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Your Observer

Samantha Sokolis, an Advanced Manufacturing student, adjusts a robot.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2020
Project offers rapid-fire job training in east Bradenton

Manatee Technical College receives grant to help the unemployed train for new opportunities.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County will discuss the contract of Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, during a special meeting Dec. 17. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2020
School Board of Manatee County to host meeting on superintendent's contract

The School Board of Manatee County voted 3-2 to schedule a special meeting to discuss the superintendent's contract Dec. 17.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge writes that the Commission should be able to select its government leadership.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • December 8, 2020
LETTERS TO EDITOR: Manatee County commissioner says the commission should be able select its government leaders.

Savanna residents worry Lakewood Ranch area is turning into a "parking lot."

  • East County
  • Opinion
The board hears cases involving criminal nuisances in unincorporated areas of the county. A criminal nuisance is the unlawful use of property for activities such as gang activity or the use or sale of illegal substances.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 8, 2020
Applications open for Manatee County criminal oversight board

Manatee County accepting applications for criminal nuisance board

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2020
UPDATE: GoFundMe account set up for teen killed in Lakewood Ranch crash

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the 16-year-old Sarasota High student who was killed in a one-car accident on University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Adam Myara, Albert Myara and Bruce Mahnke (along with Bob Bender, not pictured) co-own McGrath's Irish Ale House at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 8, 2020
A shot of Irish authenticity has emerged in Lakewood Ranch

McGrath's Irish Pub comes to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
This Country Club at Lakewood Ranch home at 7806 Mathern Court sold for $1,295,000. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,973 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 8, 2020
Lake Club home tops Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton home sales at $2,085,500

List of residential real estate transactions for the Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton areas for Nov. 23-27.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
In previous years, members brought their menorahs to Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 8, 2020
Temple Beth Israel prepares for Hanukkah at home

The festival is typically a time of togetherness, but it will unfortunately be the Temple's third holiday season at home due to COVID-19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mark Welicki as Santa Claus at the "Holidays by the Sea" Sarasota Holiday Parade in 2019.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 8, 2020
Volunteer Santa laments loss of Sarasota holiday parade

Longtime volunteer Mark Welicki couldn't participate in the Sarasota Holiday Parade this year but he has high hopes for the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
City Manager Tom Barwin offered a positive assessment of his time in the top administrator position, stating the local government took a major step forward in terms of centering community-building as a priority. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 8, 2020
Commission finalizes Barwin’s retirement plan

Following the city manager's exit agreement, the board selected Marlon Brown as interim city manager and moved toward making him Tom Barwin’s permanent replacement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Craftsman Steve Weinberger built the metal menorah for Temple Emanu-El's in-person lighting for Hanukkah 2020.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 7, 2020
Temples prepare for Hanukkah during COVID-19

Socially distanced and virtual events compose Hanukkah events this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens reduced the proposed height of a parking garage on its bayfront site in hopes of winning the city's approval. The City Commission approved a preliminary portion of the Selby application Monday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 7, 2020
Selby Gardens master plan clears initial hurdle

The City Commission voted 4-1 to authorize the creation of a new zoning district, which will allow officials to formally consider a proposal to redevelop the bayfront site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 7, 2020
SPARCC hosts socially distanced Cookies, Cakes and Carolers event

The organization normally hosts a lunch with the same name.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cars are parked on the street along Broadway in the Longbeach Village neighborhood.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 7, 2020
Longboat leaders approve resident-only parking for neighborhood

Longboat Key's resident-permit parking program takes effect on New Year's Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gary Coffin
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 7, 2020
Gary Coffin appointed to Longboat's Planning & Zoning Board

Coffin fills the vacancy left by Ken Marsh.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 7, 2020
Longboat Key police chief visits with Kiwanis Club

The town's new chief sat down for breakfast and a discussion on her plans for the department.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 7, 2020
Bathrooms to be added to Siesta park

Two family-style restrooms will be added to Nora Patterson Bay Island Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jane Morse, Sandi Love and Debbie White
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 7, 2020
Aloha, Monday: Hula classes come to Longboat Key

Debbie White brings a different kind of island flair with hula classes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Four Braden River High School students win the 16th Congressional District App Challenge with their medical dosage calculator app. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 7, 2020
Braden River High students win Congressional District App Challenge

Four Braden River High students create an app to save lives and win the Congressional District App Challenge.

  • East County
  • News
  • By The Meadows Country Club
  • December 7, 2020
The Renaissance of The Meadows Country Club

The Renaissance of The Meadows Country Club

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Michael Saunders & Company
  • December 7, 2020
Home spaces that gained popularity in 2020

Home spaces that gained popularity in 2020

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 6, 2020
St. Armands Circle hosts tree lighting

The Circle's massive tree got its holiday glow going on Dec. 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 6, 2020
Longboat Key Garden Club hosts walk in Joan Durante Park

The annual event was pared down due to COVID-19, but members were happy to see each other's faces.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The main house at 8307 Midnight Pass Road was built in 2014 with four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,641 square feet of living area. A guest house offers one bedroom, one bath and 671 square feet.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 6, 2020
Ocean View home sells for $3.3 million

Sarasota-area residential real estate transactions for Nov. 23-27.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Regent Place was built in Built in 1995.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 6, 2020
Regent Place condo sells for $2.6 million

Longboat Key residential real estate transactions for Nob. 24-27.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Jennifer Busch and Jill Schmidt dress up a Christmas tree at Soto Opticians on Hillview.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 5, 2020
Southside Village businesses welcomes holiday season

The Southside Village Light Up! event was held Dec. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 3, 2020
Ringling brings holiday happiness with toy drive

The Drive-Through Holiday Splendor event was held Dec. 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 3, 2020
Toys for Tots drive underway in Longboat Key

The town of Longboat Key is accepting gift donations until Dec. 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Meals on Wheels PLUS volunteer Julianne Niebour, Meals on Wheels PLUS President and CEO Maribeth Phillips, Elks Secretary Brett Davis and Meals on Wheels PLUS Vice President Judi Bjork at the 2019 shoebox collection.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 3, 2020
Meals on Wheels collecting gifts for Manatee County seniors

Drive-thru gift collection for Manatee County seniors coming to Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Through its previous two co-ops, Solar United Neighbors helped 100 households in Sarasota County install solar panels.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 3, 2020
Co-op encourages homeowners to go solar

Solar United Neighbors started its third solar co-op in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Nancy Detert swayed fellow commissioners to open a solicitation period for proposals on the parcel.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 3, 2020
County seeks other proposals for parcel

Following a Miami company's interest in county-owned land, commissioners agree to seek additional ideas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: December 3

Barbara Belka captured a shot of these white pelicans in Palmer Ranch.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 3

Patricia Muller captured this bee hard at work on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2020
East County weather page photo: December 3

This variety of water birds was captured by Gordon Silver after a heavy rain near Lakewood National.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County, has been named Consortium of Florida Education Foundations' 2020 Star Superintendent of the Year. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2020
School District of Manatee County superintendent receives statewide award

Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County, was named 2020 State Superintendent of the Year.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Audrey Davis is the new medical director of neonatology at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Manatee Memorial.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 3, 2020
Oh baby, new doctor's on the job at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Manatee Memorial

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Manatee Memorial add a neonatologist to help with any birth difficulties.

  • East County
  • News
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“I felt genuinely cared for during all phases of pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.” Aubrey Robertson, Maternity Patient
  • April 9, 2026
Women’s Center “Felt Like Home” for Maternity Patient
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  • April 8, 2026
2026 Top Entrepreneur Awards Luncheon
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Students in Kirsten Hazelton's 2nd-grade class at Southside Elementary School used their magnifying glasses to watch their freshly released ladybugs get to work patrolling their vegetable garden at the school.
  • April 8, 2026
Support your passion project through Giving Challenge 2026
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Angelina Goesch and her mom, Ana Goesch, founder of Dogs of Lakewood Ranch, pose with Ana's 4-year-old Golden retriever, Maple.
  • April 8, 2026
The Dogs of Lakewood Ranch club allows canine lovers to network
5
This year the Sarasota Opera House is turning 100. To celebrate, the Sarasota Opera is holding a special concert and dinner on April 11.
  • April 8, 2026
Sarasota Opera fetes Opera House on its centennial

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