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Your Observer

    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 30, 2020
Longboat Key Club tennis players bring their A-game for Halloween

Party animals, witches and social butterflies were abundant at the club on Oct. 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 30, 2020
Manatee County confirms one case of West Nile Virus

The Manatee County health department urges citizens to take extra precautions about being bitten by mosquitoes after a case of West Nile Virus is confirmed.

  • East County
  • News
A rare bird with a restricted habitat, the reddish egret typically hunts alone in shallow water. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 30, 2020
Bird of the week: Reddish egret

Rare species is a bellwether for the health of our coastal communities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Penny Gold has served on the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board since May 2019.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 29, 2020
Longboat Key elections 2021: Five questions with Penny Gold

Penny Gold is running for the District 2 commissioner seat.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 29, 2020
Longboat Key Club organizes Cancer Awareness Day

Members were asked to dress in pink on Oct. 28.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 29, 2020
Longboat Island Chapel bids farewell to longtime friend

The sendoff was commemorated with a garden lunch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 29, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: October 29

Patricia Muller captured these morning glories blooming on the beach of north Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 29, 2020
East County weather page photo: October 29

Richard Bottorff captured this lizard watching out for hawks in Rye Wilderness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 29, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: October 29

MaryAnn Parks captured this egret along the banks of the river at Myakka State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Residents could soon trade rides on a bus for a ride share service as part of SCAT's system overhaul. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 29, 2020
SCAT to eliminate south routes, add ride share

As part of a system overhaul, many fixed routes will be eliminated in favor of a ride share service.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The resident only parking system would apply only to Longbeach Village.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 29, 2020
Resident parking on the agenda for Longboat's Monday meeting

At least four commissioners expected to return to Town Hall for the first time since March.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kasumi Wade.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 29, 2020
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kasumi Wade

The senior cross country runner talks her goals at states and her penchant for community service.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Cougars volleyball team is one win from back-to-back Final Four appearances.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 29, 2020
Prose and Kohn: No quit in Mooney volleyball

The Cougars are one win from back-to-back Final Four appearances.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
City Commissioner Hagen Brody believes allowing host-occupied rentals through companies such as Airbnb will create an income opportunity for residents without negatively affecting surrounding neighborhoods. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 29, 2020
City hits pause on host-occupied rentals

Despite assurance from the city attorney, residents remain concerned about adjusting rental rules.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rob Robinson and Karl Raffurty pledged that the operations of Raffurty's Bar and Grill wouldn't change if the city approved a new liquor license for the business. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 29, 2020
Plans advance for Main Street bar

The city’s Planning Board was split over a proposal to allow Raffurty’s Bar and Grill to operate with a new liquor license.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This weekend's Siesta Fiesta festival, rescheduled from April, featured signs reminding visitors that masks were required. Organizer Howard Alan hopes events can continue to go on during the pandemic. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 29, 2020
Sarasota event organizers sort out COVID-19 strategies

Although the city is restricting special events through March, some local gatherings are still moving forward.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Plans for the ten-acre first phase of the park project include an open space events lawn and a spiral boardwalk that extends to the south side of Boulevard of the Arts. File image.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 29, 2020
Planning Board endorses bayfront zoning changes

Objections from a nearby condo weren't enough to dissuade the advisory board from supporting The Bay Sarasota's proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 29, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.29.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 28, 2020
Longboat Key Chamber meets for Business After Hours

The evening networking event took place at Whitney's.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 28, 2020
Fiesta! series kicks off at Benderson Park

Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota-area residents have funky Friday fun

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brian and Dominic Caporaso. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 28, 2020
Tasty appreciation in Lakewood Ranch

Summerfield father and son make food for firefighters in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 28, 2020
How Florida goes, the US goes

Florida is often called a microcosm of the U.S. electorate. Our state has sided with nine of the past 10 winners.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Madelyn and Marcus Gibbons were thrilled to be out and about.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 28, 2020
Nathan Benderson Park hosts second Trick or Treat on the Lake

Costumes and candy were plentiful at the Halloween event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Opposed residents who live near the site of the proposed dealership protest in front of the site Oct. 17 on State Road 64. Some residents plan to file an appeal after a county commission vote paved the way for a car dealership.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 28, 2020
Opponents of Cox Chevrolet car lot near Lakewood Ranch plan appeal

Some east Manatee residents likely to file appeal of rezone for Cox Chevrolet dealership

  • East County
  • News
Twin sisters, Tracy Zimmerman and Kim Simone, take on the personas of Yaya and Nono for their new children's show Yaya and Nono Show.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 28, 2020
Dance with east Bradenton's Yaya and Nono

Mill Creek woman and her twin sister create a YouTube show to get children dancing.

  • East County
  • News
Atypical Kitchen owner Zach Zeller (left) opened his restaurant in July. His chef, Evan Percoco (right) graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and once served as executive chef at the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 28, 2020
EYE ON BUSINESS: Atypical start to Lakewood Ranch delivery restaurant

Delivery restaurants now serving food at Lakewood Ranch brewery

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Logan Veith.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 28, 2020
East County Athlete of the Week: Logan Veith

The Braden River golfer talks the state tournament and his love of social media.

  • East County
  • Sports
B.J. Ivey won eight division titles in 10 years with the Riverview High boys basketball program.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 28, 2020
New ODA boy basketball coach excited to get to work

B.J. Ivey was previously the head coach at Riverview High.

  • East County
  • Sports
All sorts of costumed creatures will be leaping out at the Tunnel of Terror attraction. Courtesy Photo.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 28, 2020
Scarier than a dirty car

The spooky car wash experience starts Oct. 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gene Witt Elementary School third grader Camryn Killingsworth makes her way across the monkey bars. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 28, 2020
School playgrounds no longer barred in Manatee County

School District of Manatee County allows elementary students to use playground equipment again.

  • East County
  • News
A 52-year-old Bradenton woman was killed Tuesday evening when she attempted to cross SR 70 at 111th Street East and was struck by a car.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 28, 2020
Bradenton woman dies when hit by car at SR 70 and 111th Street East.

Florida Highway Patrol report says the 52-year-old Bradenton woman crossed in front of a car going eastbound on SR 70.

  • East County
  • News
Ethan Spasciani, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, volunteers at South West Florida Therapy Animals during an event through the Student Government Association. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 28, 2020
East Bradenton students receive humanitarian award

One Braden River High senior and one from Lakewood Ranch High named Anne Frank Humanitarian Award recipients.

  • East County
  • News
Event promoter Rainer Scheer has put together a group of nine cirque performances for his Glow Table Dinner in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 27, 2020
Time to glow on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch

Glow Table Dinner debuts in front of the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County unanimously approves a resolution to issue Certificates of Participation to accelerate capital projects within the district.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 27, 2020
School Board of Manatee County approves funding for capital projects

The School District of Manatee County can now borrow up to $100 million to accelerate capital projects, including two in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County is averaging 66.7 new COVID-19 cases per day during the week from Oct. 20 through Oct. 26, an increase from previous weeks.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 27, 2020
County extends state of emergency

Manatee County state of emergency for COVID-19 extended through Nov. 3

  • East County
  • News
VPA Director Rebecca Abrahamson and VPA Theatre Chairman Scott Keys stand where a new lobby could be added.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 27, 2020
Booker VPA to see $22.5 million in renovations

The upgrades include more seating capacity, additional classrooms, a new lobby and a blackbox theater.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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