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Your Observer

Tara Elementary School's Maya Taggert works on an assignment during class. Students and staff will see upgraded buildings with the renovation planned at Tara Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 4, 2020
Haile Middle, Tara Elementary projects moved up

School Board of Manatee County approves resolution to borrow up to $100 million to accelerate capital projects.

  • East County
  • News
Olivia D'Orazio, a member of Lakewood Leaders, wraps a Barbie and other gifts for Magic of Mittens.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 4, 2020
Volunteer hours hard for east Bradenton students to find

Lakewood Ranch-area students search for chances to volunteer in midst of the pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 4, 2020
Natural neighbors: An informed walk of Longboat Key's beaches

Longboat Key shell seeker Sheila Loccisano shares secrets.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Keira Taylor, Ronnie Dewitt, Rachelle Light, Renee Taylor and McKenzie Taylor
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 3, 2020
Republicans celebrate at Robarts Arena

Candidates and well-wishers celebrate on Election Night.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kyle Scott Battie is leading the incumbent in District 1, while Liz Alpert and Erik Arroyo are ahead of the top vote-getters in the August primary for Districts 2 and 3. File photos
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 3, 2020
Battie, Alpert, Arroyo win City Commission races

Two newcomers and one incumbent are set to claim the three district seats on the Sarasota City Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
SRclue had players figuring out clues connected to Sarasota. Courtesy Photo.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 3, 2020
Nonprofits pivot to online fundraisers

Several nonprofits have turned to online events in lieu of in-person fundraisers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vern Buchanan spoke to supporters during his watch party Tuesday night at Robarts Arena in Sarasota, Florida. Photo Credit: Harry Sayer
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 3, 2020
Buchanan holds off Good for eighth term in U.S. House

Buchanan is set to serve his eighth term.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Christine Johnson, the president of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, said Manatee County's passing of the environmentally significant lands referendum will bring it more in line with other counties.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 3, 2020
Environmentally significant lands referendum passes in Manatee County

Manatee County voters overwhelmingly pass referendum to raise $50 million to purchase land for environmental protection.

  • East County
  • News
Vanessa Baugh will be back to represent District 5 as a commissioner for four more years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 3, 2020
East County election results

A list of the winners in elections affecting the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Incumbent Mike Moran was elected to another four-year term as the District 1 county commissioner. Harry Sayer
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 3, 2020
Incumbent Moran wins District 1 County Commission seat

Incumbents Mike Moran and Nancy Detert won districts 1 and 3. Newcomer Ron Cutsinger won District 5 seat after Commissioner Charles Hines reached his term limit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Robert E. Willis Elementary School second graders Aubri Darpino and Ella Baas wear masks while at their desks.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 3, 2020
Manatee school district creates poll on face masks

School District of Manatee County wants to hear from parents and employees about the mask policy.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 3, 2020
Longboat Key voters revel in the Election Day tradition

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Longboat Key Town Hall and Longboat Island Chapel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Colette Russell held her sign up high.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 2, 2020
Sarasota voters head to the polls

Here's what voters felt about the election in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Historical Society President Michael Drake is looking for a new home for two historic cottages that currently sit at 521 Broadway St. Photo taken by Nat Kaemmerer.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 2, 2020
Cottage site decision expected Monday

The Longboat Key Town Commission is planning to hold a special meeting to consider the proposal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The 200-bed facility will treat individuals who suffer from substance abuse or those who have mental illness. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 2, 2020
Commissioners OK plans for a 200-bed jail diversion facility

The facility would service individuals suffering with substance abuse or those who have a mental illness in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Monday marked the first in-person meeting held in Longboat Key since March 23.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 2, 2020
Longboat Key resumes in-person meetings

The town is planning to use a hybrid approach through the end of the year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The speed limit along Broadway Street has been reduced to 20 mph from 25 mph. Street parking rules elsewhere in Longbeach Village have also been changed.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 2, 2020
Resident-permit parking proposal heads to final vote

If Longboat Key town commissioners pass the proposal in December, it would take effect Jan. 1, 2021, in the Longbeach Village neighborhood.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
East County's Johnnie Calloway gives talks about his life experiences to help others who might be considering suicide.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 2, 2020
Sarasota man urges suicide prevention awareness in advance of the Out of the Darkness Walk

Sarasota's Johnnie Calloway talks about his suicide attempts to raise awareness of ways to help others.

  • East County
  • News
Parents line up in front of school board chambers to show disdain of the district's mask policy. Harry Sayer
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 2, 2020
Parents file lawsuit against district's face mask policy

The lawsuit invokes the Florida Constitution and Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka as reasons why the policy should be stopped.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 2, 2020
Fright Night on St. Armands brings out the Circle's spooky side

Families in costume strolled the Circle, to the delight of bystanders and restaurant diners.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Country Club at Lakewood Ranch home at 7003 Portmarnock Place sold for $1,085,000. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,539 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 1, 2020
Concession home in Lakewood Ranch area tops local sales at $1,505,000

Residential real estate transactions for Lakewood Ranch area Oct. 19-23

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Perry Washington tends to his Perry's Original Roadside and Barbecue offerings. The wonderful smells wafted throughout the Market at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 1, 2020
Lakewood Ranch bullish on its Market

With vendors spread over a larger area, the Market at Lakewood Ranch gets off to a successful start.

  • East County
  • News
A condominium in Plaza at Five Points Residences tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 1, 2020
Five Points condo sells for $2.2 million

Residential real estate transactions for Oct. 19-23.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
336 Westway Drive was built in 1959. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,370 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 1, 2020
Lido home sells for $5.2 million

Residential real estate transactions for Oct. 19-23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 1, 2020
Longboat author hosts book signing

Longboat Island Chapel was the event space for author Peggy Lammers' signing of her debut novel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Country Club home at 13612 Matanzas Place sold for $965,000. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,210 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 1, 2020
Lake Club home tops Lakewood Ranch area sales at $1,775,000

Residential real estate transactions for the Lakewood Ranch area Oct. 12-16.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 1, 2020
Welcome back, winter residents!

A lot went on while you were gone. Here's a quick look at some of the stories that made news,

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 31, 2020
Spooky fun around the classroom in Lakewood Ranch

Primrose schools in Lakewood Ranch continues tradition of annual Parade of Costumes.

  • East County
  • News
Sofia Maniscalco was ready for candy.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 31, 2020
Siesta Key throws Halloween Safe Treats event

Costumed families flocked to Siesta Key Village for Halloween.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Monaka Oberer, Grayson Tullio and Jennifer Tullio get ready to kick off the annual Boo Run at Nathan Benderson Park Oct. 31. It took a Superman kind of effort to get the race organized in just weeks.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 31, 2020
Runners have no fear at Boo Run at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota

Safety protocols at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota leave runners relaxed as they raise money for Duchenne muscular dystrophy awareness.

  • East County
  • News
If you are planning to vote at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, the line to cast ballots in person will lead through the back door on the porch. The ballot box for dropping off mailed ballots is also on the back porch.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 31, 2020
Last day to vote early at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall is Sunday

Early voting in Manatee County ends Sunday

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 30, 2020
Sailors football rallies to beat Mustangs

Big plays make all the difference for Sarasota High.

  • East County
  • Sports
Chris Gilliland passed out candy in his uniform.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 30, 2020
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office hosts Drive-Thru Halloween

The first drive-through event was held Oct. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 30, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Just an FYI

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The Grand Champion, as well as the Funniest display, went to the lab department's take on Muppets' Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 30, 2020
Pumpkin carving prompts seeds of ingenuity from Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center staff members show their sharp wit when it comes to carving pumpkins.

  • East County
  • News
Mark Sternal (left) examines his sailboat washed ashore near 4239 Gulf of Mexico Drive in Longboat Key, Florida.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 30, 2020
Longboat owner cited over washed-ashore sailboat

Since September, Mark Sternal's sailboat has remained washed ashore.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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