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Your Observer

District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh was selected by her fellow commissioners Tuesday to be the 2021 Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 15, 2020
Manatee County Commissioners select Vanessa Baugh as chairman

District 5 commissioner Vanessa Baugh will head Manatee County Commission in 2021.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County commissioners approved a motion Tuesday to designate the section of 44th Avenue from Bradenton's First Street West to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as the Honorable State Senate President Bill Galvano Parkway.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 15, 2020
Stretch of 44th Avenue in East County named for former Florida Senate President Bill Galvano

Manatee County road will honor former Florida Senate president Bill Galvano.

  • East County
  • News
Administrators surprise Kari Johnson, a kindergarten teacher at Fruitville Elementary School. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 15, 2020
Finalists named for Sarasota Teacher of the Year

The finalists teach at Fruitville Elementary, Sarasota Military Academy Prep, Alta Vista Elementary and Booker High School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Eileen Parker with the School District of Manatee County's Food and Nutrition Services hands out lunches during the summer food program. Students will be able to pick up meals for winter break on Dec. 21 and Dec. 28. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2020
Manatee County schools offer free meals during winter break

Manatee County families can pick up free meals at Haile Middle and Myakka Elementary in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
First Step CEO Gwen MacKenzie discusses the Behavioral Health Response Team program during a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Kreisman Center Crisis Stabilization Unit.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 15, 2020
First Step, law enforcement launch crisis intervention program

The Behavioral Health Response Team is an initiative designed to produce better outcomes for individuals dealing with issues related to mental health and substance abuse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A memorial featuring a plaque, a portrait of Shackelford and his favorite painting hangs in the school's media center. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 15, 2020
Sarasota High remembers teacher with memorial, scholarship

Robert Shackelford was a teacher at Sarasota High School. He died after testing positive for COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Here is a rendering of the proposed Sage Longboat Key condominium development at 4651 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 15, 2020
Longboat OKs development of Sage condos

The Planning and Zoning Board approved Sage's site development plan and a special exception.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 15, 2020
Sally Elizabeth Daneman

Sally Elizabeth Daneman, of Bradenton Florida; (formerly of Lincroft, NJ) passed away Wednesday December 9, 2020 due to complications from Covid.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The home at 110 North Warbler Lane was built in 1960. It has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,307 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 15, 2020
Bird Key home sells for $3.55 million

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 14, 2020
Town gears up for second resident poll

Mailings begin around Jan. 11 with a final report expected in April.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Orion Nebula
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 14, 2020
Longboat officer shares love of outer space

Richard Schoepfer says he began learning about astrophotography four years ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 14, 2020
Republican Club of Longboat Key hosts holiday party

The club also used the occasion to swear in its new president.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 14, 2020
Gulfshore creates Floridian winter wonderland

In 2020, residents of Gulfshore are creating their own cheer for the season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Epic Equine's Jaymie Klauber charges in front of the entire Rawhide Creek team in the first chukkar.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 13, 2020
Sarasota Polo Club hosts 30th season opener

Socially-distanced fans appreciate the outdoor event in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Perfect weather greeted those attending the Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge's second annual Car and Truck Show.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 13, 2020
Warm weather, cool cars in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge puts on its second annual car show.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 11, 2020
Island lights

It seems Longboat Key loves Christmas a whole watt.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Al Maio, left, will take over as chair of the Sarasota County Commission in 2021. Christian Ziegler, right, will serve as vice chair.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 11, 2020
Maio selected as new county commission chair

Maio previously served as chair in 2016 and as vice chair in 2015 and 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ian Campbell has taken over the reins of the Well Wishes Benefit Polo Match from his sister, Pippa Campbell.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2020
Concerned Lakewood Ranch teens hold Sarasota Polo Club benefit to build wells in Africa

Lakewood Ranch teens combine to plan the Well Wishes Benefit Polo Match at the Sarasota Polo Club to raise funds to build wells in Africa.

  • East County
  • News
Teacher Teyia Brown of St. Petersburg is excited to get started at Discovery Point.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2020
Discovery Point Child Development Center franchise opens in Bradenton

New York couple moves to East County to open a Discovery Point franchise in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Brett Davis of the Lakewood Ranch Elks and Maribeth Phillips of Meals on Wheels Plus were thrilled with the turnout for the Shoebox Collection.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Elks help Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee deliver successful Shoebox Collection.

Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee collects stuffed shoeboxes to deliver to seniors during the holidays.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 10, 2020
Selby Gardens previews 2020 Lights in Bloom

Selby VIP guests received a look at the annual lights show ahead of its Dec. 12 opening.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioner George Kruse raised the motion to reconsider a Nov. 19 motion to give administrator Cheri Coryea at least a 15-day notice to deliberate the status of her contract.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 10, 2020
Manatee County administrator to keep job after commission reconsiders

Manatee County commissioners vote to reconsider prior motion regarding administrator Cheri Coryea's contract

  • East County
  • News
Legacy Golf Club part-owner John Whittemore plans to build 48 multi-family condo units on his golf course.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 10, 2020
Plans for Legacy Golf Club homes approved by Manatee County commissioners

Legacy Golf Club to build 48 homes after Manatee County approves the plan.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 10, 2020
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church resumes concerts

The Dec. 6 concert featured Dave Morgan and Friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The only stork that breeds in North America, Wood storks almost
  • By Miri Hardy
  • December 10, 2020
Bird of the week: wood stork

The species can eat up to 400 pounds during a typical breeding season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Following a state directive that requires struggling remote learnings to return to brick-and-mortar, more students are expected to return to the classroom for second semester. Photo courtesy Sarasota Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 10, 2020
Changes coming to schools in new semester

Following a state directive, struggling remote students will be asked to return to in-person classes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • December 10, 2020
Lillian Janice Howle

Lillian Janice Howle, fondly known as “Miss Janice”, 91, passed away peacefully in Sarasota, Florida on Monday, November 30, 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: December 10

MaryAnn Parks captured this parakeet having a snack near her home in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 10

Curtis Bean captured this sunrise over downtown Sarasota from Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
East County weather page photo: December 10

Bruce Silverman captured this sunset over Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Many residents fear the hotel and garage, located along Stickney Point Road, would exacerbate traffic going to and from south Siesta Key.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 10, 2020
Hotel workshop draws complaints over density, traffic

Gary Kompothecras is proposing a 120-bed hotel and a five story garage along Old Stickney Point Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 10, 2020
Carl P. Friedman

Carl Friedman, 78, of Longboat Key, FL, formerly of Stamford, CT, devoted husband, beloved father and adoring grandfather, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2020 after a short but mighty battle with glioblastoma. 

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Deputy Police Chief Pat Robinson will join interim City Manager Marlon Brown as the city transitions to a new top administrator following Tom Barwin's retirement. Image courtesy Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
Brown appoints deputy police chief as deputy city manager

Pat Robinson will move from the Sarasota Police Department to City Hall to join the city's administrative team on an interim basis.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 10, 2020
Robert Eric Endres (Bob)

In Sarasota / Longboat Key, Florida December 4, 2020 at the age of 78 following a long illness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 10, 2020
Historic cottages finally find good homes

Thanks to Drake’s persistence, the town finally made a commitment to an important part of Longboat Key — its history.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 10, 2020
Our challenge: Keep Florida Florida

You can interpret Florida’s presidential election results as delivering two messages.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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