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Your Observer

The town will limit public beach parking at 100 N. Shore Road until Aug. 9 to allow its contractor to more easily move equipment.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 28, 2021
North Shore beach parking limited for beach renourishment project

The town will limit beach parking on North Shore Road until Aug. 9.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The district's millage rate will decrease by 3.8%, but residents may still pay more in taxes. because of an increase in the median property value.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 28, 2021
Sarasota School Board adopts tentative budget, millage rate

The district's millage rate will decrease by 3.8%, but residents may still pay more in taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Melanie Bevan, the chief of the Bradenton Police Department, Jennifer Gilray, the assistant director of MTC's east campus, and Jay Romine, the law enforcement program director at MTC, work to open a firing range and driving course
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 28, 2021
MTC to have new firing range and driving pad in Myakka

MTC joins with the Bradenton Police Department to build a new shooting range and driving pad in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • Schools
The bloom of the corpse flower is an exciting event at Selby Gardens. (Clothespins not provided.)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 28, 2021
Corpse Flower blooms at Selby Gardens

The putrid flower made its rare bloom on July 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Emma Weyant won a silver medal in the Women's 400-Meter IM at the Olympics on Saturday night. Photo courtesy Mike Lewis/USA Swimming.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 28, 2021
Local athletes make Sarasota proud at Tokyo Olympics

Two of Sarasota's four athletes at the Olympics are coming home with hardware.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The "Hagen Brody" burger comes with cheddar cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce and more on a brioche bun.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 28, 2021
Ford's Garage in UTC area names burgers after Sarasota figures

Feeling hungry for a Larry Thompson burger? The Ford's Garage restaurant has you covered.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The bridge over the Braden River, part of an extension of 44th Avenue east from Cortez Road to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, is 0.26 miles long.(Courtesy of Manatee County)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 28, 2021
44th Avenue bridge over Braden River 75% complete

Manatee County provides an update on massive project that will connect Lakewood Ranch with Cortez Road.

  • East County
  • News
During Jack Wagner's younger days he was a top sailor in the Detroit area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2021
Lakewood Ranch centenarian became an exceptional sailor in Mackinac races

Centenarian Jack Wagner loving life at The Sheridan at Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dom DiMaio has stepped down after two years as president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2021
Search for Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance leader begins again

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance would covet a leader who would stay longterm.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Dr. Jennifer Bencie, the Manatee County Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health, said without reaching herd immunity, COVID-19 has many chances to mutate into more contagious or severe strains. File photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 28, 2021
Delta variant rising in Manatee County as governor urges vaccinations

Manatee County health officer says children under 12 could spread COVID-19 to their classmates.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Communities’ 3D “community Xplorer map” was awarded a gold award for best innovative use of technology at the Southeast Building Conference’s 42nd annual Aurora Awards.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2021
Lakewood Ranch's 3D map earns gold award

Lakewood Ranch's 3D Community Xplorer Map earns Aurora Award from builders.

  • East County
  • News
Kingdom Business Alliance Co-founders Greg Claxton and Scott McKay stand with member Mindy Poff after a Tuesday morning meeting at the Grove. The alliance meets every single week.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 28, 2021
Lakewood Ranch-based Kingdom Business Alliance keeps God first

The Kingdom Business Alliance has grown to 29 members in six months.

  • East County
  • News
Mary Tucker and her partner, Lucas Kozeniesky, took a silver medal in the Mixed 10-meter Air Rifle.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 27, 2021
Sarasota's Mary Tucker takes Olympic silver medal in Mixed Air Rifle

Tucker previously finished sixth in the Women's Air Rifle.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Save Siesta Key board members Tracy Jackson and John Davidson welcomed a tax increase if it led to greater local control over key decisions on the barrier island.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 27, 2021
Save Siesta Key leaders discuss tax to support municipality proposal

If residents want to incorporate Siesta Key to create a new local government, the change would come at a cost to homeowners.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Ross Johnston attributed his love of connecting people and volunteering for his Young Professional of the Year win.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 27, 2021
Ross Johnston named Young Professional of the Year

Community figure Ross Johnston recently won a Young Professional of the Year award at a YPG event July 23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Chloe Bernal, a 2021 graduate of Booker High School, was named one of 300 Bank of America Student leaders.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 27, 2021
Sarasota student leader learns value of volunteering

A Booker High School graduate was named one of 300 Bank of America Student Leaders.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Protesters clap and cheer at the end of a press conference to wrap up a protest against the possibility of increased abortion restrictions in Manatee County at a commission meeting Tuesday.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 27, 2021
Abortion-rights activists protest attempts to add abortion restrictions in Manatee County

Manatee County Commissioner James Satcher raised the idea of tightening local abortion restrictions at a June commission meeting.

  • East County
  • News
Brody Wiseman's Sailors football team has not been shy about its ambitions for the 2021 season: beating Riverview High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 27, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Sarasota-Riverview football rivalry is in mid-season form

The two programs has a social media spat this week, setting the table for a fiery 2021 contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 27, 2021
Skate community cheers on Jake Ilardi at Tokyo Olympics

Local skateboarders and supporters attended an Olympics watch party on July 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Observer Media Group President Emily Walsh has spent nearly two decades with the company, working in roles including publisher, chief digital officer, editor and advertising sales executive. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 27, 2021
Emily Walsh named president of Observer Media Group

As CEO Matt Walsh takes a step back from the company, Emily Walsh is eager to continue her family’s lineage as leaders in the community and in the local media industry.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • July 27, 2021
Robert T. Ruff

Robert T. (Bob) Ruff, a 40-year resident of Longboat Key, died at his home in Longboat Key on July 13th, 2021, after having celebrated his 93rd birthday just two months before.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
John Schindler is the new director of bands at Lakewood Ranch High School. He looks forward to continuing the successes and traditions of the band programs.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 27, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High School has new director of bands

New band director John Schindler wants to maintain the Marching Mustangs' success and traditions.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 27, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: I'll let myself out, thanks

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 26, 2021
Sarasota teacher finishes as runner-up for Florida Teacher of the Year

Fruitville Elementary School teacher Kari Johnson, the Sarasota Schools Teacher of the Year, was one of five finalists for the statewide honor.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 26, 2021
Bob Ruff, a tennis devotee who organized games on Longboat Key, dies at 93

Ruff organized a group of 40 men through thousands of tennis games throughout his life.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 26, 2021
Longboat Key undergrounding project: Crews begin removal of light poles

Crews have started removing light poles from the Country Club Shores neighborhood.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The house at 8155 Midnight Pass Road was built in 1986. It has six bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 6,273 square feet.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 26, 2021
Siesta Key house sells for $4.2 million

These are the top transactions in the Sarasota area from July 12-16.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Like many great horned owls hit by vehicles, Archimedes, one of over 100 residents at Save Our Seabirds' Wild Bird Learning Center, suffered severe wing injuries and can no longer sustain flight. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • July 26, 2021
Bird of the week: great horned owl

Distinctive top-of-head features are neither horns nor ears but help serve to break up the owl's profile, better camouflaging it from predators.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 26, 2021
St. Armands Circle Association hosts Family Day

Families on the Circle enjoyed a family and pet photoshoot area on July 25.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The house at 439 E. Royal Flamingo Drive has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,583 square feet. It previously sold for $3.35 million in 2020.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 26, 2021
Bird Key house sells for $5.05 million

The top real estate transactions for Longboat, Lido and Bird keys from July 12-16.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Country Club Shores resident Christopher Sachs was pleased the canal between Yardarm Lane and Bowsprit Lane was mostly clear by the time he returned home. Sachs is pictured here on July 22.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 25, 2021
Longboat Key residents cope with red tide effects

While the dead fish accumulation has subsided, residents hope red tide conditions aren't as severe as 2018.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Emma Weyant won a silver medal in the Women's 400-Meter IM at the Olympics on Saturday night. Photo courtesy Mike Lewis/USA Swimming.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 24, 2021
Sarasota's Emma Weyant takes silver medal in women's 400 IM at Olympics

Sarasota skateboarder Jake Ilardi failed to qualify for the Street finals at the games.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota's Mary Tucker finished sixth in the women's 10-meter air rifle event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Friday night.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 23, 2021
Sarasota's Mary Tucker finishes sixth in 10-meter Air Rifle at Olympics

Tucker, a Sarasota Military Academy graduate, still has two events left in Tokyo

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Joe Bertucci usually makes strawberry and peach jam.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 23, 2021
Longboat Key residents put in hard work for the sweet reward of jam

Two Longboat Key residents spread the love with homemade jams and preserves.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • July 23, 2021
Thomas (Tom) H. W. Jones, Jr.

Tom was born in Bryn Mawr, PA to the late Thomas and Louise Jones, and raised in Norristown, PA.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Mark, Elyse and Aaron Gordon on the first day of Kindergarten at Willis Elementary School in August, 2013
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 23, 2021
Bus(ted) the first day

The first day of school is full of joyous rituals and anxieties — for parents, of course.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Benderson Development is wrapping up its latest phase of construction at the business and industrial park off Toledo Blade Boulevard.
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