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Your Observer | All

District 72 Rep. Bill Conerly, FDOT's John Kubler, Commissioner Bob McCann, Commissioner George Kruse and former Commissioner Carol Whitmore handle ribbon-cutting duties for the 44th Avenue Extension Aug. 4.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 6, 2025
Joyous occasion for Manatee County, but more drama on the way

The opening of 44th Avenue extension deserves celebration, but commissioners and SMR are headed for confrontation.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch resident Arelis Calkins sees life as a beautiful thing despite traumatic experiences in her life. She shares stories and advice in her book "Rising Above Adversity: Healing and Nurturing your Inner Child."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 6, 2025
Lakewood Ranch author writes about blazing path through childhood trauma

"Rising Above Adversity: Healing and Nurturing your Inner Child” documents Arelis Calkins' personal struggles and how she overcame them.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brenda Jameson, a permitted volunteer, shows the public one of the unhatched loggerhead turtle eggs from a nest excavated for research purposes. A total of 87 eggs hatched from the early nest, while only three hadn't.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 6, 2025
First Longboat Key evening turtle nest excavation in years takes place

At the mid-point of the turtle hatching season, Longboat Key has seen record-breaking nest numbers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County commissioners approve the purchase of Mixon Fruit Farms for $13.5 million July 29, exactly two years after the farm's last day of business.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 6, 2025
Manatee County moves forward with Mixon Fruit Farms purchase

The property will be purchased for $13.5 million and be developed into a living museum, a library and other public uses.

  • East County
  • News
Cheryl Medow's 2014 photo "White Ibis with Fish" overlooks Sarasota Bay in "The High Life" exhibition at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 6, 2025
An eye-catching exhibition of bird photography lands at Selby Gardens

"The High Life" captures our feathered friends in nature, museums and studios.

  • Arts + Culture
Coco Claypoole, who recently founded the Florida branch of the youth environmental group Bubbles of Hope, prepares for a Sunday morning dive in Venice.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 6, 2025
Teen diver takes initiative cleaning up local waters

Inspired by her watery surroundings on Longboat Key, 15-year-old Coco Claypoole recently started her own scuba-certified youth cleanup crew in Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 650 Penfield St. was built in 1978 and has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,579 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 6, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for July 21-25 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Sleepy Lagoon Park on Penfield St. tops the week’s sales at $1.05 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch football coach Scott Paravicini is aiming to lead the Mustangs to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 14 years.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 6, 2025
Rivalries among top East County fall sports events

A pair of key volleyball matches is on the schedule in August.

  • East County
  • Sports
Workers with Kearns Construction Company, who have been leading the charge installing the new "living wall" at Bayfront Park on Longboat Key, said plenty of parkgoers have been curiously inquiring about the project.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 6, 2025
Living wall comes to life on Longboat Key

A project to improve water quality at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park is only a few weeks from completion and already starting to meet its goal.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High golfer Emily Storm wants to make one last run at the state championships this fall as a senior.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 6, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Emily Storm

The Lakewood Ranch High golfer has committed to play for Austin Peay.

  • East County
  • Sports
The final leg of the 44th Avenue East extension project will open to drivers on Aug. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 6, 2025
44th Avenue East extension into Lakewood Ranch welcomes drivers Aug. 9

The project that took over $268 million and over 50 years to come to fruition is complete.

  • East County
  • News
Man arrested on charge of assault with canned goods
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 6, 2025
Man arrested on charge of assault with canned goods

After being called a racially charged word, a man responded by hurling canned food at a woman, causing a minor injury. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Commissioners George Kruse, Bob McCann and Amanda Ballard debate the merits of a curfew for residents under the age of 17 at the Aug. 5 commission meeting.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 5, 2025
Kids 16 and under in Manatee County face possible curfew

Commissioners directed the county attorney to draft an ordinance to establish a curfew in unincorporated Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Ballet School names new principal
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 5, 2025
Sarasota Ballet School names new principal

Alberto Blanco succeeds Jennifer Welch Cudnik, who has moved to Kansas City Ballet School.

  • Arts + Culture
Chef Fred Lugano dishes up pulled pork at Christ Church of Longboat Key's Aug. 3 fundraiser to support those recovering from severe flooding in Texas.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 5, 2025
Texas flood survivors gain support from Longboat Key church

Congregation members raised more than $21,000 to support the recovering community, inspired by familial connections.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.
  • July 24, 2026
The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event
2
Larry Debb of GSP Development with a scale model of Saravela at the development's sales center.
  • July 24, 2026
City staff instructed to develop condo-hotel policy
3
Danae Tran plays the violin for Longboat Island Chapel attendees of the July 19 morning service before she and fellow scholarship recipient Michelle McLeod move to greet guests at the award reception.
  • July 24, 2026
Scholars celebrated at Longboat Island Chapel award reception
4
Cindy and Chris Common
  • July 23, 2026
Final Manasota Track Club beach run to memorialize late members
5
Sarasota Police Department K-9 Kodak seems ready for deployment with handler Officer Ryan Block.
  • July 23, 2026
Police work is dogged determination for SPD's K-9 Unit

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