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Your Observer

A student from Blanche H. Daughtrey Elementary School reads a book in Spanish. When students are in Spanish class, they will do everything in Spanish. When in English class, they'll read, speak and write in English. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 18, 2021
Twice the learning in Lakewood Ranch

Braden River Elementary School adds a dual language program in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
There is a proposal to redevelop the six units at 551 Broadway into four single-family structures.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 17, 2021
Longboat Key leaders to consider proposed Broadway redevelopment

The proposal would reduce the number of units at 551 Broadway from six to four single-family structures.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Stakeholders cut the ribbon on a Legacy Trail overpass at Laurel Road in January 2019.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 17, 2021
First segment of expanded Legacy Trail to open in July

A ribbon cutting for segment one, which stretches from Proctor Road to Bahia Vista Street, will be held July 6.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Roberto Ortega and Margo Valenzuela give their daughter Athzira Ortega flowers and balloons to celebrate her graduation from Lakewood Ranch High School last year. More guests will be allowed to attend this year's ceremonies.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2021
Attendance expands for Manatee County high school graduations

School District of Manatee County doubles attendance for graduation ceremonies at LECOM Park.

  • East County
  • News
Bob Trisolini in "A Final Impossibility." Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 17, 2021
Making a scene again

Longboat Key resident Bob Trisolini returns to the stage.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
JoJo Fusco with triptych "The Blue Lagoon."
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 17, 2021
JoJo Fusco brings abstract nature to All Angels

Gallery director Carol Doenecke used her local art connections to find Fusco, who is the church's featured artist.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • May 17, 2021
Lucia Longo

Lucia Longo (age 84) recently of Bradenton, Florida, passed away on Tuesday May 11, 2021 with her husband, Mark at her side.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The town is planning to make improvements to the west end of the North Shore Road beach entrance. Town leadersr will evaluate what to do with the chainlink fence on the north side of the entrance.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 17, 2021
North Shore beach entrance fix-ups proposed

North-end residents have advocated for improvements to the beach entrance at 100 North Shore Road.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 17, 2021
Longboat Key authors host book signings

Mary Lou Johnson and Julie McGue held a meet and greet at the Tennis Gardens with their books.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 17, 2021
Danny's Dream fundraiser brings James Bond to town

The event raised money for the Danny Fund at the University of Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2021
Prom prevails for Lakewood Ranch seniors

After the Lakewood Ranch High prom was cancelled, a private one was organized to replace it.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 17, 2021
Patterson Foundation receives national recognition for reading program

The Patterson Foundation's Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading was recognized as a Bright Spot for its program "This Book is Cool!."

  • Sarasota
  • News
McHenry Lerebours received his bachelor's degree in political science from Florida A&M University and a master's degree in educational leadership from University of South Florida.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 17, 2021
McIntosh Middle School names new principal

McHenry Lerebours has served as the interim principal since February.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 16, 2021
Temple Sinai members climb Celery Fields for Shavuot

Members explored Celery Fields and had ice cream on May 16.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 15, 2021
Cardinal Mooney celebrates 2021 graduates

The graduation event was held May 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 15, 2021
Karin's Causes sell artifacts and oddities at annual estate sale

The sale runs through May 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The CDC issued updated guidance that says fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or social distance except where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws, including local businesses.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 14, 2021
Longboat Key adjusts COVID-19 policies

The town of Longboat Key is following guidance from the CDC.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Tennis Center manager Kay Thayer is preparing for the return of league play in fall.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 14, 2021
Tennis Center league play set to resume in the fall

The Tennis Center reopened in May 2020 and has provided a haven for many people throughout the pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Officers diverted traffic from traveling westbound on John Ringling Causeway as crews responded to the gas leak. The road has since reopened.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 14, 2021
Gas leak temporarily closes lanes of Ringling Causeway

The road has since reopened, but the Sarasota Police Department advised motorists to expect delays after a gas leak on Bird Key blocked traffic onto the barrier islands.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 14, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A difference of opinion

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Suzy Brenner leads class with Lahni at her feet.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 13, 2021
Paradise Center completes building renovation

The completion of the rec room marked the end of major building renovations.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
David Pilston. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 13, 2021
Save Our Seabirds begins search for new CEO

David Pilston will be leaving the organization after about 9 years at the helm.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The ManaSota League of Cities recognized Tom Harmer on Thursday morning by giving him the Home Rule Hero Award.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 13, 2021
Mayor, manager recognized for Longboat Key advocacy

Florida's legislative session ended on April 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Melissa Leduc
  • May 13, 2021
East County weather page photo: May 13

Gordon Silver captured this photo of a great blue heron eating a snake in Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: May 13

Michael Cohen captured this little blue heron near the nest at Red Bug Slough in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 13

Susan Batchelor captured these terns at dusk on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Scott Gray and Joel Schemmel. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 13, 2021
You Observed: Republican Club of Longboat Key hosts final meeting of season

The club met one last time before parting ways until fall 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cougars Coach Greg Mulhollen said he did not like the umpires changing a balk call after the fact. It should be a judgment call in the moment, Mulhollen said.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 13, 2021
Mooney baseball on wrong end of unusual call in regional playoffs

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney senior Max Middleton stares down his spot before a throw in the 2A boys discus. Middleton would finish second.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 13, 2021
Cardinal Mooney, Booker athletes find silver linings at state track and field meet

There were no golds, but a few area athletes still found success.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 13, 2021
The road to totalitarianism?

Overlay what’s happening in the U.S. today with the six elements needed to achieve a socialist state, and you can see where we’re headed.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Decals still identify the Payne Park Auditorium as office space for the landscape division of the parks and recreation department, but the city has relocated trucks and other equipment from the site.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 13, 2021
Truck parking at Payne Park causes dust-up

Residents complained after the city’s parks department turned the Payne Park Auditorium into office space, so staff relocated vehicles from the property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city closed the Osprey Avenue bridge to facilitate Lift Station 87 construction for the second time in four years in May 2020. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 13, 2021
Lift station project nears completion

The city hopes to have the Osprey Avenue bridge reopened and the decommissioning of Lift Station 87 under way by the end of June.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Save Siesta Key board members Tracy Jackson and John Davidson hope incorporating the barrier island will allow residents to have more input on the future of the key. Brynn Mechem
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 12, 2021
Siesta Key residents explore possibility of incorporation

Leaders of a grassroots effort called Save Siesta Key are conducting a feasibility study and starting to write a town charter.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A proposal would dedicate 5% of the Tourist Development Tax to sports tourism.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 12, 2021
County considers dedicated sports tourism funding

A proposal would dedicate 5% of the Tourist Development Tax to sports tourism.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 12, 2021
Planning for mental health district moves ahead

County Commissioners are considering a dependent district, which would remain under their governance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A wreath of flowers hangs at the entrance to the stable area during the Celebration of Life for Gabby Herrmann.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 12, 2021
Final salute to Myakka City 'icon'

Celebration of Life held for Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions matriarch Gabby Herrmann.

  • East County
  • 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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