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Your Observer

County leaders are working to determine how to spend $84.2 million on federal COVID-19 relief funding.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 10, 2021
County leaders adjust plan to spend federal relief money

$31 million originally set aside for sewer-to-septic work will be reflowed into overall $84.2 million package.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 10, 2021
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosts holiday party

Members gathered at Harry's Continental Kitchens for a festive networking event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 10, 2021
Christmas cheer grows at Longboat Key Garden Club holiday party

Attendees came to the Beach House Restaurant for snacks, drinks and a sunset over the Gulf.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • December 10, 2021
Evelyn (Lynn) Sarah Duguid (nee Magill)

It is with unimaginable sadness we announce the passing of Evelyn (Lynn) Sarah Duguid (nee Magill) on December 6 at the age of 96.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2021
2021 Holiday Lights in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch

Check out some of the area's best decorated houses for the holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Finalists Loridia Urquiza of Booker High, Jennifer Jaso of Sarasota Middle and Shannon Haddad of Ashton Elementary
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 10, 2021
Sarasota Middle teacher named tops in the district

Jaso in the running now for statewide acclaim.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cars make their way onto the new southbound on-ramp to Interstate 75 from eastbound State Road 70 on Dec. 3. The ramp opened to traffic on Nov. 10.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • December 9, 2021
Interstate 75/State Road 70 interchange project near Lakewood Ranch nears completion

Construction on the interchange of Interstate 75 and State Road 75 should be completed in January according to FDOT. Pandemic, weather slowed project from its expected summer 2020 finish.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport crews load bags onto this JetBlue flight bound for New York.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • December 9, 2021
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport ready for record holiday rush

Officials at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, which is one the fastest growing airports in the world, say they are prepared for record traffic during the Christmas period.

  • East County
  • News
Joseph Constantin puts a shot on net during a Manatee Ball Hockey League game.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 9, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Ball hockey league takes its shot in Lakewood Ranch

The Manatee Ball Hockey League is currently holding its first adult season and is preparing for its second youth season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Hundreds packed the Siesta Key Chapel fellowship hall and grounds on Wednesday.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 9, 2021
Delegation vote on Siesta incorporation ballot issue set for Jan. 4

Six legislators will take up the issue, which if approved, moves to Tallahassee for consideration.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 9

Wilma Davidson captured this rainbow glowing over Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: December 9

Lynn Walters captured this photo of Sarasota Bay from The Ringling Ca’d’Zan

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2021
East County weather page photo: December 9

Barrie Wilkie captured this photo of a sunrise over a lake at Lakewood National Golf Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kari Keech-Babcock, a guidance clerk at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named a finalist for School District of Manatee County's Support Employee of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High School guidance clerk finalist for Support Employee of the Year

After unusual introduction to Lakewood Ranch High, Kari Keech-Babcock provides sweet service to school's community.

  • East County
  • Schools
Daybreak Adult Day Center staff members Gene Chilton, Jerry Gironda, Maribeth Phillips, Mari Holland, Kim Mullins and Ava Ehde are excited to reopen Daybreak Adult Day Center after more than a year of being closed due to COVID-19.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2021
Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee reopens Daybreak Adult Day Center in Lakewood Ranch

Clients, volunteers and staff are happy to return to Daybreak Adult Day Center in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota officials will encourage boaters to take advantage of waste disposal services offered at the mooring field near Marina Jack. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 9, 2021
City takes aim at improperly anchored boats

New regulations are designed to ensure that boaters are complying with rules regarding vessel maintenance and waste disposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chris Voelker, a Downtown Improvement District board member, speaks at the Dec. 5 Fresh Friday. Voelker said she hoped downtown stakeholders would take a positive outlook toward the event series during the pilot phase.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 9, 2021
Downtown group mulls Fresh Friday changes

The first Fresh Friday event of 2022 could get an earlier start in hopes of steering more visitors into downtown shops.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Mark, which opened in 2019, has nearly 50,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space — but residents are worried prospective tenants in their downtown building will prove problematic. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 9, 2021
Lemon Avenue plans spark public pushback

As the city reviews proposals for new businesses at The Mark and in Paul Thorpe Park, residents are concerned about how commercial activity might affect a central segment of downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2021
Cops Corner: Sarasota 12.9.21

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
David W. Johnston Associates Landscape Architect Phillip Smith (left) and Jon F. Swift Construction President Jason Swift (right) present a rendering of the proposed park to a member of the public.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 8, 2021
New playground, splash pad planned for Sarasota's Bayfront Park

Construction is scheduled to start by early summer 2022 and will take about eight months to complete.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mary Elizabeth Carey offered Father Edward Pick's personal items to parishioners.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 8, 2021
Father Edward Pick honored at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church

More than 100 parishioners gathered to celebrate the church's founder.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • December 8, 2021
Herbert Bruch

HERBERT G. BRUCH (Age 88)  Born October 17, 1932, departed this life on December 5, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The town of Longboat Key is exploring the possibility of transitioning the Longboat Library from a non-profit organization to a Sarasota County-operated service. File photo
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 8, 2021
Mayor advocates for Sarasota County-operated library in Longboat Key

Longboat Key is Sarasota County's only municipality without a public library.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Members of the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center team show off their Humanitarian of the Year award from the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund. It was awarded at a Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance luncheon Dec. 8 at the Grove.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 8, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center earns Humanitarian of the Year award from the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosts spotlight on nonprofits at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch as Humanitarian of the Year award goes to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

  • East County
  • News
Riverview senior midfielder Luke Spycher clears the ball down the field.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 8, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Rams boys soccer refuses to lose — or even allow a goal

Riverview has conceded just one goal this season and it came on a penalty kick

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Members of the St. Armands Business Improvement District said allowing taller buildings on the Circle would encourage new construction, which they hope would attract quality tenants and increase activity. File rendering
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 8, 2021
St. Armands zoning proposals stir controversy

Although a resident group has raised alarm about proposed building rules on the Circle, property owners say some of the concern is rooted in misunderstanding.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mrs. Clause, also known as Stacey Volpe, the development assistant for SMART, brings Magic to the barn.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2021
SMART hosts open house and riding camp in east Bradenton

Those who attend SMART's open house can walk or gallop around Lollipop Lane.

  • East County
  • News
Cardinal Mooney sophomore Franklin Liriano hits a layup against ODA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 8, 2021
New Cardinal Mooney boys basketball coach guides team to hot start

The Cougars are 5-0 after a big win against The Out-of-Door Academy on Tuesday

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2021
Santa visits Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Tis the season for Santa to come to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The citizen-led campaign to create single-member districts got a charter amendment on the ballot that drew support from 59.8% of voters. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 8, 2021
County advances effort to repeal single-member districts

In March, voters will decide whether to maintain the current electoral system or return to a process in which all five commission races are countywide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2021
Women on Wheels' charity ride in Lakewood Ranch benefits Selah Freedom

Village Idiots' president among cyclists who make the Women on Wheels ride in Lakewood Ranch for Selah Freedom a priority.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Acolyte Michael Downing stands next to the Rev. James Hedman, who gives a toast in honor of St. Mary Magdalene's 25th anniversary in Lakewood Ranch on Dec. 5.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2021
St. Mary Magdalene of Lakewood Ranch celebrates its 25th anniversary

Small church in Lakewood Ranch has powerful faith that has guided it 25 years.

  • East County
  • News
Sylvia Langton, Betsy Granite, Nancy Milbauer, Dee Wainstein, Pam Reiter and Marge Heller
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 7, 2021
Longboat Key golfers get together for Frosty Frolic

The Women's Golf Association and Key Niners dressed in their festive best for the tournament.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 7, 2021
Allegiant announces March debut of service to Wisconsin

Twice-a-week flights to Appleton will launch March 11.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A new 150-foot monopole tower will be built inside the Hide-Away Storage property on the corner of State Road 64 and Lorraine Road in eastern Manatee County. It will be for AT&T, but will have room for four different carriers.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • December 7, 2021
Cell tower on way to Lakewood Ranch area at Lorraine Road and S.R. 64.

Commissioners unanimously approve a 150-foot monopole tower at Lorraine Road and S.R. 64 in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 7, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Blocking the road

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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