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Your Observer

Enjoy this weeks edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 22, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.22.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
  • By Sarasota County Cares Team
  • October 22, 2020
Help is Here for Individuals and Businesses Negatively Impacted by COVID-19

Help is Here for Individuals and Businesses Negatively Impacted by COVID-19

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Christine Gregory and Michael Riccio wear white as a sign of peace. Harry Sayer
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 21, 2020
Amid protests, school board extends face mask requirement

The policy will sunset June 30 unless the board votes to end it earlier.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mote Marine President and CEO Michael Crosby told the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance on Wednesday that the $130 million Science Education Aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park will break ground Nov. 13.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 21, 2020
Mote Marine announces Nov. 13 groundbreaking for its Science Education Aquarium in Sarasota

Groundbreaking for Mote's $130 million aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasosta was moved from September to Nov. 13 due to the bidding process for first phase construction.

  • East County
  • News
The land purchased by the county will increase the remaining lifespan of the landfill on Lena Road from 16 years to an estimated 22 years.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 21, 2020
Manatee County opts for $32.5 million purchase in east Bradenton

East Bradenton land bought for use as government complex, waste transfer station

  • East County
  • News
Kendall Stanley and Margot Murphy. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 21, 2020
Lakewood Ranch High School students leave their mark on campus

Lakewood Ranch students enjoy annual senior tradition.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 21, 2020
Spooky tradition in Lakewood Ranch

Players Centre for Performing Arts performs fourth annual "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High girls golf team and Coach Mick Koczersut. The Mustangs are confident in how they are playing.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 21, 2020
Lakewood Ranch girls golf is trying to top itself

The Mustangs want a high finish at states.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch residents Vaughna Wells, Kaija Thoyre, 16 months, and Sam Thoyre dress as sharks during BooFest on Oct. 21, 2019. In 2020, the event will be moved to Premier Sports Campus with a capacity of 250 people.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 21, 2020
Will Halloween be sweet in East County?

Lakewood Ranch, east Bradenton decide if Halloween events to go on

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County struggled to buy a 32.9-acre parcel to form Johnson Preserve until the Conservation Foundation raised $1.03 million for the effort in 2018. The county is seeking dedicated funds for similar purchases.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 21, 2020
Manatee County voters consider whether to establish fund to buy environmentally significant lands

Manatee County fund, if approved by voters, would command up to $50 million in spending to preserve lands.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 21, 2020
Liberty or enslavement

If you’re still undecided, forget the candidates’ personalities. It’s the philosophies that matter.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lou Jacob, CEO of Myakka Elephant Ranch, cares for one of the elephants. Jacob started the ranch after learning more about elephant conservation at a symposium in South Africa and interning at a zoo in Germany. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 21, 2020
Ranch provides un-herd of experience in east Bradenton

Myakka Elephant Ranch opens to the public so it can expand its conservation efforts.

  • East County
  • News
Robert E. Willis Elementary School second graders Aubri Darpino and Ella Baas are socially distant while working on assignments. More students will be on campus after families were able to switch learning modalities.Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 21, 2020
More parents sending kids back to campus in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch-area elementary and middle schools will no longer offer hybrid option as more students return full time.

  • East County
  • News
The webinar, which covers topics such as active shooters and domestic violence, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 21, 2020
Manatee County Sheriff's Office offers active shooter webinar

Manatee County Sheriff's office webinar offers advice on violent confrontations

  • East County
  • News
Twinkle will rock My Hometown Fest.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 20, 2020
Concert at Premier could be glimpse of future in Lakewood Ranch

Reverend Barry and the Funk joins Twinkle to rock the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch on Halloween night.

  • East County
  • News
People can enjoy classic fair foods at Manatee County Fair's Flavor of Our Fairs Oct. 23-25. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 20, 2020
Get a taste of the Manatee County Fair

Manatee County Fair hosts Flavors of Our Fair to support vendors during the pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • October 20, 2020
Ruth Marie Baust Shaw

Ruth Marie Baust Shaw, 97, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and longtime resident of Sarasota peacefully passed away October 17. 2020 at Historic Roswell Place in Roswell, GA surrounded by loved ones.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
In addition to a central public park, the tax increment financing district could help fund the construction of a new performing arts center to replace the Van Wezel.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 20, 2020
City approves funding deal for The Bay project

Although some commissioners had reservations about aspects of the arrangement, the board unanimously agreed to steer tax revenue toward bayfront redevelopment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 20, 2020
County takes steps toward affordable housing in north Sarasota

If approved, a mixed-use affordable housing project would be built at 2501 Dr. Martin Luther King Way.

  • Sarasota
  • News
NOTE: Social Distancing Guidelines have been fudged here due to the fact cardboard cutouts cannot catch a deadly pathogen.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 20, 2020
Dating in a Pandemic

What's dating like during a pandemic? Our resident reporter has thoughts on the matter.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • October 20, 2020
Edward Mues

Edward Mues, 103, formerly of The Promenade on Longboat Key, passed away peacefully on October, 5, 2020, in Greenville, SC.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Louise Converse has been coming into her Artisan Cheese Company store for a few hours at a time.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 20, 2020
A Fight for Survival: Louise Converse keeps business alive during kidney donation

Artisan Cheese Co. owner Louise Converse has faced dual challenges in 2020: keeping her business alive in a pandemic and keeping her friend alive by donating a kidney.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2020
The Observer's 2020 general election recommendations

Here are some insights and opinions to consider on the region’s candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
(From left) Fernando Bravo, Jane White, Theresa Sanders and Charlie Sanders wait in line to vote at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on Monday. The line snaked around the building and through the back door.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 19, 2020
Early voting begins at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

Line of voters stretched around Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on first day of early voting.

  • East County
  • News
Harbourside Ballroom isn't as bustling as it normally is, but a few events are taking place, with the demanded safety precautions of the era.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2020
Season forecast optimistic despite uncertainty on Longboat Key

On Longboat Key, those in the know anticipate a slightly different season, but a good one nonetheless.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
While work proceeded on the Fruitville Road roundabout, traffic flow north on U.S. 41 from Gulfstream Avenue was altered.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 19, 2020
Longboat Key Town Commission weighs in on MPO's long-range transportation plan

The MPO Board is planning to meet and approve the plan at its Oct. 26 meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 19, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Parental discretion advised

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sage Longboat Key proposes to build 16 beachfront residences at 4651 Gulf of Mexico Drive, the site of Sun 'n' Sea Cottages & Apartments. New projects could help boost future taxable values on the Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 19, 2020
Longboat Key property values decrease for first time in seven years

The Sarasota County side of the island saw a decrease in taxable property values.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 19, 2020
Amendments could make changes to county charter more difficult

A pair of amendments could make it harder to get citizen-initiated amendments on the general election ballot.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 19, 2020
2020 General Election Candidates

Meet the candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Claussen tries to pack most corners of the 1,200-square-foot space.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2020
Business profile: Steff's Stuff

The eponymous owner, Stephanie Claussen, has been finding treasures on Longboat Key for almost 40 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lynn Armstrong-Coffin takes some political jabs on the jaw from a couple of the puppets she creates.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2020
Punchin' Politicians bring a little good-natured liveliness to 2020 election

One Longboat artist is hoping to bring back political jabs of an unexpected sort to lighten the political mood.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ann Quackenbush sorts packed seeds in February.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2020
Longboat Key church's seed packers hit milestone

At Christ Church of Longboat Key, Hope Seeds volunteers reach 100,000 mark.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 931 Blue Heron Overlook has four bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,977 square feet of living area. (Photo courtesy of Steve Abbe of Coldwell Banker Realty.)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 18, 2020
Home in the Oaks tops transactions at $2.65 million

Top real estate sales for the week of Oct. 5-9

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The home at 3513 Fair Oaks Court has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,529 square feet of living area. (Photo courtesy of Linda Weber, Coldwell Banker Realty)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 18, 2020
Queens Harbour home sells for $982,500

The top real estate transactions for the area Oct. 5-9

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A 78-year-old Lakewood Ranch man is in critical condition after being hit by a SUV while walking in Lakewood Ranch's Country Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 17, 2020
Pedestrian critical after being hit by an SUV in Lakewood Ranch

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the accident that sent the 78-year-old Lakewood Ranch man to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • East County
  • News
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