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Your Observer | All

    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 16, 2020
Mote releases rehabilitated sea turtle into Gulf of Mexico

Longboat Key's Public Works Department assisted in the release.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Patti Papiano says her husband, Ray Papiano, has become obsessed with adding decorations to their light display each year. They have more than 40 light-up fixtures and 50 strands of lights in their display. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch man's obsession shines bright

Lakewood Ranch couple's home lights up the street every holiday season.

  • East County
  • News
Teddy and Rebecca Blitz. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Burro will ring in new year in east Bradenton

Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy receives a burro.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 16, 2020
Longboat Key has new generation

For the first time in decades, a majority of commissioners will be under age 70. Will that change the town’s path? Meantime, Florida has a post-election challenge: how to keep Florida Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 16, 2020
Eta's effects: 220 flooded homes, 275,000 cubic yards of missing sand

Even with Eta's effects on Longboat Key, wind damage was minimal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rob Oglesby, the development director for Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, says the pandemic has been perfect timing for the nonprofit to construct its new facilities.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Purr-fect expansion schedule at Nate's

Lakewood Ranch animal rescue will see flurry of activity over the next three months.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Paul Sharff, the CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, talk about the new Mobile Learning Lab. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
School Board of Manatee County to determine superintendent's future

School Board of Manatee County to make decision on superintendent contract.

  • East County
  • News
District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh was selected by her fellow commissioners Tuesday to be the 2021 Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 15, 2020
Manatee County Commissioners select Vanessa Baugh as chairman

District 5 commissioner Vanessa Baugh will head Manatee County Commission in 2021.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County commissioners approved a motion Tuesday to designate the section of 44th Avenue from Bradenton's First Street West to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as the Honorable State Senate President Bill Galvano Parkway.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 15, 2020
Stretch of 44th Avenue in East County named for former Florida Senate President Bill Galvano

Manatee County road will honor former Florida Senate president Bill Galvano.

  • East County
  • News
Administrators surprise Kari Johnson, a kindergarten teacher at Fruitville Elementary School. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 15, 2020
Finalists named for Sarasota Teacher of the Year

The finalists teach at Fruitville Elementary, Sarasota Military Academy Prep, Alta Vista Elementary and Booker High School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Eileen Parker with the School District of Manatee County's Food and Nutrition Services hands out lunches during the summer food program. Students will be able to pick up meals for winter break on Dec. 21 and Dec. 28. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2020
Manatee County schools offer free meals during winter break

Manatee County families can pick up free meals at Haile Middle and Myakka Elementary in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
First Step CEO Gwen MacKenzie discusses the Behavioral Health Response Team program during a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Kreisman Center Crisis Stabilization Unit.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 15, 2020
First Step, law enforcement launch crisis intervention program

The Behavioral Health Response Team is an initiative designed to produce better outcomes for individuals dealing with issues related to mental health and substance abuse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A memorial featuring a plaque, a portrait of Shackelford and his favorite painting hangs in the school's media center. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 15, 2020
Sarasota High remembers teacher with memorial, scholarship

Robert Shackelford was a teacher at Sarasota High School. He died after testing positive for COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Here is a rendering of the proposed Sage Longboat Key condominium development at 4651 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 15, 2020
Longboat OKs development of Sage condos

The Planning and Zoning Board approved Sage's site development plan and a special exception.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 15, 2020
Sally Elizabeth Daneman

Sally Elizabeth Daneman, of Bradenton Florida; (formerly of Lincroft, NJ) passed away Wednesday December 9, 2020 due to complications from Covid.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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1
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
2
Artist JC Wayne hangs the ninth and final piece in her series "Atomic Universe," the latest installation at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. The display will be up throughout the holiday season.
  • December 19, 2025
Artist delves into ideas of existence at Longboat exhibition
3
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
4
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
5
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

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