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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 15, 2021
East County weather page photo: July 15

Gordon Silver captured this up-close photo of an alligator in a pond off Lorraine Road and University Parkway.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 15, 2021
Parishioners of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church sailed into the sunset

The men's club hosted a sunset dinner cruise that headed into Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Anne Milot, Wendy Boscia, Mary Dent and Kathy Pesce at the event in January. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 15, 2021
Volunteer travel company Soul Sister Travels begins on Longboat Key

The pair of women are starting local and have hosted wellness and volunteer events at Zota Beach Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 15, 2021
Sarasota superintendent receives top marks

Sarasota schools superintendent was ranked as "highly effective" after his first year on the job, triggering performance-based pay increases.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 15, 2021
Wrong time for new tax

It makes little sense for the Sarasota County Commission to adopt a new tax for mental health services — especially when living costs are rising rapidly and the county is awash in federal cash.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 15, 2021
Kill the noise with kindness

When things go wrong, we call for government intervention. Perhaps some neighborly kindness can squelch the boisterous noise near Jewfish Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 15, 2021
St. Armands master plan called for hotel 13 years ago

It goes without saying in Florida that any major development will spark vocal opposition.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Kids learn the ropes at the beginner class.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 14, 2021
Kids rock out at Music Compound summer camp

The weekly camp had students learning a number of instruments and musical styles.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tom Leonard presented this conceptual drawing of a potential amphitheater in St. Armands Circle Park at a meeting on Wednesday, July 14. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 14, 2021
St. Armands group considers amphitheater in Circle

The St. Armands Business Improvement District is interested in exploring options for increasing activity in a park in the middle of the commercial zone.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences Alessa Laczkoski and students Kila Sons and Sriva Boggavarapu say Tech Trek helps encourage a career in STEM.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 14, 2021
Camp encourages young girls to pursue STEM careers

Tech Trek accepts about 100 young, female students from around Florida. This year, six Sarasota County Schools students were chosen.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Michael Demarski, the owner of 3Form Fitness coming to Waterside Place, was the first to get the keys to his business.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 14, 2021
Business build-outs begin at Waterside Place of Lakewood Ranch

Excitement grows in Lakewood Ranch as Waterside Place business owners get their keys to begin their build-outs.

  • East County
  • News
Tina Bazell, Toni Auteri, Toni Coit and Bianca Scheip
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 14, 2021
After 40 years on St. Armands Circle, Toni's Too is still a constant in a changing world

European Alterations by Toni and Toni’s Too is on its third location, but loyal customers have followed at every turn.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota High alumnus Vaun Brown was drafted in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 14, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Sailors baseball alumnus drafted by San Francisco

A Sarasota grad is drafted by the Giants, plus a check-in on other Sailors alumni and a big visit for a Riverview football player.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 14, 2021
Longboat Library has assigned summer reading for every type of bookworm

When the season's storms or humidity make outdoors a second choice, these titles will keep you going.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jessica Percel, Dawn Bouck and Teresa Mast. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 14, 2021
Builders have the right stuff in Manatee and Sarasota counties

Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association stuffs backpacks for the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A six-classroom addition is being built at Braden River Middle School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 14, 2021
East Bradenton schools to see new and updated facilities

Several East County schools will see renovations and additions to ease overcrowding and update facilities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Florida Department of Transportation Community Outreach Manager Brian Bollas said the department expects construction on the S.R. 70 and I-75 project to be completed in November, weather permitting. File photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 14, 2021
FDOT expects I-75/S.R. 70 project to be completed in November

The $80.8 million project to improve the I-75/S.R. 70 interchange is running four to five months behind schedule.

  • East County
  • News
Selva Grill's dining room features blues and greens and a mural inspired by Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night. Unlike the lounge, it accepts reservations. (Photo courtesy of Selva Grill)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 14, 2021
EYE ON BUSINESS: Selva Grill brings Latin American flavors to Sarasota's UTC

Co-owner Jeremy Osment hopes to attract UTC customers with exotic dining experience.

  • East County
  • News
Traffic drives through standing water Wednesday morning on the side of N. Rye Road outside the Southern Oaks neighborhood in Bradenton.
  • By Liz Ramos and Brendan Lavell
  • July 14, 2021
Tropical Storm Elsa prepares eastern Manatee County for rest of hurricane season

Emergency prep teams hope residents remain alert despite storm's limited impact.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 5382 Sandham Place was built in 1996. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,330 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 14, 2021
Mistletoe Lane home sells for $3.1 million

Residential real estate transactions for June 28-July 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Officials discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022 at a special City Commission meeting Tuesday, July 13.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 14, 2021
City set to lower property tax rate in 2022 budget

City Manager Marlon Brown hopes his first budget will serve as a model for long-term financial management.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Joe Newman was the oldest living graduate of University of Notre Dame. He died July 10 at the age of 108.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 14, 2021
Centenarian Joe Newman known for wisdom, advocacy for change

The Aviva senior resident was 108.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ailani Maximo, a rising eighth grader at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, is one of the 60 students selected to be a scholar in the Take Stock in Children Manatee program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 14, 2021
Take Stock brings out Myakka City student's wealth of talent

Take Stock in Children Manatee invests its resources into Myakka City student.

  • East County
  • Schools
Killdeer, who are named for their shrill, two-syllable call, are shorebirds who are equally at home away from the beach. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • July 14, 2021
Bird of the week: Killdeer

A shore bird that has adapted to inland life, the killdeer employs various tricks to avoid predators.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brennan Asplen has been on the job for about a year.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 13, 2021
Sarasota school board rates superintendent as 'highly effective'

Asplen gets highest possible rating for board after challenge-filled first year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Gracewater Community Development has proposed 620 homes that will be a mixture of affordable and market-rate housing.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 13, 2021
Affordable housing proposals advanced for north Sarasota County site

Commissioners selected two proposals to be moved forward for the site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 13, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Paperwork, am I right?

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Rabbi Stuart Altshuler had his first day with Temple Beth Sholom on July 1.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 13, 2021
Temple Beth Sholom welcomes Altshuler as new rabbi

The rabbi plans to bring in thoughtful discussions and speakers to the synagogue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The property owners of 597 Buttonwood Drive hope to convert it from an office-institutional property to a residential use for two homes that would face Buttonwood Drive.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 13, 2021
Longboat Key voters to decide on Buttonwood referendum

The residential density measure is set to appear on the Nov. 2 ballot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The county is posting signage alerting beachgoers about the elevated levels of red tide detected in the water. File image.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 13, 2021
Red tide present at all Sarasota County beaches

The county reported the current conditions on the beach include minor fish kills and respiratory irritation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 2021 US Youth Soccer National Championships are coming to the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch from July 20 to July 25 and you can be a part of the festivities.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 13, 2021
2021 US Youth Soccer Nationals needs volunteers

The event is being held at Premier Sports Campus on July 20-25

  • East County
  • Sports
The Sarasota National 10-11-12 All-Star baseball team is headed to the state tournament. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 13, 2021
Sarasota National Little League All-Stars head to state tournament

The well-rounded team has overcome a loss and scheduling challenges to reach this point.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 12, 2021
Sarasota Jungle Gardens teaches students about animals at summer camp

The summer camp had children learning all about various reptiles and animal species.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 12, 2021
ODA's Camp Banyan participants get a view under the sea in Lakewood Ranch

Campers make coral reefs as one activity during the camp's under the sea week.

  • East County
  • Schools
Buyers from all over the U.S. have been gobbling up Lakewood Ranch homes, such as this one in the Genoa community of the Lake Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 12, 2021
Lakewood Ranch seizes No. 1 spot in master-planned community sales

RCLCO study names Lakewood Ranch as nation's No. 1-selling master-planned community.

  • East County
  • News
Vinny Loccisano proposed to Ashleigh Tinney. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 12, 2021
Hurricane Elsa didn't stop this Longboat Key proposal

She said yes, even though the proposal was mid-hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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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