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Your Observer

The name “merganser” is a combination of the Latin words “mergus” (diver) and “anser” (goose). (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • April 23, 2021
Bird of the week: Hooded merganser

Winter visitors to Florida are found frequently in wooded lakes or ponds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dick Johnson lets a butterfly rest on his hand.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 23, 2021
Senior Friendship Centers bring butterflies to members for Earth Day

The organization celebrated Earth Day with a butterfly showcase April 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Saturday’s Blessing of the Fleet Boat Parade at the Longboat Harbour Condominium complex featured 18 boats, 25 paddlers and the Longboat Key Police and Fire Department boats. Photo provided by Bill Coughlin.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 22, 2021
Longboat Harbour hosts Blessing of the Fleet Boat Parade

The Longboat Key Police Department's new boat was among the boats featured in Saturday's parade.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Patricia Okker, meanwhile, joined the University of Missouri as an assistant professor of English in 1990.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2021
New College names president-elect

Patricia Okker, a dean at the University of Missouri since 2017, selected to replace Donal O'Shea.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Danny Torrealba and Satchell Norman celebrate after the Sailors' win against Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 22, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Leading and learning

Sailors baseball coach Clyde Metcalf led his team to victory Tuesday the way only he can.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 22, 2021
It was meant to be

Everything has a way of working out. The Longboat Key Education Center was about to shutter, while Temple Beth Israel wants to broaden its horizons. Their coming together is great for all of Longboat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 22, 2021
The insidious tax: Inflation

Food prices are rising 8% to 10% a month for restaurants. Don’t blame the suppliers. Blame the Washington looters for printing too much money.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
City staff believes simplifying the zoning regulations on corridors such as Fruitville Road could make it easier to attract mixed-use redevelopment.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 22, 2021
City plots potential zoning code updates

Officials are exploring opportunities to revise the city’s building regulations outside of predominantly residential areas. What could this mean for Sarasota’s future? 

  • Sarasota
  • News
An 18-acre created wetlands is part of a larger plan to renovate the 293-acre Bobby Jones Golf Club property. File image.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 22, 2021
Board rejects grant request for Bobby Jones wetlands

A vocal critic of local government played a key role in denying the request, an outcome city officials described as highly unusual.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Artspace's previous developments include the Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts in Fort Lauderdale. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 22, 2021
Artist housing project fails to secure city funding

Although the city rejected the Arts and Cultural Alliance’s proposed partnership, the nonprofit still intends to bring affordable live-work space to the North Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although food trucks have appeared at events in Sarasota for years, the businesses were not permitted to operate without the city issuing a site-specific temporary permit.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 22, 2021
New regulations could legalize food trucks

Despite some concerns about potential issues with brick-and-mortar restaurants, the city offered an initial endorsement for mobile food businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Badger Bob's Services Team
  • April 22, 2021
Is it Time to Spring for a New A/C?

4 signs that say it is.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The home at 6877 Gulf of Mexico Drive has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,820 square feet of living area. It was built in 1998.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 21, 2021
North end beachfront home sells for $4.8 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 5-9.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The property at 7300 Gulf of Mexico Drive has been in Drayton Saunders' family for several generations.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 21, 2021
Pass time for Longboat Key bridge

The bridge connecting Longboat Key and Bradenton Beach was built in 1957.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gene Savar steps aside and acknowledges Janet Savar as she rides her bicycle through Del Webb. Some cyclists say it's important for pedestrians to acknowledge they heard a cyclist's bell or shout so the cyclist knows she can pass.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 21, 2021
Lakewood Ranch sidewalk debate runs in cycles

What is the most effective way for East County cyclists and pedestrians to share the sidewalk?

  • East County
  • News
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Ambassador Gaby Tovar holds a waffle cone filled with brambleberry crisp ice cream, one of Jeni's signature flavors. Others include gooey butter cake and brown butter almond brittle.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 21, 2021
EYE ON BUSINESS: Splendid opportunity

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams comes to East County area

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • April 21, 2021
Eileen R. Meehan

Entered her Heavenly Home on April 15, 2021, at the age of 91.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Jeanette Wirz and Larry Naddeo. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 21, 2021
Sharing experience

Two Lakewood Ranch fishers want to share their knowledge with the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 21, 2021
Just another Nite at the Ranch

Tenured residents and Lakewood Ranch newbies enjoyed the food, games and company provided by Ranch Nite

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 21, 2021
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce crosses the bridge to Anna Maria Island

The chamber hosted a Bridge Connection event on the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key’s contractor has started removing driftwood and vegetation from Greer Island.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 21, 2021
Disappearing driftwood prompts photographer to branch out

The driftwood removal is part of the town's multi-million dollar plan to prevent beach erosion.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 21, 2021
Fine ride at Elks Lodge

From 1930s Fords to young sports cars, the Elks Lodge Car Show & Vendor Fair had them all

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River Middle School eighth grader Stephen Althoff pours water to be filtered as Griffin Hart holds the flask. Middle school students have an opportunity for credit recovery in core classes like science. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 21, 2021
In-person summer school returns

School District of Manatee County will offer summer programs June 7-July 15.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High senior Isaiah Cress lifts weights in preparation for the state weightlifting meet, to be held April 29-30 in St. Cloud.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 21, 2021
Pirate lifts performance to new levels

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
The portion of Manatee County's Future Development Area Boundary that is south of State Road 64 is located on Bourneside Boulevard. The land east of the line (pictured across the street) is protected from urban sprawl. File photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 21, 2021
Will Manatee County development cross the line?

Manatee County Commissioners will hold workshop about Future Development Area Boundary

  • East County
  • News
Registered Nurse Debbie Bottiger prepares a vaccine for a School District of Manatee County employee. Although people ages 16 and older are eligible, some high schoolers have mixed feelings about getting vaccinated. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 21, 2021
Some east Bradenton students not in rush to be vaccinated

Lakewood Ranch-area students have mixed feelings about being vaccinated.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 21, 2021
Lakewood Ranch market results in solid return

St. Clare Women's Guild holds Arts and Crafts Market

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students from Cypress Ridge Elementary School talk with Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School students at the regional competition. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 21, 2021
Robotics on rise in Lakewood Ranch

Five Lakewood Ranch elementary school teams compete at regional VEX robotics competition.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 21, 2021
New Lakewood Ranch fire station opens

Lakewood Ranch fire station dedicated to former fire commissioner O'Leary

  • East County
  • News
Myakka City's "triangle" is located at State Road 70 and County Road 675. Manatee County commissioners denied a request to rezone the property from general agriculture to neighborhood commercial small.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 21, 2021
Myakka 'Triangle' rezone denied

Manatee County Commissioners deny Myakka City "triangle" rezone over safety concerns

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 20, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Peace!

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Law enforcement agencies are looking for two men suspected of burglarizing a Longboat Key home. Photo courtesy of Manatee County Crime Stoppers.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 20, 2021
Longboat Key police looking for two burglary suspects

The men are accused of burglarizing a home on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • April 20, 2021
Joseph Asher Nowicki

Sarasota - Joseph Asher Nowicki, Age 22, passed away peacefully on Monday March 29, 2021 at Bethesda East Hospital in Boynton Beach, FL.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Lily, Mason and Cassidy Berg show off their masks before heading into Southside Elementary School in August 2020.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 20, 2021
Sarasota Schools considering optional face mask policy for 2021-22 school year

Following directives from the state, district leaders will consider a policy that would not make face masks mandatory for the new school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 20, 2021
County to disperse $13 million in rental assistance

Those eligible will be able to receive up to 12 months of rental assistance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ashley McIntyre and Monaca Onstad with the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund enjoy Polo with a Purpose with Lake Club's Marybeth Traverso and her husband, Jay Traverso.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 20, 2021
Polo for a cause in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Community Fund shares its mission during Polo with a Purpose at Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

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No good deed goes unpunished
  • May 28, 2026
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Cash grab in Manatee, too
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3
Benderson Development is wrapping up its latest phase of construction at the business and industrial park off Toledo Blade Boulevard.
  • May 28, 2026
County economic development agency contract approved for 2027
4
A Kobi Karp Architecture rendering of the 18-story Adagio luxury condo tower as viewed at the northwest corner of South Palm Avenue and Ringling Boulevard.
  • May 28, 2026
Adagio receives partial staff sign-off; adjustments still required
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James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo give Harry Noordzy a lift, just as they did five years ago at Station 12.
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Myakka's Station 12 remains a part of Harry's world

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