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Your Observer

Sheriff Kurt Hoffman said the current Sarasota County Sheriff's Office at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd. isn't large enough to accommodate the entire department.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 8, 2021
Commission, Sheriff eye same property for expansion

County commissioners and Sheriff Kurt Hoffman are interested in 1301 Cattlmen Road as a future expansion site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Superintendent Brennan Asplen said the updates are important to ensure all leaders are focused on the same goals.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 8, 2021
Consultant helping with school district strategic planning

School leaders hope the improvements will increase the district's metrics in areas such as learning, employee excellence and community relations.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Snowy plovers are the most popular nesting shorebird on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 8, 2021
Snowy plovers return to Siesta Key

Out of 25 confirmed nests since 2018, no chicks have made it to maturity.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 8, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Free ride

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2021
East County weather page photo: April 8

Richard Bottorff captured this bald eagle in front of a full moon rising in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: April 8

Kevin French captured this bald eagle on Lido Key near the beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 8

Angie Blunt captured this kayaker against the full moon on Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Program director Kristin Poolman with Children's Guardian Fund Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko. File photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 8, 2021
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key lands grant

There is a service component along with the grant that club members hope will inspire Children's Guardian Fund students.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 8, 2021
Prelude to Piney Point

No doubt there will be plenty of political blaming in the wake of the Piney Point leak that Manatee County commissioners were negligent. For the truth, just watch their Jan. 26 meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Sarasota High boys lacrosse team holds its final breakdown of the 2021 season. The program won its first game on March 30, 14-3 over St. Petersburg Catholic.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 8, 2021
Sarasota High lacrosse programs make progress in first full season

The Sailors have kept battling despite numerous challenges — and a pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The distinctive red lumps on Muscovy faces are named carnucles. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • April 8, 2021
Bird of the week: Muscovy duck

Species introduced into the United States as an enhancement for urban parks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota County Property Appraiser pegged the value of the transfer station site at $2.42 million in 2020, with the land valued at $1.28 million.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 8, 2021
Officials endorse removal of downtown SCAT station

The city is encouraging the county to sell the bus station site to facilitate the redevelopment of the property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City staff identified improved bike rental offerings as a priority in the proposed Sarasota in Motion transportation master plan. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 8, 2021
City seeks partner for bike, scooter service

The city hopes to capitalize on the extension of the Legacy Trail as it works to expand its transportation offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Asset Manager Ruth Hofer and Project Manager Philipp Hartl (not pictured) hope the Linger Lodge restaurant will open in January. The restaurant is not undergoing any renovations.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 7, 2021
Campground revamp under way at Linger Lodge

Improvements to the Linger Lodge RV campground are underway

  • East County
  • News
Liz Yerkes has been on Longboat Key since the early 1990s.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 7, 2021
Liz Yerkes opens new massage business

Yerkes has been on Longboat Key since the early 1990s and has reopened her massage business after the pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 7, 2021
County to host walk-up vaccination clinics

Beginning at 5 p.m. April 12 the current registration system will no longer accept new accounts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 7, 2021
You Observed: Yardarm Lane gets back in the groove of things

The Country Club Shores street celebrated increasing vaccinations with a block party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Friends of the East Manatee Library Fundraising Committee Chair Connie Farmer, President Sue Ann Miller, Vice President Regina Negrycz and Stewardship Committee Chair Janet Allen stand in front of the future East County Library.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 7, 2021
East County Library nonprofit books authors for fundraisers

Friends of the East Manatee Library adjusts to fundraising during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • East County
  • News
An assisted living facility is planned for this property near the intersection of Upper Manatee River Road and Port Harbour Parkway. Residents of nearby Waterlefe are upset the facility can now be built to five stories.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 7, 2021
Heritage Harbour construction a taller task

Heritage Harbour land amendment stokes concern

  • East County
  • News
Lake Club's Jo Jadin admires Lakewood National's Nancy Skibinski's afghan blanket.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2021
A common thread in Lakewood Ranch

Shared interest makes for a close-knit group at the Greenbrook Adventure Park in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Trisha Calandra and Renee Baggott. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2021
Back in action in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Cinemas reopens.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Braden River High School Pirate Battalion Drill Team celebrate winning their fifth district championship in a row. The team will now move onto state. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2021
Braden River High School knows its drill

Braden River High School Pirate Battalion Drill Team wins district championship for fifth year in a row and heads to state.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 7, 2021
Rev. Pick’s sermons kept them coming for more

Father Pick, founder of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, left a lively legacy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 7, 2021
Prelude to Piney Point

No doubt there will be plenty of political blaming in the wake of the Piney Point leak that Manatee County commissioners were negligent. For the truth, just watch their Jan. 26 meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 7, 2021
The long road ahead

It just so happens we’re living here when the 50-year-old roads and bridges need updating. Still better than New York.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 7, 2021
The long road ahead

It just so happens we’re living here when the 50-year-old roads and bridges need updating. Still better than New York.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Elijah Weaver talks to his team after an April 1 practice. Weaver said his hope is for flag football to be taken as seriously as other sports at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 7, 2021
Flagship program at Lakewood Ranch High

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 7, 2021
Flick of the wrist at Lakewood Ranch disc golf

Lakewood Ranch residents learn disc golf basics at Bob Gardner Community Park

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cheryl Bulfin, a third grade teacher, guides her students through a lesson. All teachers receive a $5,201 supplement from the millage. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2021
School District of Manatee County officials — 1 mill made huge difference

School District of Manatee County says 2018 1-mill property tax referendum was crucial.

  • East County
  • News
Senior Miles Stephens (right) completes the final stretch of the boys 4x100 race. The Pirates would win the race and set a new school record (43.23).
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 7, 2021
Pirates have record day on new rubber track

Braden River High hosted its first-ever track and field meet last week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Conner Whittaker.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 7, 2021
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Conner Whittaker

The Sarasota High senior pitcher talks his curveball and wanting to read minds.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Senior Kora Turner and junior Matthew Boudreau celebrate the orienteering's first state championship. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2021
Run to victory for Lakewood Ranch High

Lakewood Ranch High School JROTC's orienteering team takes home its first state championship.

  • East County
  • News
Dave Miner, a former member of the School Board of Manatee County, and Scott Hopes, a member of the board, celebrate the opening of Dr. Mona Jain Middle School. Hopes says part of a school member's job is attending school events.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2021
What's next for School Board of Manatee County?

Gov. Ron DeSantis will appoint a Manatee County resident to replace Scott Hopes, the District 4 representative for the School Board of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County School Board member Scott Hopes was selected as interim administrator April 1. Commissioners say the county needs some stability before searching for a permanent administrator.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 7, 2021
Piney Point spills into Manatee County administrator search

Commissioners say Manatee County needs stability before searching for permanent administrator

  • East County
  • News
Pynelopee Redmond, who is 1 year old, snatches an egg to add to her collection.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2021
Easter egg scramble in Lakewood Ranch

Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch celebrates Easter with a visit from the Easter bunny and an egg hunt.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 7, 2021
Mixon Fruit Farms a crafty pick

Regular customers and out-of-state visitors enjoy Mixon Fruit Farms Orange Blossom Arts & Crafts Fair

  • East County
  • 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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