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Your Observer

    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 25, 2021
Foundation for Dreams summer camps underway in east Bradenton

Bradenton's Foundation for Dreams hosts campers aged 7 to 17 with games, arts and crafts, and science.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Christi Villalobos receives the Stephen Garber Award from President Laura Adcock. Villalobos also received the Rotarian of the Year Award.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 25, 2021
Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch installs 2021-22 officers, directors

Mark Midyett succeeds Laura Adcock as Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch president.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The community center was designed by Victor Lundy, a leader in the Sarasota School of Architecture style of post-war modern design. It was built in 1956.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 24, 2021
Historic South Gate property could be turned over to county

South Gate residents will vote on whether to sell the community center to the county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 24, 2021
Affordable home options considered for north end of county

Six proposals were submitted for 2501 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way that mix affordable housing with a variety of other services, including grocery stores, schools and a minor league soccer stadium.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rick Knowlton, Nicholas Lewis and Dan Hersey operate the Manasota Chess Center.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 24, 2021
Manasota Chess Center opens for all skill levels

Nicholas Lewis, Rick Knowlton and Dan Hersey have launched the Manasota Chess Center at the Crossings shopping mall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 24, 2021
East County weather page photo: June 24

Ted Spitzmiller captured this alligator roaming the neighborhood of the Muirfield subdivision in the Country Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 24, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: June 24

Robert Todd captured the afterglow of a sunset on Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 24, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: June 24

Pat White captured this photo of manatee parents with their calf in Buttonwood Harbor on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The concept design focuses on changes to a street segment leading into St. Armands Circle from the mainland, attempting to create a visual gateway welcoming visitors into the district.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 24, 2021
St. Armands Circle group pursues major streetscape upgrade

St. Armands stakeholders have a vision for improving the look and feel of the commercial district. Can they convince city officials to buy in?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Colleen Healy, Bay Isles Publix store manager Willie McLaughlin and Fire Chief Paul Dezzi will lead Longboat Key's Fourth of July festivities.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 24, 2021
For Longboat's Freedom Fest, it's Grand Marshal x3

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, Dr. Colleen Healy and Bay Isles Publix store manager Willie McLaughlin will lead Longboat Key's Fourth of July festivities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 24, 2021
Update: GMD reopens on Longboat Key following gas leak

Traffic stopped in 5500 block.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Bird Key home sold in February for more than $6.6 million.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 24, 2021
Median home-sale prices rise to record level in Sarasota County

Benchmark sales figure has risen each month of 2021.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A coalition of downtown stakeholders who support the Sarasota Orchestra’s request to relocate to Payne Park have expressed concern the organization could pass on the site without solid legal clearance to move forward. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 24, 2021
Amid orchestra search, no easy answer to Payne Park legal question

City Attorney Robert Fournier said the city cannot proactively seek a judgment on the legality of building a music hall in Payne Park without a firm commitment from the Sarasota Orchestra.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city already has regulations designed to clear obstructions from sidewalks — including an ordinance prohibiting sitting or laying in an unreasonable manner — but downtown merchants are pushing officials to do more. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 24, 2021
City could restrict sitting, lying down on downtown sidewalks

As merchants voice complaints about individuals on the sidewalk near their businesses, the city is exploring options for new laws. Some officials want to proceed with caution.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 24, 2021
Florida: A cradle of liberty!

Gannett Co.’s editors besmirched Florida and its 22.6 million people as ‘a cradle’ of hate, delusion and extremism — ignoring the hate, death and destruction wrought by the ‘peaceful’ protesters.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The construction of a park on Central Avenue in the Rosemary District is an example of a master plan project that got an accelerated timeline because of input from community members and elected officials. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 24, 2021
Parks board checks in on master plan progress

As the City Commission prepares to work on the 2022 budget, an advisory group wants an update on how the city is handling the goals it identified in a 2019 report.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Badger Bob's Services Team
  • June 24, 2021
A/C Purchase Plans: Lease vs. Own

Know the difference and keep your cool.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Former President Donald Trump will hold a rally in Sarasota on July 3.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 23, 2021
Trump to hold rally July 3 at Sarasota Fairgrounds

Former President Donald Trump rally in Sarasota on July 3 will include special guests, fireworks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 23, 2021
Despite dip, Sarasota lands in top five for Florida Standards Assessments

Third grade students tested four percentage points lower in English Language Arts than in 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High rising senior wideout Jaron Glover committed to Michigan State on June 20.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 23, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Riverview High wideout commits to Michigan State

Plus, a familiar-name hire adds to intrigue at Sarasota High

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 23, 2021
Ringling Bridge lights up with rainbow colors for Pride Month

The bridge will display Pride colors for the rest of June.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Before it was reopened to traffic June 13, this section of Lakewood Main Street had been closed to traffic for 14 months. At least 850 people have signed a petition asking to keep the street open to pedestrians.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 23, 2021
Opening Lakewood Main Street to traffic irks some residents

A Change.org petition to keep part of the Lakewood Ranch street open to pedestrians has more than 850 signatures.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Animal Services Chief Sarah Brown holds Elwood, a tabby who was taken in by the shelter Jan. 10. Commissioners are debating how to fix the problem of the county's overcrowded shelter. File photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 23, 2021
Manatee County commissioners disagree on need for Lakewood Ranch animal shelter

Some commissioners say a planned animal shelter might not be necessary in East County thanks to donation of Bishop Animal Shelter.

  • East County
  • News
This draft shows Manatee County’s plan for the library with 60% of the design complete. The plan is subject to change because of design tweaks and the commissioners’ budget approval process. (Courtesy of Manatee County)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 23, 2021
Proposed budget for Lakewood Ranch library in Manatee County skyrockets

Manatee County commissioners debate whether a $19.9 million budget is necessary for a Lakewood Ranch library.

  • East County
  • News
Ryder Wahlsmith, a rising senior at Lakewood Ranch High School and a Manatee Technical College student, wipes down the plane as he continues to work on it. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 23, 2021
MTC students have plane fun in east Bradenton

MTC automotive technology students on board for new challenge.

  • East County
  • Schools
A lower student enrollment means the district will receive less money from the state, which could cause issues when it comes time to balance the books.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 23, 2021
School district weighs effects of lower enrollment for 2021-22

The district is expecting about 920 fewer students than it projected, which has a direct impact on how much money the district receives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 22, 2021
Two killed in car crash near SRQ airport

Two other serious injuries reported in three-vehicle collision on Tamiami Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cindy Burke and Jason McGuire
    A time to celebrate |
  • June 22, 2021
Cindy Burke and Jason McGuire

Cindy Burke and Jason McGuire, who both reside in Siesta Key, Florida, were married on Saturday June 19, 2021 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.

  • Siesta Key
  • Celebrations
    In Memoriam |
  • June 22, 2021
Ronald Thomas George Platt, OBE

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Ron, a resident of Longboat Key for 30 years, passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at his home surrounded by his children at the age of 94.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Jake Ilardi is a Street skater, meaning he specializes in skating rails, stairs, banks and other items you could find on a real city street.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 22, 2021
Sarasota skateboarder's Street specialty, explained

A breakdown of what skateboarding is in 2021 and how Sarasota's Jake Ilardi will be scored at the Olympics next month

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Built in 2012, the home at 223 Robin Drive on Bird Key has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,786 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 22, 2021
Bird Key home sells for $6.5 million

Residential real estate transactions for June 7-11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Several boaters dock on the weekends on the north end of Longboat Key. Photo courtesy of James Haft.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 21, 2021
Longboat Key to consider new rules to quiet loud boat music

North-end residents have expressed their complaints for months.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Boats navigated the water on June 16 near the Longboat Pass Bridge.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 21, 2021
Coast Guard planning to reinstall Longboat Pass navigational markers

U.S. Coast Guard plans to replace navigation markers removed during beach work dredging.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Vozzolo uses a secchi disk to test water transparency after mini reefs were installed.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 21, 2021
Siesta Key Grand Canal project receives grants, hopes for others

A group of Siesta Key residents hopes to improve the canal’s water quality through the installation of mini reefs.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • June 21, 2021
Rudy Yessin

Rudy Yessin, 95 of Longboat Key, Florida died Friday morning, June 18, at his home in Florida with his family by his side.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Fun Life Entertainment's floating jungle gym anchored off the eastern shore of Greer Island.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 21, 2021
Longboat Key cites floating jungle gym owner

Fun Life Entertainment's floating playground is often docked east of the Longboat Pass Bridge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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