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Your Observer

Andre Johnson is the new boys basketball coach at Booker High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 9, 2021
Booker High announces changes in athletic department

Former AD Phil Helmuth is retiring, while former boys basketball Coach Markus Black is taking a position at the University of Arkansas

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    In Memoriam |
  • June 9, 2021
Donald J. Shutello, M.D.

Donald J. Shutello, M.D. died peacefully on Friday, June 4, 2021 at the age of 84 at his home on Longboat Key, FL.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Robert Cobb, Brad McCoy and Josh Maddox caught their first tarpon ever on June 3 off the beach in Longboat Key near the Positano condominiums.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 9, 2021
Massive tarpon caught in Longboat Key

Four men caught the 150-pound tarpon on June 3 near the Positano condominiums.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jennifer Nzeza has been selected as the new Sarasota Middle School principal and will begin her position July 1.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 9, 2021
Southside Elementary principal moves to Sarasota Middle

Jennifer Nzeza, who has served as principal at Southside Elementary since 2018, will be the new principal of Sarasota Middle School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
BJ Bishop was among the Longboat Key town commissioners who attended the FLC’s three-day Institute for Elected Municipals Course.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 9, 2021
Florida League of Cities appoints Bishop to Legislative Policy Committee

BJ Bishop will help develop the Florida League of Cities' legislative action agenda in the new role.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sheila and Eric Nichols of Venice hold Shaker, 10, Martini, 9, Salt, 7, Olive, 1, and Margarita, 6, at Pups at Premier.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch hosts paw-fect canine event

Lakewood Ranch canine event at paw-fect

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jake Ilardi represented the United States in Street Skateboarding at the Tokyo Olympics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 9, 2021
Sarasota athletes set for Olympics

Three are already in, with more possibly to come.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A student works on the training program Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 9, 2021
Longboat Key in need of home health aides, companions

A growing traffic problem has made it more difficult to find part-time aides to come to Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Julia Braz and her Stanford teammates finished second overall at the NCAA Rowing Championships after not being able to row together until April.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 9, 2021
Worth waiting for

A former Sarasota Crew rower's college career at Stanford was delayed by COVID-19 restrictions — but it worked out in the end.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Craig and Miriam Boots of the Country Club have been dealing with the effects of Craig's parkinsonism disorder since April 2020.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch residents say support key when facing parkinsonism disorder

Country Club of Lakewood Ranch couple turns to Neuro Challenge and neighbors for help during parkinsonism struggles.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior Blake Wood was one of the few area athletes to compete in javelin in 2020-2021.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 9, 2021
Our columnist's top moments of the 2020-2021 high school season

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, thanks the community for its support during a difficult school year.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • June 9, 2021
School District of Manatee County Superintendent gives thanks to community for support

School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders applauds teachers, students, staff members and the community for a successful school year.

  • East County
  • Opinion
1. Lakewood Ranch freshman Grace Shaw-Rockey hugs junior Grace Hogie after the Mustangs state championship win.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 9, 2021
Top 10 moments from the 2020-2021 East County high school sports season

It was a historic year for Lakewood Ranch, Braden River and ODA athletes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Village Idiots Cycling Club members Andrea Sacchetti and Dawn Zielinski stand at the intersection of State Road 70 and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, where a bike lane will be reinstated on the southbound part of the latter street.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 9, 2021
Manatee County listens to Lakewood Ranch bike safety pleas

Bike lane to return to intersection of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and State Road 70

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Mike Moran, who brought forth the proposals, said it was time for the EDC to be held accountable.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 8, 2021
County Commission to begin rolling back EDC funds

Commissioners will stop tax funding to the EDC by 2024 and reallocate economic development incentive fund monies to the general fund budget.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ford's Garage General Manager Tom Jones and Director of Operations Yunus Rassoull stand at the entrance to the new location at University Town Center. Rassoull said the restaurant was full for the entire lunch rush.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 8, 2021
Ford's Garage opens in Sarasota's University Town Center

The burger and craft beer restaurant at University Town Center in Sarasota held its grand opening Tuesday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 8, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: You want him on that wall, you need him on that wall

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Face masks will be optional for the 2021-22 school year. Parents will decide what is best for their child.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 8, 2021
Parents make the call on school masks for next academic year

Sarasota School Board makes clear masks are optional for 2021-22 but backs off from requiring teachers to enforce parents' wishes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sea turtle nesting season runs each year from May 1-Oct. 31. Photo Credit: Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 8, 2021
Longboat Key to take additional month to consider proposed sea turtle protections

If passed, the proposed sea turtle protections wouldn't take effect until 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Sara Grivetti comes to the Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's from working for the state of Michigan director of the Bureau of Long-Term Services and Supports. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 8, 2021
Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's brings on new CEO

Dr. Sara Grivetti will be the new CEO for the neurological disorder support nonprofit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After many failed nesting attempts on Siesta Beach, Ms. Sanibel has successfully nested on Caladesi Island for the past two years. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • June 8, 2021
Bird of the Week: Checking in with Ms. Sanibel

Tagged snowy plover heads north to nest after finding trouble on Sarasota-area beaches.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Several new homes are being built on Magnolia Road near Pine and Hughes streets.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 7, 2021
Revved-up real estate market helps Longboat property values rebound

Early projections show a 5.37% increase in Longboat Key's property values compared to a year ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tim Williams' Tesla has its charging port on the driver's side of the car.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 7, 2021
Longboat rejects car-charging grant

The town of Longboat Key would have been responsible for the cost of electricity as part of FPL's grant program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A white Hyundai Sonata and silver Ford Expedition crashed Monday evening on Gulf of Mexico Drive near Bay Isles Parkway.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 7, 2021
Gulf of Mexico Drive crash sends two people to the hospital

The crash happened Monday evening in front of the Islands West Condominium complex.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mary Lou Johnson. File photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 7, 2021
Luring in awards

"The Lure of Sarasota and Her Islands," a photography book by Mary Lou Johnson, won a Finalist award.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carlie Paquin
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 7, 2021
Just in time for summer

Alvin's Island reopened just in time for summer vacations to start.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
County Commissioner Mike Moran said he expects public expenditures to produce measurable results — and he doesn’t believe the Economic Development Corp. is meeting that standard. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 7, 2021
Economic Development Corp. could lose county funding

Commissioner Mike Moran, a critic of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County, wants to phase out the county’s local business tax and redirect existing reserves.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Holly Staley
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 7, 2021
Phillippi Shores names new principal

Holly Staley most recently served as a principal at an elementary school in New York.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sophie and Lucy won the most patriotic prize in 2019.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 7, 2021
Freedom Fest celebration and parade is on in Longboat Key

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the town of Longboat Key to cancel its 2020 Fourth of July festivities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 7, 2021
Investigators seek answers in UTC gunfire incident

Sarasota County deputies say shots were fired between at least two vehicles on Cattlemen Road on Saturday night.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 7, 2021
Rotary Club of Longboat Key plants tree at new fire station

The Longboat Key Fire Department will now be looked over by a "shady lady."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 7, 2021
Lord's Warehouse volunteers dive deep into buried treasure

Longboat Key's Lord's Warehouse thrift store always gets treasures, but this year donation season is lasting longer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
From left; Michael Taylor Shaklik, Katherine Ward, Congressman Buchanan, Elizabeth Jendrysik, and Andrew Fischer.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 7, 2021
Four Sarasota-area students appointed to U.S. service academies

Sarasota-area graduates among 11 put forward by Buchanan and Steube.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Built in 1994, the home at 502 S. Casey Key Road has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 4,496 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 6, 2021
Casey Key home sells for $4.4 million

Residential real estate transactions for May 24-28.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Built in 1997, the home at 6161 Gulf of Mexico Drive has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,224 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 6, 2021
Sleepy Hollow home sells for $6.4 million

Residential real estate transactions for May 24-28.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 5, 2021
Riverview High School celebrates Class of 2021 at graduation

The graduation event was held on June 5.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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