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Your Observer

(From left) Sharie Kelly, Jennifer Ramsey and Nabil Rezkalla. Kelly and Rezkalla co-own Riviera Mediterranean Grille, while Rezkalla and Ramsey are both chefs at the restaurant.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 2, 2020
EYE ON BUSINESS: Restauranteur's passion on menu at Mediterranean-Italian eatery in Lakewood Ranch

EYE ON BUSINESS: Chef, designer open authentic Mediterranean-Italian restaurant in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Mike Newhams, a science teacher, explains how to separate the layers of an onion to his students. Newhams loves having his class outdoors and at the center of campus so he can connect with other students and staff members.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 2, 2020
Sky's the limit in outdoor classes in Lakewood Ranch

ODA allows teachers to host their classes in outdoor spaces during pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School sophomore Christian Bell, freshman Nathan Walmsley and seniors Alex Bustillo and Phil Staffiles practice for their rifle competition. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 2, 2020
Lessons in leadership in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high schools' JROTC programs adjust to the pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 2, 2020
Longboat Key communities of faith hold Thanksgiving service

The religious leaders of the island came together to share the message that the act of thanksgiving isn't impossible, even in 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 2, 2020
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosts second annual Light Up Longboat

Longboat Key's tree lighting went off without a hitch, even without activities and refreshments due to the pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 2, 2020
Accolades for Jordan

Longboat Key's Michael Jordan wins Gold Award for Unpublished Thriller.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marjorie Klotz and daughter Marjorie Sonstrom
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 2, 2020
Ringing strong

Marjorie Klotz, 104, rings the bell for St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 2, 2020
Temple Beth Israel collects items for JFCS

The little gifts will be repackaged and given as holiday presents to seniors served by JFCS.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 1, 2020
County survey finds upbeat attitudes

The 2020 Citizen Survey found that 96% of residents say they are happy with the quality of life in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 1, 2020
County OKs Siesta parking spaces

22 spaces will be added along Ocean Boulevard at the entrance to Siesta Village.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 1, 2020
Ruth A. Beliles

Ruth Dearing Beliles, born March 11, 1929, in Urbana, Ill., passed away peacefully on November 24, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • December 1, 2020
Charles Reeder Savidge

Charles Reeder Savidge, known to many as Chuck, passed away on November 19, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Flori Roberts had decades of successful business experience well before she arrived in Sarasota.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 1, 2020
Flori Roberts remembered for charity, business acumen

The philanthropist and pioneer in the cosmetics industry passed away Nov. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cheri Coryea's future as Manatee County Administrator could be decided Jan. 6 at a Commission meeting.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 30, 2020
Manatee County Commission strife demands public input

Public needs to provide feedback to Manatee County Commission as it plots a new course for the future.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The Longboat Key Historical Society accepted bids until Nov. 11 on the larger L-shaped cottage.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 30, 2020
Chiles Group moves forward with purchase of historic cottage

The Longboat Key Historical Society is planning to purchase a historic cottage from the Longboat Key Historical Society.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 30, 2020
Serenissima estate sells for record price

845 Longboat Club Road home sells for $16.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 30, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Smell that?

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Manatee County Sheriff's Office finds 17-year-old male dead and 14-year-old male injured after shooting on Verna Bethany Road and State Road 64 East. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 30, 2020
17-year-old male dies after east Bradenton shooting

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office finds a 17-year-old male dead and a 15-year-old male injured after a shooting.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 30, 2020
Rotary Club of Longboat Key donates to Children's Guardian Fund

Over a dozen families received Thanksgiving bundles.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 6701 Peacock Road was built in 2008 and features five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 7,489 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 29, 2020
Peacock Road home sells for $7.8 million

Sarasota and Siesta Key area residential real estate transactions for Nov. 16-20.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
6525 Gulf of Mexico Drive was recently built with four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,980 square feet of living space.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 29, 2020
Sleepy Lagoon home sells for nearly $4 million

Longboat Key residential real estate transactions for Nov. 16-20.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 28, 2020
Siesta Key embraces holiday cheer with Christmas tree lighting

The tree lighting was held Nov. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 28, 2020
Small Business Saturday a big hit for St. Armands shops

Local stores welcomed customers in with hope for a strong holiday season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Double-crested cormorant feathers become easily waterlogged, allowing them to deep-dive. Once back on land, they must dry their wings in the sun.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • November 27, 2020
Bird of the week: Double crested cormorant

Deep diving bird is most often spotted drying its wings on the shoreline.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Harry Christensen said he is planning to expand the dining area at Harry’s Continental Kitchens to recoup many of the financial losses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 27, 2020
Expansion plans move forward for Harry's Continental Kitchens

Harry's is planning to expand its indoor and outdoor dining.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 26, 2020
East County weather page photo: November 26

Gordon Silver captured this red-bellied woodpecker in a palm tree in Del Webb.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 26, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: November 26

Anna Passalaqua captured these storm clouds over Lido Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 26, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: November 26

Larry Tibbe captured this cloud formation over Longboat Key Moorings Marina.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's James and Chelsea Toldi finish the Florida Turkey Trot with their 5-month-old baby, Parker.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 26, 2020
Trot before the turkey in Sarasota

Florida Turkey Trot runners build an appetite for Thanksgiving with a morning run.

  • East County
  • News
King Winkfield.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 26, 2020
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: King Winkfield

The Booker High senior talks his basketball origins and his movie-watching habits.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who raised the motion, said he has a different vision for the county, and added he wants a culture shift to run the government more like part of the private sector.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 25, 2020
Manatee County administrator's job in peril as commissioners clash

Manatee County administrator could be fired as commissioners chart new direction

  • East County
  • News
The Grinch, played by Chris Cude of Legendary Knights Entertainment of Winter Haven, checks out the holiday lights with Sarasota's Melissa Galmin.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 25, 2020
Bright lights, dark chocolate during holidays at Sarasota's Mall at University Town Center

Holiday lights twinkle at the Mall at UTC in Sarasota while Norman Love Confections makes its debut.

  • East County
  • News
Catcher David Brierton probably is comfortable during the pandemic as he already wears a mask while playing baseball.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 25, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Little Leaguers persevere through pandemic

Lakewood Ranch Little League celebrates getting through the fall season in spite of the pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
Country Club resident Toni Ambrosio said she is worried the value of her home will decrease if townhomes are built by Legacy Golf Course.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 25, 2020
Townhouses could come to Legacy Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch

Manatee commissioners set to decide on townhouses in Country Club

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 25, 2020
Concession home rocks the Lakewood Ranch area market, selling at $3.65 million

Concession home rocks the Lakewood Ranch area market, selling at $3.65 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key Club golf director Terry O’Hara sits in a golf cart with a plastic divider installed to provide separation between the driver and a passenger.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 25, 2020
Longboat Key Club installs plastic dividers on golf carts

The dividers provide golfers physical separation to limit contact with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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