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Your Observer

A rendering of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System's new North Port hospital, which is scheduled to open in 2028.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 11, 2025
Hospital system breaks ground on new North Port facility

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System's new south county hospital will open with 100 beds and can be expanded to 400.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Wild Blue at Waterside home at 8512 Sandpoint St. sold for $1.94 million. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool, and 3,802 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 11, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 27-31 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Reserve at Harbour Walk topped the week’s sales at $4.025 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Longboat Key Club Key Niners brought their A-game for a bit of friendly competition at their opener tee off for The Women's Nine Hole Golf Association on Nov. 6.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 11, 2025
Longboat Key Golf Club welcomes back winter players

The Longboat Key Club Key Niners started off a new season on Nov. 6 with a few friendly rounds of golf, luncheon and fashion show.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jessica Muroff has been CEO of the United Way Suncoast since 2019.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 11, 2025
Community Foundation of Sarasota County names new CEO

The new leader, Jessica Muroff, has held leadership roles with United Way Suncoast and Girl Scouts of West Central Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Longboat Key Town Commission and Sarasota County Commission met at Longboat Key Town Hall Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 11, 2025
Town Green Library remains on path to completion

Community leaders from St. Armands Key also shared concerns about stormwater drainage during a joint meeting of Longboat Key and Sarasota County leaders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bogdan Zverev poses for a photo on Nov. 10 after a Sarasota Sharks practice at Selby Aquatic Center. The senior is headed to Alabama next fall, but first, he's playing a major role for Sarasota boys' swimming and diving in pursuit of a state title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 11, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Bogdan Zverev

The senior for Sarasota boys' swimming and diving brought home four golds at FHSAA regionals.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sue Wertman from Christ Church of Longboat Key, Britney Vela, pantry manager at Our Daily Bread, and Mark McLaughlin, board president of Our Daily Bread of Bradenton.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 10, 2025
Christ Church blown away by donations

Christ Church of Longboat Key hosted its most successful food and diaper collection to date for Our Daily Bread.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Alyssa Rico and her twin Andrea Rico, 11, stand beside crochet items that Andrea made.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 10, 2025
Fall festival at McIntosh Middle becomes more of a tradition

The annual Sarasota event featured games, a petting zoo, food trucks, local vendors and other offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Main Street will be closed from 3 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 for the annual Veterans Day Parade. Osprey Avenue from Ringling Boulevard to Second Street will also be closed.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 10, 2025
Main street to close on Tuesday for Veterans Day parade

Closures begin at 3 a.m. Tuesday in downtown Sarasota from Links Avenue to Bayfront Drive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Debra Sauers, Mimi Dolan, Sharon Meier, Melanie Dale and Patricia Geldermann discuss the season's upcoming events at the Longboat Key Garden Club's welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 5 at Café on St. Armands.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 10, 2025
Garden club springs forward into new season

Members of the Longboat Key Garden Club reconnected and started planning new beautification efforts at their first meeting of the season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Vincent Van Slyck keeps his flag waving during the Tribute to Heroes Parade Nov. 9 at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2025
Tribute to Heroes Parade salutes veterans

The Lakewood Ranch event made its November debut after shifting from its traditional Memorial Day Weekend spot.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Premier Sports Campus has brought top soccer competitions to Lakewood Ranch over the years.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 10, 2025
US Soccer might be gone, but Lakewood Ranch remains a soccer destination

Premier Sports Campus once hosted the U-17 Men's National Team, but a national training facility in Georgia has changed the complex's focus.

  • East County
  • Sports
At a Junior Achievement "Discovery Center'' in Tampa, elementary-aged students run a mock city.Two similar facilities are proposed to be set up at Emma Booker Elementary and Booker Middle schools in Sarasota.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 10, 2025
Sarasota school district sets in motion sweeping vision for future

Sarasota County Schools approves a plan to attract students and eliminate empty seats.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Debbie Trice (left) and Kathy Kelley Ohlrich are the new mayor and vice mayor of Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 10, 2025
New mayor calls hiring city manager the first order of business

After two years at the helm of the city, Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert has passed the gavel to Debbie Trice.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key is hosting a free seminar on antisemitism on Nov. 16. Registration is required.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 10, 2025
Temple to host community seminar on combating antisemitism

Seminar leaders hope to empower Temple Beth Israel community members to support their neighbors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota High School Color Guard members Madisen Dwarika, Lindsey Nelson, Cyleigh Harrington and Camila Cavazos prepare to start off the celebration of Veterans Day and the Town of Longboat Key's 70th anniversary on Nov. 8 at the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 9, 2025
Veterans celebrated at Longboat's 70th anniversary

Attendees at the combined Veterans Day and town anniversary celebration joined in singalongs and other holiday tributes to those who served.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A giant helium-filled nutcracker takes a bow during the 2025 Santa's Grand Arrival Parade Nov. 8 at University Town Center in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2025
University Town Center delivers parade thrills under the wire in Sarasota

High-wire artists Nik and Lijana Wallenda thrill thousands with a criss cross stunt, and then the parade floats through the mall area.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The boathouse and events center planned for Nathan Benderson Park is expected to cost between $60 million and $70 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2025
Fundraising campaign begins for Benderson Park boathouse/events center

With schematics mostly finished, NBP Conservancy looks toward a first quarter of 2028 completion date.

  • East County
  • News
Evan Prince, a second grader at Freedom Elementary, poses next to his masterpiece, "Warm Colored Sky."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 9, 2025
Manatee River Artists Guild celebrates 20 years of collaboration

Waterlefe residents and grade school students raise money each year for two local schools.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tom and Sherry Koski (center) were recognized for their $5 million investment in Sarasota Orchestra’s, Music Center during the concert season’s first Masterworks Dinner. Also pictured are Orchestra President and CEO Joe McKenna (left) and Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 9, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra receives $5 million gift for new music venue

The gift from local philanthropic leaders Tom and Sherry Koski brings to $75 million in donations toward the planned Sarasota Orchestra Music Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tommy Bahama CEO Doug Wood said he is thrilled with how the rebuilding of the restaurant and retail space at 465 John Ringling Blvd. turned out, especially the indoor bar area.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 8, 2025
Tommy Bahama celebrates grand return to St. Armands Circle

The combined restaurant and retail store invited guests to join in recognizing the official return after rebuilding from last year's hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sheriff Kurt Hoffman says his department is annually happily surprised that the response gets bigger and bigger.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 8, 2025
Sarasota Sheriff's Office kicks off toy drive Dec. 1

The toy drive benefits Teen Court of Sarasota, the All Star Children's Foundation the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and other organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This rendering offers a glimpse of the multi-building concept for the new high school slated for the corner of Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 7, 2025
Plans for a second high school in Lakewood Ranch debated due to traffic

Some Manatee County commissioners argued that Lorraine Road should be widened before adding more traffic to the area.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cape Coral's John Svidroniv IV paints himself green as a goblin for the Sarasota Medieval Fair, where creatures of all shapes and sizes gather for a magical day.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 7, 2025
Sarasota Medieval Fair returns with themed weekends all November

Live performances, vendors, food, costumes and more bring fair goers into another world.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sisterhood for Good's Glo Reber not only shows off the first prize of the night, a $1,200 Stella McCartney tote, but her numbers were then called and she won the bag.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 7, 2025
Sisterhood for Good's gamble for charity was in the bag

A record 293 players showed up for the annual fundraiser at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Crowds enjoyed the slightly cooler autumnal weather while strolling around St. Armands Circle for the fine art festival on Oct. 18-19.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 7, 2025
Check out free St. Armands art fest this weekend

Admission is free to this annual art show, which will feature mixed-media artists, painters and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County will expand its pilot program countywide to give ambulances priority at traffic lights.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 7, 2025
Emergency traffic-light system expands in Manatee

A successful trial run prompts broader rollout, including Lakewood Ranch intersections.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • November 6, 2025
Americo Borza

Americo Borza, a true “Sarasotan” born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on May 5, 1942, passed away on September 22, 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The Bay park recently marked three-years since opening Phase 1.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 6, 2025
Remodeled Chidsey Library marks another milestone in The Bay

As Phase 2 work on The Bay park nears completion, planning for Phase 3 in underway to complete transformation of the 53-acre cite into Sarasota's signature park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Joel Morris (center) prepares to receive the snap alongside senior running back/safety Jacobey Mobley (left). The senior quarterback threw for 23 touchdowns and 1,803 yards with no interceptions during the 2025 regular season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 6, 2025
Resurgent quarterback guides Booker football to dominance

Senior quarterback Joel Morris led the Tornadoes to a 9-1 regular season after suffering a season-ending leg injury in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 6, 2025
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC

The Santa's Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 8 is sure to attract more than 15,000 spectators in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Unit 128 condominium at 1299 Tamiami Trail was built in 2003 and has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,206 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 6, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 20-24 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home in Cocoanut Bayou on Cedar Park Circle tops the week’s sales at $4.3 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Future medical site plan in Newtown moves forward
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 6, 2025
Future medical site plan in Newtown moves forward

Investors who want to transform the 14-acre Marian Anderson site into a medical and industrial development win unanimous Sarasota City Commission approval.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Valerie DiLorenzo, Janice Boring and Silvia Flores perform a book signing.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 6, 2025
Group of seniors becomes first-time authors with memoir writing program

The new Gussin Center for Creative Writing at Senior Friendship Centers helped to publish the work of memoirists in "Joyful Journeys, Vol. 1."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Midnight Pass on Oct. 17, 2024, looking from Little Sarasota Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricanes Helene and Milton opened up the Pass after it was closed in 1983.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 6, 2025
Midnight Pass monitoring funded for another year

Sarasota County approves $500,000 to continue the program to watch for changes in waterway.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Orlando Health owns land off State Road 70 at Crossland Trail in Manatee County.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • November 6, 2025
Orlando health care system plans Lakewood Ranch expansion

Orlando Health has acquired property in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
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  • December 14, 2025
Eat, drink and be merry like you're in a 'Home Alone' movie
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Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
3
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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