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Your Observer

The Sarasota Police Department announced the road closure as authorities respond to the gas leak. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 16, 2021
UPDATE: Bayfront Drive reopens after gas leak

A Palm Avenue gas leak closed the downtown road temporarily this morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Judy Mullen. Photo by Brendan Lavell.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 16, 2021
Friends of the Braden River Library donates $61,000 for carpeting

Replacing the carpet, which is over a decade old, is part of the library's ongoing renovation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Two other developers have previously filed plans with the city expressing their intent to pursue a residential project on the Sarasota Kennel Club site. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 16, 2021
Developer plots residences for Sarasota Kennel Club site

A company under contract to purchase the former dog track hopes to build up to 380 units on the property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The duck family crosses busy U.S. 41 on Monday morning.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 16, 2021
A little help from their friends

Duck family safely crossed U.S. 41 after good Samaritans stop traffic.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Former Riverview High softball player Devyn Flaherty hit .281 with 15 doubles and 22 RBIs on the way to being named to the All-ACC First team. Photo courtesy Cody Roper/FSU Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 16, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Former Ram reflects on FSU softball's run to the WCWS

Devyn Flaherty said she won't forget the way her team fought to the end.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Andres Junge.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 16, 2021
East County Athlete of the Week: Andres Junge

The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball player talks his outside shot and his expectations for 2021-2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
Hayden Lesser, a sophomore at Parrish Community High, has only been rowing since 2017. He finished ninth in the country in the U17 Men's 1x at the Youth National Regatta. Photo courtesy MCYR.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 16, 2021
East County rower proves talent at National Regatta

Manatee County Youth Rowing sophomore makes his mark in the U17 1x races.

  • East County
  • Sports
Olivia Townsend earns her Girl Scout Gold Award by creating a Guide to Adulting website. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2021
Girl Scouts receive Gold Awards for serving others in east Bradenton

Two Braden River High School graduates earn top Girl Scout honors for helping others.

  • East County
  • News
Braden Woods residents Dayton Amey and Larry Brunatti are members of the Mustang Club of West Central Florida. They ate at Ford's Garage for lunch and dinner on June 8, the day of the grand opening.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 16, 2021
UTC welcomes garage-themed burger and beer restaurant, Ford's Garage

Customers excited by detailed theme, reminders of past at Ford's Garage grand opening in Sarasota's University Town Center.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2021
Big lessons for little ranchers in Lakewood Ranch

Eleven children participate in Lakewood Ranch High Future Farmers of America's first summer camp.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ziggy, a lemur at Big Cat Habitat, is ready to interact with any visitors. He loves to jump around and explore.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2021
What to do: A peek at the Lakewood Ranch area's animal attractions

The greater Lakewood Ranch area has plenty of places to see various types of animals.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tina Anderson. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 16, 2021
No-cook meals to keep you cool this summer

Chef Tina Anderson shares her coolest spreads.

  • Health
Braden River Elementary School first grader Jordan McCarte listens intently as her reading buddy, Gia Giangrante, who is a fifth grader, reads "The Invisible Boy." Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2021
Manatee County schools' millage special election set for November

The School District of Manatee County will use after-school care fees to fund the special election.

  • East County
  • Schools
Suzanne Aguirre, shown swimming at Marble Pool, is one of many Tsunami swimmers that live in Lakewood Ranch. File photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 16, 2021
Manatee County proposed budget includes Premier pool

Besides the aquatic center, other amenities included for Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch are a pickleball and racket center and multipurpose soccer building.

  • East County
  • News
Tidewell volunteers Lynda Anderson, who works in patient support, and Phyllis Scarff, who works as a host, stand outside the entrance to the Lakewood Ranch facility. Anderson couldn't do patient support for more than a year.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 16, 2021
Tidewell Hospice welcomes back Lakewood Ranch volunteers

Tidewell Hospice also seeks new volunteers after losing more than one-third of its volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
Leaders are considering adding three destination playgrounds throughout the county.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 15, 2021
New parks, athletic fields a priority in Sarasota County

County leaders began steps to creating four new athletic complexes and three new destination playgrounds.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dan Ceaser with his children Natalie, Norah and Caroline.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 15, 2021
Sarasota dads give perspective on good parenting for Father's Day

"My job is to help them make good decisions and model how to be nice," one father says.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rob Grant, left, and Nathan Wilson have led a coalition of Arlington Park residents who oppose plans for a high-density apartment project at 2750 Bahia Vista St. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 15, 2021
Arlington Park apartment plans resurface

The prospective developer of the site at 2750 Bahia Vista St. now hopes to build between 250 and 280 apartments on the site, a proposal that continues to draw resident opposition.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Crew's Eva Harris said she did not know what to expect from the 2021 USRowing Youth National Regatta prior to her race. Harris finished second in the Women's 1x Final A (8:10.66).
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 15, 2021
Sarasota Crew rower talks Youth Nationals silver medal

Area's top finisher in The 2021 USRowing Youth National Regatta learned a lot by working with the sport's elite.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Interim EDC CEO and president Dave Bullock said the county needs to change its zoning to allow for more industrial parks.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 14, 2021
EDC seeks incentives to help pave way for new industry

Economic Development Corporation leaders say the county needs to change its zoning policies and offer incentives to competitively attract manufacturers to Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 14, 2021
SRQ Fashion hits the runway for nonprofit

The fashion event on June 13 raised money for Mothers Helping Mothers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key has its garbage and recycling collections on Mondays and Thursdays.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 14, 2021
Longboat Key's recycling rates going up in August

The increased rates are part of a proposed three-year contract extension with Waste Management Inc.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • June 14, 2021
Alden F. Barker, III

BLOOMINGTON - Alden F. Barker, III, 92, of Bloomington, passed away June 9, 2021, in Bloomington.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Greer Mackebee and Sarah Bauer. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 14, 2021
What is "I do?"

A couple who met on "Jeopardy!" got engaged on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Vice Mayor Mike Haycock participated in the June 7 Town Commission meeting using Zoom. Florida's state of emergency due to the COVID-19 has allowed for virtual participation.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 14, 2021
Town Commission to continue Zoom use after pandemic ends

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Longboat Key Town Commission to use Zoom in some capacity since April 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Security is a concern at events not only at Larry and Mary Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life but also at temples, such as this new-member event at Temple Emanu-el.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 14, 2021
Jewish Federation granted $1 million for security upgrades, training

State money approved as part of a larger package to help prevent anti-Semitic violence.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 14, 2021
Temple Emanu-El blesses pets at ceremony

The weekend blessing was held June 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 13, 2021
Craft Fest brings statewide talent to Sarasota

For two days, the inner Circle was awash in artists and crafters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 13, 2021
Sarasota, East County rowers compete in USRowing regatta

Sarasota Crew and Manatee County Youth Rowing all had representatives in A and B Finals at Nathan Benderson Park

  • East County
  • Sports
Built in 2016, the home at 1423 S. Lake Shore Drive has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,323 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 13, 2021
Oyster Bay Estates home sells for $4.7 million

Residential real estate transactions for May 31-June 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The home at 5965 Gulf of Mexico Drive was built in 2007. It has six bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 10,087 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 13, 2021
Gulf of Mexico Drive home sells for more than $10 million

Residential real estate transactions for May 31-June 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Fireworks On the Lake at Nathan Benderson Park will mostly return to its pre-pandemic format this year, although a couple of changes from last year will remain. File photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 12, 2021
Fireworks On the Lake at Benderson Park returns to normal

SANCA said live music, food and the 4-mile race will return to its annual holiday event.

  • East County
  • News
Three parcels of land, comprising about 33 acres, are now officially preserved under a conservation easement.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 11, 2021
Land next to Celery Fields officially preserved

Sarasota County commissioners rezoned three parcels of land to allow for a conservation easement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 11, 2021
Longboat Key dads provide paternal wisdom ahead of Father's Day

The simple question of "What makes a good dad in today's world?" resonated with local dads.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
ODA Coach Mike Matthews was named the Class 2A Coach of the Year by Florida Dairy Farmers.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 11, 2021
ODA baseball picks up postseason awards

Thunder junior Logan Tribble and Coach Mike Matthews received their honors on Friday.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 11, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Half the lighting, all the warning

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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