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Your Observer

Sam Shapiro receives an award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County in 2015. File photo.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 21, 2018
Sam Shapiro leaves philanthropic legacy

From The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee to The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, Sam Shapiro dedicated much of his time to giving back. He died Feb. 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Southern Manatee Fire Rescue Lt. Justin Sperko and firefighter Bobby Pietsch ready the fire engine for use after responding to a house fire in Silver Lakes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 21, 2018
Manatee County roadway on schedule for change

Roadway improvements to 45th Street East will improve emergency response times.

  • East County
  • News
Senior Hannah Witham (2) takes the court for the final time at Braden River.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 21, 2018
Pirates treasure record season

Braden River girls basketball finishes with school-record 20 wins.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Stonewater is Shoreview at Lakewood Ranch Waterside's newest model home. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 20, 2018
Pulte to hold grand opening at Waterside

Builder will showcase new Stonewater model in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Kevin Cooper, Ernest F. DuBose II, Terrill Salem, John Annis, Steve Seidensticker and Commissioner Willie Shaw participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of Miss Susie's Newtown Kitchen.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • February 20, 2018
Groundbreaking for Miss Susie’s Newtown Kitchen marks a new day for neighborhood

The restaurant is a community-based project that will provide hospitality training and jobs to the Newtown neighborhood.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tom Knight has proposed a plan to place more armed personnel at Sarasota County schools. (File photo).
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • February 20, 2018
Sheriff's Office looks to place armed veterans, retired police officers at county schools

Sheriff Tom Knight said the plan would improve student safety.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The BID is considering replacing the existing speaker system on St. Armands Circle, installed in the early 2000s.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 20, 2018
St. Armands explores music options

Amplified music may be on its way back to St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rose Chapman has retired from her year-and-a-half stint as CEO emerita for the JFCS after 23 years as CEO.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • February 20, 2018
Rose Chapman reflects back on her 25-year career with JFCS of the Suncoast

As Chapman transitions to retirement from her tenure as CEO emerita, she leaves behind a legacy of commitment and service to the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key voters cast their ballots in two precincts, one of which is in Town Hall.
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • February 20, 2018
Observer to host candidate forum for Town Commission candidates

The forum will feature the six contested candidates on the ballot in the March 20 election.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The commission is following up on earlier conversations regarding incorporating resident input into the special event permitting process.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 19, 2018
City Commission to discuss event regulations

The Downtown Sarasota Condo Association proposed new event rules designed to minimize the effects of street closures on residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 19, 2018
LBK firefighter rescues man clinging to small sailboat

93-year-old man taken to hospital for hypothermia treatment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
More than 50 people filled every seat was filled in the Town Hall chamber.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • February 19, 2018
Longboat P&Z Board OK's Colony redevelopment plan

Unicorp National Developments is scheduled to testify before the Planning and Zoning Board at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Town Hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said the tip was not about a specific threat, but was related to the past behavior of an unnamed Riverview High School student.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 18, 2018
Officials investigate Riverview shooting threat

Riverview High School Principal Kathy Wilks sent a message to school parents Sunday about an anonymous tip regarding a possible shooting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Myakka City's Amanda Hayward and Clayton Brown of Sleepy Creek Ranch find themselves in an awkward position during the team doctoring event.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 18, 2018
Rodeo event features the right brand in Manatee County

Cowboys, present and future, gather for 10th annual Ranch Rodeo.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Runners surround Grayson Tullio, seated, the inspiration behind the charity Another Day for Gray.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 18, 2018
Dogs pound the pavement in Lakewood Ranch

More than 200 people participate in the annual Doggies for Duchenne fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 18, 2018
Fishing tournament provides a perfect cast

Volunteers teach children about fishing in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 16, 2018
Lakewood Ranch boys basketball wins third-straight district title

The Mustangs haven't lost to a district opponent since Feb. 2015.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 16, 2018
Palm Aire women raise funds through fashion

Annual show features designs from Evelyn & Aurthur in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • February 16, 2018
Class shows the art of yoga at The Ringling

Art and wellness come together to offer museum-goers a new way to nourish the mind, body and soul.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Oak Park School student Aaron Howell gives a high-five to The Oriole Bird during a special workout with the Orioles Friday.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • February 16, 2018
Orioles hit a home run with Oak Park School students

Former and current players played alongside students with special needs in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The new Sarasota Balloon Festival will sport 22 carnival rides to go along with balloon rides.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 16, 2018
Lakewood Ranch balloon festival lands Carnival rides

The new Sarasota Balloon Festival has joined forces with Reithoffer Shows.

  • East County
  • News
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota was constructed in 2001.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 16, 2018
Dallas company to buy Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota for $171 million

Ashford Hospitality Prime Inc. announced today it has agreed to acquire the 266-room bayfront resort.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • February 16, 2018
JFCS honors Rose Chapman at retirement kick-off breakfast

Community leaders praise Rose Chapman’s commitment to providing for the community

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Diana Greene, Charlie Kennedy, Garin Hoover and Linda Shaich speak at a debate Feb. 12.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • February 16, 2018
Opponents question school district's tax request

They say better use of existing budget is needed.

  • East County
  • News
At Riverview, freshmen go through a transition course, which educates them about the dangers of social media, the impact of a digital footprint and the magnitude of consequences associated with making posts that may threaten.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 16, 2018
Schools respond to increasing number of threats via social media

As the district works to improve the physical safety of its schools, it must also tackle threats made by students on social media.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2018
Florida Highway Patrol to hold DUI Wolfpack Operation this weekend

There will be an increased law enforcement presence on area roads Saturday night and Sunday morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 16, 2018
Sarasota Chamber of Commerce hosts 98th annual breakfast

Former President and CEO of Siemens USA Eric Spiegel spoke about the nation’s skills gap at the chamber’s once-a-year event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students and professionals collaborated to shoot a national commercial in Sarasota.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • February 16, 2018
TV ad for Walgreens films in downtown plaza

Production companies and local students worked together to film a Walgreens commercial that will broadcast nationwide this year

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Stoneybrook Golf Club's new owners expect to do some interior renovations over the summer.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 15, 2018
Stoneybrook Golf Club sells

Terry Bradshaw to help promote Bradenton golf club.

  • East County
  • News
The gas station at the north end of Longboat Key has been abandoned for nearly a decade.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • February 15, 2018
Sale could pump new life into Longboat north-end gas station

Planning, Building and Zoning officials have had preliminary conversations with a potential developer about putting a new gas station at the property

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Wayne Natt (left) and his attorney, Michael Gelety, at a Nov. 21 adversarial preliminary hearing.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • February 15, 2018
Alleged Longboat voyeur claims homestead to avoid condo forfeiture

Wayne Natt, 56, has been charged with four counts of third degree video voyeurism, which police allege couldn't have been committed without his Cedars Court condo

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County Fire Chief Michael Regnier spoke at a press conference Feb. 15 announcing a partnership with PulsePoint that he said will help save lives.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • February 15, 2018
Sarasota County first responders look to save lives with app partnership

PulsePoint provides resources to help civilians assist people suffering emergencies.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Phil Pagano hopes the weekday market will accommodate those who can't make the Saturday farmers market, similar to a Wednesday market once held at Five Points Park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 15, 2018
Sarasota Farmers Market launches Rosemary District event

The Rosemary Sunset Market at CitySide will bring produce vendors and more to the Rosemary District beginning Feb. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Matthew Nessetti, Dr. Doris Ramirez Nessetti, Longboat Key resident Dr. Irwin “Irv” Becker and Anne Marie Dozier worked at the AllCare Medical Center on Longboat Key. File photo.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 15, 2018
AllCare Medical Center closing Longboat practice

The practice, which opened in March 2016, will close by the end of the month.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Arts philanthropist Herta Klauser Cuneo gifted the Van Wezel Foundation with its largest single donation.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • February 15, 2018
The Van Wezel Foundation receives largest single donation

Circus legend and Sarasota arts supporter Herta Klauser Cuneo gifted $10 million to the Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The jail and surrounding facilities will be getting a much-needed upgrade to its central energy plant.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 15, 2018
County jail to get infrastructure upgrades

The County Commission approved the eventual construction of a new $14 million central energy plant on top of the Sarasota County Parking Garage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

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Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
  • April 9, 2026
Restaurant collab supports Longboat Key Turtle Watch
4
Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
  • April 9, 2026
Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park
5
The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
  • April 9, 2026
Senior public housing expansion remains $4 million short

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