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Your Observer

Though without webbed feet, the common gallinule swims well and is able to navigate soft, muddy terrain with ease.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • June 11, 2021
Bird of the Week: Common gallinule

These small waterbirds are found in marshy habitats around Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michael Moore shows the group the mock-ups of what the four-story aquarium will look like.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 11, 2021
Mote delivers aquarium update to Kiwanis Club on Longboat

Members heard a progress report on the new project planned for Benderson Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 10, 2021
East County weather page photo: June 10

Gordon Silver captured this photo of two sandhill cranes near Lorraine Road in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 10, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: June 10

Patricia Donnelly captured this photo of an osprey hunting for fish over a lake in Village Walk.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 10, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: June 10

Bob Gary captured this photo of a bald eagle at Winding Oaks on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 10, 2021
Southwest Airlines adds New York, Washington for the fall

New destinations add to record traffic at SRQ.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In addition to sharing a preliminary concept image for a carousel in St. Armands Circle Park, the project team said the ride could be configured to reflect the area’s history and incorporate work from local artists. File image
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 10, 2021
St. Armands carousel concept sparks controversy

Amid criticism from nearby residents, the group behind a proposal to place a carousel in St. Armands Circle is asking for community input before city officials weigh in.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Booker High boys basketball Coach Markus Black is leaving to become a graduate assistant at the University of Arkansas.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 10, 2021
Booker High boys basketball coach leaves for the University of Arkansas

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 10, 2021
A response to a response

Letter writer’s thoughtful letter raised questions that challenged whether our objections to CRT were hypocritical, given our laissez-faire, free-market leanings. We felt compelled to respond.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 10, 2021
City approves height increase for Lido condo

A developer plans to build a 10-story, 70-unit residential building on the site of the Gulf Beach Motel and Coquina on the Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week’s edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 10, 2021
Cops Corner: Sarasota 6.10.21

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Popeyes is one of three additional businesses that real estate company CASTO announced will open stores at the intersection of State Road 64 and 117th Street East. The other two are Hungry Howie's and Christian Brothers Automotive.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 9, 2021
Popeyes, Hungry Howie's head to Lakewood Ranch

Christian Brothers Automotive is also among the companies that will open a business on State Road 64 in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County appointed Robert Reinshuttle as its second deputy administrator Tuesday. Reinshuttle was the chief advocacy officer for the Florida Association of Community Health Centers.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 9, 2021
Manatee County hires Reinshuttle as deputy administrator

Manatee County hires Robert Reinshuttle as deputy administrator.

  • East County
  • News
Andre Johnson is the new boys basketball coach at Booker High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 9, 2021
Booker High announces changes in athletic department

Former AD Phil Helmuth is retiring, while former boys basketball Coach Markus Black is taking a position at the University of Arkansas

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    In Memoriam |
  • June 9, 2021
Donald J. Shutello, M.D.

Donald J. Shutello, M.D. died peacefully on Friday, June 4, 2021 at the age of 84 at his home on Longboat Key, FL.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Robert Cobb, Brad McCoy and Josh Maddox caught their first tarpon ever on June 3 off the beach in Longboat Key near the Positano condominiums.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 9, 2021
Massive tarpon caught in Longboat Key

Four men caught the 150-pound tarpon on June 3 near the Positano condominiums.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jennifer Nzeza has been selected as the new Sarasota Middle School principal and will begin her position July 1.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 9, 2021
Southside Elementary principal moves to Sarasota Middle

Jennifer Nzeza, who has served as principal at Southside Elementary since 2018, will be the new principal of Sarasota Middle School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
BJ Bishop was among the Longboat Key town commissioners who attended the FLC’s three-day Institute for Elected Municipals Course.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 9, 2021
Florida League of Cities appoints Bishop to Legislative Policy Committee

BJ Bishop will help develop the Florida League of Cities' legislative action agenda in the new role.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sheila and Eric Nichols of Venice hold Shaker, 10, Martini, 9, Salt, 7, Olive, 1, and Margarita, 6, at Pups at Premier.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch hosts paw-fect canine event

Lakewood Ranch canine event at paw-fect

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jake Ilardi represented the United States in Street Skateboarding at the Tokyo Olympics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 9, 2021
Sarasota athletes set for Olympics

Three are already in, with more possibly to come.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A student works on the training program Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 9, 2021
Longboat Key in need of home health aides, companions

A growing traffic problem has made it more difficult to find part-time aides to come to Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Julia Braz and her Stanford teammates finished second overall at the NCAA Rowing Championships after not being able to row together until April.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 9, 2021
Worth waiting for

A former Sarasota Crew rower's college career at Stanford was delayed by COVID-19 restrictions — but it worked out in the end.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Craig and Miriam Boots of the Country Club have been dealing with the effects of Craig's parkinsonism disorder since April 2020.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch residents say support key when facing parkinsonism disorder

Country Club of Lakewood Ranch couple turns to Neuro Challenge and neighbors for help during parkinsonism struggles.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior Blake Wood was one of the few area athletes to compete in javelin in 2020-2021.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 9, 2021
Our columnist's top moments of the 2020-2021 high school season

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, thanks the community for its support during a difficult school year.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • June 9, 2021
School District of Manatee County Superintendent gives thanks to community for support

School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders applauds teachers, students, staff members and the community for a successful school year.

  • East County
  • Opinion
1. Lakewood Ranch freshman Grace Shaw-Rockey hugs junior Grace Hogie after the Mustangs state championship win.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 9, 2021
Top 10 moments from the 2020-2021 East County high school sports season

It was a historic year for Lakewood Ranch, Braden River and ODA athletes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Village Idiots Cycling Club members Andrea Sacchetti and Dawn Zielinski stand at the intersection of State Road 70 and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, where a bike lane will be reinstated on the southbound part of the latter street.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 9, 2021
Manatee County listens to Lakewood Ranch bike safety pleas

Bike lane to return to intersection of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and State Road 70

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Mike Moran, who brought forth the proposals, said it was time for the EDC to be held accountable.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 8, 2021
County Commission to begin rolling back EDC funds

Commissioners will stop tax funding to the EDC by 2024 and reallocate economic development incentive fund monies to the general fund budget.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ford's Garage General Manager Tom Jones and Director of Operations Yunus Rassoull stand at the entrance to the new location at University Town Center. Rassoull said the restaurant was full for the entire lunch rush.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 8, 2021
Ford's Garage opens in Sarasota's University Town Center

The burger and craft beer restaurant at University Town Center in Sarasota held its grand opening Tuesday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 8, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: You want him on that wall, you need him on that wall

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Face masks will be optional for the 2021-22 school year. Parents will decide what is best for their child.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 8, 2021
Parents make the call on school masks for next academic year

Sarasota School Board makes clear masks are optional for 2021-22 but backs off from requiring teachers to enforce parents' wishes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sea turtle nesting season runs each year from May 1-Oct. 31. Photo Credit: Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 8, 2021
Longboat Key to take additional month to consider proposed sea turtle protections

If passed, the proposed sea turtle protections wouldn't take effect until 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Sara Grivetti comes to the Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's from working for the state of Michigan director of the Bureau of Long-Term Services and Supports. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 8, 2021
Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's brings on new CEO

Dr. Sara Grivetti will be the new CEO for the neurological disorder support nonprofit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After many failed nesting attempts on Siesta Beach, Ms. Sanibel has successfully nested on Caladesi Island for the past two years. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • June 8, 2021
Bird of the Week: Checking in with Ms. Sanibel

Tagged snowy plover heads north to nest after finding trouble on Sarasota-area beaches.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Several new homes are being built on Magnolia Road near Pine and Hughes streets.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 7, 2021
Revved-up real estate market helps Longboat property values rebound

Early projections show a 5.37% increase in Longboat Key's property values compared to a year ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tim Williams' Tesla has its charging port on the driver's side of the car.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 7, 2021
Longboat rejects car-charging grant

The town of Longboat Key would have been responsible for the cost of electricity as part of FPL's grant program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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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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