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Your Observer

Lofts on Lemon developers and funding partners broke ground together.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 14, 2021
Sarasota Housing Authority hosts Lofts on Lemon groundbreaking

The community development's supporters and funding partners held a ceremony Jan. 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Chad Davis is the next Cardinal Mooney volleyball coach. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 14, 2021
Mooney's new volleyball coach has championship credentials

Davis brings experience, familiarity to the program.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
After the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County depleted its supply of vaccines, Sarasota Memorial Hospital offered up doses this weekend to members of the public who were 65 or older. Courtesy image.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 14, 2021
Officials monitor rising COVID-19 rates, vaccination rollout

With COVID-19 rates climbing this month, health professionals are working to slow the spread and sort out issues with vaccine distribution.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In addition to revisiting the renovation plans, Mayor Hagen Brody expressed an interest in discussing the maintenance of the property, which has been closed since March.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 14, 2021
Bobby Jones plans back on the table

The City Commission will hold a workshop as it considers altering a renovation project for the municipal golf course.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The coloring book features people of all races, ethnicities, abilities and body types.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 13, 2021
Nonprofits, students create diversity coloring book

The book features pages with different ethnicities, abilities, family structures and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Cell towers are incorporated in the lighting at Sarasota High School.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 13, 2021
School district hopes to improve revenue from cell towers

District leaders hope a third party can help boost revenue from district-owned cell towers.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
If approved, Robert Anderson's proposed hotel will be built in an L-shape on property off Calle Miramar.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 13, 2021
Hotel workshop draws Siesta Key concerns

Residents say three hotel proposals should be considered all at once rather than as individual proposals.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Rosemary District stakeholders came together on Jan. 1 to paint a Central Avenue fence green, an effort to raise awareness about plans to bring a park to the site.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 13, 2021
Rosemary District raises funds for park purchase

After years of lobbying, the neighborhood is on the verge of securing land to convert into public open space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Circus Sarasota 2021 at Nathan Benderson Park has been cancelled. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2021
Circus Sarasota cancels its 2021 shows at Nathan Benderson Park

The Circus Arts Conservatory of Sarasota also announced it is cancelling the Circus Arts Gala and Cirque des Voix.

  • East County
  • News
The Town Center land awaits further amenities in 2021.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 13, 2021
Longboat leaders continue to hone concept of Town Center's next move

With more improvements coming in 2021, talk returns to building a privately funded community center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 13, 2021
Police investigate damaged road gates at Sarasota High

The motorist hit three access gates along School Avenue, costing an estimated $20,000 in damages.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 13, 2021
Fitness enthusiasts check out Lakewood Ranch health event

After rocky year, Lakewood Ranch open house participants talk 2021 fitness resolutions

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Summerfield resident Stephanie Robinson believes the county should replace the 177 trees it removes from Summerfield.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 13, 2021
Residents divided on removal of canopy trees in two Lakewood Ranch communities

Some neighbors are unhappy with removal of street trees in Summerfield and Riverwalk

  • East County
  • News
Deputy Chief Chris Krajic spoke during the Jan. 4 fire truck dedication ceremony at 5490 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 13, 2021
Longboat Key Deputy Fire Chief Chris Krajic retires

Chris Krajic was responsible for the town's EMS systems and purchasing Longboat Key's new fire truck.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Savanna resident Anna Gonnella enjoys walking around the green space in front of the Savanna entrance and particularly loves seeing the birds and wild grasses.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 13, 2021
Savanna entrance won't be developed after Manatee County Commission denies rezone

Land near the Savanna entrance will not be rezoned for commercial use

  • East County
  • News
Chloe Craciun. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 13, 2021
Mini Mustangs return

Pre-K students drew with crayons in their return to the program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 13, 2021
Strides to connect in Lakewood Ranch

New Stroller Fitness class in Lakewood Ranch gives moms an opportunity to socialize while exercising.

  • East County
  • News
Boat captain Denise Kleiner said the $25 sunset tours at Jiggs Landing offer incredible sights.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2021
Jiggs Landing concession in Bradenton fights to survive pandemic

Did you know Jiggs Landing of Bradenton offers live music, food and beer along the waterside?

  • East County
  • News
Rami Nehme is opening the third location of Origin Craft Beer & Pizza at UTC in late January or early February. His first location, pictured, opened in 2016 on Sarasota’s Hillview Street.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 13, 2021
EYE ON BUSINESS: Pizzeria owner hopes to bring cheer to UTC

EYE ON BUSINESS: Craft beer and pizza joint aims to bring community feel to East County

  • East County
  • News
Robert E. Willis Elementary second graders Aubri Darpino and Ella Baas are socially distant while working on assignments. Schools will continue to practice social distancing as part of COVID-19 mitigation measures. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 13, 2021
New protocols at Manatee schools

The School District of Manatee County changes COVID-19 protocols

  • East County
  • News
1. O'Mariah Gordon, Braden River High girls basketball
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 13, 2021
The top-10 East County athletes to watch in 2021

These athletes should command much attention in the new year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jennifer Hoffman, the president of the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island, and Paula Schwartz, of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch, package meals for Meals on Wheels PLUS in December. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2021
Huge demand as Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee moves forward in 2021

CEO says Meals on Wheels PLUS will continue to deliver in meeting huge demand in Manatee County in 2021.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County unanimously approved salary increases for teachers and raises for paraprofessionals for the 2020-2021 school year during the board's meeting Jan. 12.Â
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 13, 2021
School Board of Manatee County approves salary increases

School District of Manatee County increases starting teacher salary to $51,630.

  • East County
  • News
Horticulture students Samuel Jones, Evan England, Saige Freitag and Savannah Cannon admire their harvest from the community garden. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 13, 2021
Agriculture program grows in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High School begins a community garden.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Adrian Moore and Vittorio Natasi
  • January 13, 2021
Florida’s response to COVID-19 could help address the looming physician shortage

Hospital staffing shortages and burnout are cause for concern.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sophomore Ryann Hilyer will be exhibiting the Lakewood Ranch High School's Future Farmers of America chapter steer, Bill. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 13, 2021
Show time for east Bradenton FFA students

Lakewood Ranch High's FFA creates Ranch Buyers Club to promote students' projects at Manatee County Fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 13, 2021
Longboat Key Historical Society cottage moves to Town Center site

The cottage was among the original structures of Whitney’s Beach Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Toni Muirhead and Jamie Reagan, members of Peace Presbyterian Church, create dozens of natural art pieces displayed throughout the Peaceful Path.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 13, 2021
Path to serenity in east Bradenton

East Bradenton's Peace Presbyterian Church creates pathway with natural art.

  • East County
  • News
Christine Culp, the youth services librarian at the Braden River Library, uses her storytimes and Reading in Our Town virtual segment to show her viewers different places in Manatee County before reading them a book.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 13, 2021
Creatively connected at Braden River Library

Manatee County libraries shift to a focus on virtual programming.

  • East County
  • News
Before October 2020, Longboat Key had its last reported coyote sighting in 2018.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 12, 2021
FWC holds coyote safety meeting after Longboat Key sightings

The FWC recommends hazing a coyote to scare it away.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The commission will begin holding its regular meetings exclusively at night in February.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 12, 2021
City reschedules commission meetings for evenings

A majority of the City Commission is hoping to improve the efficiency of board meetings, but not everyone is supportive of the changes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Alex Teicheira leads the Run SRQ group.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 12, 2021
Sarasota locals find new hobbies in pandemic

Everyone found something new to do in 2020 — here's how Sarasotans managed the pandemic with new activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nanday parakeets and 25 other non-native parrot species, have thriving breeding populations in Florida. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • January 12, 2021
Bird of the week: Nanday parakeet

Brightly colored birds are all either released by owners or their relatives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 12, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A contested 180

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Johnson & Son, Inc. crews are set to begin the move of the smaller cottage around 6 a.m. Wednesday. The cottage will move to the Town Center site.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 12, 2021
Historic cottage set to move through Longboat Key on Wednesday

Crews are set to begin the move of the smaller cottage around 6 a.m. Wednesday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County seniors who are selected will receive a call from 742-4300 on Tuesday for a COVID-19 vaccination.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 12, 2021
Manatee County receives 1,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses

Manatee County will schedule 900 vaccination appointments with seniors who have signed up for the standby pool. The other 100 will go to healthcare workers.

  • East County
  • News
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