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Your Observer

People wait outside the Salvation Army shelter on 10th Street in Sarasota. Cold temperatures have prompted the county to arrange for shelters to open Jan. 7-8.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2025
Cold weather shelter to open Tuesday night as temperatures plummet

A shelter will be open 5 p.m. Jan. 7 until 6 a.m. Jan. 8 at the Salvation Army on 10th Street in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner Robert McCann says moratoriums are needed in District 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 7, 2025
50-foot wetland buffers restored in Manatee County

Commissioner Robert McCann made a motion to restore the original language before the buffers were cut.

  • East County
  • News
On Jan. 1 residents of Seaplace Condominiums take part in the annual Polar Plunge.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 7, 2025
Seaplace Condominiums hosts its annual polar plunge for new year

On Jan. 1,residents jumped in the Gulf of Mexico to start the new year off fresh.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 15315 Anchorage Place sold for $6,295,000. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,997 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 7, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 16-27 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Anchorage Place tops the week's sales at $6.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A roundabout at the Ringling Boulevard/Pine Place intersection is in progress.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2025
Last planned Ringling roundabout opening delayed until spring

Supply chain and storm-related setbacks postpone the planned January opening of the roundabout at Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Participants of the Citizens Academy visit the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department for one of the sessions.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 7, 2025
Longboat Key readies for 2025 Citizens Academy class

The town of Longboat Key still has seats open for the upcoming Citizens Academy starting on Jan. 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former champion Ron Orlando hands Debra Quinn the 2024 YMCA Bridge Club trophy on Dec. 19 at the annual potluck luncheon.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 7, 2025
Bridge Club stimulates mental exercise at Lakewood Ranch YMCA

Members of the Lakewood Ranch YMCA Bridge Club say the game is challenging and fun.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River senior Alisson Gonzalez was a state meet qualifier last season in the 129-pound weight class.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 7, 2025
Braden River High has state title contenders in girls weightlifting

The Pirates look to defend their regional title in 2025.

  • East County
  • Sports
Local artist Trevor Bystrom and musical partner Peter Mawanga, from Malawi, Africa, performed their music for Lakewood Ranch on Dec. 18 at Ranch Nite Wednesday at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 7, 2025
Two musicians bridge gap between US and Africa

Regular Lakewood Ranch performer Trevor Bystrom unites with Malawian musician Peter Mawanga for a Waterside show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Resident reports loud music and screams from New Year's Eve partiers
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 7, 2025
Resident reports loud music and screams from New Year's Eve partiers

The responding officer heard some laughter, but no suspicious activity. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
MLS Commissioner Don Garber (right) speaks at the Bird Key Yacht Club with Gene Goldberg (left). Garber owns a property on Lido Key and has been coming to the area for decades.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 7, 2025
MLS Commissioner Don Garber speaks at Bird Key Yacht Club

Garber joined his old friend Gene Goldberg on stage as a part of the club's Seafarer's Speakers series.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Rev. Julia Piermont's installation service was held on Feb. 4 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 7, 2025
Christ Church of Longboat Key celebrates 20 years

Started by 25 Longboaters in 2004, the church will host a service on Jan. 12 to reminisce on all their progress throughout the years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Police Department.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 7, 2025
Town manager 'confident' about upcoming transition with Longboat PD

Following the departure of Chief of Police George Turner, Town Manager Howard Tipton said the town will stick with the interim chief until setting priorities for the new chief.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The rehabilitation hospital will be on Lake Osprey Drive.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 6, 2025
$30M rehab hospital breaks ground in Lakewood Ranch

The 40-bed rehabilitation facility is expected to open in 2026.

  • East County
  • News
Sheldon and Jo Meingarten shopping at Market on the Key.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 6, 2025
Market on the Key open for the season

From suncatchers to clothes to lunch, Markets By Nancy hosts a variety of vendors to appeal to everyone.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Our priority: Developers, people?
  • By Jon Thaxton
  • January 6, 2025
Our priority: Developers, people?

Former Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton responds to Matt Walsh's Dec. 24 column regarding the possible development near the Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Jim Roberts and Kasey Ray of Florida Suncoast Orchids in Myakka City, represented one of the more local vendors.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 6, 2025
Orchid show and sale ushers in the new year in colorful fashion

Orchid Delirium: Sarasota Orchid Society Annual Show and Sale allowed the public to take home new plants, and knowledge.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joe Di Bartolomeo is starting a resident volunteer board to connect communities in District 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 6, 2025
Former commission candidate finds new way to be involved in Manatee County

Joe Di Bartolomeo is starting a volunteer group for Manatee County residents living in District 5.

  • East County
  • News
This alley separates the Hyatt Regency property (right) and The Quay Block 1. Kolter Urban proposes to build above the west half of the alley at 15 feet.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 6, 2025
Quay developer appeals Kolter Urban Planning Board adjustment

The owner of Blocks 1 and 9 in The Quay claims Kolter Urban's plan to redevelop the adjacent Hyatt Regency property is in violation of multiple city code restrictions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mira Mar has stood on South Palm Avenue since 1923.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 4, 2025
Rezoning process begins for Mira Mar Plaza

Seaward Development had its first hearing before the city's Development Review Committee for its plan to save the historic Sarasota building and add two 18-story towers to the site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The band Funky Bonez brings a "Neon New Year Party" to the Green at UTC on Jan 2.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 3, 2025
Neon dance party packs The Green at University Town Center

Funky Bonez performed at 2025's first installment of UTC Live on the Green in Sarasota on Jan. 2.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 3, 2025
Lakewood Ranch real estate experts expect a steady sales year in 2025

Apprehension over storms, politics is fading, they say, while East County has many sales options.

  • East County
  • News
Sean Lisinski, Natalia Lagunes and Isaiah Lisinksi
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 2, 2025
Sarasota Memorial Hospital welcomes first baby of the new year

A boy was born early in the morning on Jan. 1 at SMH.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Tsunami swimmer Ava DiPasquale steadies herself before competing in the 2024 Gator Holiday Classic Dec. 6-8 in Ocala. DiPasquale, who turned 13 in December, broke Florida Swimming records in the 100-yard and 200-yard individual medley.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 2, 2025
East County swimmer in a lane of her own

Ava DiPasquale, a 13-year-old swimmer from Mill Creek, has established herself as one of the nation's top swimmers.

  • East County
  • Sports
A rendering of One Park by Imerza shows the 18-story residential tower on Block 1 of The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 2, 2025
Top stories to watch in Sarasota in 2025

From high-level retirements to what to do about the Van Wezel, 2025 will be a busy year in the city of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney junior Devin Mignery excelled in his first full year as the starting quarterback.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 2, 2025
What our Sarasota sports columnist can't wait to cover in 2025

On the water and on the land, Sarasota is set for a big sports year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
With the elementary portion of Lake Manatee K-8, right, opening in August 2025, and the middle school portion, being constructed on the left, opening in August 2026, the School District of Manatee County needs to redistrict in 2025.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 2, 2025
Redistricting among issues Manatee schools will face in 2025

With five new schools opening by 2027, the School Board of Manatee County will have to approve new school zones.

  • East County
  • Schools
The home at 1555 Sandpiper Lane was built in 2020 and has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,569 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 2, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 9-13 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Cocoanut Bayou home on Cedar Park Circle tops the week's sales at $10.35 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
All the way from California is the Briscoe Family; Back: Cody, Alicia, Jeff, Jeff, Jacob, Debbie, "the original Jeff'; Front: Kinsley, Walker and Wesley
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 2, 2025
Sarasota rings in 2025 with 25th annual block party and pineapple drop

The event, held downtown New Year's Eve, attracted more than 30,000 people to celebrate.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
What's ahead for Longboat Key projects in 2025
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 1, 2025
What's ahead for Longboat Key projects in 2025

Looking at the year to come, here are a few projects or topics that will likely move along.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Man's immigration papers disappear while working out of town
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2025
Man's immigration papers disappear while working out of town

Thinking it was abandoned, a man's roommate sent his suitcase allegedly containing important documents to his mother in Texas. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lois Barson, the President of Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 1, 2025
TBI president recounts how her childhood influenced her position

After it was there for her in a time of need, Lois Barson hopes to revitalize the membership at the Temple and guide it through the aftermath of the hurricanes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
SCF student LaShawn'te Lee, MTC students Emma Ramirez and Krystal Camacho, Scholarship Committee Chair Peg Buck and SCF Foundation Chair Chris Romine pose for a photo during the Palm Aire Women's Club Scholarship Luncheon.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 1, 2025
East County women's club aims to make a difference

The Palm Aire Women's Club raises money for charity and scholarships.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Construction is well underway on the 44th Avenue overpass.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 1, 2025
East County road projects to watch in 2025

The 44th Avenue East extension project will be wrapping up as work on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard begins.

  • East County
  • News
McNeal Elementary third-grade teacher Stacy Freeman is one of four finalists for the 2025 School District of Manatee County Educator of the Year award.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 1, 2025
McNeal Elementary teacher named a finalist for Educator of the Year

Through her 18 years of teaching, Stacy Freeman's work goes beyond the classroom

  • East County
  • Schools
The top 10 Sarasota athletes to watch in 2025
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 1, 2025
The top 10 Sarasota athletes to watch in 2025

These 10 athletes are poised to have special seasons in the new year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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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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