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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Wide range of user fees hit the beach

County rolls out a series of new charges to help financial balance.

  • April Fools
Michelle DiPuma.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 1, 2021
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Michelle DiPuma

The Riverview shortstop talks hitting practice and her favorite memory.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Olympic street skater Jake Ilardi wants to being a quarter pipe to Payne Park. File photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 1, 2021
Prose and Kohn: News of the world('s best)

Updates from Olympic skateboarding, college softball and high school lacrosse

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A quarter-scale test dune was created on Bradenton Beach to rest the feasibility.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: 'Dirt-cheap' deal on sand

BOGO purchase for beaches will lead to long-term supply, five-story dunes.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Affluent effluent a treat for the environment, study reveals

Town's smart food and drink choices are benefiting Sarasota Bay's ecosystem.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Manual Mondays bring quiet to town

A weekday of quiet is the goal, organizers say.

  • April Fools
Man-made? Really!
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: WOKE group urges town to wake up over landmarks

Organization says Longboat names are insensitive and demands new ones.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: State rolls out the carpet on GMD

Longboat first in the state to receive sidewalk floor covering.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Artist finds his new direction edgy, arresting

Longbeach Village tenant captures the "outlaw moment" in works inspired by police reports.

  • April Fools
En Pointe is a proposed four-unit building on the interior of Golden Gate Point with four stories above ground-level parking.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
Golden Gate condo plan sparks parking debate

Residents in the downtown-adjacent neighborhood are worried a four-unit residential building will exacerbate existing parking issues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The construction of a sand-retaining groin near Ted Sperling Park is the final step in the city's Lido Key shoreline renourishment project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
Lido Beach projects near completion

The reopening of the Lido Pavilion concession stand and the construction of sand-retaining groins mark some of the final steps in a pair of renovation projects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents on Lido Key and St. Armands Key are worried large vacation rental properties will continue to proliferate in residential areas if the city does not take regulatory action.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
Island residents push for adoption of vacation rental rules

Next week, the city will consider implementing additional regulations for rental homes on Lido and St. Armands keys.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Since November, the City Commission has moved forward with at least three projects that date back to 2017 or 2018, including the redevelopment of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
New commission strikes distinct tone

Although some officials are proud of what the board has accomplished in less than half a year, the commission’s approach has caused some concern, too.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Users can book small performances or full orchestra concerts via a smartphone app.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: No music hall? No problem.

The Sarasota Orchestra is ditching its plans for a new venue in favor of an on-demand model built around outdoor performances.

  • April Fools
Ken Schneier, Sherry Dominick, Penny Gold, Mike Haycock, BJ Bishop and Debra Williams make up the Longboat Key Town Commission.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 31, 2021
Town Commission to consider environmental projects, filling vacancies

April 5 marks the first regular Town Commission meeting for Penny Gold and Debra Williams.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kelli Smith will officially resign on April 30 from her position as the Longboat Key police chief. She has accepted the police chief role at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 31, 2021
Longboat Key Police Chief Kelli Smith resigns

Kelli Smith has accepted the police chief role at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Giving Back 941, Inc. founder Holley Dekmar presents a check for $4,336 to Robin Greenwood, the board president and CEO of Elmira's Wildlife Sanctuary in Wimauma. (Courtesy of Holley Dekmar)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 31, 2021
Myakka nonprofit provides a hand up

Giving Back 941, Inc. was started during the COVID-19 pandemic to fundraise for local causes

  • East County
  • News
Pacific Counter co-founders Tanner Loebel, Eric Bialik and Tock Noythanongsay serve poke and sushi in a fast-casual setting.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 31, 2021
EYE ON BUSINESS: Casual sushi comes to Lakewood Ranch

Pacific Counter introduces fast-casual poke and sushi to Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 31, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A moving tribute

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 31, 2021
Fishing event held in reel time in Lakewood Ranch

The annual Youth Fishing Tournament attracts 38 participants to Lake Uihlein in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Rob Walden, a data center engineer for the School District of Manatee County, helps Bryanna Bacon, a third grader at Ballard Elementary, sign onto Schoology at Ward Temple AME Church in April 2020. File photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 31, 2021
Federal money could improve internet access in Lakewood Ranch, Manatee County

Manatee County commissioners want to shore up internet service in areas such as East County

  • East County
  • News
Rock pigeons are a non-native species. Passenger pigeons, the only pigeon endemic to North America, were hunted to extinction by the early 1900s (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • March 31, 2021
Bird of the week: rock pigeon

Commonly seen species arrived in the New World with the first colonists from Europe.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tyler Beck.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 31, 2021
East County Athlete of the Week: Tyler Beck

The ODA pole vaulter talks his start in the sport and his goals for the season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brett Hutchens, the principal for CASTO, stands at the Center Point project in Lakewood Ranch. In the background is one of the adult oak trees that was saved and moved on the property.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 31, 2021
Lakewood Ranch lands more fine dining at CASTO project including Olivia's

CASTO project on University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch adds Owens Fish Camp, Olivia's of Tampa and a third restaurant yet to be named.

  • East County
  • News
Riley Simmons signed with Mississippi State on March 19. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 31, 2021
Mustang throws herself into the spotlight

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 31, 2021
Egg hunt makes kids hoppy in Lakewood Ranch

Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church members enjoy the Knights of Columbus' annual Easter Egg Hunt.

  • East County
  • News
Olivia Laney.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 31, 2021
East County High 5 Moments: 04.01.21

East County High 5 Moments: 04.01.21

  • East County
  • Sports
Sher Forrest
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 31, 2021
Longboat Key resident Sher Forrest reflects on her shell art

Forrest collects shells and turns them into mirrors and frames.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Suzanne Aguirre, a Lakewood Ranch High senior, conducts diabetic testing on Alexis McClintock, a Braden River High senior. The seniors appreciate getting a head start on their nursing courses through MTC's dual enrollment program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 31, 2021
Ahead of the game in Manatee County

MTC dual enrollment programs offer high school students advanced opportunities.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Alana Sherman sings during her Showstoppers performance on "American Idol." Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 31, 2021
Competitors of note in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch's Alana Sherman and Conyer Walker receive a shot to be an "American Idol."

  • East County
  • News
Charter Schools USA is working with Southwest Charter Foundation to potentially open Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy in August 2022 if the School Board of Manatee County approves the application.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 31, 2021
New charter school proposed in Lakewood Ranch

If approved, Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy could open in August 2022.

  • East County
  • News
Myakka City residents Heidi and Wayne Minihkeim stand in front of Myakka City's "triangle," located at the intersection of State Road 70 and County Road 675. They oppose commercial development at the site.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 31, 2021
Myakka 'triangle' rezone proposed again at S.R. 70 and C.R. 675

Will Myakka City triangle be developed for commercial use?

  • East County
  • News
Principal Todd Richardson volunteers to kiss a pig to help the school raise more than $30,000. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 31, 2021
Kid at heart in Lakewood Ranch

Gullett Elementary principal hogs the attention while engaging his students and staff.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 30, 2021
Tim Reynolds headlines concert at Nathan Benderson Park

Tim Reynolds of Dave Matthews Band fame comes to Nathan Benderson Park

  • East County
  • News
Sara Jonas included personal touches and inside jokes with her and Jamie Meyer's friendship into her children's book.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • March 30, 2021
Author's book for children explores love of friendship

Sara Jonas has penned a children's book benefitting the Tidewell Foundation in honor of her best friend.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Canals and channels in Longboat Key are both privately and publicly maintained.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 30, 2021
Town considers funding model for canal dredging

It would cost the town of Longboat Key about $11.4 million to start the program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
No good deed goes unpunished
  • May 28, 2026
No good deed goes unpunished
2
Cash grab in Manatee, too
  • May 28, 2026
Cash grab in Manatee, too
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
5
James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo give Harry Noordzy a lift, just as they did five years ago at Station 12.
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka's Station 12 remains a part of Harry's world

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