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Results for:

Alex Ortega started building a career for himself at Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay when he was 16 years old and new to the country.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • June 27, 2023
Alex Ortega built an American dream at Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay

Now 50 years old and the general manager, Ortega started working at the Siesta Key restaurant when he was only 16 and didn't speak English.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County is accepting applications for the Library Advisory Board. The new Lakewood Ranch branch is expected to open the first week in January.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • December 4, 2023
Manatee County seeks additional Library Advisory Board members

East County residents are eligible to apply for all four of the newly created seats on the board.

  • East County
  • News
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
Two-yeear-old Wells Whitehead and his mom Aston Whitehead visit with Santa before the Tara Holiday Golf Cart Parade Dec. 13.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • December 18, 2024
18 holes of community fun at Tara Golf and Country Club

Neighbors decorated their golf carts and themselves to enjoy the Tara Holiday Golf Cart Parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Love Gordon, Addison Riesen, Solomyn Hoinkas and Coco Claypoole show off their art made with recycled cardboard.
  • By Petra Rivera |
  • June 10, 2024
Home-school students present projects on Ocean Day

Mote's Ocean Day celebration challenges local home-school students to learn about ways to take care of Florida's waters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Riverview High offensive lineman Al Oliver.
  • By Ryan Kohn |
  • May 29, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Al Oliver

The Riverview High football offensive lineman has five NCAA Division I offers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch residents Marilyn and Marty Munce are regulars at Waterside Place.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • August 28, 2024
Manatee Community Concert Band rocks Waterside Place

The band played classics including "Moon River" for the August installment of Sights and Sounds.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Florence and the Spice Boys serves up Middle Eastern fusion cuisine.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • May 12, 2024
Middle Eastern fusion restaurant to open UTC location

Florence and the Spice Boys targets a fall opening in The West District at University Town Center.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ashley Eisenacher (10) is one of three freshmen on the Riverview High girls lacrosse team. Eisenacher had two goals against Lakewood Ranch.
  • By Ryan Kohn |
  • February 22, 2024
Riverview High girls lacrosse wants to show strength of whole team

The Rams already have top-tier scorers. Now they're building full-team depth.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dave Hughes serves to MaryAnn Miller and Deborah Richards
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • January 16, 2023
Pickleball tournaments start at Cedars

Tennis Resort & Club plans Thursday Games and Drinks nights.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Harold Newton's 1960 painting, "Clouds over the Coast," is part of the "The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections," which runs through Sept. 15 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • September 3, 2024
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Sept. 5-11

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Connor Heald.
  • By Ryan Kohn |
  • June 28, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Connor Heald

The Cardinal Mooney basketball player scored 39 points in a FABC camp game June 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Whitney Houston tribute show, "The Greatest Love of All," comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Jan. 3.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 31, 2024
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 2-8

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Circus Arts Conservatory founders Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs are stepping down from their management roles.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • November 19, 2024
Circus Arts Conservatory co-founders step down

Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs are succeeded by 16-year veteran Jennifer Mitchell, who has been named president and CEO.

  • Arts + Culture
Loree Pogue, Midge Saint, Lori Zandi and Jane Imperiale were bell-ringers for the Salvation Army in Lakewood Ranch.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • December 22, 2023
Salvation Army bell-ringers shatter fundraising goal in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch crew of Salvation Army bell-ringers smashed their goal of collecting $10,000 at Publix this holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Meals on Wheels Plus-Manatee's Maribeth Phillips and Daybreak Adult Day Center's Stefanie Guido hope the community continues to support the programs in 2025.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • January 29, 2025
Challenges remain imposing for Meals on Wheels Plus-Manatee

COVID, inflation and hurricanes leave more residents than ever in need of food and support.

  • East County
  • News
Mooney senior Hunter Sheffield rips a shot for a goal against Barron Collier. Sheffield had two goals in the game.
  • By Ryan Kohn |
  • May 2, 2024
Cardinal Mooney boys lacrosse handles the pressure

The Cougars secured the No. 1 seed in the regional tournament for the first time.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Martha Collins and Richard Russell, general director of The Sarasota Opera
  • By Lori Sax |
  • September 22, 2024
Sarasota Opera toasts to a new season with Food & Wine Festival

The annual tasting event Sept. 21 showcased the best bites from local restaurants while raising funds for the Sarasota Youth Opera.

  • Black Tie
Two 'suspicious' cars determined to be neighborly visitors
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • February 11, 2025
Two 'suspicious' cars determined to be neighborly visitors

The responding officer’s brief investigation found the two cars parked on the street belonged to people visiting nearby. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Corinne Arriaga (left) and Alvimarie Corales approach multimodal transportation from different perspectives.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • June 14, 2024
Dynamic duo leads implementation of Sarasota In Motion

Alvimarie Corales and Corinne Arriaga are the city's public faces, and sometimes lightning rods, of transportation planning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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