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Your Observer

    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 14, 2021
Longboat Library has assigned summer reading for every type of bookworm

When the season's storms or humidity make outdoors a second choice, these titles will keep you going.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jessica Percel, Dawn Bouck and Teresa Mast. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 14, 2021
Builders have the right stuff in Manatee and Sarasota counties

Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association stuffs backpacks for the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A six-classroom addition is being built at Braden River Middle School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 14, 2021
East Bradenton schools to see new and updated facilities

Several East County schools will see renovations and additions to ease overcrowding and update facilities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Florida Department of Transportation Community Outreach Manager Brian Bollas said the department expects construction on the S.R. 70 and I-75 project to be completed in November, weather permitting. File photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 14, 2021
FDOT expects I-75/S.R. 70 project to be completed in November

The $80.8 million project to improve the I-75/S.R. 70 interchange is running four to five months behind schedule.

  • East County
  • News
Selva Grill's dining room features blues and greens and a mural inspired by Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night. Unlike the lounge, it accepts reservations. (Photo courtesy of Selva Grill)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 14, 2021
EYE ON BUSINESS: Selva Grill brings Latin American flavors to Sarasota's UTC

Co-owner Jeremy Osment hopes to attract UTC customers with exotic dining experience.

  • East County
  • News
Traffic drives through standing water Wednesday morning on the side of N. Rye Road outside the Southern Oaks neighborhood in Bradenton.
  • By Liz Ramos and Brendan Lavell
  • July 14, 2021
Tropical Storm Elsa prepares eastern Manatee County for rest of hurricane season

Emergency prep teams hope residents remain alert despite storm's limited impact.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 5382 Sandham Place  was built in 1996. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,330 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 14, 2021
Mistletoe Lane home sells for $3.1 million

Residential real estate transactions for June 28-July 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Officials discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022 at a special City Commission meeting Tuesday, July 13.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 14, 2021
City set to lower property tax rate in 2022 budget

City Manager Marlon Brown hopes his first budget will serve as a model for long-term financial management.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Joe Newman was the oldest living graduate of University of Notre Dame. He died July 10 at the age of 108.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 14, 2021
Centenarian Joe Newman known for wisdom, advocacy for change

The Aviva senior resident was 108.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ailani Maximo, a rising eighth grader at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, is one of the 60 students selected to be a scholar in the Take Stock in Children Manatee program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 14, 2021
Take Stock brings out Myakka City student's wealth of talent

Take Stock in Children Manatee invests its resources into Myakka City student.

  • East County
  • Schools
Killdeer, who are named for their shrill, two-syllable call, are shorebirds who are equally at home away from the beach. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • July 14, 2021
Bird of the week: Killdeer

A shore bird that has adapted to inland life, the killdeer employs various tricks to avoid predators.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brennan Asplen has been on the job for about a year.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 13, 2021
Sarasota school board rates superintendent as 'highly effective'

Asplen gets highest possible rating for board after challenge-filled first year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Gracewater Community Development has proposed 620 homes that will be a mixture of affordable and market-rate housing.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 13, 2021
Affordable housing proposals advanced for north Sarasota County site

Commissioners selected two proposals to be moved forward for the site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 13, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Paperwork, am I right?

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Rabbi Stuart Altshuler had his first day with Temple Beth Sholom on July 1.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 13, 2021
Temple Beth Sholom welcomes Altshuler as new rabbi

The rabbi plans to bring in thoughtful discussions and speakers to the synagogue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The property owners of 597 Buttonwood Drive hope to convert it from an office-institutional property to a residential use for two homes that would face Buttonwood Drive.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 13, 2021
Longboat Key voters to decide on Buttonwood referendum

The residential density measure is set to appear on the Nov. 2 ballot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The county is posting signage alerting beachgoers about the elevated levels of red tide detected in the water. File image.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 13, 2021
Red tide present at all Sarasota County beaches

The county reported the current conditions on the beach include minor fish kills and respiratory irritation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 2021 US Youth Soccer National Championships are coming to the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch from July 20 to July 25 and you can be a part of the festivities.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 13, 2021
2021 US Youth Soccer Nationals needs volunteers

The event is being held at Premier Sports Campus on July 20-25

  • East County
  • Sports
The Sarasota National 10-11-12 All-Star baseball team is headed to the state tournament. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 13, 2021
Sarasota National Little League All-Stars head to state tournament

The well-rounded team has overcome a loss and scheduling challenges to reach this point.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 12, 2021
Sarasota Jungle Gardens teaches students about animals at summer camp

The summer camp had children learning all about various reptiles and animal species.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 12, 2021
ODA's Camp Banyan participants get a view under the sea in Lakewood Ranch

Campers make coral reefs as one activity during the camp's under the sea week.

  • East County
  • Schools
Buyers from all over the U.S. have been gobbling up Lakewood Ranch homes, such as this one in the Genoa community of the Lake Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 12, 2021
Lakewood Ranch seizes No. 1 spot in master-planned community sales

RCLCO study names Lakewood Ranch as nation's No. 1-selling master-planned community.

  • East County
  • News
Vinny Loccisano proposed to Ashleigh Tinney. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 12, 2021
Hurricane Elsa didn't stop this Longboat Key proposal

She said yes, even though the proposal was mid-hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 12, 2021
Longboat condo project sells all 16 units

Sage Longboat Key Residences is expected to be completed in late 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Drew Clark.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 12, 2021
East County Athlete of the Week: Drew Clark

The Lakewood Ranch rising senior kicker talks his origins in football and

  • East County
  • Sports
The incident caused a closure on Benjamin Franklin Drive for more than eight hours Saturday morning. Photo courtesy Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 12, 2021
Police continue investigation of Lido Key shooting

The Sarasota Police Department is still gathering information on a Friday night incident that culminated in officers finding the suspected shooter dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dozens of dead fish were washing up on the shores of Quick Point Nature Preserve on Monday.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 12, 2021
Longboat Key receives reports of red tide

The town has received reports of small fish kills, water discoloration and some odor.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Michelle Ditzig, Anna Ditzig, Chris Barstow, Jessica Stevens, Rebecca Stevens and John Kurz. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 12, 2021
Freedom filth finishers

A group of Longboat Key residents and volunteers worked with Surfrider Foundation to clean up the beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Samantha Malcolm is a new board member for the Manatee Literacy Council.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 12, 2021
Lakewood Ranch teen joins Manatee Literacy Council's board

ODA rising senior hopes to bring a new perspective to the Manatee Literacy Council.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 10, 2021
Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival a hit at Benderson Park

The festival featured races and a ceremony in honor of those diagnosed with breast cancer

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Ella Hoy enjoys seeing her 7-year-old son, Enzo, and husband, Matt, who are car fanatics marvel over the various cars at Coffee and Cars.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 10, 2021
Car enthusiasts see vintage to new cars at Sarasota's Coffee and Cars

Dozens of cars are on display at the University Town Center's Coffee and Cars.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 9, 2021
Siesta Key's Fire Station 13 ready for action

New two-story facility can house up to six firefighters and is built to withstand hurricanes.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Hoyt Architects estimated a stage at the Town Center site will cost between $500,000 and $600,000.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 9, 2021
Longboat Key to spend up to $50K on Town Center stage designs

Longboat Key town commissioners are set to review design work in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Riverdale home at 4015 Hawk Island Drive sold for $1.95 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4.623 square feet of living area. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 9, 2021
Riverdale home tops sales at $1.95 million to lead Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton areas

Here are the residential real estate transactions for the Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton areas for June 28-July 2

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Ron and Betty Jo Baca show their Baca Bread products to Lucy Dowd of Venice.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Market vendors look forward to Waterside Place move

Despite delayed opening of Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch, vendors excited about move.

  • East County
  • News
Jack Zimmerman is attempting to recruit more Lakewood Ranch seniors to his Sarasota Senior Softball Association leagues.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch senior softball players forced to travel to compete

Sarasota Senior Softball Association gives Lakewood Ranch players an option.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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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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