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Your Observer

Paddi Juliano and Magda Shea
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 9, 2025
Heart & Soul on Palm lets the community celebrate Valentine's Day together

The event brought together a funk band, photo-ops, couples and friends and family.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A mobile of figures hangs above Main Street.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 9, 2025
Downtown Festival of the Arts turns Main Street into a fine art gallery

The juried art show, held Feb. 8-9, covers five blocks of Main Street with stations by over 200 artists.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Theresa Pelayo celebrates crossing the finish line alongside her daughter, Luna Pelayo, on Saturday morning at the Taste of ODA 5K.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 9, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy's first 5K raises funds for its athletics program

ODA's first-year goal was easily met as 143 runners participated.

  • East County
  • Schools
Stacy Freeman said she felt as though she was living in a dream when she heard her name announced as the Manatee County Educator of the Year on Feb. 5 at Manatee Technical College.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 9, 2025
McNeal teacher wins Manatee County Educator of the Year award

Stacy Freeman impact goes far beyond the third grade classroom at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary.

  • East County
  • Schools
John Rivera Jr., now signed to the Brooks Beast Track Club, is ranked in the top 50 in the world in the 800-meter. Here he is at the 2021 NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships, where he placed fifth in the 800-meter (1:48.45).
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 9, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High alum John Rivera Jr. now runs as a professional

The 800-meter specialist signed with the Brooks Beasts Track Club in January.

  • East County
  • Sports
Greeters Ethan McNary and Sarah Williamson welcomed guests to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar at UTC during a soft opening event Saturday.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 8, 2025
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse opens at UTC

The new Fleming's is the second in the Sarasota area.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Wilkinson Elementary's STEM teachers who were honored included Kayly Ward, Angel Shideler, Tessa Healy, Michelle Scotese, Brianna Maltby, Deanna Snider, Vickie Schaefer, Isabella Magro, Kristy Wall and Stefanie Lynch.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 8, 2025
Wilkinson Elementary earns Florida's first national STEM certificate

The school celebrates its receipt of the National Certificate for STEM Excellence, while it also hosted its Family STEAM Night.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The purple line running from the Key to the orange dot represents the town-owned wastewater pipeline.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 8, 2025
What is the referendum on the March 2025 Longboat Key ballot?

The upcoming ballot includes a referendum that, if passed, would allow the town to pursue a low-interest loan for a necessary underwater pipeline replacement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office cruisers were damaged when they tried to arrest a felony suspect at the corner of Webber Street and Beneva Road Feb. 6.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 7, 2025
Crash kills felony suspect after leading Sarasota deputies on rush-hour chase

The suspect, a 31-year-old Bradenton man was killed when his truck hit a telephone pole.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parrish resident Billy Gallagher used to live in Lakewood Ranch. Now, he visits monthly for the car show.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 7, 2025
Car show drives business to Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Ed's Tavern hosts the Classic Car Show on the first Wednesday of each month from 5-8 p.m.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cloud, a Myakka 16-year-old mare who went missing last week, was known as a snuggler when giving rides in the bay for Florida Beach Horses.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 7, 2025
Missing Myakka City horse found dead

The grey mare went missing Jan. 9 and was found Feb. 7 in a pond.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Warm Sands Wellness
  • February 7, 2025
3 Non-Surgical Paths to Younger Skin

Plasma energy is a revolutionary way to maintain a youthful look with minimal downtime and none of the risks of traditional surgery.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The home in San Remo Estates, near the bridge to Siesta Key, is listed for $9,975,000.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • February 7, 2025
Rock star selling waterfront Sarasota estate for $10 million

Stu Cook, the bassist for Creedence Clearwater Revival, put his San Remo Estates house on the market.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Beach University 2025 sessions will be held each Thursday in March at Siesta Beach Pavillion.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 7, 2025
Beach University returns to Siesta Beach Pavillion

Free, one-hour educational sessions will be held every Thursday in March.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The commercial space at 3170-3174 Gulf of Mexico Drive will soon include a Starbucks location.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 6, 2025
Starbucks location to open on Longboat Key this summer

The shop, located at 3174 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will emphasize the brand’s "community coffee house" feel with a modern look tailored to Longboat Key.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Cardinal Mooney's Tommy Bury wrestles in the 106-pound class at Cardinal Mooney's meet with Booker High in Booker High's auditorium on Jan. 30. Bury won the match by fall.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 6, 2025
Cardinal Mooney wrestling takes to the mat

The Cougars new wrestling program kicked off this year with a boys and girls team.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The 10th Street Canal within The Bay has been dredged. A floating day dock is planned along the south (left) side of the canal.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 6, 2025
Floating day dock is coming to The Bay

To make the Sarasota's The Bay park accessible to boaters, the Bay Park Conservancy secures waivers to permit the construction of a floating dock with 18 slips.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Their Unit 1102 condominium at 540 N. Tamiami Trail was built in 2020 and has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,962 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 6, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 20-24 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in BLVD Sarasota tops the week's sales at $4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
A massing model presented by Renzo Piano Building Workshop shows the four Sarasota Performing Arts Center along North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2025
Sarasota Performing Arts Center workshops scheduled for Feb. 11

A City Commission workshop Tuesday morning and community town hall in the afternoon will provide further refinements for the planned Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark Vengroff if finishing what his father started at One Stop Housing.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 6, 2025
Mark Vengroff finds his one last career stop the most rewarding

The managing partner of One Stop Housing came from Los Angeles to fulfill his father's legacy of providing affordable housing for the working class.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 6, 2025
Sarasota students face crackdown on cellphone usage

The Sarasota School Board looks to tighten disciplinary policy for cellphone use on campuses.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Casey Cares hosted its second annual 'Serve Up Smiles Pickleball Tournament' on Feb. 1 at Country Club East in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 5, 2025
Pickleball players raise funds for critically ill children

Casey Cares, a nonprofit that aids more than 1,600 critically ill children and families, hosted its second annual pickleball tournament in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota murder suspect arrested in Louisiana
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2025
Sarasota murder suspect arrested in Louisiana

Djalma Johan Gordon of Sarasota is suspected in the Tuesday murder of a woman in her Ringling Boulevard home.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gulf of Mexico Drive was shut down due to a gas leak near the 3400 block on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 5, 2025
Gulf of Mexico Drive reopens following gas leak

Both lanes of Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key shut down from 2-3 p.m. Wednesday due to a gas leak.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Junior Paisley Binswanger has been a dominant force for the Sarasota High girls varsity basketball team this season.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 5, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Paisley Binswanger

The junior guard led Sarasota High in scoring this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota School of Architecture member Carl Abbott and Pastor Ashley Nicolls
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 5, 2025
St. Paul Lutheran Church rededicates Victor Lundy education building

Created in 1962, the building saw a renovation costing about $756,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police discover homicide during welfare check
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2025
Sarasota Police discover homicide during welfare check

The possible homicide was committed Tuesday night in a home in the 2200 block of Ringling Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Tal Siddique presents a rendering Jan. 28 of possible uses for the property that include facilities for Public Works, Natural Resources, Utilities, Animal Services and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 5, 2025
Manatee County trashes plans to sell property near Lena Road Landfill

The county was in negotiations to sell the land to D.R. Horton, but commissioners voted to cancel negotiations.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High junior Gabriel Lara proved to be the difference maker in the Mustangs' 6A District 11 title win over Parrish Community High Jan. 29, scoring twice in the second half.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 5, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Gabriel Lara

The Lakewood Ranch High junior scored two goals in the Mustangs' district title win over Parrish Community High.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 5, 2025
St. Regis offers natural oasis in central Longboat Key

The lagoon at St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is home to more than 3,000 Floridian marine animals, which survived recent hurricanes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Police chief calls for backup to stop a street scuffle
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2025
Police chief calls for backup to stop a street scuffle

Officers respond when Police Chief Rex Troche spots two men on the verge of a fight in a downtown street. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
New Riverview High football Head Coach Mark Cristiani embraces Da'Marcus Abner (left) and Dont'a Aber on the sideline in 2022.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 5, 2025
Setting Riverview High on the right path

New Riverview football Head Coach Mark Cristiani looks to lead the Rams with respect.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Alyssa Gay says she just wants to serve her community.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 5, 2025
After unsuccessful campaign, candidate finds new ways to serve Manatee

Alyssa Gay is keeping busy after campaigning for the District 72 House seat.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 410 Meadow Lark Drive has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,257 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 5, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 20-24 in Longboat Key, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

Bird Key homes on Meadow Lark Drive and South Owl Drive top the week's sales at $3.55 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A drone picture shows the state of Gulf of Mexico Drive two days after Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 5, 2025
Longboat Key estimates $5.3M financial impact from 2024 hurricanes

While that number may continue to grow, staff will also pursue insurance and federal claims to be reimbursed for these costs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Visitors viewing the Florida Highwaymen exhibit in the summer of 2024.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 5, 2025
Special Highwaymen artists showing comes to Longboat

The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel is hosting a special showing of works by the 22 famous Highwaymen artists for Black History Month.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
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
2
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
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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