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Your Observer

Navy veteran John Hynal shares Operation Eco Vets' mission at a farmers market.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 24, 2023
Operation Eco Vets looks for new home to host programs

The East County nonprofit supports veterans by providing opportunities to learn sustainability skills.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 24, 2023
SPD investigates overnight shooting near St. Armands Circle

The shooting occurred shortly before 1 a.m. Monday near the intersection of Jackson Drive and South Washington Drive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An aerial view of floating solar panels cell platform on a body of water.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 24, 2023
City to permit floating solar power panels in comprehensive plan

State statute mandates solar generation, floating or ground mounted, be allowed in permitted zoning districts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
People mingling at Summer Night Out at Whitney Beach Plaza
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 23, 2023
Summer Night Out hosts local shoppers for community bonding

Businesses at Whitney Beach Plaza hosted Longboat residents for food, drinks and shopping.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ronald and Marcia Owens say they do most things together, but they especially have fun delivering meals together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 23, 2023
Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee volunteers add extra care into delivery

Lakewood Ranch residents Ronald and Marcia Owens have been delivering meals for the nonprofit for over 13 years.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John Mcclain tours PGT Innovations, a custom windows and doors manufacturer. Students are learning about the manufacturing process, safety protocols and available jobs through The Haven's vocational summer camp.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 22, 2023
The Haven's camp works at getting jobs for those in need

A four-week camp in Sarasota introduced students to job opportunities with local manufacturers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rendering of an entrance into Siesta Promenade.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 22, 2023
Parallel parking plan causes friction for Siesta Promenade

Neighbors of the planned Benderson project convinced Sarasota County's Planning Commission to recommend against approval of the traffic-calming measure.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 21, 2023
Sarasota man arrested on child pornography charges

Hundreds of images were found on a computer belonging to a 51-year-old man.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Holly Ye recently completed a software engineering bootcamp through the State College of Florida Coding Academy. She is an educator transitioning to a career as a fullstack web developer.
    By
  • James Peter
  • July 21, 2023
The road to higher education for Sarasota and Manatee students has changed

Students face more competitive college admissions, shifting career pathways and increased expectations from employers.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Booker Middle gym teacher Kyle Mason said kids are more likely to want to wear their own clothes during class than when he was in school.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 21, 2023
Modern-day gym class focuses on getting kids moving

Gym teachers say they want their students to form a habit of being active.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cheryl Hughes is the Exceptional Student Education Gifted Coordinator while Nicole Cox heads Exceptional Student Education for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 21, 2023
Gifted student eligibility requires a complete package

IQ, motivation, leadership and more figured into the equation before moving a student into the gifted program.

  • East County
  • Schools
Chief of Longboat Key Police Department George Turner and Town Commissioner Gary Coffin
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 21, 2023
Longboat Key police chief outlines department goals at Kiwanis Club meeting

Chief George Turner described recruitment and retention challenges the department has faced.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
John Saputo's Gold Coast Eagle Distributing will supply all the beer products to the new World Champions Cup that will be held Dec. 7, 8, 10 at The Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 21, 2023
Gold Coast Eagle Distributing lands major role at World Champions Cup

The Lakewood Ranch distributor will handle all beer provisions and sales at the international golf event hosted by The Concession.

  • East County
  • Business
SunCoast Blood Centers parked the "Blood Vessel" outside of Town Hall on July 19 and collected 13 units of blood.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 21, 2023
Longboat Key drive collects enough blood to save as many as 39 lives

The July 19 blood drive sponsored by the town of Longboat Key saw the donation of 13 units of blood.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kaytlyn Fleming, who is 7, makes the most of her time in the YMCA pool. Fleming says swimming is her favorite activity at camp.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 20, 2023
Swimming, reading just two activities offered at the YMCA summer camp

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA provides plenty of activities to keep children entertained during the summer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Riverview High School Mock Trial Club simulate a murder trial at the Sarasota Bar Association's 12th Judicial Circuit High School Mock Trial Competition.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 20, 2023
Extracurricular activities evolve to suit students' interests

With so many differing interests among students, faculty at Sarasota and Manatee county schools are rising to the challenge and introducing new clubs and activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Longboat Island Chapel got creative when decorating for their "Wipe It Clean" charity event.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 20, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel charity event collects truckload of toilet paper

The toilet paper collected during the July event was donated to Stillpoint Mission in Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ballet students at Booker High School in Sarasota.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 20, 2023
Manatee, Sarasota school districts work to boost arts programs

After arts programs saw lower involvement as a result of the pandemic, schools are boosting their offerings.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota County Schools plans to rebuild Garden Elementary School in Venice while keeping the current building in operation.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 20, 2023
New schools on the way in Sarasota

Three new schools are being constructed to address growth in the central and southern part of the county.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Tara Elementary School will undergo a renovation and addition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 20, 2023
Construction projects progress at east Bradenton schools in new school year

Additions or renovations will take place at Freedom and Tara elementary schools, Haile Middle and Lakewood Ranch High.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cardinal Mooney senior running back Carson Beach will try to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 20, 2023
New Cardinal Mooney AD returns to his roots to boost Cougars

Rafael Fernandez is a 1991 graduate of the school, where he played on the baseball team.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 20, 2023
Sarasota police seek help in vehicle crimes spree

Burglaries and thefts of Kia, Hyundai and Chevrolet models have been reported.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Terrence Connor was selected as superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 20, 2023
New Sarasota superintendent describes his holistic approach to education

Terrence Connor brings a history of experience in education, having previously held roles including principal, chief academic officer and deputy superintendent.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Noah Rueping, a rising senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, volunteers as a camp counselor for the school's FFA summer camp to earn hours toward Bright Futures.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 20, 2023
A guide to the Bright Futures Scholarship program

Every student in Florida can attend can receive a post-secondary education for less money through the Bright Futures Scholarship program.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jason Wysong has been named the next superintendent of the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 20, 2023
Manatee schools' new superintendent ready to impact more students

Throughout his career, Jason Wysong has been looking for the next opportunity to make a bigger impact.

  • East County
  • Schools
This $6.75 million home at 1406 Kimlira Lane has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,604 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 20, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for July 3-7 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home in Kimlira tops the week’s sales at $6.75 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Mixon Fruit Farms has been a staple in Manatee County for decades.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 20, 2023
Mixon Fruit Farms leaves a legacy of making memories in Bradenton

Mixon Fruit Farms prepares to close July 29 after 84 years in operation.

  • East County
  • News
City of Sarasota staff expects any developments that may result from the Live Local Act would more closely resemble Lofts on Lemon than a downtown high rise.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 20, 2023
Could Florida's Live Local Act mean affordable housing in high-rises?

The Sarasota City Commission heard about the details, and the likelihood, of new attainable units in high-rise buildings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A collage of 1950 portraits of MacKinlay Kantor
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • July 20, 2023
Too big for words: Siesta Key’s forgotten ‘king’

He died deep in debt, but MacKinlay Kantor wrote bestsellers, won fiction’s great prizes, hung with Hemingway and brought celebrities to Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The city of Sarasota is exploring future uses of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall once a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center is built.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 20, 2023
City names committee members to explore options for Van Wezel

The Sarasota City Commission selected a seven-member Purple Ribbon Committee to study possible reuse of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The chickens line up for a dust bath in a restaurant bus tub.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 19, 2023
Sentinel chickens used to monitor Manatee County mosquitos

Flocks of chickens across the county keep tabs on three mosquito-borne viruses.

  • East County
  • News
Retired Sarasota attorney William Getzen died Tuesday.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 19, 2023
Longtime Sarasota attorney and resident William Getzen dies at 91

A career-long fixture at Williams Parker, Getzen was "a pioneer in the practice of condominium law."

  • Sarasota
  • News
White-tailed deer often travel in groups. If you see a deer crossing a road or on a road's shoulder, please slow down as more deer are bound to follow.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • July 19, 2023
Even in protected habitats, roads put wildlife at risk

Help protect wildlife by slowing down and being attentive, especially when passing yellow animal-crossing signs, which indicate you're driving through wildlife habitats.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Part II of spend, spend …
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 19, 2023
Part II of spend, spend …

Thanks to inflation, rising real estate prices and population growth, city and county governments are gushing with cash. And they can’t wait to spend it.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Rendering of the community pool amenity area at Bath & Racquet.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 19, 2023
Game, set, match: Bath & Racquet redevelopment underway

Demolition has begun on the "rebirth of an icon," rebranded as Bath + Racquet Residences and Club.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Members of the Survivors in Sync dragon boat team, including coach Angela Long, were selected to Team USA for the International Dragon Boat Federation World Dragon Boat Racing Championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 19, 2023
Stay in the know on Sarasota sports this week

A football player makes a big commitment, boat races come to Benderson Park, and local rowers get national honors.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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