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Your Observer

Fire commissioners for East Manatee Fire Rescue and Myakka City Fire Control District will meet jointly Aug. 20 to vote on the merger. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2020
Myakka City residents approve merger with East Manatee Fire Rescue

Myakka City residents approve merger with East Manatee Fire Rescue.

  • East County
  • News
Parrish's Gina Messenger looks forward helping the School District of Manatee County move from a B district to an A district. "I'm excited to continue the good work that Manatee County is doing," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 18, 2020
Parrish's Messenger retains Manatee County school board seat

Gina Messenger will focus on early childhood education and grade level reading in next four years.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 18, 2020
Edwards, Rose win Sarasota County School Board seats

Karen Rose has worked in Sarasota County Schools for 28 years. Businessman Tom Edwards will replace incumbent Eric Robinson.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Terry Turner and Dan Clermont, top, earned the most votes in the District 2 and 3 primaries respectively. Liz Alpert and Erik Arroyo, bottom, are also advancing to November's general election.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 18, 2020
Turner, Alpert, Clermont, Arroyo advance in Sarasota City Commission race

In District 2, a former and current city commissioner will face off. In District 3, two newcomers are moving on to the general election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 18, 2020
Hoffman wins Sarasota County Sheriff primary

Col. Kurt Hoffman has worked for the Sarasota Sheriff's Office for 14 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Moran
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 18, 2020
Moran, Cutsinger win County Commission primaries

There are three Sarasota County Commission seats up for grabs in the Nov. 3 election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Superintendent Brennan Asplen said the added restrictions are intended to help minimize the spread of particles.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 18, 2020
Sarasota School Board revises face mask policy

The new policy requires all students and staff to wear snug-fitting, non-porous face masks.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mary Anne Bowie, pictured second from left with other past and present Arlington Park Neighborhood Association board members, thinks the city could improve its public input processes. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 18, 2020
Neighborhood groups push for planning influence

City officials offered mixed feedback to a request for procedural changes from the Arlington Park Neighborhood Association.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County makes more CARES Act funding available to small businesses and nonprofits.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 18, 2020
Manatee County makes more CARES Act funding available

Small businesses in Manatee County can apply for CARES Act funding through the county.

  • East County
  • News
Deputy Election Official Lucille Cirrintano helped Cheryl Stade fill out information at the First Presbytarian Church polling location at 2050 Oak St.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2020
Voting turnout in Sarasota climbs above 2016 primary

By noon, county turnout stood at 27% with seven hours of in-person voting remaining.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall now is slated to reopen Nov. 4. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall extends closure

Services are still offered by appointment only.

  • East County
  • News
Matthew and Gina Messenger celebrate after Gina retained her District 1 seat on the School District of Manatee County board.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 18, 2020
Voting totals final for key Lakewood Ranch area and East County races

The final results

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 17, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here

Police reports from around the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Executive director Isaac Azerad.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 17, 2020
"My Jewish Journey" furthers friendships

Members are taking a deep dive into life before Longboat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Shade provides a bit of relief from the sun at Harry's.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 17, 2020
Longboat restaurants get creative in normally slow summer season

The end of the summer season also tends to be slower for many of Longboat Key's restaurants.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Although the parade was scheduled for December, event organizers said group prep work typically begins in August and September.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 17, 2020
Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade canceled

The organizers of the annual holiday celebration are postponing the 25th anniversary of the event until 2021 because of COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stop and read the plaque that gives visitors a little more context to Longboat history.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 17, 2020
The essential guide to Longboat Key

From longtime Longboaters, the can’t-miss spots on this sandy strip of serenity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Amy Lowrance drops off her daughter Sophie at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School for her first day of third grade.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 17, 2020
Students return to school in Lakewood Ranch area

School District of Manatee County opens its campuses to students for the start of a new school year.

  • East County
  • News
A grant will help pay for supplies and other needs for girls in the Girl Scouts Fully Funded Troops Program. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 17, 2020
Sarasota, Manatee Girl Scouts program secures $10,000 grant

Donation by Wison-Wood Foundation will support Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida's Fully Funded Troops program.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 17, 2020
In conversation with Brad Marner, Rotary Club of Longboat Key president

Marner has not yet held a face-to-face meeting with his club as he navigates presidency in a pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Guest Author
  • August 17, 2020
Letters to the editor: readers sound off on beach parking

Letter writers ask for public lots to reopen .

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lou Newman photo///Black skimmers spread out over Lido Beach.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 17, 2020
Shorebird season lasts long on Lido

The area's nesting shorebirds flocked to Lido Beach this year, where their season has been successful.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Six months after every March municipal election, the town audits its population of registered voters to ensure a balance remains in the districts from which five of seven commissioners are elected.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 17, 2020
With balanced population, no district redrawing needed

Variation between smallest and largest stands below charter threshold for required action.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 17, 2020
Mall at UTC celebrates start of school

Back to School Bash a success in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
This home at 15125 Waterline Road sold for $1,275,000. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,040 square feet of living area. Photo courtesy of listing agent Argelia Vidal.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 16, 2020
Waterline Road home tops local sales at $1,275,000

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 3-7 remain strong.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 14, 2020
Chase ends in arrest Friday on State Road 64 in Bradenton

Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies arrest attempted murder suspect Friday in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Built in 2011, the home at 3701 White Lane has six bedrooms, three-and-three-half baths, a pool and 7,376 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 14, 2020
Siesta Key home sells for $4.55 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 3-7.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Steven Zickafoose, an assistant principal at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, and Angela Lindsey, principal of the school, wear masks while on campus. All students and employees will be required to wear masks at school. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2020
School District of Manatee County provides clarity on mask policy

Cloth masks will be required on school property with exceptions.

  • East County
  • News
Built in 2002, the home at 15 Lighthouse Point Drive has five bedrooms, seven-and-a-half baths, a pool and 9,157 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 14, 2020
Lighthouse Point home sells for $7.9 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 3-7.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 14, 2020
Veterans mark 75th anniversary of World War II's end

Gathering at the base of Unconditional Surrender recalls sacrifices, makes clear support for bayfront location of statue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The FHSAA Board of Directors has decided to keep Aug. 24 as the starting date for fall sports.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 14, 2020
FHSAA votes to keep Aug. 24 as fall sports starting date

The date had previously been pushed back from July 27.

  • East County
  • Sports
Science teacher Jennifer Hall cracks open an egg to see if it's cooked during an experiment. The science labs will be reconfigured for new technology during the renovation. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2020
Braden River Middle expansion moves forward

The $26 million renovation and addition will include a cafeteria expansion, remodeled administration area and a six-classroom addition.

  • East County
  • News
(Miri Hardy) If you hook a pelican while fishing, don't cut the line. Reel. Remove. Release.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • August 14, 2020
Bird of the week: Brown pelican

Like many coastal birds, mankind's effects put pelicans in peril.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Crews from Quinn Construction, Inc. are scheduled to begin work in September on New Pass Bridge.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 13, 2020
New Pass Bridge repair work delayed until September

The 14-part project on the link to Longboat Key from St. Armands Key will cost $2.77 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 13, 2020
East County weather page photo: August 13

Richard Bottorff captured these deer in Rye Wilderness in East County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 13, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: August 13

Alexis Pletcher captured this photo of a Siesta Key sunset.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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