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Your Observer

Photograph of the pipe lying on its side at the Town of Longboat Key's Public Works Department. The breach was in the bottom invert of the pipe.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 18, 2020
Report blames underground log in Longboat sewage spill

About 14.7 million gallons of untreated sewage spilled between June 17-30.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Madison Abbacchi knows the grade she received in every class in school — A.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Lakewood Ranch student finishes academic career with perfect A record

Lakewood Ranch's Madison Abbacchi recorded an A in every class throughout her academic career.

  • East County
  • News
Robin Ruhnke says the Sheriff's Office retired horses will have green grass — and carrots as Valor enjoys — forever in her fields.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Heaven for horses in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office horses enjoy retired life at the Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County has unanimously voted to extend Superintendent Cynthia Saunders' contract for two years. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 17, 2020
School Board of Manatee County extends superintendent's contract

School District of Manatee County's superintendent Cynthia Saunders is under contract to serve another two years.

  • East County
  • News
Chris Sachs, Police Chief Kelli Smith and Cash Register. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 17, 2020
New bell pit stop

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key got new Salvation Army bells.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
As of Thursday, Dec. 17, 1,738 patients have tested positive at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and 140 COVID-19 patients have died.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
Tracking COVID-19 cases in Sarasota, Manatee

As of Thursday, the state lists 16,389 confirmed positive cases in Sarasota and 19,612 in Manatee. In Sarasota, 454 positive individuals have died, and 400 have died in Manatee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
East County weather page photo: December 17

This double rainbow over Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch was captured by Gordon Silver.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: December 17

Robert Fleurant captured these sandhill colts with their mom in Palmer Ranch.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 17

Patricia Muller captured this sunrise on the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Town Commission will use a hybrid approach for meetings (four of the seven commissioners physically present) for the remainder of 2020.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 17, 2020
Health Department delves into COVID-19 data for town

The state's data routinely puts positive COVID-19 cases on the Manatee County side of Longboat Key's 34228 ZIP code.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tina Adams, Marlene Campanaro and Kelli Smith. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 17, 2020
Longboat Key resident donates lap quilts

After knitting them throughout the year, Marlene Campanaro donates the fruits of her labor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cyndi Seamon made a turtle nest in summer 2020. Photo Credit: Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 17, 2020
Longboat Key proposing increased sea turtle protections

The Longboat Key Town Commission could have the first reading of a proposed ordinance as soon as Feb. 1, 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ballet dancer Melanie Hamrick, the girlfriend of rock legend Mick Jagger, bought this Lake Club home. Photo courtesy of Michael Saunders Realtor Tina Ciaccio.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Mick Jagger's girlfriend buys Lake Club estate in Lakewood Ranch

Mick Jagger's girlfriend buys Lake Club estate in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The lawn will be covered in books to buy over the weekend.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 17, 2020
One day only

The Longboat Library will host a book sale on Dec. 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 17, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Masked stowaways

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Olivia Davis.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 17, 2020
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Olivia Davis

The Cardinal Mooney guard talks favorite memories and her biggest challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tonya Mckee, Jennifer Coker, Jocelyn Mansfield, Amanda Myers, Zacko Gerzeny, Theresa Eannetta, Dayna Sisk, Nicole Washburn, and Cheyenne Parker.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 17, 2020
DIY boat parade sets sail

The volunteer-organized boat parade was held Dec. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Planning Board voted 3-2 to recommend approval of Raffurty's major conditional use application at an October public hearing. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
Another public hearing for Raffurty’s liquor license

The City Commission agreed to give residents another chance to share their thoughts on a permit request from the Main Street bar.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of adjusting their meeting schedules on Nov. 16, ultimately directing staff to conduct some research before continuing the conversation. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
City commissioners consider shift to evening meetings

When should the City Commission hold its meetings? Some elected officials think the night time is the right time.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
Planning Board questions city meeting protocols

A majority of the volunteer advisory board is opposed to in-person meetings that exceed two hours, disrupting the city’s development review schedule.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Unit 301 of the Oceane Condominiums on Siesta Key was built in 2019 with four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 4,439 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 16, 2020
Oceane condo unit sells for $4.75 million

Residential real estate transactions for Nov. 30-Dec. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Izzy Silverio, Krystal Parra and Madelyn Portwood, East County residents, are important parts of the Bulls soccer team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 16, 2020
One goal at a time for Bulls

Lakewood Ranch-area soccer players help build Parrish Community High's new girls soccer program.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 16, 2020
St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic church celebrates 47 years

Parishioners gathered in the chilly night to celebrate together.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
LaunchPad4U is located in the Rosemary District at 1413 Boulevard of the Arts to be centrally located for students. Harry Sayer
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 16, 2020
Education Foundation launches student resource center downtown

LaunchPad4U, located in the Rosemary District, helps students prepare for life after high school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
David Wolff installs mini reefs underneath docks at MarVista Dockside. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 16, 2020
Siesta residents start project to clean canal

More than 20 homeowners have signed on to place mini reefs under their docks to filter water and support marine life.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh wants to see major changes to the way the county government is run.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 16, 2020
Manatee County commissioners clash as administrator keeps job

Manatee County commissioners clash, no longer considering firing county administrator

  • East County
  • News
Former Legacy Golf Club co-owners Jon Whittemore and Kevin Paschall sold it to the Heritage Golf Group on March 13, 2024. One local resident wishes there were more public golf courses in the area.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch's Legacy Golf Club development gets green light

Manatee County approves plans for new homes at Legacy Golf Club

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 16, 2020
Barbara Hutchinson Powers

Barbara Hutchinson Powers, 80, of Longboat Key Florida and Bernardsville died on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Randolph NJ. Her family was by her side.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
After months of tackling obstacles as a result of the pandemic, Greenbrook's Crystal Avery and Marty Satz become husband and wife during a ceremony on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch couple zigs and zags to marriage

Festive Main Street at Lakewood Ranch setting perfect for Greenbrook couple to say wedding vows.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 16, 2020
Mote releases rehabilitated sea turtle into Gulf of Mexico

Longboat Key's Public Works Department assisted in the release.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Patti Papiano says her husband, Ray Papiano, has become obsessed with adding decorations to their light display each year. They have more than 40 light-up fixtures and 50 strands of lights in their display. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch man's obsession shines bright

Lakewood Ranch couple's home lights up the street every holiday season.

  • East County
  • News
Teddy and Rebecca Blitz. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Burro will ring in new year in east Bradenton

Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy receives a burro.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 16, 2020
Longboat Key has new generation

For the first time in decades, a majority of commissioners will be under age 70. Will that change the town’s path? Meantime, Florida has a post-election challenge: how to keep Florida Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 16, 2020
Eta's effects: 220 flooded homes, 275,000 cubic yards of missing sand

Even with Eta's effects on Longboat Key, wind damage was minimal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rob Oglesby, the development director for Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, says the pandemic has been perfect timing for the nonprofit to construct its new facilities.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Purr-fect expansion schedule at Nate's

Lakewood Ranch animal rescue will see flurry of activity over the next three months.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Paul Sharff, the CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, talk about the new Mobile Learning Lab. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
School Board of Manatee County to determine superintendent's future

School Board of Manatee County to make decision on superintendent contract.

  • East County
  • News
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