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Your Observer

Arun Bhagwat said he shut things down during the pandemic, but now is back to playing outdoor gigs.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 28, 2021
Sarasota man finds fulfillment with his main squeeze

82-year-old University Park accordionist lifts spirits with his sweet sounds.

  • East County
  • News
Myakka City resident Carol Felts, pictured with one of her horses, JR, hopes her campaign for Manatee County Commission will shine a spotlight on local government and teach people to be engaged citizens.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 28, 2021
Myakka woman runs for Manatee County Commission

Myakka woman hopes to teach people about local government via commission campaign

  • East County
  • News
Charles Reid, Paul Wren and Matt Talaska are pictured after being recognized as newly promoted battalion chiefs at the grand opening of East Manatee Fire Rescue District's Station 8 April 19. Courtesy of East Manatee Fire Rescue.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 28, 2021
New battalion chiefs promoted in East Manatee fire district

East Manatee becomes first fire district in the county to split into two battalions

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County has approved the application for Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy. Charter Schools USA is working with Southwest Charter Foundation to open the school. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2021
School Board of Manatee County approves new charter school in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy will now negotiate a contract with the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Katie McCoy hopes to top her fundraising efforts from last year's Southeastern Guide Dogs walk-a-thon. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2021
Parade for puppies in Lakewood Ranch

Southeastern Guide Dogs hosts first virtual national walk-a-thon day.

  • East County
  • News
ODA sophomore Luke Geske battled a wrist injury early in the season, but holds a 1.82 ERA over 23 innings since returning, with 26 strikeouts.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 28, 2021
Thunder on the mound

ODA sophomore pitcher is committed to the University of Miami.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bethany Lynch, a senior development manager for the southeastern region of the American Cancer Society, says the Making Strides Mother's Day brunch will give people an opportunity to celebrate those impacted by cancer. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2021
Virtual strides to fight cancer in Lakewood Ranch

American Cancer Society hosts virtual events to support those impacted by cancer.

  • East County
  • News
Demolition of the Players Centre for the Performing Arts on Tamiami Trail began last week.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 28, 2021
Players Centre for the Performing Arts torn down

The building is being torn down as Players Centre staff plan their next move.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mora Jordan, an animal care specialist at the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch, works with Susan Giroux, the vice president of the nonprofit's board of directors, to take care of the animals, such as Princess, a pointer mix.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2021
Paws(itive) effort in Lakewood Ranch

Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch hosts Divas and Dogs fashion show fundraiser.

  • East County
  • News
A "no outlet" sign shows Lena Road heading south on its northern segment doesn't connect to the southern portion of the road. An extension to create a continuous route between S.R. 70 and S.R. 64 has been accelerated. File photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 28, 2021
Manatee County commissioners swerve to meet road needs

Commissioners prioritize three East County road projects

  • East County
  • News
Paige Royce and Emma Curry, first graders at Braden River Elementary School, sit quietly while reading. The school district says changes to the calendar next year will help address the learning gap in reading. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2021
Manatee County students will log more time in classroom

School District of Manatee County makes changes to 2021-2022 academic calendar in response to pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
The renovated pier features shade structures and artwork inspired by Sarasota Bay. Photo courtesy city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 27, 2021
Reopening set for Sarasota's Saprito Pier

The Tony Saprito Fishing Pier closed in November to facilitate renovations designed to extend the lifespan of the structure.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 27, 2021
Women's Golf Association bids farewell for season

The Longboat Key golf group played one last round before summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Molly Schechter
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 27, 2021
Schechter's celebration

Molly Schechter, Longboat Key resident, turns 80.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 27, 2021
Being fit a hit with kids in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch children run, skip and jump through drills at Fit4Kids

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 27, 2021
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church clears bookshelves

The church hosted a book sale with tomes from their own collection.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bayfront Park opened in July 2017. Town leaders are planning to resod it later this summer.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 27, 2021
Longboat dog park lovers happy to hear of resodding plans

Bayfront Park's dog park has had some wear and tear since opening in July 2017.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 27, 2021
Lakewood Ranch acting class goes wild

Children use imagination, learn enunciation at Acting for Kids

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Managing Director Linda DiGabriele and Producing Director Michael Donald Edwards thanked the assembled group of supporters.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 27, 2021
Asolo Repertory Theatre breaks ground on Koski Center Expansion Project

The new center will serve as a rehearsal and event space for the theatre company.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 27, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A job for "Jimmy"

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Registered Nurse Debbie Bottiger prepares a vaccine for a School District of Manatee County employee. Students who are at least 16 can get a vaccine through a partnership between the school district and MCR Health. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 27, 2021
School District of Manatee County offers vaccine to students

School District of Manatee County students who are 16 and older can book an appointment for Thursday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 27, 2021
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key meets new commissioner

The speaker at the April 15 meeting was Debra Williams.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 27, 2021
Picnic honors Lakewood Ranch High Mustang band seniors

Lakewood Ranch High Marching Mustangs honor seniors and welcome incoming freshmen.

  • East County
  • News
Stacey Monroe, Samuel Monroe, Madelyn Halperin, Allison Kukanza, Caroline Reilly, Christie Gianoplus, Samantha Bickel, Barbara Anne Harper, Joseph St. Onge, Tyler Hockett and Nicholas Coelho. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 27, 2021
On their way

Proceeds from the Andrew Monroe Memorial 5K funded local scholarships.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Medical personnel have administered COVID-19 vaccines at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital clinic. (Sarasota Memorial Hospital photo)
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 27, 2021
Pop-up vaccine site coming to Longboat

The Florida Department of Health is planning to hold the event on May 11 at the Paradise Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Scott Van Pelt will be honored at the 2021 Dick Vitale Gala, to be held May 7 at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Photo courtesy ESPN.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 27, 2021
ESPN's Van Pelt ready to help with Vitale Gala fundraising

Popular anchor among those to be honored at May 7 event.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A dredging pipe stretches along the beach.
  • By Nat Kaemmerer and Mark Bergin
  • April 26, 2021
You asked (kind of). We answered questions about Longboat beach work

The schedule is tentative with June 1 marking the start of the Atlantic hurricane season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
One of the winners, taken by Renee Odell, shows the swan Greta.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 26, 2021
Facebook photo finish

Longboat Key Life Facebook page hosted a photo contest.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The town rejected the possibility of a 150-foot town on the north end of the island, portrayed in this simulation.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 26, 2021
Longboat Key leaders discuss ways to improve cell service

Town leaders have met with AT&T and Verizon in the past few weeks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 26, 2021
Firehouse Subs grant provides Longboat Key extrication equipment

Municipal Emergency Services trained Longboat Key Fire Rescue personnel how to use the new equipment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Built in 2002, the home at 6675 Peacock Road has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,271 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 25, 2021
Siesta Key home sells for $4.45 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 12-16.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Dan and Nicole Huggins
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 25, 2021
Boat lovers have fun in the sun during Suncoast Boat Show 2021

The weekend event was held April 23-25.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Vice Mayor Mike Haycock, District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams, At-Large Commissioner BJ Bishop, District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold and District 5 Commissioner Maureen Merrigan decipher which projects to prioritize.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 23, 2021
Commissioners discuss Town Center site at retreat

Longboat Key leaders discussed several projects, including the future of the Town Center site and Bayfront Park Recreational Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Catherine Rodriguez will serve as the first principal at the bilingual charter school Dreamers Academy.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 23, 2021
Dreamers Academy names first principal

Catherine Rodriguez previously served as assistant head of school at Sarasota Military Academy.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 23, 2021
Longboat Island Chapel walks the walk, talks the talk for Earth Day

The church put nature front and center during its first-ever ecological showcase.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
James Brearley accepted the award from Carla Rowan.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 23, 2021
Whitney's accepts Good Neighbor Award from LBK North

The north end neighbors association presented its first Good Neighbor award to the restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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