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Your Observer

Sandbar Seafood & Spirit is one of three Manatee County waterfront restaurants Chiles Hospitality has sold.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 18, 2024
Chiles Hospitality sells Mar Vista and 2 other beachfront restaurants

A St. Petersburg-based restaurant group also purchases Anna Maria Bake House and Chiles Hospitality's events department.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Voter registration deadline for August primary election is fast approaching
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 18, 2024
Voter registration deadline for August primary election is fast approaching

Registration and party affiliation changes must be done by July 22.

  • Sarasota
  • News
McIntosh Middle School students Kuba Mohrbacher and Anna Dulovich participated in a robotics competition with the Technology Student Association.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2024
An array of STEM opportunities awaits in Sarasota's schools

With offerings from dual enrollment engineering programs to a full-size planetarium, the district continues to emphasize STEM education.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Christian Garzia pushes off defenders during a Sarasota Surge rugby match. Garzia is an advocate of his brother, Rocco, who has Prater-Willi syndrome.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 18, 2024
Sports mean more than on-field results to these local athletes

Leadership and self-confidence are skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

  • East County
  • Schools
STEM programs can lead to opportunities to participate in world competitions. Robert E. Willis Elementary's Kaitlyn McIntrye, Aly Martinez, Jelena Konatar and Izzy Nunez partiicpated in the world VEX competition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 18, 2024
STEM programs open world of opportunities in Manatee schools

The school district adjusts to to meet students' interest in STEM programs.

  • East County
  • Schools
Visit Sarasota County works to attract nature tourism, capitalizing on activities such as kayaking at The Bay park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 18, 2024
Seasonal visitor numbers down as travel normalizes after pandemic

Visit Sarasota County reports a 9% drop in visitors during season.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jackson Hostetler fishes with the camp the week of July 15.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2024
Fishing camp passes down knowledge and experience

"Paying attention to the smaller stuff is definitely what makes the biggest difference."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police investigates Thursday overnight shooting
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 18, 2024
Sarasota Police investigates Thursday overnight shooting

No injuries were reported in the incident at the 2100 block of Waldemere Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stacy Copeland, a rising third grader at Braden River Elementary School, shows off the page she wrote in Spanish about manatees.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 18, 2024
Dual language programs on the rise in Manatee County

Five elementary schools have dual language programs, and the district hopes to expand to middle school.

  • East County
  • Schools
McIntosh Middle School students Skyler Rissler, Baylee Wallingford and Kinleigh Souders with their rabbits Marvel, Finn and Velvet
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2024
Agricultural scene emerges in Sarasota’s school district

New programs are being implemented, while the district prepares to open The Farm, a revamped facility at McIntosh Middle School for raising livestock and other activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Dreamer's Academy has now installed a dual-language library.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2024
Interest grows in dual language programming within Sarasota school district

Dreamers Academy helped introduce the learning model in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School's Kennedy Hoeper, Emma Syfert and Kendall Huerta say the future of agriculture is bright. They each plan to have careers in some facet of agriculture.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 18, 2024
Future of agriculture grows strong in Manatee County

Students say they are ready to enter the industry despite any challenges.

  • East County
  • Schools
Construction takes place on the K-8 at Skye Ranch.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2024
Major construction projects on the way for Sarasota schools

Sarasota County Schools is building two new schools, in addition to pursuing school facility replacements and renovations.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Parents wait in their cars for dismissal at Braden River Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 18, 2024
How to have a successful car line

The car line doesn't have to be something you dread. Check out these tips on how to get through the car line safely while having fun.

  • East County
  • Schools
Food Services Manager Melissa Phillips
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2024
Riverview High staffer reflects on years with the district

After joining the school district in 1998, Melissa Phillips, a food and nutrition services manager, says there’s still nowhere she’d rather be.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Progress continues on the renovation of Carlos E. Haile Middle School. The project is estimated to be complete in December.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 18, 2024
Manatee schools continues construction on east Bradenton projects

Some East County schools will see new classrooms in the 2024-2025 school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fruitville Elementary student Summer Medvecky heads to the car with ESE Paraprofessional Cluster Aide Tammy Gauntt.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2024
The ins and outs of pick-up and drop-off

Parents and a school principal offer their advice on successfully navigating the scene of pick-up or drop-off time.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Patricia Heffner, the head custodian at Freedom Elementary School, has been with the School District of Manatee County for 26 years.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 18, 2024
Freedom Elementary custodian takes pride in 26 years with Manatee schools

Patricia Heffner's love for cleanliness shows in her work.

  • East County
  • Schools
This home at 1624 Baywood Way (front) has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,060 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 18, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for July 1-5 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey and Nokomis

A home in Casey Key home tops the week's sales at $3.65 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The courtyard of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2024
Looking for things to do in Sarasota? She wrote the bucket list.

Kelly Stilwell is the author of the recently released book “100 Things to Do in Sarasota Before You Die.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lola Bartolomeo, 10, learns the aerial silks.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2024
Circus Summer Camp teaches kids the art of performance

Circus Arts Conservatory offers the chance for children to discover new skills and grow confidence.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
From left, Kerry Joyce, Todd Sweet, Ronan Dunphy and Jerry Sparkman addressed attendees at the 'Meet the Architects' workshop for the planned Sarasota Performing Arts Center.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 18, 2024
SPAC architects meet with residents for first design workshop

Renzo Piano Building Workshop architects meet with community as they begin concept design for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • July 18, 2024
Hospital Staff is 'Responsive and Reassuring'

“I felt I was in good hands,” says Mark Mattis, 66, of Lakewood Ranch, a U.S. Air Force veteran and former sales executive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Trine l. Alfaro
  • July 18, 2024
Empowering Minds: Parrish & North River Charter Academies

Give us a call to schedule a tour at Parrish Charter Academy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By State College of Florida Advanced Technology Center
  • July 18, 2024
Youth+Innovation STEM Programs at the State College of Florida Advanced Technology Center

SCF offers a dynamic range of pre-college workshops, camps, homeschool classes, and after-school activities designed to give students a head start in STEM fields.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sponsored Content
Volunteers packed 250 backpacks with school supplies during the Pack the Patrol Car fundraiser in August 2019 to hand out to Sarasota students.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2024
Help Sarasota Police 'Pack the Patrol Car'

The school supply drive by SPD and Sarasota City YMCA continues through Aug. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gail Bowers, a kindergarten teacher at Fruitivlle Elementary, works with student Marina Prybylski.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 17, 2024
Property tax referendum funds career pathways, teacher retention

Voters will decide whether to renew a property tax referendum in November.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Alec Henderson, a recent graduate of the diesel systems program at Manatee Technical College, looks over a truck engine. He's already had been offered a job at Ring Power, a local construction machinery dealer.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • July 17, 2024
Dual enrollment programs give students a head start on promising careers

East County options can suit a variety of career paths.

  • East County
  • Schools
Andres Rodriguez, who graduated in May from Booker High School and Suncoast Technical College's digital video technology program, puts finishing touches on a music video he made as a graduation project.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • July 17, 2024
Dual enrollment option gives Sarasota students a head start on a career

Sarasota options can suit a variety of career paths.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
An oak snag in the front yard of Susan and John Darovec of Braden Woods is beneficial to wildlife, such as this red-bellied woodpecker.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 17, 2024
Dead trees bring the show to life in Braden Woods

Snags prove to be an important source of food and shelter for area wildlife, such as woodpeckers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
More roundabouts planned for Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2024
More roundabouts planned for Lakewood Ranch

Manatee County is working with Lakewood Ranch developers on a series of roundabouts from University Parkway to State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 486 E. Royal Flamingo Drive sold for $2.8 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 17, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for July 1-5 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Royal Flamingo Drive tops the week's sales at $5.7 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Mississippi State student Maxwell Gebhart examines the invasive tape grass in the wild. He's used to seeing it in a lab.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2024
Biologists slowly ridding the Braden River of tape grass

Students study the invasive species that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been working to eradicate from the Braden River.

  • East County
  • News
Holiday traffic frustration prompts two road rage incidents
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2024
Holiday traffic frustration prompts two road rage incidents

Drivers exit their vehicles to block the path of others during two incidents over the July 4 weekend. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Traffic circulates around the new roundabout at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue on its first day of operation.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 17, 2024
Data shows efficiency of Gulfstream roundabout at peak hours

FDOT data helps engineers understand the efficiency of roadway improvements like the Gulfstream roundabout.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This empty city-owned lot along Laurel Avenue between Payne Parkway and South Washington Boulevard could become home to a new theater to be developed by the Sarasota Players.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 17, 2024
The Players' new theater heads to South Washington Boulevard

The Sarasota City Commission instructs staff to draft a lease that moves the proposed project outside Payne Park but still includes Payne Park Auditorium.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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