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Your Observer

Mackenzie Riley, founder Jenny Townsend and Annelise Kummer had a blast.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • February 6, 2021
Music Compound celebrates five years

The music school celebrated its fifth anniversary with a festive event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key sent this letter in the mail with a special code for residents to fill out the annual citizen survey online. Photo courtesy of the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 5, 2021
Citizen survey doubles its response rate

A presentation before the Longboat Key Town Commission is scheduled for April 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner James Satcher said he submitted a $25 payment Friday to cover the $10 state certification fee he was required to pay during his candidacy and a $15 return fee.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 5, 2021
Manatee County commissioner says missed certification fee a mistake

Commissioner: Payment for missing certification fee bounced while switching bank accounts

  • East County
  • News
At least in the short term, Larry Thompson said it is unlikely for the college to resume a partnership with the town of Longboat Key in building a Town Center. Photo Courtesy of Ringling College of Art and Design
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 5, 2021
Ringling College unlikely to partner with Longboat, president says

Ringling College of Art and Design President Larry Thompson cited several reasons why it's "not probable" for a partnership to resume.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 5, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: People and their dogs

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Lisa Baskfield and Lynn Larson
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 5, 2021
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key learns the ABCs of CBD

The first speaker of February was Lisa Baskfield, who owns Nature's Gem CBD.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 5, 2021
Christ Church of Longboat Key hosts fourth food drive

The church welcomed friends and residents into the parking lot to donate nonperishables.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 5, 2021
New owners expect to keep Longboat compound a family getaway

11-bedroom property sold recently for $6.75 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The larger L-shaped cottage will temporarily sit on cribs near 6920 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Photo: Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 5, 2021
Longboat Key P&Z Board to consider cottage as part of parking lot plan

The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: February 4

Richard Wulterkens captured this skyline over Little Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: February 4

Patricia Muller took this photo during low tide on the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2021
East County weather page photo: February 4

Sherry Packard captured this hawk in the Summerfield neighborhood of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Renee Di Pilato, libraries and historical resources director, said library workers have been grateful to be able to help the community.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 4, 2021
Library workers adapt to various roles during pandemic

Sarasota County libraries helped with many facets of government during pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fruitville Elementary kindergarten teacher Kari Johnson said she hopes to bring a positive environment to her students each day. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 4, 2021
Teacher of the Year values kindness, compassion

Fruitville Elementary kindergarten teacher Kari Johnson was named the Sarasota County Teacher of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
St. Armands Circle used pedestrian crossing guards in early 2020 during an art show.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 4, 2021
St. Armands Circle crossing guards to return in March

The town of Longboat Key, city of Sarasota and the Florida Department of Transportation agreed to evenly split the cost of the program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Parishioners Patty Smith and Maurice Dinneen on behalf of the Eluned & Edward Russell Charitable Foundation at the Community Foundation of Sarasota made a donation of $500,000 to kick start the campaign.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 4, 2021
Siesta parish primed for rebuild

St. Michael the Archangel is holding a capital campaign to rebuild after severe water damage.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Former Pirates running back Deshaun Fenwick is headed to Oregon State.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 4, 2021
Former Braden River running back transfers to Oregon State

Deshaun Fenwick was previously at South Carolina.

  • East County
  • Sports
Booker alumnus Talik Keaton may find himself in "EA Sports College Football" in a few years with Marshall. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 4, 2021
Prose and Kohn: More than a game

Local players may find themselves in "EA Sports College Football" in a few years

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brian Hershberger.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 4, 2021
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Brian Hershberger

The Blazers junior talks his favorite memory and his best advice.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Residents have objected to the proliferation of vacation rentals on the barrier islands, but the operators of some rental properties expressed concern that proposed regulations could be overly onerous.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 4, 2021
No decision on hotel house ordinance

Despite outspoken support from barrier island residents, city officials wanted more time to revise new rules governing vacation rentals in residential areas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Zero Empty Spaces has reconfigured storefronts such as this one in Hallandale Beach to create studio space for artists to rent on a month-to-month basis. Photo courtesy Zero Empty Spaces.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 4, 2021
St. Armands considers artsy option for vacant spaces

Eager to explore opportunities to fill empty storefronts, the St. Armands Business Improvement District is looking to south Florida for inspiration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2021
Cops Corner: Sarasota 2.4.21

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota's Olivia Pundy, as Dorothy holds Willie, who is dressed as the Tin Man, while Lily plays the Cowardly Lion and Sarasota's Kate Daoust plays the Scarecrow. They won Best in Show.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 3, 2021
Dog and pony show at the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota Polo Club's horses share the spotlight with the Woofminster dog show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Canal 1A emergency dredging began on Jan. 25. Boating and beach activities east of Longboat Pass Bridge are closed for another week or so.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 3, 2021
Longboat Key expects to save about $8.7 million on beach projects

Longboat Key town projects manager Charlie Mopps credited the contractor's equipment, which allows for less expensive sand dredging.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Downtown Improvement District board member Mark Kauffman thinks an alternate design could allow for a Sarasota Orchestra venue near Payne Park while minimizing or eliminating the need to use parkland.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 3, 2021
Downtown group revisits orchestra venue talks

Despite the city previously ruling it out, the Downtown Improvement District continues to have interest in placing the Sarasota Orchestra at Payne Park

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River's signing day. Photo courtesy Matt Nesser.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 3, 2021
Signing Day 2021 roundup

Area athletes see their dreams come true

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2021
Teaching dogs new tricks in Lakewood Ranch

Pups and their owners enjoy Doggy Bootcamp Agility Class in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Laura Schuyler and Amber DePasquale. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2021
Appreciation can be an art form in Lakewood Ranch

Braden River Middle School's Builders Club creates signs to thank nurses for all they do at school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County commissioner George Kruse, pictured at the Nov. 19 meeting where the status of Coryea's contract first came into question, said his comment about blackmail wasn't an accusation against Carol Whitmore.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 3, 2021
No inquiry scheduled after Manatee County brouhaha

Kruse not currently pursuing legal action against Whitmore, says blackmail comment wasn't an accusation

  • East County
  • News
Appalachian State offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil, a Braden River High alumnus, is projected to go on day three of the 2021 NFL Draft. Photo courtesy Appalachian State Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 3, 2021
Can you feel a draft?

Former Braden River High football star is preparing for the NFL Draft

  • East County
  • Sports
Shelly Glenn is the new chief development and community partnership officer for the Florida Cancer Specialists. "It's an honor and a privilege to be able to bring several passions together," Glenn says of her new position.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2021
Passion rewarded for Lakewood Ranch resident

Country Club's Shelly Glenn is promoted to chief development and community partnership officer for Florida Cancer Specialists.

  • East County
  • News
Mustangs senior forward Owen Speir chases down the ball against Braden River High. Speir is a team captain.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 3, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Mustangs soccer is getting stronger

After a rough middle stretch of the season, Lakewood Ranch soccer is on the upswing.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County Animal Services Chief Sarah Brown holds Elwood, a tabby who was taken in by the shelter Jan. 10. Elwood is a talkative, affectionate cat who recently had one of his legs amputated.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 3, 2021
Manatee County commissioners disagree on animal shelter scope

Cost, size, access: Inside Manatee County commissioners' debate about location of new animal shelter

  • East County
  • News
Nyda Bittmann- Neville, the chair of Women of WaterCrest, and Cheryl Speaker, a steering committee chair for the group, organize events, field trips and charitable efforts for the Women of WaterCrest. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2021
Heart for helping in Lakewood Ranch

Women of WaterCrest collects donations to support Mothers Helping Mothers.

  • East County
  • News
Janet Mixon holds the Broghies and Dean Mixon holds the corn pellets that will be heated and pressurized to make the Broghies.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 3, 2021
Bradenton's Mixon Fruit Farms turns to Broghies to help employees

Mixon Fruit Farms begins shipping the low cal bread substitute throughout the U.S. as the U.S. distributor.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River Library Assistant Supervisor Mary Frueh is one of many library staff members who have helped register seniors for the vaccine through library computer workstations.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 3, 2021
More help for Manatee County seniors to register for vaccine

Libraries and Elder Helpline aid Manatee County seniors struggling to register for COVID-19 vaccine.

  • East County
  • News
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