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Your Observer

Double-crested cormorant feathers become easily waterlogged, allowing them to deep-dive. Once back on land, they must dry their wings in the sun.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • November 27, 2020
Bird of the week: Double crested cormorant

Deep diving bird is most often spotted drying its wings on the shoreline.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Harry Christensen said he is planning to expand the dining area at Harry’s Continental Kitchens to recoup many of the financial losses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 27, 2020
Expansion plans move forward for Harry's Continental Kitchens

Harry's is planning to expand its indoor and outdoor dining.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 26, 2020
East County weather page photo: November 26

Gordon Silver captured this red-bellied woodpecker in a palm tree in Del Webb.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 26, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: November 26

Anna Passalaqua captured these storm clouds over Lido Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 26, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: November 26

Larry Tibbe captured this cloud formation over Longboat Key Moorings Marina.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's James and Chelsea Toldi finish the Florida Turkey Trot with their 5-month-old baby, Parker.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 26, 2020
Trot before the turkey in Sarasota

Florida Turkey Trot runners build an appetite for Thanksgiving with a morning run.

  • East County
  • News
King Winkfield.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 26, 2020
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: King Winkfield

The Booker High senior talks his basketball origins and his movie-watching habits.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who raised the motion, said he has a different vision for the county, and added he wants a culture shift to run the government more like part of the private sector.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 25, 2020
Manatee County administrator's job in peril as commissioners clash

Manatee County administrator could be fired as commissioners chart new direction

  • East County
  • News
The Grinch, played by Chris Cude of Legendary Knights Entertainment of Winter Haven, checks out the holiday lights with Sarasota's Melissa Galmin.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 25, 2020
Bright lights, dark chocolate during holidays at Sarasota's Mall at University Town Center

Holiday lights twinkle at the Mall at UTC in Sarasota while Norman Love Confections makes its debut.

  • East County
  • News
Catcher David Brierton probably is comfortable during the pandemic as he already wears a mask while playing baseball.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 25, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Little Leaguers persevere through pandemic

Lakewood Ranch Little League celebrates getting through the fall season in spite of the pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
Country Club resident Toni Ambrosio said she is worried the value of her home will decrease if townhomes are built by Legacy Golf Course.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 25, 2020
Townhouses could come to Legacy Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch

Manatee commissioners set to decide on townhouses in Country Club

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 25, 2020
Concession home rocks the Lakewood Ranch area market, selling at $3.65 million

Concession home rocks the Lakewood Ranch area market, selling at $3.65 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key Club golf director Terry O’Hara sits in a golf cart with a plastic divider installed to provide separation between the driver and a passenger.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 25, 2020
Longboat Key Club installs plastic dividers on golf carts

The dividers provide golfers physical separation to limit contact with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nik Wallenda performs in June at Benderson Park.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 25, 2020
Nik Wallenda among five Circus Ring of Fame inductees

January ceremony in St. Armands postponed because of COVID-19 concerns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ian Rodriguez.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 25, 2020
East County Athlete of the Week: Ian Rodriguez

The Lakewood Ranch sophomore talks his basketball origins and his highest-scoring game.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 25, 2020
Triumph of a noble cause

On the 400th anniversary of the Puritans settling in the New World, the story of the repatriation of Williams Bradford’s history of Plymouth Colony is a vivid reminder of why our nation exists.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Rev. Brock Patterson
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 25, 2020
Rev. Brock Patterson leads Longboat Island Chapel

Rev. Patterson comes from Arkansas and takes the place of the recently retired Rev. Bill Friederich.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 25, 2020
Temple Beth Israel hosts Thanksgiving food drive

Donations were dropped off at the temple on Nov. 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Thanksgiving dinner at the Lazy Lobster.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 25, 2020
Thanksgiving classics on Longboat Key

Here's a menu of your neighbors' favorite Turkey Day treats.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
People line up for COVID-19 tests at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex on Monday, Nov. 24.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 25, 2020
Rising COVID-19 numbers spark concern in Sarasota

An increase the local rate of positive COVID-19 tests has officials stressing the importance of behaving cautiously and following health guidelines.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Artspace's previous deveopments include the Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts in Fort Lauderdale.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 25, 2020
Artist affordable housing project resurfaces

The Arts and Cultural Alliance is one of several parties interested in bringing affordable housing to a county-owned site on the North Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Belpointe has not yet filed plans for its recently acquired property in the 1700 block of Main Street, located across the street from the former Sarasota Herald-Tribune office building. File photo.
    By
  • Kevin McQuaid
  • November 25, 2020
Main Street block sells for $6.8 million

A multifamily housing developer has expanded its portfolio of downtown properties. Meanwhile, another portion of Main Plaza is on the market.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 11.25.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The staff of the Circus Arts Conservatory celebrates with its award.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 24, 2020
Taking the bull by the horns

Two Sarasota groups win business awards for shifting gears in a pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Crews have worked for months on the construction of a home at the end of Halyard Lane in the Country Club Shores neighborhood.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 24, 2020
Longboat market climbs, but concerns remain over aging stock

Data from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee shows Longboat Key has about 17.7% less inventory compared to 2019.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 24, 2020
Commissioners discuss single-member districts, future of county elections

After the 2020 elections, commissioners want to gauge public opinion on single-member districts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 24, 2020
Help light the night in Lakewood Ranch

The Observer is putting together an online holiday lights map for Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 24, 2020
Taste of tradition in east Bradenton

St. Barbara Philoptochos makes Greece come to life during Autumn Fall Fest in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Country Club East's Heather Hackett eats only plant-based meals, so turkey is out.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 24, 2020
Quitting cold turkey in Lakewood Ranch

Turkey isn't always the featured item on the Thanksgiving menu for these east Bradenton families.

  • East County
  • News
File photos USF has several connections to Manatee County schools including Dr. Mona Jain, who received a doctorate from USF. Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, however, went to UCF and Nova Southeastern. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 24, 2020
Teacher shortages soar in Manatee County

Fate of USF's College of Education could disrupt recruitment for the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Laura Campbell, principal at Tara Elementary School, works with Averyanna Rivera on constructing a tower. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 24, 2020
School choice enrollment to open for Manatee County

Families in the School District of Manatee County will have more time to decide school choice.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 23, 2020
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church gets into the Christmas spirit

Church members gathered Nov. 21 to hang lights and decorate the church's many trees.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota County Courthouse was built in 1927 on land owned by Charles Ringling.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 23, 2020
County courthouse given historic designation

The courthouse was built on land owned by Charles Ringling and first opened its doors in 1927.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The town of Longboat Key is still evaluating any long-term beach impacts left behind by Tropicial Storm Eta.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 23, 2020
Longboat Key moves forward with beach projects

The town of Longboat Key is working on four beach renourishment projects throughout the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 22, 2020
Temple Emanu-El families get thankful

The monthly event had a Thanksgiving theme on Nov. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cully Rowell was named the 2020 Manatee County Agriculturalist of the Year.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 22, 2020
Myakka City rancher cultivates respect in Manatee County

Myakka City's Cully Rowell is named Agriculturalist of the Year for Manatee County

  • 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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