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Your Observer

  • By Emma Burke Jolly
  • February 28, 2025
Sand Bucket List: Must-Try Adventures for a Sun-Soaked Summer

Here are the absolute must-do activities, must-visit spots and must-see sights to make this summer in Sarasota and Manatee counties unforgettable!

  • Sarasota
Sponsored Content
Amaryllis Park Place III buildings, as shown in this Hoyt Architects rendering, will be three stories tall with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, all priced at 80% or below area median income.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 28, 2025
Housing Authority secures funding from Lee County agency

The Sarasota County Commission has OK'd loans from Housing Finance Authority of Lee County to fund construction of two low-income housing projects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Leo Eineker, left and Susan Groover practice CPR on mannequins during a short class Feb. 25 at the Tara Golf and Country Club.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 28, 2025
Tara residents armed with life-saving knowledge

Residents got hands-on training in CPR and in using an automated external defibrillator.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Work on the Stickney Point Bridge will shift to overnight hours through the duration of the project, according to FDOT.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 28, 2025
Stickney Point Bridge work moves to overnight hours

FDOT is shifting the work schedule on the southern bridge to Siesta Key in order to minimize congestion.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Assistant to the Town Manager and Public Information Officer Susan Phillips accepts an award from H. Joseph Reiser.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 27, 2025
Bay Isles Association recognizes town personnel for hurricane response

At its annual community forum, the Bay Isles Association honored Longboat Key town staff and Bay Isles board members for their efforts during hurricane recovery.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
After years of working with the military and law enforcement with explosives, Lakewood Ranch's John Scomillio found his best partner was a dog. He now works part-time at Dogs Inc.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 27, 2025
Former explosives expert gets a charge out of helping dogs

Lakewood Ranch's John Scomillio has made a home for himself at Dogs Inc.

  • East County
  • Opinion
A rendering by SB Architects of 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, which will include 117 condominiums in the west tower (right) and a Hyatt Centric Harborside hotel in the east.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 27, 2025
Hyatt redevelopment branded as 1000 Boulevard of the Arts

Kolter Urban releases details for the Hyatt redevelopment project to include 117 luxury condos and the Hyatt Centric Harborside hotel. An appeal of a Planning Board adjustment remains pending.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 5418 Siesta Cove Drive was built in 2021 and has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,306 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 27, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 10-14 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Cove home tops the week's sales at $5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Marayah Stuart helped Booker girls basketball win a regional championship with 31 points and 13 steals across two wins last week.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 27, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Marayah Stuart

Booker guard scored 31 points with 13 steals across two regional playoff wins.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A Renzo Piano Building Workshop conceptual rendering of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center as viewed from the 10th Street Canal.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 27, 2025
City of giving brings bold arts and cultural initiatives

New and underway projects in Sarasota require nearly $1 billion in philanthropy to bring to fruition. Organization leaders say there is enough to go around.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Willie Shaw
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 27, 2025
Former Sarasota mayor recalls family's history of military service

Willie Shaw's father, Wade C. Shaw, was a World War II veteran, and the history goes back further.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
How $115 billion is spent
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 27, 2025
How $115 billion is spent

We are fortunate our lawmakers are not like New York’s. Even so, we should know how lawmakers spend our money.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Azure Siesta Key
  • February 27, 2025
Making Waves on Siesta Key: Azure Siesta Key Sets New Standard for Luxury Living

The boutique development will feature just three exclusive residences, ranging from 2,300 to over 4,000 square feet, with prices starting at $3.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
History displays are set out in the library rotunda.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2025
Students perform historical research for National History Day contest

The contest, which included about 800 students, leads onto the Florida History Day Contest, followed by the national level of the competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Gabe Moberly hits a jump during an Aker Sunday Session in September before the new track was installed. The cattle are fenced off from the track.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2025
BMX track draws amateur and pro riders to Myakka City

Aker Brand Farms is a 15-acre BMX training facility and a dream come true for owners Jeremy Smith and Will Grant.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ellen Lehman took fifth place in the 119-pound weight class in the 2A Olympic category at the girls weightlifting state championships on Feb. 14.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 26, 2025
Braden River weightlifter becomes first freshman to medal in school history

Ellen Lehman wrapped up a record-breaking year with a fifth-place finish at states.

  • East County
  • Sports
City should treat public’s treasures with care
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 26, 2025
City should treat public’s treasures with care

Sarasota needs to invest in protecting the signature Van Wezel, a reader says.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Blaze of Hope's Meghan Houlihan and Christine Dodge man a table at the North Port Farmers market. Hayli Bhatia just happened to be there with her daughters Scarlett and Juliette.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2025
East County nonprofit is a 'Blaze of Hope' for families in need

Blaze of Hope provides financial assistance to families when a child is hospitalized due to a life-threatening illness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Noise complaint escalates into trespassing, resisting arrest
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 26, 2025
Noise complaint escalates into trespassing, resisting arrest

A late-night call to Indian Beach Park finds suspects playing loud music in a car and drinking from open containers. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Chuck and Phyllis Stolteben have been entertaining crowds at the Lakewood Ranch Elks Club for more than 25 years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 26, 2025
25 years of spinning tunes for the Elks

Chuck and Phyllis Stolteben celebrate the last quarter century while raising funds for the Elks' Harry Anna fund.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney has four sophomores, Michael Geaglone, J.D. James, Colton Hyde and Brady Zaun, making a big impact during a hot start to the season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 26, 2025
Young Cardinal Mooney baseball team out to hot start

The sophomore-laden Cougars are silencing doubters after a hot start.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Bird Key home sold for $5.5 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 26, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 10-14 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Robin Drive tops the week’s sales at $5.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Wilma Davidson, president of the Sarasota branch of the National League of American Pen Women, showcases some examples of the to-be-hidden art.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 26, 2025
Sarasota Pen Women to launch art treasure hunt

As a way to bring a little extra joy to the community, the Sarasota chapter of the National League of American Pen Women is coordinating a surprise art giveaway.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jonathan Hande, senior avian hospital technician, demonstrates the "hamburger hold" on Wilma the lesser scaup duck.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 26, 2025
Save Our Seabirds casts net for new bird-trapping volunteers

The City Island organization needs the help of others in saving the lives of injured birds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Karen Lehning and Sam McCarter shovel out the Seahorse Beach Resort pool.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 26, 2025
SeaHorse owners, guests happy to return to Longboat condo-hotel resort

Staff and owners were the core of the recovery process, which now brings SeaHorse Beach Resort back to fully operational.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Traffic calming measures such as this roundabout at Higel Avenue and Ocean Boulevard on the north end of Siesta Key are used to minimize crashes and slow traffic.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 26, 2025
City begins traffic calming plan update process

Sarasota city staff has is in the initial stage of developing an updated plan to slow down vehicle traffic on city streets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Amy Bradley is a clarinetist with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble and a retired music teacher. You can see her perform March 2 at Peace Presbyterian Church.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 26, 2025
Love of music leads former teacher to local ensemble group

Amy Bradley will perform during the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble's March Melodies.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River junior Kaydence Evans is the team's ace and leadoff hitter. She struck out 13 batters and knocked in five runs in her team's first two games of the season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 26, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kaydence Evans

Braden River softball player struck out 13 batters and knocked in five runs in the first two games.

  • East County
  • Sports
Double turn-lane trouble
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 26, 2025
Double turn-lane trouble

Construction on the much-discussed left-turn lanes for the south Gulf of Mexico Drive is finally beginning (at the wrong time). But much to the chagrin of residents, the designs were a surprise — and not a pleasant one.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Judge Charles Williams, Sarah Wertheimer, Isabella Cicala and Bryson Day
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 25, 2025
Embracing Our Differences luncheon highlights educational initiatives

The event, held Feb. 21, invited district students and a teacher to discuss the impact of the nonprofit.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Stephanie Claussen, owner of Steff's Stuff antique shop, celebrates 17 years of business.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 25, 2025
Steff's Stuff celebrates 17th anniversary

The antique shop with an ever-changing collection of unique home items is in the Centre Shops on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Azario Esplanade home sold for $2 million. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,316 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 25, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 10-14 in Lakewood Ranch

A Cypress Creek Estates home on Ninth Avenue Circle Northeast tops the week's sales at $2.15 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Delores McKenzie performs her "Belles of Broadway" show for Christ Church of Longboat Key members.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 25, 2025
'Belles of Broadway' delights Longboat audiences

Delores McKenzie belted out tunes from "Hamilton," "Wicked," "Waitress," "Les Misérables" and many more iconic Broadway shows in her newest act.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
After Hurricane Debby hit the area Aug. 5, 2024, an East Manatee Fire Rescue worker paddles toward a flooded home on Quonset Road along the Braden River to rescue the occupant.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 25, 2025
Manatee County addresses Hurricane Debby flooding

A county study finds plenty that didn't happen during Hurricane Debby, but few causes other than an enormous rainfall.

  • East County
  • News
Trespassed man claimed he's heading south for YouTube fame
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 25, 2025
Trespassed man claimed he's heading south for YouTube fame

While trespassing on a Longboat Key property, the man said he was hoping to swim with alligators and film it for YouTube. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
St. Armands experienced catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in 2024.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 25, 2025
Sarasota seeking $11.5 million in storm resiliency appropriations

Local legislative representatives sponsor bills for funds to protect parks, St. Armands and Van Wezel from future storm events.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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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