Your Observer

Amanda Sebastiano
May 27, 2014

Lakewood Ranch High School to host a forum for principal candidates

The three finalists competing for the principal position at Lakewood Ranch High School will meet from 6 to 8 p.m., May 27, in the school's auditorium, to field questions from faculty members and students.

East County
Schools

Kurt Schultheis
May 27, 2014

Developers make pitches for Colony estate today

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association still has time to to argue in court today and urge a bankruptcy judge to consider their offer for a bankrupt estate.

Longboat Key
News

Alex Mahadevan
May 27, 2014

Bayfront crash ends with death, arrest

Sarasota Police arrested 29-year-old Curt Lee Rud for allegedly causing an accident while driving the wrong way on Bayfront Drive early Saturday.

Sarasota
News

Kelsey Grau
May 27, 2014

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Smile for the Sea Turtles

Volunteers of the Longboat Key Turtle Watch received the proceeds from their recent wine tasting at Harry's Continental Kitchen from Lynn and Harry Christensen on May 27. The event drew over 100 people in an effort to raise money and awareness for sea turtles during their nesting season.

Longboat Key
News

Kelsey Grau
May 26, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Bird Key Yacht Club Memorial Day Poolside Picnic

Members of Bird Key Yacht Club celebrated Memorial Day with a poolside picnic on May 26. The Anna Maria String Band entertained attendees as they enjoyed cocktails and conversation.

Longboat Key
News

Jen Blanco
May 26, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota High Spring Football

The Sarasota High football team fell to visiting St. Petersburg High 44-0 in its spring game May 23.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
May 26, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Laxapalooza Lacrosse Tournament

More than 30 boys and girls competitive travel lacrosse teams, ranging in age from U9 to high school, competed in the Laxapalooza Lacrosse Tournament May 24 and May 25, at the Premier Sports Campus. The Monsters Lacrosse Academy U9 (4-0), U11 (2-1), U13 (3-0) and U15 (5-0) boys teams all won tournament titles.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 26, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Memorial Day Parade

Sarasota families celebrated Memorial Day with the annual Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 26, along Main Street. Veteran organizations, ROTC units and high school marching bands made their way down Main Street in honor of our nation's heroes.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Amanda Sebastiano
May 25, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: 'Tribute to Heroes' Memorial Day Parade

Red, white and blue colored the shirts of attendees of the 'Tribute to Heroes' Memorial Day Parade May 25, at Lakewood Ranch Main Street. More than 40 businesses and nonprofit organizations, in addition to students and veterans, converged to drive or walk for the thousands of bystanders who attended the annual patriotic event.

East County
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 25, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony

Sarasota National Cemetery held a Memorial Day ceremony Sunday, May 25. Veterans and their families attended the outdoor ceremony that honored those who have fallen. The event was led by Lt. Col. Lee Kichen and included color guard, drum line and performances by the Trinity Christian Fellowship Center Choir. "This is a time to remember," says key note speaker Manatee County Veterans Services Officer Lee Washington, "a time to reflect on the sacrifice."

Sarasota
Neighbors

Kelsey Grau
May 25, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Island Chapel Memorial Day Service

The Longboat Island Chapel honored veterans with a Memorial Day service May 25. Members of the church and community were treated to patriotic music, the procession of the colors and a presentation of four memorial wreaths.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Kelsey Grau
May 24, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: The Resort at Longboat Key Club's Memorial Day Barbecue

The Resort at Longboat Key Club held a Memorial Day barbecue on May 24. The beach event embraced the island atmosphere with a Jimmy Buffet-style musician and margaritas.

Longboat Key
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 23, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Cardinal Mooney Graduation

Cardinal Mooney seniors graduated Friday, May 23, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Friends and family attended the ceremony held in the theatre.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Alex Mahadevan
May 23, 2014

Minder enters County Commission race

Local engineer John Minder has filed to run for the District 4 seat on the Sarasota County Commission.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
May 23, 2014

Manatee schools see improvement

FCAT scores released today show learning gains by Manatee County public school students.

East County
News

By Ashley Munroe
May 23, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Brookside Middle School Flashmob

Brookside Middle School students celebrated the U.S. Constitution by organizing a flashmob Friday, May 23, in Island Park. The students spent a week preparing for the performance and arrived at Marina Jack ready to dance. 'I had so much fun,' says Shyann Smith. 'I love dancing and I was so proud of everyone.'

Sarasota
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 23, 2014

Town's fiscal transparency tool wins Public Technology Institute award

The new budget tool uses fiscal data that feeds directly from the finance department's database.

Longboat Key
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 23, 2014

Weekend Best Bet: Memorial Day Weekend

Remember our nation's heroes with one of the many events taking place in the Sarasota area this weekend.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
May 23, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Art Center Sarasota new exhibits

Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, opened a new cycle of exhibitions Thursday, May 23.

Arts + Culture

Jen Blanco
May 23, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River vs. Cardinal Mooney Spring Football

The Braden River High football team edged past Cardinal Mooney 8-0 in its spring game May 22.

Sarasota
Neighbors

David Conway
May 23, 2014

Closures scheduled for Memorial Day

Government offices will be closed in the city and county in observance of the holiday, and street closures are planned for Monday's parade.

Sarasota
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 22, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Our Sarasota Fund Giving Circle Reception

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County hosted a reception for its Our Sarasota Fund Giving Circle Thursday, May 22. The Community Foundation awarded more than $25,000 in support of Sarasota LFBT nonprofit and programs such as the ALSO Youth group.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 22, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: SMA Graduation

Sarasota Military Academy students graduated Thursday, May 22, at Robarts Arena. The arena was filled with families, friends and loved ones there to celebrate the seniors accomplishments. Before the ceremony, friends and family members visited the seniors as they prepared to go on stage.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
May 22, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Art and Music Festival

Bashaw Elementary School students celebrated the Far East May 22, during the school's annual Art and Music Festival.

East County
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 22, 2014

Census: Key population grows by 1.14%

Longboat Key's population increased to 7,082 in July 2013, according to data the U.S. Census Bureau released this week.

Longboat Key
News

David Conway
May 22, 2014

Selby Gardens CEO announces retirement

Thomas Buchter, who has served as the president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens since 2009, announced that he plans to retire in October.

Sarasota
News

Amanda Sebastiano
May 22, 2014

Commissioner talks transportation, growth with residents

District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh met with Esplanade residents May 21, in the community's clubhouse, to answer questions about transportation and growth in Lakewood Ranch.

East County
News

By John Morton
May 22, 2014

Budget season kicks off today at Town Hall

Commissioners are expected to discuss how to address a more than $600,000 budget deficit at a budget workshop today.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 22, 2014

The Good Book

For more than four decades, The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch resident Natalie Pearson has had a piece of history in her home - American poet Walt Whitman's Bible. Pearson and her late husband, Walter Whitman Swertfager, inherited the Bible from Swertfager's mother, who was a descendent of Whitman.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
May 22, 2014

Sarasota approves Villages project

Sarasota County commissioners unanimously approved an expansion to Lakewood Ranch Wednesday.

East County
News

Observer Staff
May 22, 2014

Redeemer welcomes new face

Sarasota's Church of the Redeemer welcomes the Rev. Charleston David Wilson as its new associate priest.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2014

FPL illuminates Girls Inc. with makeover

On May 8, Girls Inc. of Sarasota County received free energy upgrades from Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) with the help of local contractors as part of a nonprofit energy makeover.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2014

Take Stock in Children gives scholarships

Take Stock in Children, a Florida nonprofit with the goal of helping children by providing scholarships, mentors and optimism to low-income students, announces the graduation of 49 local high school seniors.