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Your Observer

Kindergartner Jay Dan Roux uses his finger to keep track of where he is in his reading. Kindergartners like Roux will be tested on their literacy skills using the EarlyBird screener.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 29, 2022
Manatee School District pilots literacy screener in three elementary schools

The EarlyBird screener will identify literacy strengths and weaknesses and characteristics of dyslexia for students in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade at three schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brennan Asplen came to Sarasota County Schools in 2020.
  • By Eric Garwood
  • November 28, 2022
Asplen says he will resign as Sarasota Schools leader

The Sarasota County School Board plans its Tuesday meeting to consider the superintendent's contract.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Vanessa Baugh wanted to set the record straight about her actions during the Lakewood Ranch pop-up vaccination clinic in February 2021.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 28, 2022
Manatee commissioner talks about her settlement with ethics commission

Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said she wanted to set the record straight about her role in the Lakewood Ranch pop-up vaccination clinic in February 2021.

  • East County
  • News
Santiago Valencia, 21, is headed to Qatar to report live from the 2022 FIFA World Cup for MTC Radio.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 28, 2022
Manatee Technical College student earns World Cup reporting opportunity

Santiago Valencia, 21, has overcome physical and environmental challenges in the pursuit of his sports reporting dreams.

  • East County
  • Sports
Angela Molaro at the welcome table handing out gift bags to visitors that include "The Legend of the Candy Cane" and a shell ornament.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 28, 2022
Christmas in the Garden open through New Year's Day

The Longboat Island Chapel has decked their garden with Christmas trees, lights and a miniature Whoville.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota woman charged with murder in suspicious death of man
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 28, 2022
Sarasota woman charged with murder in suspicious death of man

The investigation begins following a welfare check call, police say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Roger Pettingell, his wife Alisa and son Max distribute pies for Thanksgiving.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 28, 2022
Pettingell again distributes holiday pies

The Realtor has been passing our and donating desserts for Thanksgiving.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Snookie Register, Patty Buck, Cash Register and Joe D'Eugenio celebrate in a tropical way.
  • By You Observed
  • November 28, 2022
Longboat's Christ Church welcomes back members

The church celebrates those who have returned for the season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
P.E. teacher Bet Tracy and sixth grader Leah Lazarde watch students as they play gator ball. (Photos by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 28, 2022
Haile Middle Teacher Shadow Day shows there's more to gym class than playing sports

A P.E. teacher shares lessons on sportsmanship, encouragement and organization with a sixth grade shadow.

  • East County
  • Schools
Santa Claus makes his appearance in Light Up Siesta Key Holiday Parade.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • November 27, 2022
Santa Claus makes a pit stop in Siesta Key

The 37th annual Light Up Siesta Key parade was held on Nov. 26.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rotary meets Kiwanis: Jack and Nancy "Santa" Rozance and Michael Garey.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 27, 2022
Light Up Longboat delights all ages

Residents gathered at the Town Center Green on Saturday night to light the Christmas tree.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Amanda Duever of Suncoast Cookies describes the cookie offerings to River Club's John and Karen Tagle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 26, 2022
Lakewood Ranch's Main Street market spreads holiday shopping cheer

Main Street Market in Lakewood Ranch, which helps support local small businesses, included numerous vendors from Lakewood Ranch and other areas, as well as live music and performances.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rendering of LKR at Lido Beach, a 65-unit luxury condo development on the site of the former Gulf Beach Motel. Like nearly all plans before the Planning Board, it came with staff recommendation to approve.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 26, 2022
Why Sarasota development plans come with staff approval

Nearly all development plans that come before the Sarasota Planning Board have recommendation of approval by staff. Board members asked them why.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 25, 2022
Candidate withdraws from Longboat election after deadline

Barring any changes, March's Town Commission election in 2023 would be the fifth consecutive uncontested one.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Fat Point Brewing is targeted for an early 2023 opening at UTC in Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 25, 2022
Fat Point Brewing to join UTC lineup in Sarasota by early 2023

The Punta Gorda-based brewery is opening a new location at University Town Center.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Within six months, while on the job for NaturZone Pest Control, Byrne rescued three swans, two sea turtles and a burrowing owl.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 25, 2022
Exterminator rescues Longboat Key wildlife

An exterminator with an eye for wildlife has become something of a lifesaver on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nathan Sutthoff, Lucas Hassler, Grant Yeagley, Piper Yegley, Lauren Martinez, Ellie Martinez hold slices of pumpkin pies
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • November 25, 2022
Sarasota Ministerial Association hosts annual Thanksgiving luncheon

The luncheon was held at First Sarasota The Downtown Baptist Church to give those who are experiencing homelessness a proper sit-down holiday meal.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Evangel Baptist Church brings Bethlehem to Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 25, 2022
Evangel Baptist Church brings Bethlehem to Lakewood Ranch

Church members create costumes and set pieces to show what Bethlehem was like at the time of Jesus' birth.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Deputy Chief Paul Wren (back row, fourth from left) and strike team members pose with the Captiva Island Fire Control District staff.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 24, 2022
Manatee continues deploying firefighters, equipment to Lee County

More than a month after Hurricane Ian, Manatee County continues to support Lee County with resources.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Eric Garwood
  • November 23, 2022
Deputies investigating North Sarasota County shooting

A 31-year-old was found in a vehicle with several bullet wounds.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Ryan Kohn
  • November 23, 2022
'Pre-professional' soccer club coming to Sarasota

The as-yet-unnamed team will begin play in the United Soccer League's League Two in May 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Hal Meyers and Cindie Breeze of the Bluegrass Pirates entertain the crowd at Jiggs Landing. (Photo by Jay Heater)
  • By Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2022
Jiggs Landing of Bradenton plots the course of its concert series

The popular Manatee County park hosts live music Wednesday through Sundays.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Superintendent Brennan Asplen shakes the hand of a Sarasota High graduate in May. (File photo)
  • By Eric Garwood
  • November 23, 2022
Sarasota School Board sets meeting to consider firing superintendent

Meeting to consider action against Brennan Asplen originally set for early December now is planned on Tuesday, Nov 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
  • By Lesley Dwyer
  • November 23, 2022
Longboat Key congregations come together at interfaith service, reception

About 350 people attended an interfaith service at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church on Tuesday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Alpine Steakhouse turducken in cross-section. (Courtesy photo)
  • By Spencer Fordin
  • November 23, 2022
Alpine Steakhouse sees signature turducken grow from novelty to Thanksgiving tradition

Thanks to an assist from the Food Network, the Sarasota restaurant is extra busy every Thanksgiving season.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Tarsy's writing reflects her love for Molly. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
  • By Lesley Dwyer
  • November 23, 2022
Longboat author's novel transforms grief to good

After losing her cocker spaniel Molly, Jean Tarsy wrote "I'm in Heaven" to help herself and others.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's North Pole is filled with gifts that Bradenton's Megan Napolitano and Lakewood Ranch's Jill Campbell, Beth Grogan and Jo Price are hustling to wrap. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
  • By Liz Ramos
  • November 23, 2022
Magic of Mittens delivers gifts to hundreds of Manatee children

River Club's Beth Grogan and her elves delivered thousands of gifts to children in need.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rams wideout Marshall Thompson fights through a tackle from Sailors safety Nick Wasowicz. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
  • By Ryan Kohn
  • November 23, 2022
Riverview football prepares for regional final rematch with rival Venice

The Rams meet their South County nemesis Venice on Friday after stopping Sarasota High 28-7.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dick and Lorraine Vitale will celebrate 52 years of marriage next May. (Photo by Jay Heater)
  • By Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2022
Dick Vitale talks turkey, lessons and love at Thanksgiving in Lakewood Ranch

The ESPN announcer gave thanks for those donating to the V Foundation, his long tenure at ESPN, his family and his 52-year love affair with his wife, Lorraine.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A pile of vegetative debris left behind by Hurricane Ian awaits processing into mulch at the delivery site off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Sarasota. (Andrew Warfield)
  • By Andrew Warfield
  • November 23, 2022
Planning, vigilance enable massive hurricane debris cleanup operations

Plant debris cleanup operations brought workers and equipment from across the country to Sarasota on a moment's notice. Disaster-stricken areas have a former congressman from Vermont to thank for it.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Joe Neunder and Mark Smith are the newcomers to the Sarasota County Commission. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 22, 2022
Sarasota County commissioners, school board members sworn in

Republicans take their seats on two boards.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 22, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: 'You should see the one that got away!'

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Demarcus Abner. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 22, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Demarcus Abner

The Riverview High football senior is a key piece on the Rams' defense.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Club members play pickleball following the opening of the club's first courts. (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 22, 2022
Key Club pickleball plans move forward to Town Commission

The Longboat Key Club gains initial approval for four pickleball courts after moving plan across the parking lot from the original proposal. But objections still remain.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 22, 2022
Longboat elections: Who's in? Who's out? Who's in the running?

Four candidates for three seats set up the first contested election in four years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Greyhawk Landing home at 361 Blackbird Court sold for $810,000. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 22, 2022
Harbour Walk home tops sales at $4.5 million

A Harbour Walk home on Regatta Way was the week's top seller at $4.5 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
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