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Your Observer

Cleeland Browns center Austein Reiter, a Lakewood Ranch High alumnus, is in town for offseason workouts.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 18, 2023
A look at the 5 East County high graduates who reached the NFL

The Lakewood Ranch High and Braden River High alums have had varying levels of success in pro football.

  • East County
  • Sports
London's Jadie Metcalf grew up at Jiggs Landing on the Manatee River. He says his trip to Jiggs Landing the second week of July will probably be the last of his life.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 18, 2023
One final trip to Jiggs Landing in Manatee County

The 88-year-old nephew of founder Al "Jiggs" Metcalf visits the Braden River fishing camp one last time.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 18, 2023
SPD investigates auto burglaries in north Sarasota

Police suspect a single group of people is responsible for targeting Kia vehicles. One victim was assaulted.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Police dispatched to investigate late-night repairs
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 18, 2023
Longboat Key Police dispatched to investigate late-night repairs

A resident called police to warn of hammers and loud power tools being used in the middle of the night. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Chief Medical Officer Jennifer Bocker, Skipper and Chief Operations Officer Kelly Malloy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2023
Guide dog-in-training brings joy to Sarasota Doctors Hospital

Skipper, a black Labrador retriever from Southeastern Guide Dogs, is being raised by the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Jennifer Bocker and Chief Operations Officer Kelly Malloy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gwyn Ingham, the owner of For the Love of Reading, uses Orton-Gillingham methods during her private reading instruction with Scarlett Samson.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 18, 2023
Lakewood Ranch educator tries to make reading fun through new business

Summerfield's Gwyn Ingham uses her passion for reading and books to start For the Love of Reading.

  • East County
  • Business
Michele De Luce and Leighton Allenby made a beach mural on Bay Isles Beach expressing their love for Longboat Key.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 18, 2023
Love for Longboat inspires beach mural adored by tourists, residents

New residents Leighton Allenby and Michele De Luce created beach art out of more than 500 pounds of seashells.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The newly established, voluntary Sea Turtle Protection Zone in Sarasota County focuses on boat strike hotspots and extends to 1.5 miles offshore.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 17, 2023
Sea turtle protection initiative asks boaters to be vigilant, slow down

The new Sea Turtle Protection Zone in Sarasota County was designed to reduce the number of boats striking and injuring turtles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Men's Open division team in the July Independence Volleyball Tournament on Lido Key Beach.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 17, 2023
Lido Key hosts pro beach volleyball players from around the state

The July Independence Tournament was held July 15-17 on Lido Key Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Superintendent Terrence Connor talks with Administrator Roy Sprinkle and Communications and Community Relations Director Craig Maniglia.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 17, 2023
Terrence Connor sworn in as superintendent of Sarasota County Schools

Following his selection on June 14, Connor officially took over as superintendent.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Jan Ricard, a volunteer at Woodland Community Church's food bank, goes through fruits as they prepare for food distribution.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 17, 2023
East Manatee food pantries see consistent, growing demand

A Woodland Community Church food bank representative says that more grandparents raising children have been relying on the donations.

  • East County
  • News
Nancy Schneider, the publicity chair for Gardeners Out East, meets former HGTV host John Gidding in person. Schneider used to watch Gidding on Curb Appeal for the show's dramatic before and afters.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2023
Former HGTV star John Gidding offers gardening advice in Lakewood Ranch

About 125 people showed up to meet the former host of "Curb Appeal" at the Robert Toale and Sons Celebration of Life Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Bradentucky Bombers play Saturday nights at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2023
Lakewood Ranch resident transforms into a roller derby robot

Bradentucky Bomber Jane Martin says she and her teammates try not to show the pain of the sport, like a robot.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dan Sidler is the Greater Sarasota Chamber’s vice president of CareerEdge and economic development.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2023
CareerEdge receives $125,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation

The workforce development program, led by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, will use the funds to support workforce development initiatives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jackie Tamminga listens to tips before her first lesson from Ashlie Osburg at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 16, 2023
New Sirius Day Spa director saddles up for polo lesson

A lesson at the Sarasota Polo Club welcomes Jackie Tamminga to the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Representatives from PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program and Building Homes for Heroes welcomes the Gaytan family to their new home in Sapphire Point of Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 16, 2023
Army veteran is welcomed to new home in Lakewood Ranch

Veteran Lucio Gaytan and his family are ready to move into their new home provided by Pulte, Building Homes for Heroes, and SMR.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
David Sessions, left, and Anand Pallegar have been elected chair and vice chair of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 16, 2023
Gulf Coast Community Foundation elects leaders for 2024

The GCCF board named David Sessions chair and Anand Pallegar vice chair along with three new board members.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Lisa Pring, the president of the Braden Woods Homeowners Association, Phases 1-4, thanks Elise Evans for bringing photographs that show there was no sign posted at the site for a proposed residential development on Linger Lodge Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2023
Two more development projects recommended for East County

Residents voiced objections to proposed townhomes on Linger Lodge Road and an expansion to the Hillwood community along Waterline Road.

  • East County
  • News
1800 Residences will be built at the convergence of North Tamiami Trail, 18th Street and Panama Drive.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 15, 2023
Neighbors erupt as Tamiami apartment project is approved

The Sarasota Planning Board approved apartments in the North Trail Overlay District, which prompted an unruly response from some Central Cocoanut residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Garden Club presented grants to different local nonprofits at their annual meeting.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 14, 2023
Longboat Key Garden Club awards $60,000 in grants, scholarships

The annual meeting hosted all scholarship and grant recipients to celebrate the impact they have on the Longboat Key community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A trackhoe, piloted by Sarasota Mayor Kyle Battie, takes the first chunks out of the old Bath & Racquet Club.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 14, 2023
Ground finally broken for Bath & Racquet redevelopment

The nearly six-year odyssey to redevelop the iconic tennis club is underway with a two- to three-year timeline for completion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 14, 2023
Bradenton teen dies in Fort Hamer Road crash

The car's passenger couldn't get out of car that was driven into the Manatee River early Friday morning.

  • East County
  • News
A Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation assessor inspects a Sarasota Police Department K-9 unit.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2023
SPD earns reaccreditation from law enforcement assessors

Accreditation from Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation and Florida Police Accreditation Coalition is valid for three years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Smoking ban signs will be posted at Sarasota County beaches beginning Oct. 1.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 14, 2023
Sarasota County smoking ban approved, max millage rate set for 2024

A cigarette ban on beaches and in parks will begin Oct. 1, while a slightly reduced ad valorem rate was capped for the next fiscal year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The listing at 5131 Jungle Plum Road is an HGTV finalist in the Waterfront Homes category.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 13, 2023
Three Siesta Key listings among HGTV's 'Ultimate House Hunt' competition

Siesta Key homes for sale by Michael Saunders & Co. are among dozens nationwide in the network's popularity contest.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The price tag to put Sarasota County Sheriff’s officers on patrol
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 13, 2023
The price tag to put Sarasota County Sheriff’s officers on patrol

Population growth means a call for more sworn officers in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police are investigating a suspected DUI driver hitting a pole in East County along S.R. 64 early Thursday morning. The crash knocked out power to the area for about 15 minutes.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 13, 2023
DUI suspect hits pole on SR 64, knocks out power

A short police chase ended at the State Road 64/Pope Road roundabout in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Renée James Gilmore and Helen James visit the Betty J. Johnson Public Library in honor of Juneteenth, June 19, with Dr. Edward James II's library cards.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 13, 2023
Family of local activist recalls how he desegregated Sarasota's library

Edward James II refused to back down, fighting for his and others' right to access all Sarasota County libraries.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brooke Oliver, a rising fifth grader, mixes all the ingredients for the potsticker filling. "It looks interesting, but it smells delicious," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 13, 2023
Out-of-Door Academy's Crazy Cooks Camp a recipe for fun

Campers enjoyed making food from scratch and then sharing recipes with their families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Patti Fige has been working with Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building department for six years. She was recently named Plans Examiner of the Year.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 13, 2023
Longboat building official honored as Plans Examiner of the Year

Longboat Key's Patti Fige was honored by the Building Officials Association of Florida at its June conference.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pensions below standards
  • By Adrian Moore, Zachary Christensen
  • July 13, 2023
Pensions below standards

Florida lawmakers altered the Florida Retirement System in ways that improved the system while also increasing the future burden on taxpayers. Florida’s system still falls below industry guidelines.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Marcus Walfridson is the owner of the Sarasota Paradise and has big plans for the club in the future.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 13, 2023
Sarasota Paradise feeds local hunger for soccer

Owner Marcus Walfridson said the club has exceeded expectations off the pitch in year one.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The City Commission will consider expanding the vacation rentals ordinance citywide.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 13, 2023
Sarasota explores expanding vacation rental regulations

City commissioners heard a pitch to apply rules to hundreds of city properties operating as short-term rentals.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Emily Brown is a visiting professor of law and director of the Immigration Clinic at The Ohio State University.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 13, 2023
Attorney discusses US immigration issues with LBK Democratic Club

The Longboat Key Democratic Club's July event featured attorney Emily Brown's presentation on the state of the U.S. immigration system.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The penthouse in the Epoch building offers 1,700 square feet of outdoor living space on two levels.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 13, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for June 26-30 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in the Epoch Building tops the week’s sales at $11.15 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Coaches and students Peggy Jackson, Greg Steinberg, Mia Franks, Lisa Fay, Owen Corr, Ian Varga and Marv Hart after completing the two-day Learn to Row course at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 13, 2023
Benderson Park hires new programming, aquatics program manager

The Sarasota park is known for rowing but offers summer camps, fitness classes and more.

  • East County
  • News
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