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Your Observer

LaunchPad4U is located in the Rosemary District at 1413 Boulevard of the Arts to be centrally located for students. Harry Sayer
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 16, 2020
Education Foundation launches student resource center downtown

LaunchPad4U, located in the Rosemary District, helps students prepare for life after high school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
David Wolff installs mini reefs underneath docks at MarVista Dockside. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 16, 2020
Siesta residents start project to clean canal

More than 20 homeowners have signed on to place mini reefs under their docks to filter water and support marine life.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh wants to see major changes to the way the county government is run.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 16, 2020
Manatee County commissioners clash as administrator keeps job

Manatee County commissioners clash, no longer considering firing county administrator

  • East County
  • News
Former Legacy Golf Club co-owners Jon Whittemore and Kevin Paschall sold it to the Heritage Golf Group on March 13, 2024. One local resident wishes there were more public golf courses in the area.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch's Legacy Golf Club development gets green light

Manatee County approves plans for new homes at Legacy Golf Club

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 16, 2020
Barbara Hutchinson Powers

Barbara Hutchinson Powers, 80, of Longboat Key Florida and Bernardsville died on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Randolph NJ. Her family was by her side.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
After months of tackling obstacles as a result of the pandemic, Greenbrook's Crystal Avery and Marty Satz become husband and wife during a ceremony on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch couple zigs and zags to marriage

Festive Main Street at Lakewood Ranch setting perfect for Greenbrook couple to say wedding vows.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 16, 2020
Mote releases rehabilitated sea turtle into Gulf of Mexico

Longboat Key's Public Works Department assisted in the release.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Patti Papiano says her husband, Ray Papiano, has become obsessed with adding decorations to their light display each year. They have more than 40 light-up fixtures and 50 strands of lights in their display. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch man's obsession shines bright

Lakewood Ranch couple's home lights up the street every holiday season.

  • East County
  • News
Teddy and Rebecca Blitz. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Burro will ring in new year in east Bradenton

Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy receives a burro.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 16, 2020
Longboat Key has new generation

For the first time in decades, a majority of commissioners will be under age 70. Will that change the town’s path? Meantime, Florida has a post-election challenge: how to keep Florida Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 16, 2020
Eta's effects: 220 flooded homes, 275,000 cubic yards of missing sand

Even with Eta's effects on Longboat Key, wind damage was minimal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rob Oglesby, the development director for Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, says the pandemic has been perfect timing for the nonprofit to construct its new facilities.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Purr-fect expansion schedule at Nate's

Lakewood Ranch animal rescue will see flurry of activity over the next three months.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Paul Sharff, the CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, talk about the new Mobile Learning Lab. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
School Board of Manatee County to determine superintendent's future

School Board of Manatee County to make decision on superintendent contract.

  • East County
  • News
District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh was selected by her fellow commissioners Tuesday to be the 2021 Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 15, 2020
Manatee County Commissioners select Vanessa Baugh as chairman

District 5 commissioner Vanessa Baugh will head Manatee County Commission in 2021.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County commissioners approved a motion Tuesday to designate the section of 44th Avenue from Bradenton's First Street West to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as the Honorable State Senate President Bill Galvano Parkway.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 15, 2020
Stretch of 44th Avenue in East County named for former Florida Senate President Bill Galvano

Manatee County road will honor former Florida Senate president Bill Galvano.

  • East County
  • News
Administrators surprise Kari Johnson, a kindergarten teacher at Fruitville Elementary School. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 15, 2020
Finalists named for Sarasota Teacher of the Year

The finalists teach at Fruitville Elementary, Sarasota Military Academy Prep, Alta Vista Elementary and Booker High School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Eileen Parker with the School District of Manatee County's Food and Nutrition Services hands out lunches during the summer food program. Students will be able to pick up meals for winter break on Dec. 21 and Dec. 28. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2020
Manatee County schools offer free meals during winter break

Manatee County families can pick up free meals at Haile Middle and Myakka Elementary in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
First Step CEO Gwen MacKenzie discusses the Behavioral Health Response Team program during a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Kreisman Center Crisis Stabilization Unit.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 15, 2020
First Step, law enforcement launch crisis intervention program

The Behavioral Health Response Team is an initiative designed to produce better outcomes for individuals dealing with issues related to mental health and substance abuse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A memorial featuring a plaque, a portrait of Shackelford and his favorite painting hangs in the school's media center. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 15, 2020
Sarasota High remembers teacher with memorial, scholarship

Robert Shackelford was a teacher at Sarasota High School. He died after testing positive for COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Here is a rendering of the proposed Sage Longboat Key condominium development at 4651 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 15, 2020
Longboat OKs development of Sage condos

The Planning and Zoning Board approved Sage's site development plan and a special exception.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 15, 2020
Sally Elizabeth Daneman

Sally Elizabeth Daneman, of Bradenton Florida; (formerly of Lincroft, NJ) passed away Wednesday December 9, 2020 due to complications from Covid.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The home at 110 North Warbler Lane was built in 1960. It has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,307 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 15, 2020
Bird Key home sells for $3.55 million

Residential real estate transactions for Nov. 30-Dec. 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 14, 2020
Town gears up for second resident poll

Mailings begin around Jan. 11 with a final report expected in April.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Orion Nebula
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 14, 2020
Longboat officer shares love of outer space

Richard Schoepfer says he began learning about astrophotography four years ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 14, 2020
Republican Club of Longboat Key hosts holiday party

The club also used the occasion to swear in its new president.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 14, 2020
Gulfshore creates Floridian winter wonderland

In 2020, residents of Gulfshore are creating their own cheer for the season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Epic Equine's Jaymie Klauber charges in front of the entire Rawhide Creek team in the first chukkar.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 13, 2020
Sarasota Polo Club hosts 30th season opener

Socially-distanced fans appreciate the outdoor event in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Perfect weather greeted those attending the Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge's second annual Car and Truck Show.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 13, 2020
Warm weather, cool cars in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge puts on its second annual car show.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 11, 2020
Island lights

It seems Longboat Key loves Christmas a whole watt.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Al Maio, left, will take over as chair of the Sarasota County Commission in 2021. Christian Ziegler, right, will serve as vice chair.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 11, 2020
Maio selected as new county commission chair

Maio previously served as chair in 2016 and as vice chair in 2015 and 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ian Campbell has taken over the reins of the Well Wishes Benefit Polo Match from his sister, Pippa Campbell.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2020
Concerned Lakewood Ranch teens hold Sarasota Polo Club benefit to build wells in Africa

Lakewood Ranch teens combine to plan the Well Wishes Benefit Polo Match at the Sarasota Polo Club to raise funds to build wells in Africa.

  • East County
  • News
Teacher Teyia Brown of St. Petersburg is excited to get started at Discovery Point.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2020
Discovery Point Child Development Center franchise opens in Bradenton

New York couple moves to East County to open a Discovery Point franchise in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Brett Davis of the Lakewood Ranch Elks and Maribeth Phillips of Meals on Wheels Plus were thrilled with the turnout for the Shoebox Collection.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Elks help Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee deliver successful Shoebox Collection.

Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee collects stuffed shoeboxes to deliver to seniors during the holidays.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 10, 2020
Selby Gardens previews 2020 Lights in Bloom

Selby VIP guests received a look at the annual lights show ahead of its Dec. 12 opening.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioner George Kruse raised the motion to reconsider a Nov. 19 motion to give administrator Cheri Coryea at least a 15-day notice to deliberate the status of her contract.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 10, 2020
Manatee County administrator to keep job after commission reconsiders

Manatee County commissioners vote to reconsider prior motion regarding administrator Cheri Coryea's contract

  • East County
  • News
Legacy Golf Club part-owner John Whittemore plans to build 48 multi-family condo units on his golf course.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 10, 2020
Plans for Legacy Golf Club homes approved by Manatee County commissioners

Legacy Golf Club to build 48 homes after Manatee County approves the plan.

  • East County
  • News
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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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