake Nelson and Bronson
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 11, 2018
Your Town for Jan. 11

Police dog team wins award; dentist marks 30 years in business.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The United States Flag and Touch Football League is bringing its National Championships to Lakewood Ranch Jan. 12-14.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 11, 2018
Flag football national championships come to Lakewood Ranch

The United States Flag and Touch Football League is bringing 'the largest flag football tournament in the world' to Premier Sports Campus Jan. 12-14.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 11, 2018
Sarasota weather page photo: Jan. 11

Neil Oldham photographed this male hooded merganser at Glenridge on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 11, 2018
East County weather page photo: Jan. 11

Pamela Williams photographed this little blue heron while checking out the new Waterside neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 11, 2018
Longboat Key weather page photo: Jan. 11

Stan Singer captured this sunset shot at Beachplace after a cold and stormy day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Graduation rates have above 80% for two years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 11, 2018
Manatee schools graduation rate exceeds 80%

Superintendent applauds work of students, teachers and staff for the accomplishment.

  • East County
  • News
Ben Winter (7) gets some rest on the Lions' bench. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 11, 2018
Booker High grad's hockey heritage has brought him to Sweden

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Jordan Litwiller takes a three-pointer against Sarasota Military Academy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 11, 2018
Blazing a trail: Sarasota Christian senior is one of top scorers in state

As of Jan. 9, he was averaging 25.9 points per game.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The third update to the Siesta Promenade plans include a new design for the residential, retail and hotel units proposed for the property.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 11, 2018
Plans aim to control traffic around Siesta Promenade

Siesta Promenade gets a third update after Benderson files new retail, residential plans.

  • Siesta Key
  • 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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