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Your Observer

    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 12, 2021
Braden River High boys basketball game canceled

The Pirates were scheduled to play Riverview Tuesday at home.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 11, 2021
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key improves on 2020 Red Kettle drive

Income was up but St. Armands Circle kettle grabs top spot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Improvements to the asphalt and signage are planned at the intersection of Higel Avenue and Siesta Drive.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 11, 2021
Major road projects starting on Siesta Key in 2021

Construction on projects along Higel Avenue, Siesta Drive and Stickney Point road are set to begin this year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Patricia and Ward Maxson at a Longboat Key event in 2016.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 11, 2021
Circle of life: Hospice nurse cares for doctor who delivered her

Kelly McFarland was born prematurely at 2 pounds, 4 ounces. Four decades later, she provided care to the doctor who delivered her.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 1575 Bay Point Drive was built in 2013. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,407 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 11, 2021
Casey Key home sells for just over $7 million

Residential real estate transactions for Dec. 21-Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County said it was not certain why it did not receive an additional supply of the vaccine or whether the state would supply more doses next week. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 11, 2021
Sarasota health department out of COVID-19 vaccines

Although local officials did not expect to receive additional vaccines this week, the state said it is shipping more doses to Sarasota and Manatee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Masters winners Tom Mitchell, left and Linda Bayne, right with organizer Stacey Monroe, center.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 11, 2021
Eighth annual Andrew Monroe 5K races on Siesta Key

The race kicked off 2021 as normal, albeit with some COVID-19 protocols.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County doesn't expect new shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine this week.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 11, 2021
No new shipments of COVID-19 vaccine expected this week in Manatee County

Administrator Cheri Coryea asks Manatee County residents to remain patient awaiting the COVID-19 vaccine.

  • East County
  • News
Susan Goldfarb at the Longboat Key Education Center. In the background is a popcorn machine that Goldfarb typically uses to liven up movie classes.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 11, 2021
Longboat Key Education Center celebrates 35 years of learning

Longboat Key Education Center, at 35, grows with the passion of its executive director.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 11, 2021
Calling all pets!

Have cute pics of your pets? Of course you do — and The Observer wants to see them!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tamiami Trail was closed from Hillview Street to Datura Street on Saturday afternoon.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 11, 2021
Report of suspicious package leads to Saturday road closure

Investigators discover nothing dangerous in a package delivered to shipping company.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Over the weekend, medical personnel administered COVID-19 vaccines at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital clinic. (Sarasota Memorial Hospital photo)
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 11, 2021
COVID-19 vaccine frustration rises in Longboat Key

Difficulties with the sign-up process for COVID-19 vaccinations prompted Manatee County to change to a lottery system.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key residents are asked to complete the online survey between Jan. 11 — Feb. 3.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 11, 2021
Longboat Key citizen survey begins arriving this week

Longboat Key residents have from Jan. 11 — Feb. 3 to complete the survey.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • January 11, 2021
Sandy Skierkowski

Cheers to 80 Years!

  • Longboat Key
  • Celebrations
Built in 1936, the home at 139 S. Washington Dr. offers five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 7,817 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 10, 2021
Lido home sells for $10.6 million

Residential real estate sales for Dec. 21-Jan. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Beverly Sutton spoke at the 2019 Christmas party. File photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 8, 2021
Longboat Key church makes holiday bright for families

Christ Church of Longboat Key quadruples its fund-raising goal of $8,500 for Bradenton's 13th Avenue Dream Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Savanna resident Israel Arteaga is one of about a dozen of residents who opposed the proposed rezone because of concerns about traffic, road maintenance and loss of green space, among other concerns.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 7, 2021
Proposal to add commercial space in front of Savanna of Lakewood Ranch fails

Manatee County commissioners voted against Savanna commercial development, turning down rezone 5-2.

  • East County
  • News
Gov. Ron DeSantis (left) commended Manatee County health and safety personnel on the COVID-19 vaccination program for seniors Thursday at Tom Bennett Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 7, 2021
Governor commends Manatee County's COVID-19 vaccination program

Manatee County begins preregistration pool signups for COVID-19 vaccine Thursday night.

  • East County
  • News
Henry the Heron. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 7, 2021
Heron about town

A blue heron has captured Longboat Key's attention.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 7, 2021
Conversation with school board newcomer Karen Rose

Rose was elected to the District 2 school board seat.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 7, 2021
A conversation with School Board newcomer Tom Edwards

Edwards was elected to the District 3 seat.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Roger Pettingell ranked as the number-one individual sales associate in Sarasota County in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, according to Coldwell Banker Realty.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 7, 2021
Pettingell again the top Sarasota-area Realtor in 2020

The Sarasota-Coldwell Banker realtor finished last year with more than $175 million in closed sales.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A 73-year-old bicyclist is in critical condition Thursday after being struck by a car in the Lakewood National development of Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 7, 2021
Bicyclist in critical condition after being hit by car in Lakewood Ranch's Lakewood National development

A 73-year-old Lakewood Ranch woman is in critical condition after being hit on her bicycle by an 18-year-old motorist.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2021
East County weather page photo: January 7

Valerie Voutsas captured this doe in her yard in the Country Club at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: January 7

Richard Bottorff captured this young cardinal hunting a moth in Myakka State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: January 7

Bonnie Lashin captured this great blue heron in silhouette against a Longboat Key sunset.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Predation by domestic cats is the number-one human-caused threat to birds, including Northern Cardinals, in the United States and Canada. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • January 7, 2021
Bird of the week: Northern cardinal

Familiar red bird is the only cardinal native to North America.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lauren-Taylor Nock and Easton Nock wait for the school bus on the first day of school in August.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 7, 2021
70 students in Longboat

Town seeks number of public school-enrolled children.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Signs at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center remind players to keep their distance on and off the courts.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 7, 2021
Observer Challenge canceled, but tennis community swings on

While organized competitions are still off the table, tennis players on Longboat Key still get their practice in.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Housing Authority plans to break ground on the Lofts on Lemon, a 130-unit affordable apartment complex in the Rosemary District, later this month. Rendering courtesy Sarasota Housing Authority.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2021
Officials hope to build on housing progress

City and county leaders centered affordable housing as a priority in 2020. To what extent will recently established policies bear fruit this year?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Interim City Manager Marlon Brown said he wanted to make sure city officials make themselves available to engage with residents, businesses and visitors.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2021
Conversation with Marlon Brown

The interim city manager shares his perspective on public engagement, working with commissioners, preparing a budget and more.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Aileen Bermudez receives the first COVID-19 vaccination at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Image courtesy Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2021
Officials hope 2021 brings end to pandemic

After a year dominated by the effects of COVID-19, there’s hope relief is on the way — but challenges associated with the coronavirus remain.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2021
Cops Corner: Sarasota 1.7.21

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 7, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Bike, car, collision course

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Lynn Larson, Svetlana Kaminsky and Bob Gault at a Kiwanis meeting.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 7, 2021
Kiwanis Club launches match challenge with Children’s Guardian Fund

The club will match all donations made in their name up to a total of $10,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Out-of-Door Academy seniors Kaylen Rivers, Chelsea Ball and Ximena Barrales continue to adjust to the school's new health and safety protocols. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 6, 2021
Adjusting to pandemic with class in Lakewood Ranch

East Bradenton high school seniors make the most of their final school year despite pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
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