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Your Observer

Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 24, 2020
Squeaky clean

The Lazy Lobster received an award for sanitation and cleanliness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
D'Arcy and Ray Arpke in "the only spot in the restaurant (they've) never been photographed."
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 24, 2020
Euphemia Haye, Longboat Key landmark, celebrates 40 years

Ray and D’Arcy Arpke started small, but Euphemia Haye is the talk of the town 40 years later.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Education Center.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 24, 2020
Longboat Key Education Center readies for season in multiple forms

Like many universities, the education center is planning on a blend of in-person, Zoom and hybrid classes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Crews began water-sample testing on July 1 near the site of the sewage spill. Photo courtesy of www.rustychinnis.com.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 24, 2020
Bay testing finds low impact of Longboat sewage spill

Longboat Key is still investigating the cause of the break.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
High school football teams in Manatee County can begin playing regular season games on Sept. 18.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 24, 2020
Manatee County sets regular-season dates for high school football and volleyball

Fans of those sports will see their teams play in less than four weeks.

  • East County
  • Sports
The home at 1775 Cherokee Lane was built in 2018 with three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,793 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 24, 2020
Cherokee Park properties sell for $4.2 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 10-14.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Built in 1995, the home at 3307 Sabal Cove Circle has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,193 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 24, 2020
Sabal Cove Circle home sells for $1.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug.10-14.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Following the City Commission's approval last week, the Sarasota County Commission could finalize plans for a rental assistance program on Wednesday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 24, 2020
Housing funds slated for rental assistance

Sarasota has received more than $770,000 in federal funds to help those who have been affected by COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 21, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Alarming weather

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The sandbag station at 100 Broadway Street is in the lot normally used for public beach parking.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 21, 2020
Longboat offers sandbags for residents

Tropical Storm Laura could be passing through Gulf of Mexico early next week.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County public safety officials say residents should prepare their homes for storms. Shelters should be last resort. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 21, 2020
Manatee County officials monitor Tropical Storm Laura

Leaders say shelters should be 'last resort' if the storm hits here.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • August 21, 2020
Joan Hannah Peterson

Joan Hannah Peterson, 87, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully on Aug. 16, 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 20, 2020
Historic St. Armands home hits market at $12.7 million

The home was the fifth house constructed on St. Armands.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 20, 2020
County to begin construction on new cooling plant

The $14.8 million project will support air conditioning for the county's downtown campus buildings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 20, 2020
No swim advisory issued at Siesta Beach

During routine water quality tests, staff found a high level of enterococcus bacteria.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2020
East County weather page photo: August 20

Bill Marrone captured this colorful sunset over a lake in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: August 20

Gordon Silver captured this seagull riding the waves on top of a pelican on Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 20

Abby Laster captured this image of an osprey catching a fish along a Longboat Key beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wilkinson Elementary School teacher Pat-e Gillezeau started a Facebook group to help teachers get the resources they need.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 20, 2020
Facebook group helps teachers get supplies for new year

Adopt a Sarasota County Teacher Facebook Group allows residents to gift teachers with necessary back to school items.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Tommy Gregory
  • By Rep. Tommy Gregory
  • August 20, 2020
My View: Florida Democrats target black incumbents

Three Democrat lawmakers who dared to support school choice and limits on teen abortions are being labeled as no longer Democrats.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 20, 2020
Sad kiss goodbye?

No. Say it won’t be so. Unconditional Surrender sets Sarasota apart. Keep it on the bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Head coach Josh Smithers and the Riverview football team will start practice Aug. 24 and can play games as soon as Sept. 4 — if they can find an opponent.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 20, 2020
Sarasota County coaches cautiously excited for fall sports season

Practice begins Aug. 24 for all sports.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 8.20.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The town of Longboat Key has posted several of these "wear a mask" signs throughout the island.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 20, 2020
Longboat commissioners to vote Aug. 31 on extension of mandatory mask policy

The Longboat Key Town Commission is set to hold an emergency virtual meeting on Aug. 31.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Shaina and Kevin Swan are appearing in social media videos to answer questions about living with ALS.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2020
A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries videos to raise ALS awareness

A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries YouTube videos to raise ALS awareness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 19, 2020
Commission approves relief fund allocations, programs

County staff will now work to release applications by September and allocate funds by Dec. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The current owners of the Sarasota Kennel Club have been working to sell the land for redevelopment after greyhound racing came to an end in 2019.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 19, 2020
Developer plots residential project on Kennel Club site

A new prospective owner of the Sarasota Kennel Club property hopes to build apartments, but specific plans are still to be determined.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michael Cucci Jr. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Big shot on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Creekwood 2-year-old has first try at cornhole.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Beat goes on in East County

Braden River High School's Marching Band of Pirates resume practice.

  • East County
  • News
Deb Herbert stands in front of a oil painting she did at MJ Ranch in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2020
Former Sarasota County Schools fine arts teacher excels in equine themed art

Former Sarasota County Schools fine arts teacher excels in equine themed art.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Andy Guz, Brain Health Initiative Executive Director Stephanie Peabody, LWR Communities' Monaca Onstad and County Health Officer Jennifer Bencie hold survey invitations.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2020
University of Florida joins brain health study in Lakewood Ranch

University's Florida Survey Research Center will help collect, analyze data for Brain Health Initiative.

  • East County
  • News
South West Florida Therapy Animals Partners Ana Dod, with Boots, and Heather Perry, with Milo, hope to host events at the nonprofit's campus to help raise funds for the animals' care.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2020
The animal effect is in Lakewood Ranch

Ranch provides therapeutic connections in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Development Director Rob Oglesby, with 8-week-old Finch, says the campus improvements will help the nonprofit become self-sustainable.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2020
Things looking up at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue in Lakewood Ranch

Vertical construction begins as part of Nate's Honor Animal Rescue's $10 million expansion.

  • East County
  • News
Sophie Niedzielski, a second grader at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, sees a double rainbow on her way to her first day of school. Niedzielski says the double rainbow is a sign of good luck. Photo by Dagmara Niedzielski.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Opening day rainbows for first day of school in East County

Classrooms in the School District of Manatee County are back in action.

  • East County
  • News
Barrie spent years directing theater students in Sarasota.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 18, 2020
Turning the Page: Former Sarasota resident Zara Barrie releases self-help book

Former Sarasota resident Zara Barrie releases self-help book that heads in a different direction.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eleven-year-old Olivia Kruse hugs her dad, George Kruse, after he wins the Republican nomination. "I'm really proud of him," she said. "There was a lot of sign waving."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2020
Kruse hopes to offer new voice to Manatee County Commission

George Kruse pulls away from longtime Administrator Ed Hunzeker, moves to general election.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
  • April 9, 2026
Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park
2
The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
  • April 9, 2026
Senior public housing expansion remains $4 million short
3
  • April 9, 2026
Tax reform could mean 41% hit to city revenue fund
4
The home at 3621 San Remo Terrace was built in 2025 and has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,461 square feet of living area.
  • April 9, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 23-27 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
5
Saravela and the Sports Club at TPC Prestancia are pertnering for the mutual benefit of condo owners and club members.
  • April 9, 2026
Condo development partners with country club for shared benefits

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