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Your Observer

If elected, Richard Tatem says he'll focus on employee compensation, curriculum transparency and increasing school board members' interaction with the public. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 1, 2022
School Board of Manatee County, District 5: Richard Tatem

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
If elected, Chantal Wilford says she'll focus on literacy, recruiting and retaining teachers and expanding programming for students. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 1, 2022
School Board of Manatee County, District 5: Chantal Wilford

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
The 20 acres for a new elementary school is about 1.25 miles east of Bourneside Boulevard and adjacent to the extension of 44th Avenue East in east Bradenton. (Courtesy map)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 1, 2022
Manatee School District reaches land deal with SMR Taylor Ranch for new school

The new elementary school will help address population growth in East County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Slim Chickens features a range of chicken sandwiches. The restaurant offers baskets featuring chicken strips and wings. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 1, 2022
Slim Chickens plans Lakewood Ranch opening

The fast-casual restaurant’s menu centers on a range of fried chicken items.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 1, 2022
Sarasota organizations provide backpacks for students

The Greatness Beyond Measure and Barbershop Men of Prayer groups donated 500 backpacks to students ahead of the new school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
James Carlino
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2022
East Manatee Fire Rescue, Seat 3: James Carlino

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
Michael Amato (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2022
Lakewood Ranch CDD, District 4, Seat 2: Michael Amato

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
Mayor Erik Arroyo of Sarasota reminded commissioners of the strains an anticipated recession can bring to municipal government, and that nothing is guaranteed in an uncertain economy. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 1, 2022
Mayor says proposed city budget has opportunities for savings

With the maximum millage rate set, Sarasota Mayor Eric Arroyo suggests prioritizing cuts over drawing down reserves to balance the fiscal year 2023 budget .

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 31, 2022
Lakewood Ranch farmers market remains the hot ticket at Waterside Place

Those who attend say it has become a Lakewood Ranch "institution."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 31, 2022
Siesta Sprint Triathlon embraces changes on City Island

The annual triathlon dealt with its fair share of changes on July 31.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 31, 2022
Families ponder puzzles at Sarasota Art Museum

The Puzzlelicious event was held July 29 and 30.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 31, 2022
Students learn the ropes at circus summer camp

Campers end each week of class at Circus Arts Conservatory with a performance for friends and family.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Verizon placed a 35-foot cell tower on the corner of North Shore Road to the left of the Longboat Key sign. (Photo by Lauren Tronstad)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 30, 2022
Nine cell poles built in north Longboat, town awaits antennas and activation

Improvements in phone service are expected to begin no later than early 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Students at schools like Carlos E. Haile Middle School will be tested three times per year to monitor their progress throughout the year. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 30, 2022
Changes coming to standardized testing in Sarasota and Manatee counties

With the new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking, students will be tested three times per year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bird Key Park was among the seven locations on the no-swim advisory list July 28. (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 29, 2022
Siesta Key among beaches now given all-clear from no-swim advisories

Bird Key/Ringling Causeway is among three sites still testing beyond safe limits for enterococcus bacteria, the Florida Department of Health said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 29, 2022
Sarasota motorcyclist killed in Tamiami Trail crash

FHP reports that the rider died in the hospital Friday following the Thursday afternoon crash.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sun King co-founder Clay Robinson is moving his beer business and his family to Florida. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • July 29, 2022
Sarasota's newest brewery opens on Mango Avenue

Clay Robinson, the co-founder of Sun King Brewing, isn't just opening a new venue in Sarasota. He's moving his life and family here.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Railroad ties at the unused Seminole Gulf Railway tracks at 17th Street are crumbling. (Photo by Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 29, 2022
Original plans derailed, city studies urban trail options to complete Legacy Trail

As negotiations with Seminole Gulf Railway have jumped the tracks, Sarasota looks to take the remaining 4.3 miles of Legacy Trail to the streets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River high senior JT Wright, junior Ty Moore, junior Jackie Sanchez and senior Liam Tvenstrup plan a bootcamp to bring Technology Student Association members together. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2022
High school survival tips from those who know

Current students offer tips on avoiding high school pitfalls.

  • East County
  • Schools
If parents prepare a base meal for the week in advance, they can throw in different sides each day to add variety, like carrots and celery stick with hummus, a container of yogurt, or strawberries. (Photo via Ello)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 29, 2022
Early preparation key in getting students to eat healthy

Here are some tips for low-stress meal preparation as your child heads to school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bicycles stand ready for the Longboat Key Triathlon in December 2019. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 29, 2022
Relocated Siesta Key triathlon set for Longboat Key, City Island

The Sunday morning event is expected to host about 200 athletes in a variety of events.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said it is important to reduce the millage rate during the current economic conditions. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 29, 2022
Manatee County Commission will reduce millage rate

The proposed reduced property tax rate would save residents $100 per year on a $500,000 home.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 28, 2022
Foundation for Dreams summer camp provides fun experiences in east Bradenton

Campers enjoyed swimming, canoeing, horseback riding and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2022
East County weather page photo: July 28

Gordon Silver captured this large gator patrolling the waters near a pond at University Parkway and Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: July 28

MaryAnn Tygh Parks photographed this turkey in Myakka River State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 28

Katen and Wayne Smith stumbled upon a snake walking to the beach from Cedars West on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The beachfront land at 2501 Casey Key Road totals .75 of an acre and includes bayfront land with a deep-water dock. (Photo courtesy Lisa Napolitano, Premier Sotheby's International Realty)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 28, 2022
Property on Casey Key sells for $6.5 million

A property on Casey Key Road tops this week's sales at $6.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Lake Club Giving Circle founder Barbara Najmy and member Julie Swan show off some of the sneakers the giving circle collected for The Twig nonprofit. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2022
The Lake Club's circle of giving increases

"If you stay the course and continue to surround yourself with like-minded women, then great things come of it," founder Barbara Najmy says.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Daphne White and Abigail Gbadebo have been participating in Miss Amazing competitions on and off for 10 years. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 28, 2022
Sarasota mother and daughter head to Miss Amazing pageant

Abigail Gbadebo will serve as the Miss Florida representative for the weekend at the national Miss Amazing event in Nashville.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 28, 2022
The Observer's 2022 primary election recommendations

CEO Matt Walsh shares his recommendations for races in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Autumn McMillan and Chris Skinner stand in front of their new food truck after serving to town public safety personnel. (Courtesy Photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2022
Former Longboat Key Police Department lieutenant opens food truck

Chris Skinner served in the department for about 11 years before retiring last September.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
(Via Facebook.com/Pub23)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • July 28, 2022
Local Irish-owned Pub 32 announces closing date

Ross and Louise Galbraith operated Pub 32 for more than a decade, but they announced in a Facebook post this week that they will soon be closing down.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Drivers enter through the gatehouse at Country Club, on Legacy Boulevard. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 28, 2022
Lakewood Ranch residents complain of delayed gate access to their communities

The Inter-District Authority says some cases of unresponsiveness could involve human error, problems caused by lightning strikes or internet connectivity issues.

  • East County
  • News
Revenue for the renovated Bobby Jones Golf Course in 2023's budget is expected to offset debt service once it opens to golfers. (File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 28, 2022
City revenue rises on lower tax rate for 2023

A lower millage and increased spending requests have combined for a $3.2 million deficit in the city's proposed 2023 budget despite an additional $6.4 million in property tax revenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ivory is right at home in the van. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 27, 2022
Therapy sheep spreads love to homeless and seniors

Ivory, once an abandoned lamb, makes her impact by spreading joy in Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton assisted living facilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Krista Post and Deanna Mesghali (Photos by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 27, 2022
Longboat chamber members gather at Hugo II

Fifty members and prospective members attended Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours event July 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Art Museum Senior Curator Rangsook Yoon poses in front of an unnamed piece in Judy Pfaff's exhibition, "Picking Up the Pieces."
  • April 6, 2026
Sarasota Art Museum senior curator heading to Seattle
2
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center
3
The Citizen Tax Oversight Committee meets once a year to review expenditures of revenue brought in from the infrastructure surtax. The 2026 meeting lasted about 15 minutes on Thursday, April 2.
  • April 6, 2026
Longboat infrastructure tax spending plan comes up $6 million short
4
Bella Toscano is one of two Mustangs, as of April 3, hitting over .450, but also boasts the lowest ERA among her teammates.
  • April 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano
5
DragonBoot Quartet performs the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Gamma” for string quartet for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota on April 12.
  • April 6, 2026
Pine View grad solves for 'Gamma' in his latest music composition

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