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Your Observer

The School Board of Manatee County discusses COVID-19 protocols during a special meeting.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 9, 2021
School District of Manatee County sets new quarantine protocols

As the School District of Manatee County school year begins, families will have new quarantine rules.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 9, 2021
Pass the salt, pass the charity with Pure Florida Sea Salt

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium will get 20% of the proceeds of the special salt.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Aaron Virgin.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 9, 2021
Save our Seabirds hires new CEO

Aaron Virgin comes to the organization from previous role with Mote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The body of water south of Longboat Pass and west of the bridge to Anna Maria Island (pictured) is unnamed.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 9, 2021
Name proposed for north-end bay on Longboat

Bill Saba would like to name body of water between Greer Island and the north end of Longboat Key after his late grandparents.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sharon and Ivan Gould during their amateur solo. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 9, 2021
Longboat Key couple take home ballroom dancing awards

The Goulds went to the Fred Astaire World Championships and took home all the medals they could.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 9, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Isn't he cute just sleeping there

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    In Memoriam |
  • August 9, 2021
Beverly Peterman

Beverly Peterman of Redding, CT passed away on Sunday, August 1 at the age of 90.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 9, 2021
Nokomis property sale totals $4.55 million

Three homes at 411 Lychee Road highlight sales for July 26-30.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Built in 2016, the home at 5050 Gulf of Mexico Drive has five bedrooms, five-and-three-half baths, a pool and 7,578 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 9, 2021
North-end Longboat home sells for $9.1 million

The home at 5050 GMD tops sales for the week of July 26-30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 8, 2021
Concession home tops sales at $1.9 million

The home at 19428 Ganton Ave. tops Lakewood Ranch home sales at $1.9 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 7, 2021
Anglers break records at Sarasota Slam tournament

The 21st annual tournament's weigh-in was held Aug. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The School District of Manatee County has a new board member in Wesley "Chad" Choate.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 7, 2021
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints new member to School Board of Manatee County

Chad Choate will replace Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes on the School District of Manatee County board.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 7, 2021
UPDATE: No-swim advisory dropped for Longboat Key

Department of Health keeps advisories in place at Bird Key Park, Turtle Beach based on levels of bacteria found in follow-up testing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Judi Bjork and Maribeth Phillips with Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee accepts a $3,500 check from Sisterhood for Good President Angela Massaro-Fain. The grant will be used for Meals on Wheels Plus' Food4Families program
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 7, 2021
Lakewood Ranch's Sisterhood for Good presents $44,359 in grants

Lakewood Ranch's Sisterhood for Good provides $44,359 in grants to impact nonprofits.

  • East County
  • News
Signs posted at Longboat Key beach accesses warn beachgoers about the dangers of red tide.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 6, 2021
Longboat Key residents can learn secrets of the deep amidst red tide

Red tide lays bare the patterns of the ocean.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cliff Dawson, the new director of bands at Braden River High School, makes a few jokes during Marching Band of Pirates rehearsal. Students say Dawson is outgoing, entertaining and serious.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 6, 2021
Braden River High School welcomes familiar face as new director of bands

New Director of Bands Cliff Dawson hopes to continue the success the Pirates had under Jeramiah Bowman.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 6, 2021
Manatee County drone program helps Longboat Key monitor red tide conditions

Manatee County crews go out twice per week to monitor red tide conditions in five different locations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A walk-up testing operation opened at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex in 2020, but the state shut the site down in May. Now, a rise in demand has led to the resumption of testing activity. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 6, 2021
COVID-19 testing site to reopen at Robert L. Taylor center

The walk-up testing operation in north Sarasota will be accessible to the public starting Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 6, 2021
"Moana" a hit at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church Family Night

Despite the rain, a couple families showed up for snacks and a movie.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kirk Boylston and Tom Johnson of Lakewood Ranch Commercial have announced three new tenants for the Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch hub.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 6, 2021
Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch adds Italian restaurant

Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch also adds a primary care facility and a medical spa.

  • East County
  • News
The city has sought a development partner for the former landfill since the late '90s, but efforts to build on the land have not come to fruition. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 6, 2021
Marian Anderson Place development plan advances

So far, the city’s efforts to facilitate a project on the north Sarasota site have failed. Officials hope a new proposal will finally bear fruit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dead fish line a Sarasota County beach the week ending July 30. Despite resident concerns, the county did not mobilize its beach cleanup efforts until Wednesday. Image courtesy Sarasota County.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 6, 2021
Sarasota officials coordinate red tide response

With some effects associated with red tide intensifying this week, the county has begun beach cleanup operations to clear marine debris from the shores.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball Coach Jeremy Schiller has been offered and accepted a varsity boys basketball head coaching position with IMG Academy pending a background check.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 5, 2021
Lakewood Ranch boys basketball coach leaving for IMG Academy

Jeremy Schiller had been the Mustangs head Coach for 10 seasons.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 5, 2021
Public education unmasked

Parents exposed what’s really going on in Sarasota schools. It’s a case for abolishing public education.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 5

Jane Novacek captured this egret while enjoying lunch at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2021
East County weather page photo: August 5

Gordon Silver captured vincas after an afternoon rain shower at Lakewood Ranch’s Del Webb.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: August 5

MaryAnn Parks captured this snowy egret at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Julie McGue and Elizabeth Russell
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 5, 2021
Longboat Key author Julie McGue signs at Sarasota book fair

The autobiographical author spent her day signing books and greeting friends at Bookstore1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • August 5, 2021
Lowell Burton Nelson

Nelson, Lowell Burton, age 100, of Longboat Key, FL passed away April 6, 2021 at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
With Nate's Honor Animal Rescue expanding in Lakewood Ranch, would the county be smart to try to establish a public-private partnership with the nonprofit?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 5, 2021
Letter writer says Manatee County needs new animal shelter

As Manatee County considers building a new animal shelter in East County, some letter writers back public-private partnerships.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Drivers should be aware as the School District of Manatee County opens its new school year Aug. 10.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 5, 2021
Beware perilous intersections in Lakewood Ranch area as school opens

As school opens in Lakewood Ranch, east Bradenton area, watch out for construction, dangerous intersections.

  • East County
  • Opinion
This Country Club home at 7051 Portmarnock Place sold for $2,075,000. It has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,993 square feet of living area. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 5, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Country Club home tops area residential sales at $2,075,000

Country Club East home in Lakewood Ranch brings $1.75 million as one of top residential sales in area.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Nicolas Juliano celebrates his first day of first grade at Braden River Elementary while his sister, Isabella Juliano, celebrates her first day of pre-K. The Julianos take a picture on the first day every year. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2021
Lakewood Ranch families make the first day of school memorable

Whether it's breakfast-in-bed or a special getaway, traditions mark the opening day of school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Benny the dog is a secret weapon when it comes to getting 5-year-old Mya Medford out of bed for school. He licks her face until she gets up.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2021
Waking up for school isn't always easy for some Lakewood Ranch families

Opening day of school is an eye-opener for area students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota Memorial Hospital first implemented a no-visitor rule last year in response to COVID-19. After lifting restrictions in May, a surge in cases led to a new prohibition on guests. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 5, 2021
Officials respond to rising COVID-19 numbers

Following a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, Sarasota Memorial Hospital is restricting visitors, while the city is interested in expanding testing resources.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 5, 2021
Cops Corner: Sarasota 8.5.21

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
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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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