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Your Observer

    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 10, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: All cool in the pool

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Jazmene Perez scored a goal in the Booker's first win in three years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 10, 2020
Booker girls soccer nabs first win in three years

The Tornadoes are not satisfied yet, however.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 10, 2020
Stay the course, governor

The media chafes that DeSantis is an outlier. But his approach is helping 95% of Floridians not infected with the coronavirus.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Caroline King's defensive effort forces a Newsome player into a bad spot. The Rams are focused on defensive energy this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 10, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Healthy Rams girls basketball team is a defensive threat

There are no easy points against Riverview.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Repair work is scheduled finish Thursday.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 10, 2020
FDOT crews to repave Gulf of Mexico Drive and part of Longboat Pass bridge

Work is scheduled to finish Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gulf Coast Maritime Museum board members Chad Weiss, John Pether and Pat Ball stand in the former boat-building studio of George Luzier. The group wants to build a museum to chronicle the history of boating in Florida.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
Group pitches maritime museum at Bobby Jones

Although a group of boating enthusiasts are passionate about the concept, city officials have recommended against the request for public land.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A concept rendering included with the application material shows the proposed facade of the hotel along Fourth Street and Lemon Avenue. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
Planning Board overrules staff on Rosemary sidewalk plans

Although city planners recommended against it, the Planning Board authorized a curb cut on Fourth Street to accommodate a two-lane parking entrance for a forthcoming hotel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Less than two years after bringing paid parking to St. Armands, the city is considering raising some rates in the Circle. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
City eyes paid parking increases on St. Armands

The city is also considering expanding paid parking to Saturdays as part of a response to revenue shortfalls.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mayor Hagen Brody said he would continue to work to refine the time limits in place for commission meetings, but he stood by the change as a positive one.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
City commissioner questions new time limits

Mayor Hagen Brody said he's working to add structure to commission meetings, but at least one board member is unhappy with the new rules.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 12.10.20

Enjoy this week’s edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Bradenton's Michelle Haney, 48, has been charged with abuse of a dead human body after the body of Jon Christopher Leonard, 40, was found in a trash can in East County. Leonard had been dead since July.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2020
UPDATE: Body in trash can identified, Bradenton woman charged with abuse of a dead human body

Manatee County Sheriff's Office detectives arrest Bradenton's Michelle Haney, 48. She is charged with abuse of a dead human body after the body of 40-year-old Christopher Leonard was found in a trash can.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 9, 2020
The Rye Road Giraffes Christmas circus stretches holiday calendar in Bradenton

Camels and llamas and ponies, oh my! Christmas weekends with The Rye Road Giraffes

  • East County
  • News
Sandy Shahinian. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2020
Elves on the loose in Lakewood Ranch

Annual Elf on the Shelf contest continues on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Coastal Orthopedics' newest facility will be built in the style of Sarasota Modern architecture. (Courtesy of Coastal Orthopedics)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 9, 2020
EYE ON BUSINESS: Coastal Orthopedics plans to expand with Lakewood Ranch headquarters

Coastal Orthopedics to build its largest facility in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Diane Hunt, Director of Project Green Dot in Palmetto and JoOni Jones, Health Equity Director of the Multicultural Health Institute, which serves Manatee and Sarasota counties, with the Community Connections Resource Guide.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 9, 2020
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit creates guide to connect people in need with services

Lakewood Ranch nonprofit provides free community resource guide to local organizations

  • East County
  • News
Knowledge McDaniel has 25 carries for 158 yards and a touchdown at Marshall. Photo courtesy Marshall Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 9, 2020
Former Pirate contributes to Marshall's success

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
Karmani Gregory.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 9, 2020
East County Athlete of the Week: Karmani Gregory

The Braden River guard talks his favorite basketball memory and his best advice.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2020
East Bradenton nativity tweaked

East Bradenton churches make adjustments to nativities during a time when "even Bethlehem has to adjust."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County commissioner Vanessa Baugh said she can't foresee the county issuing another mask mandate.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 9, 2020
Manatee County commissioners planning to unify on COVID-19?

Will Manatee County commissioners disagree if COVID-19 pandemic worsens?

  • East County
  • News
Heidi Easton (left) and Peter Easton take their 2-year-old Dobermann, Ollie, and 5-month-old French bulldog, Casper, for walks on this sidewalk by Adventure Place. The Eastons disagree on the CDD's decision to install bollards.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 9, 2020
Some Greenbrook Village residents disagree on newly installed posts

Greenbrook Village installs posts to halt golf cart traffic on sidewalks

  • East County
  • News
Samantha Sokolis, an Advanced Manufacturing student, adjusts a robot.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2020
Project offers rapid-fire job training in east Bradenton

Manatee Technical College receives grant to help the unemployed train for new opportunities.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County will discuss the contract of Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, during a special meeting Dec. 17. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2020
School Board of Manatee County to host meeting on superintendent's contract

The School Board of Manatee County voted 3-2 to schedule a special meeting to discuss the superintendent's contract Dec. 17.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge writes that the Commission should be able to select its government leadership.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • December 8, 2020
LETTERS TO EDITOR: Manatee County commissioner says the commission should be able select its government leaders.

Savanna residents worry Lakewood Ranch area is turning into a "parking lot."

  • East County
  • Opinion
The board hears cases involving criminal nuisances in unincorporated areas of the county. A criminal nuisance is the unlawful use of property for activities such as gang activity or the use or sale of illegal substances.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 8, 2020
Applications open for Manatee County criminal oversight board

Manatee County accepting applications for criminal nuisance board

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2020
UPDATE: GoFundMe account set up for teen killed in Lakewood Ranch crash

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the 16-year-old Sarasota High student who was killed in a one-car accident on University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Adam Myara, Albert Myara and Bruce Mahnke (along with Bob Bender, not pictured) co-own McGrath's Irish Ale House at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 8, 2020
A shot of Irish authenticity has emerged in Lakewood Ranch

McGrath's Irish Pub comes to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
This Country Club at Lakewood Ranch home at 7806 Mathern Court sold for $1,295,000. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,973 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 8, 2020
Lake Club home tops Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton home sales at $2,085,500

List of residential real estate transactions for the Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton areas for Nov. 23-27.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
In previous years, members brought their menorahs to Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 8, 2020
Temple Beth Israel prepares for Hanukkah at home

The festival is typically a time of togetherness, but it will unfortunately be the Temple's third holiday season at home due to COVID-19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mark Welicki as Santa Claus at the "Holidays by the Sea" Sarasota Holiday Parade in 2019.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 8, 2020
Volunteer Santa laments loss of Sarasota holiday parade

Longtime volunteer Mark Welicki couldn't participate in the Sarasota Holiday Parade this year but he has high hopes for the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
City Manager Tom Barwin offered a positive assessment of his time in the top administrator position, stating the local government took a major step forward in terms of centering community-building as a priority. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 8, 2020
Commission finalizes Barwin’s retirement plan

Following the city manager's exit agreement, the board selected Marlon Brown as interim city manager and moved toward making him Tom Barwin’s permanent replacement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Craftsman Steve Weinberger built the metal menorah for Temple Emanu-El's in-person lighting for Hanukkah 2020.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 7, 2020
Temples prepare for Hanukkah during COVID-19

Socially distanced and virtual events compose Hanukkah events this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens reduced the proposed height of a parking garage on its bayfront site in hopes of winning the city's approval. The City Commission approved a preliminary portion of the Selby application Monday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 7, 2020
Selby Gardens master plan clears initial hurdle

The City Commission voted 4-1 to authorize the creation of a new zoning district, which will allow officials to formally consider a proposal to redevelop the bayfront site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 7, 2020
SPARCC hosts socially distanced Cookies, Cakes and Carolers event

The organization normally hosts a lunch with the same name.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cars are parked on the street along Broadway in the Longbeach Village neighborhood.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 7, 2020
Longboat leaders approve resident-only parking for neighborhood

Longboat Key's resident-permit parking program takes effect on New Year's Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gary Coffin
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 7, 2020
Gary Coffin appointed to Longboat's Planning & Zoning Board

Coffin fills the vacancy left by Ken Marsh.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 7, 2020
Longboat Key police chief visits with Kiwanis Club

The town's new chief sat down for breakfast and a discussion on her plans for the department.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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