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Your Observer

    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
The Tampa Mustangs-TJ club softball team, which includes six players from Lakewood Ranch High, finished third at the PGF National Championships in Huntington Beach, California. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 4, 2021
Lakewood Ranch club softball team finishes third at national championships

Lakewood Ranch area players are key to Tampa Mustangs-TJ travel team success.

  • East County
  • Sports
    In Memoriam |
  • August 4, 2021
William K. Thorkelsen

William K. Thorkelsen, 97, of Longboat Key, FL. passed away July 31, 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Carr demonstrates how RGF Environmental Group Inc.'s air purification system works.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 4, 2021
Devices aboard Longboat rescue vehicles clear the air

Machines combat airborne pollutants such bacteria, mold and viruses, including COVID-19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Francesa Bisordi, 12, sits with her dog, Monty, who she drew for her mother's birthday. Bisordi's mom loves sunsets, which is why she chose a sunset-shaded background for her drawing.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • August 4, 2021
Lakewood Ranch 12-year-old spends her summer drawing pets

Greenbrook 12-year-old enjoys the challenge of drawing people's pets.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 29

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: July 29

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
University Park resident Marlene Meyer, who owns Marlene's Finds and Designs, repurposes customers' memorabilia into household items such as bracelets, napkin rings, purses, rings and more.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • August 4, 2021
University Park woman crafts special memory collections

Marlene Meyer repurposes customers' memorabilia into jewelry and household items.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2021
East County weather page photo: July 29

Pamela Williams captured this photo of a glossy ibis in the Hazeltine neighborhood of County Club East.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kate Walsh Honea performs in George Balanchine's "Theme and Variations."
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 4, 2021
Kate Walsh Honea departs Sarasota Ballet for Colorado position

Walsh Honea will serve as Artistic Director of the Colorado Ballet Society.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner George Kruse says moving forward with a countywide trail system is a top priority. The only trails in the county not contained within a preserve are in Lakewood Ranch, such as those found at James L. Patton Park.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • August 4, 2021
Infrastructure, parks top list of priorities for Manatee County commissioners

Back in session with a busy period just starting, Manatee County commissioners explain their top priorities as budget season heats up.

  • East County
  • News
Kennedy and Carter Wright both won gold at the 2021 Pan Kids IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Kissimmee.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 4, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Sarasota martial artists have choke hold on success

Carter Wright and Kennedy Wright both won gold at the 2021 Pan Kids Jiu-Jitsu championships

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Senior running back Jarmel Holloway is returning to the Sailors offense.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 4, 2021
Sarasota high school football previews: Sarasota High

With newfound depth, Sarasota High will challenge big opponents if offensive and defensive lines improve.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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