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Your Observer

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
Lakewood Ranch continues to sell new homes faster than any multi-generational community in the U.S.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 6, 2021
Lakewood Ranch's new home sales stand tall in national rankings

Lakewood Ranch remains No. 2 among all master-planned communities in U.S. in new home sales and No. 1 for multi-generational communities.

  • East County
  • News
The addition of a pre-registration process for the COVID-19 vaccine is available online and over the phone.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Manatee County announces pre-registration process for vaccine distribution

Manatee County commissioners approve plan to allow pre-registration for vaccines for seniors.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2021
Sarasota Memorial plans weekend COVID-19 vaccine clinics for at least 3,000

Doses expected to be distributed by appointment on Saturday and Sunday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark Kramer told detectives that "he always fantasized about being a police officer or being in the military, and says that he ingested narcotics that night giving him the courage to act out on his fantasy."
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Deputies: Already-jailed man admits to Lakewood Ranch break-in

Man in jail admits to armed break-in of Summerfield home

  • East County
  • News
Pictured at a Dec. 10 meeting, commissioners George Kruse wants to decrease county government regulations.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
New commissioners seek to change priorities in Manatee County

Four recently elected Manatee County commissioners bring "new vision"

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Gingerbread houses raise roof at UTC festival

UTC gingerbread festival displays high-rise houses, unique Christmas trees

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Angela Massaro-Fain, Peggy Kronus and Lori Ruth are the co-chairs for "Vegas Comes to the Ranch."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 6, 2021
Casino event at the Sarasota Polo Club a good bet for community

Sisterhood for Good hosts casino event at the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge disagrees with Michael Barfield's assertion that the commissioner has not provided all necessary records.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Public interest cited as reason for lawsuit against Manatee County commissioners

Paralegal consultant and commissioners disagree if they've complied with records requests

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 24

John Gangloff captured these American oystercatchers walking the beach on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: December 24

Robert Fleurant captured these fisherman silhouetted against the sunset on Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2021
East County weather page photo: December 24

Joseph Swederski captured this lizard showing off near the Lakehouse Community Center pool in Waterside at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority Operations Director Paul Chetlain said there are still a few issues to work through, such as the efficiency of the remote guard option.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Remote gate comes to two Lakewood Ranch communities

Edgewater and Country Club to use new remote gate system

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 6, 2021
Board? East Bradenton residents try woodworking

Woodworking club's east Bradenton members include everything from experts to beginners

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Wild pigs roam Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 6, 2021
Life on the wild side in Lakewood Ranch

Wild pigs spend time around Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 6, 2021
Escapism? Yes, please.

Romance novels a big hit on library shelves in 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 6, 2021
These little piggies go to the Manatee County Fair

Myakka's Pork Chop Revue will be a featured attraction at the Manatee County Fair.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior Riley Simmons didn't get to compete in shot put at states last year because of the pandemic. She'll hope for better in 2021.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 6, 2021
Prose and Kohn: What our columnist can't wait to see in 2021

Teams, storylines and events that will make the new year exciting.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tara's Craig Clark, also known as the Tech Fairy, has fixed and given away nearly 300 devices to people he's encountered while at stores and restaurants.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 6, 2021
Tech Fairy delivers electronic magic in east Bradenton

Tara resident refurbishes electronic devices and gives them away to people in need throughout east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 6, 2021
We’ll probably never know

For the 74 million who voted for Trump, they want one thing for sure: to know the truth.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 5, 2021
Sarasota looks to make changes to vaccine distribution

Officials hope to add a call-in line and drive-thru vaccination locations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner George Spoll said the move to reduce the age requirement for vaccines makes it harder for older residents.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 5, 2021
Longboat aims for COVID-19 vaccine site

The town of Longboat Key does not yet have a COVID-19 vaccination site.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kurt Hoffman
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 5, 2021
Hoffman sworn in as Sarasota sheriff

Hoffman is Sarasota County's 11th sheriff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
O'Mariah Gordon and the Braden River girls basketball team is taking on Southeast High tonight — and you can watch from home.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 5, 2021
Braden River girls basketball game to be streamed online

Tonight's game can be watched on YouTube.

  • East County
  • Sports
Clara Reynardus de Villanueva and her husband Roberto Villanueva spent the holiday with Elizabeth Moore at her ranch in Myakka.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 5, 2021
Sarasotans find new ways to celebrate the new year

Locals traded downtown block parties for personal celebrations this New Year's.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Traffic flows at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 5, 2021
Sarasota roundabout construction set to begin in February 2021

Longboat Key leaders have expressed their concerns about how mainland traffic impacts the barrier islands.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Co-Chairs Marci and Michael Klein at 2019's Avant Garde: A Magical Evening
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 5, 2021
Black Tie in 2021

Take a look at fun Black Tie events coming up this year.

  • Black Tie
The proposed height of a parking garage was a central issue during public meetings about the Selby Gardens master plan proposal. The City Commission voted to approve a site plan that included a four-story, 450-space garage.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 5, 2021
City approves Selby Gardens master plan

More than three years after Selby’s proposal first became public, the City Commission approved a site plan for the initial phase of a campus renovation project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nati Shabbat of SRQ Beats put on music for the crowd.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 4, 2021
Dancing on NYE

The NYE event had plenty of pizza and dancing.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 4, 2021
Longboat Key's new fire truck is officially in use

The town of Longboat Key paid $850,000 for the new fire truck.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County is taking online appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations beginning at 2 p.m. today (Jan. 4).
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 4, 2021
Manatee County makes 1,200 more COVID-19 vaccinations available to those 65 and over

Online appointments in Manatee County for COVID-19 vaccinations begins at 2 p.m. today (Jan. 4).

  • East County
  • News
Tito Vitorino
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 4, 2021
Amore Restaurant to reopen in downtown Sarasota

Tito Vitorino and wife Liana, showrunners since Amore's beginnings on Longboat Key, now own the restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Grand Living Staff
  • January 4, 2021
Does happiness have an expiration date?

Does happiness have an expiration date?

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Jordan Sawmiller gave birth to Messiah Mays at 1:39 a.m. on New Year's Day. Courtesy Photo
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 3, 2021
The first baby of 2021

Messiah Mays was born at SMH on Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
2613 Casey Key Road was built in 1980. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,865 square feet.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 3, 2021
Casey Key home sells for $6.8 million

Sarasota area residential real estate transactions for Dec. 14-18.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Unit 1203 at 1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive was built in 2005. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,872 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 3, 2021
Lido Key condo sells for $4.8 million

Longboat Key residential real estate transactions for Dec. 14-18.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
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An aerial view of Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island.
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Bill Schey is a Marine Corps veteran and a board member for the Folds of Honor Southwest Florida and Chicago chapters (with his wife, Connie Schey).
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Florida Power & Light brings 2026 infrastructure upgrades to Sarasota County, Manatee County and Longboat Key
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Myakka City's Mike Harrison is running for the District 1 seat on the Manatee County Commission.
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