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Your Observer

Isabella Fogelman (top left) Finn Powell (top right) and Hannah Kite used some facial props.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 29, 2020
Campers make movies at Sarasota Film Camp

The online camp has children putting together films from the comfort of their homes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This rendering shows the general character proposed for the library, which will feature a large treehouse inspired staircase at its entrance. Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2020
First chapter ends on library in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch library plans hit design milestone.

  • East County
  • News
Parrish's Susan McCartney wears a mask while shopping at Influence Style on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2020
Manatee County requires masks in public

Resolution makes exceptions for social distancing, children and special needs.

  • East County
  • News
The couple finishes a piece and rests it on a stand.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 29, 2020
Surf's Up: Sarasota couple launches surfboard table company

Richard and Gina Brahs put together custom tables in the shape of surfboards.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By The Observer
  • July 29, 2020
The Observer's 2020 primary election recommendations

With absentee ballots sent out and early voting starting Aug. 8, here are some insights and opinions to consider on the region’s candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Chief Financial Officer Mitsi Corcoran says there are still many unknown COVID-19 impacts on the budget that may need to be added as amendments in the future.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 28, 2020
School board approves tentative budget, millage rate

School board members approved an overall budget of $964 million, though the full impacts of COVID-19 are still unknown.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 28, 2020
Braden River High graduates celebrate end of final chapter

Braden River High School seniors finally conclude their high school careers with graduation at LECOM Park.

  • East County
  • News
Ty and Jasmine Connor
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 28, 2020
No venue, no problem

Casa Del Mar provided a handy spot for the Conners.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Those in Manatee County are being required to wear face coverings.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 27, 2020
Manatee County commissioners approve mask mandate

Manatee County requires individuals to wear face coverings in public spaces.

  • East County
  • News
A baby turtle, who emerged too late to have a chance making it out to sea, will rest in this bucket until nightfall.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 27, 2020
Lower sea turtle numbers nothing to worry about

Sea turtle nesting remains strong, though not to the record heights seen last year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kim Galway
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 27, 2020
Longboat Key cyclist rides for a greater cause

Kim Galway has a plan for the fitness that comes from riding all these miles.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Folks still head out to the beach at Casa Del Mar.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 27, 2020
Neighbors drive summer tourism

'Staycationers' have replaced the typical vacationers from all over the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The radiation oncology center features linear accelerators that precisely target tumors.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 27, 2020
Sarasota Memorial opens radiation oncology center

The center marks phase one of the hospitals Cancer Institute project.

  • East County
  • News
The town of Longboat Key's public beach parking reopened at the start of June, but then closed again on June 30.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 27, 2020
Longboat Key closures continue for at least two more weeks

Public beach parking, Longboat Key facilities and many amenities will remain closed because of concerns about COVID-19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 6021 Gulf of Mexico Drive was built in 2015 with four bedrooms, five full baths, three half-baths and 7,174 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 27, 2020
Beachfront home sells for $13 million and a dollar

Residential real estate transactions for The following residential real estate transactions July 13-17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
This Lake Club home at 7914 Staysail Court sold for $1.495 million. It has has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,415 square feet of living area. Photo provided by listing agents Katina and Kenneth Shanahan.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 27, 2020
Lakewood Ranch residential real estate transactions: July 13-17

Lake Club home tops sales at $1.45 million.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner
  • By Ron Turner
  • July 27, 2020
Vote-by-mail is not ‘all-mail voting’

Absentee voting — or voting by mail — has been a part of Florida’s election process since 2002. Every signature is checked for security.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 25, 2020
Grateful for graduation

Out-of-Door Academy seniors celebrate graduation with individual ceremonies.

  • East County
  • News
The water testing site nearest Longboat Key is a spot in Sarasota Bay east of Joan Durante Park.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 24, 2020
Testing reveals few traces of sewage in Sarasota Bay

The town of Longboat Key is still investigating the cause of June's sewage break.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brennan Asplen
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 24, 2020
Superintendent contract, start date finalized

Brennan Asplen will begin Aug. 10 at a salary of $215,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The light coloration of flightless Black Skimmer chicks helps protect them from predators by allowing them to blend into the sand-scape. (Photo by Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • July 24, 2020
Bird of the week: Black skimmer

Black skimmers are hard to miss.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gary Tibbetts at an event earlier this year.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 24, 2020
Buchanan aide dies of COVID-19

Tibbetts worked with U.S. Congressman since 2011.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 24, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: When is a party not a party?

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    In Memoriam |
  • July 24, 2020
Richard S. Neufeld

Richard S. Neufeld, 94, formerly of Illinois, Longboat Key, Sarasota, and then Bradenton, passed away on July 20, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 24, 2020
Crash on Longboat sends driver to hospital

Thursday afternoon incident involved a vehicle heading north in the southbound lane of Gulf of Mexico Drive, police report.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Traffic is shown backed up on the John Ringling Causeway Bridge.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 24, 2020
Leaders discuss alternate transportation across Ringling Causeway

Possibilities include adding a trolley system and water taxi to alleviate traffic woes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unit 2 of the Aqua condominium building at 280 Golden Gate Point was built in 2016 with three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,590 square feet of living space.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 24, 2020
Pair of Siesta Key properties sell for $3 million

Residential real estate transactions for July 13-17.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Three days after the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted to keep the start date of fall sports as July 27, the board has changed its mind.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 23, 2020
FHSAA reverses course, delays start of fall season to at least Aug. 24

The organization's board of directors will meet again no later than Aug. 17 to determine if the new start date is appropriate.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 23, 2020
Sarasota school board candidates debate back to school, charter schools

Candidates faced off in a virtual forum.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction will continue on the intersection but work should be complete in September. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 23, 2020
FDOT opens Rye Road roundabout on S.R. 64 in Manatee County

Construction should be complete in fall 2020.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee Technical College will welcome students back on campus with hybrid classes. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 23, 2020
Manatee Technical College to welcome students back on campus

Hybrid classes will allow for hands-on learning while limiting capacity on campus.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 23

Karin Shillus captured this great blue heron at sunset on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: July 23

Matthew Press captured this female rose-breasted grosbeak in a fig tree in Gulf Gate.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2020
East County weather page photo: July 23

Sherry Packard captured this magnolia flower in Summerfield Village of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
VPA director Rebecca Abrahamson and VPA Theatre Chairman Scott Keys stand where a new lobby could be added.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 23, 2020
Booker VPA seeks $22 million renovation

The $22.5 million upgrade would add a mezzanine, classroom space, a larger lobby and a black box theater.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Innovation Station operates out of the University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering facility located at 1468 Boulevard of the Arts.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 23, 2020
Innovation Station receives another $1.2 million

The program helps support the growth of high-tech, high-wage jobs in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
  • April 9, 2026
Restaurant collab supports Longboat Key Turtle Watch
2
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
3
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
4
  • April 9, 2026
Tax reform could mean 41% hit to city revenue fund
5
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

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