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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: January 7

Richard Bottorff captured this young cardinal hunting a moth in Myakka State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: January 7

Bonnie Lashin captured this great blue heron in silhouette against a Longboat Key sunset.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Predation by domestic cats is the number-one human-caused threat to birds, including Northern Cardinals, in the United States and Canada. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • January 7, 2021
Bird of the week: Northern cardinal

Familiar red bird is the only cardinal native to North America.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lauren-Taylor Nock and Easton Nock wait for the school bus on the first day of school in August.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 7, 2021
70 students in Longboat

Town seeks number of public school-enrolled children.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Signs at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center remind players to keep their distance on and off the courts.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 7, 2021
Observer Challenge canceled, but tennis community swings on

While organized competitions are still off the table, tennis players on Longboat Key still get their practice in.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Housing Authority plans to break ground on the Lofts on Lemon, a 130-unit affordable apartment complex in the Rosemary District, later this month. Rendering courtesy Sarasota Housing Authority.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2021
Officials hope to build on housing progress

City and county leaders centered affordable housing as a priority in 2020. To what extent will recently established policies bear fruit this year?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Interim City Manager Marlon Brown said he wanted to make sure city officials make themselves available to engage with residents, businesses and visitors.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2021
Conversation with Marlon Brown

The interim city manager shares his perspective on public engagement, working with commissioners, preparing a budget and more.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Aileen Bermudez receives the first COVID-19 vaccination at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Image courtesy Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2021
Officials hope 2021 brings end to pandemic

After a year dominated by the effects of COVID-19, there’s hope relief is on the way — but challenges associated with the coronavirus remain.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2021
Cops Corner: Sarasota 1.7.21

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 7, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Bike, car, collision course

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Lynn Larson, Svetlana Kaminsky and Bob Gault at a Kiwanis meeting.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 7, 2021
Kiwanis Club launches match challenge with Children’s Guardian Fund

The club will match all donations made in their name up to a total of $10,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Out-of-Door Academy seniors Kaylen Rivers, Chelsea Ball and Ximena Barrales continue to adjust to the school's new health and safety protocols. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 6, 2021
Adjusting to pandemic with class in Lakewood Ranch

East Bradenton high school seniors make the most of their final school year despite pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch continues to sell new homes faster than any multi-generational community in the U.S.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 6, 2021
Lakewood Ranch's new home sales stand tall in national rankings

Lakewood Ranch remains No. 2 among all master-planned communities in U.S. in new home sales and No. 1 for multi-generational communities.

  • East County
  • News
The addition of a pre-registration process for the COVID-19 vaccine is available online and over the phone.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Manatee County announces pre-registration process for vaccine distribution

Manatee County commissioners approve plan to allow pre-registration for vaccines for seniors.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2021
Sarasota Memorial plans weekend COVID-19 vaccine clinics for at least 3,000

Doses expected to be distributed by appointment on Saturday and Sunday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark Kramer told detectives that "he always fantasized about being a police officer or being in the military, and says that he ingested narcotics that night giving him the courage to act out on his fantasy."
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Deputies: Already-jailed man admits to Lakewood Ranch break-in

Man in jail admits to armed break-in of Summerfield home

  • East County
  • News
Pictured at a Dec. 10 meeting, commissioners George Kruse wants to decrease county government regulations.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
New commissioners seek to change priorities in Manatee County

Four recently elected Manatee County commissioners bring "new vision"

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Gingerbread houses raise roof at UTC festival

UTC gingerbread festival displays high-rise houses, unique Christmas trees

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Angela Massaro-Fain, Peggy Kronus and Lori Ruth are the co-chairs for "Vegas Comes to the Ranch."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 6, 2021
Casino event at the Sarasota Polo Club a good bet for community

Sisterhood for Good hosts casino event at the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge disagrees with Michael Barfield's assertion that the commissioner has not provided all necessary records.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Public interest cited as reason for lawsuit against Manatee County commissioners

Paralegal consultant and commissioners disagree if they've complied with records requests

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 24

John Gangloff captured these American oystercatchers walking the beach on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: December 24

Robert Fleurant captured these fisherman silhouetted against the sunset on Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2021
East County weather page photo: December 24

Joseph Swederski captured this lizard showing off near the Lakehouse Community Center pool in Waterside at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority Operations Director Paul Chetlain said there are still a few issues to work through, such as the efficiency of the remote guard option.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Remote gate comes to two Lakewood Ranch communities

Edgewater and Country Club to use new remote gate system

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Board? East Bradenton residents try woodworking

Woodworking club's east Bradenton members include everything from experts to beginners

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Wild pigs roam Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 6, 2021
Life on the wild side in Lakewood Ranch

Wild pigs spend time around Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 6, 2021
Escapism? Yes, please.

Romance novels a big hit on library shelves in 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 6, 2021
These little piggies go to the Manatee County Fair

Myakka's Pork Chop Revue will be a featured attraction at the Manatee County Fair.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior Riley Simmons didn't get to compete in shot put at states last year because of the pandemic. She'll hope for better in 2021.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 6, 2021
Prose and Kohn: What our columnist can't wait to see in 2021

Teams, storylines and events that will make the new year exciting.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tara's Craig Clark, also known as the Tech Fairy, has fixed and given away nearly 300 devices to people he's encountered while at stores and restaurants.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 6, 2021
Tech Fairy delivers electronic magic in east Bradenton

Tara resident refurbishes electronic devices and gives them away to people in need throughout east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 6, 2021
We’ll probably never know

For the 74 million who voted for Trump, they want one thing for sure: to know the truth.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 5, 2021
Sarasota looks to make changes to vaccine distribution

Officials hope to add a call-in line and drive-thru vaccination locations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner George Spoll said the move to reduce the age requirement for vaccines makes it harder for older residents.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 5, 2021
Longboat aims for COVID-19 vaccine site

The town of Longboat Key does not yet have a COVID-19 vaccination site.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kurt Hoffman
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 5, 2021
Hoffman sworn in as Sarasota sheriff

Hoffman is Sarasota County's 11th sheriff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
O'Mariah Gordon and the Braden River girls basketball team is taking on Southeast High tonight — and you can watch from home.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 5, 2021
Braden River girls basketball game to be streamed online

Tonight's game can be watched on YouTube.

  • East County
  • Sports
Clara Reynardus de Villanueva and her husband Roberto Villanueva spent the holiday with Elizabeth Moore at her ranch in Myakka.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 5, 2021
Sarasotans find new ways to celebrate the new year

Locals traded downtown block parties for personal celebrations this New Year's.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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