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Your Observer

Laura Campbell, principal at Tara Elementary School, works with Averyanna Rivera on constructing a tower. Much like these towers, Tara Elementary will undergo construction during a renovation of the school. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 14, 2020
Lakewood Ranch-area school capital projects might accelerate

School District of Manatee County wants to take advantage of lower interest rates.

  • East County
  • News
Patti Garrettson and Milo have been inseperable since his adoption —
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 14, 2020
Pandemic pals make isolation not-so lonely

Pet adoptions were as popular as sourdough during the pandemic's early days, but cats and dogs weren't just a passing fad.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Out-of-Door Academy's Reece Whatmore, a senior, and Harper Campbell, a sophomore, are EarthEcho Water Challenge Ambassadors committed to educating people on how to protect local water resources. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 14, 2020
Ambassadors of change in east Bradenton

Two ODA students work to educate others on how to protect water resources.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County approved $32.5 million to buy land for a new county complex on State Road 64 near Lena Road.
  • By Brendan Lavell
  • October 13, 2020
Manatee County will spend $32.5 million for new complex at SR 64 and Lena Road

Manatee County's $32.5 million purchase of 161 acres in east Bradenton expected to host Sheriff's Office and public works facilities while expanding the lifespan of the adjacent landfill.

  • East County
  • News
Protestors for and against returning to school line up outside board chambers in July.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 13, 2020
Safety measures added to Sarasota School Board meetings

Following protests, disruptive residents, meeting participants will be checked with a metal detector before entering chambers.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
B.J. Ivey is now the head boys basketball coach at The Out-of-Door Academy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 12, 2020
ODA of Lakewood Ranch hires former Riverview High boys basketball coach

B.J. Ivey, the former Riverview basketball coach, takes the head job at Out of Door Academy in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
The 2019 event attracted more than 100 to honor veterans.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 12, 2020
Rotary Club plans 'pandemic-sensitive' Veterans Day

The club is having its seventh annual celebration of veterans, and adding fundraising this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Matthew Peterson
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 12, 2020
Business profile: Surf and Scotch

Owner Matthew Peterson wants to bring a new flavor of boutique to the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 12, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: All is well

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The networking event at the 2019 Small Business Week was packed with businesspeople, but a limited number will be allowed in this year.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 12, 2020
Small Business Week changes dates, sets new approach

The event will be held in-person and virtually in November instead of October.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 12, 2020
An upbeat note: Outdoor concerts are a hit on the Circle

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church keeps it concerts small, but it's making a big impact with residents searching for something to enjoy safely.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The town of Longboat Key's World War II memorial is missing near the Mid Key Water Station at 4250 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 12, 2020
World War II historic marker goes missing

It will cost the town of Longboat Key about $325 to replace the memorial.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 11, 2020
Fruitville Grove celebrates October spirit with Pumpkin Festival

The monthlong festival has pumpkins and games of all sorts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 10 condominium at 222 Beach Road was built in 1980, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,832 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 11, 2020
Siesta Key condo sells for $3.05 million

Residential real estate transactions for Sept. 28-Oct. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Unit 202 of the Tencon Beach condominiums at 1511 Gulf of Mexico Drive was built in 1978 with three bedrooms, three baths and 2,940 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 11, 2020
Tencon Beach condo sells for $2.1 million

Residential real estate transactions for Sept. 28-Oct. 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 10, 2020
Temple Emanu-El hosts drive-in Sukkot celebration

The in-person event was held on Oct. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Scott Weaver with BMX Trick Stars does a maneuver on his bike before the start of the show.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 10, 2020
The 29th Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival begins in Bradenton

Crowd flocks to the Hunsader Pumpkin Festival on its opening weekend in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Pirates senior quarterback Shawqi Itraish warms up before taking on Booker.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 9, 2020
Braden River football shuts out Booker

The Pirates forced a running clock by halftime of their 42-0 win.

  • East County
  • Sports
East County football roundup: 10.09.20
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 9, 2020
East County football roundup: 10.09.20

East County football roundup: 10.09.20

  • East County
  • Sports
Crews have worked for months on the construction of a home at the end of Halyard Lane in the Country Club Shores neighborhood.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 9, 2020
Commissioners approve changes to building permit fees

Longboat Key commissioners last updated the town’s building permit fees in 2011.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Guest Author
  • October 9, 2020
Letters to the editor: Watching out for water quality and a dog speaks her mind.

Longboat Key readers sound off.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • October 9, 2020
Jan Kahn Coleman

Jan Kahn Coleman, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, avid animal lover and philanthropist, passed away in the early morning of October 6th, 2020 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The overall cost of the town of Longboat Key’s beach management project is about $49.5 million during the next five years or so.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 8, 2020
Commissioners approve up to $22 million in bonds for beach plan

The town of Longboat Key will borrow the money in bonds for its beach management plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2020
East County weather page photo: October 8

Charleen Race captured this red-shouldered hawk on Rivers Bluff Circle in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: October 8

Amy Ouderkirk captured this screech owl perched on a palm in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: October 8

Steve Trax captured this image of blue heron at Beachplace on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 8, 2020
Longboat Key ranked among top islands in the US

Condé Nast Traveler also named the Zota Beach Resort and the Resort at Longboat Key Club among Florida’s 30 best resorts.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tricolored Herons feed in the shallows, often shading the water using a technique called “canopy feeding."
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 8, 2020
Bird of the week: Tricolored heron

Disappearing wetland habitat is a threat to this wading bird.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jacqueline Putrino, here shooting onto the green at the Donald Ross Invitational, won the individual state girls golf title in 2019.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 8, 2020
Riverview girls golf believes it can take home a state title

The Rams finished third as a team last season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Allison Kukanza is the first female football player to score a point in Riverview High history.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 8, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Riverview High kicker makes history

Allison Kukanza is the first female football player to score a point for the Rams.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 8, 2020
Sarasota-Manatee planners map out long-term transportation vision

A regional transportation organization is preparing to adopt a plan unlike any it’s ever crafted before. How will it shape Sarasota’s roads?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Neighbors offered support for The Strand condo project, depicted in this rendering, subject to a series of conditions — one of which was the construction of an eight-foot buffer fence on the west side of the property.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 8, 2020
Neighbors, developer push city to mend fence issue

Neighborhood leaders, a developer and elected officials supported a proposed 8-foot wall for a North Trail condo project — so why did a city board deny the request?

  • Sarasota
  • News
One of the changes approved at Monday's commission meeting is designed to facilitate the construction of "cottage court" housing developments as shown in this drawing. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 8, 2020
City approves affordable housing policies

The city is moving to create opportunities for reduced parking requirements and increased density for projects featuring affordable housing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.8.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By The Child Protection Center
  • October 8, 2020
A Pandemic Doesn’t Stop Child Abuse But You Can

A Pandemic Doesn’t Stop Child Abuse But You Can

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Town Manager Tom Harmer has worked for the last several months with Town Finance Director Sue Smith on the budget for fiscal year 2021.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 7, 2020
Longboat Key sees reduced revenue from COVID-19 pandemic

The town of Longboat Key's 2021 fiscal year budget started Oct. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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