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Your Observer

Although City Manager Tom Barwin said "overwhelming" public feedback supports keeping Unconditional Surrender on the bayfront, a final decision on where the city will place the statue is still forthcoming.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 16, 2020
Despite Buchanan post, no decision on Unconditional Surrender location

The city issued a statement today confirming that officials have not formally settled on a permanent home for the bayfront artwork.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High FFA members Brooke O’Neill, Madeline Fields, Maddy Hartwig and Nathan Sundberg promote the importance of animal agriculture and hands-on projects. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch-area FFA reputation grows

Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school FFA chapters receive special recognitions.

  • East County
  • News
Chris Robinson. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2020
Black Panther lives on in Lakewood Ranch

R. Dan Nolan Middle School teacher draws tribute to beloved actor.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2020
Dyeing to enjoy Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch mothers enjoy time with their kids during Barre3 and Let's Create Art's tie-dye party.

  • East County
  • News
IMG Academy junior Ryan Sforzo will join his sister Sydney Sforzo at Notre Dame. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 16, 2020
Irish land local lacrosse star

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA senior cornerback Nolan Lewellen is a captain for the Thunder this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 16, 2020
First-year coach prepares Thunder football for COVID-altered season

K.B. Belton still has big plans for the program.

  • East County
  • Sports
Students at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School make their way to class. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2020
Healthy start to school year in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch-area parents pleased with district's efforts to provide a safe environment.

  • East County
  • News
The Fish Hole Miniature Golf co-owner Mike Driscoll said events are great for attracting future business.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 16, 2020
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch major events won't return in 2020

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch major events won't return in 2020 .

  • East County
  • News
Willis Smith's Angel Ortiz and Nathan Carr say Waterside Place is on schedule to be finished by next spring.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 16, 2020
Another Waterside Place milestone by Willis Smith in Lakewood Ranch

Willis Smith caps Waterside Place roofs as it heads for a spring completion in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School seniors Trey deCarle, Jackson Galvin and Griffin Hudson work on a Technology Student Association project. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2020
East County TSA clubs turn to technology

Virtual meetings are key to keeping Technology Student Associations alive during pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2020
All hail the queen event in East County

Mall at UTC hosts second annual Treat Yourself like a Queen day.

  • East County
  • News
The course's lectures and lessons will be released to the public through a website.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 15, 2020
New College launches interdisciplinary COVID course

The three-month course is the production of 20 instructors and will be made available to the public.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
It took Longboat Key town commissioners months to appoint a seventh member to the P&Z Board. Commissioners typically host an in-person event to meet candidates, but couldn't because of the pandemic.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 15, 2020
Plager appointed to Planning and Zoning Board

The commission also considered Aaron Kleiner and Maryl Levine.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Elliott, Penelope, Pam, Abigail and Andy Eubanks are sad to leave the Lakewood Ranch community, but excited to learn new languages and cultures.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 15, 2020
Thank you for the memories

Longtime Observer writer bids farewell.

  • East County
  • Opinion
This home at 3312 57th St. E., sold for $2.4 million. It has eight bedrooms, eight-and-a-half baths, a pool and 8,082 square feet of living space. Photo courtesy of listing agents Stacy Haas and Kate Enis.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 15, 2020
Country Club home tops local sales at $2.6 million

List of residential real estate transactions from Aug. 31-Sept. 4.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lily, Mason and Cassidy Berg show off their masks before heading into Southside Elementary School.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 15, 2020
School board considers mask policy extension

If the policy extension is approved, students could have to wear masks for the rest of the school year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A picture of the water main break. Photo courtesy of the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 15, 2020
Longboat Key estimates 11 million gallons spilled in June's sewage break

The estimation is lower than what the town of Longboat Key initially reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 15, 2020
County relief fund applications open Wednesday

Individuals and businesses impacted by COVID-19 will be able to apply for financial assistance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2020
Biden-Sanders Unity Platform

Biden's campaign released the recommendations in July, which include environmental action and criminal justice reform.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 15, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: An on again, off again problem

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Turkey vultures have bright red heads, much like those of wild turkeys. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • September 15, 2020
Bird of the week: Turkey vulture

Larger than their relatives, the turkey vulture has an extraordinary sense of smell.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • September 15, 2020
Dr. Harvey W Neitlich

Dr. Harvey Neitlich, son of Effie and Theodore Neitlich from Boston, MA, passed away peacefully at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston on the evening of September 7th with his wife by his side.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Access to exercise was one of the criteria considered.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 15, 2020
Longboat is area's fittest

Siesta Key a distant second.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The School District of Manatee County wants to know how school is going for your students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 15, 2020
School District of Manatee County creates "Family Back-to-School Opinion Poll"

The School District of Manatee County wants to know how its doing in terms of providing a safe learning environment during the pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • September 15, 2020
John Francis Short

JOHN FRANCIS SHORT, Sarasota, FL, passed away on September 12, 2020, at the age of 76, after a valiant battle with metastatic cancer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Robert Heron puts the books together all from his computer.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 15, 2020
Author, illustrator tells tales of beloved Scottish cat

Robert Lewis Heron enjoys spinning new yarns about Hamish McHamish, a real-life St. Andrews kitty who died in 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 15, 2020
Out-of-Door Academy welcomes students on Siesta Key

The school's students all returned to the school on Sept. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Boris Miksic and Ines Tendler stand in front of their home at 640 Halyard Lane in Country Club Shores IV North. The couple is hoping commissioners approve a height exception for the lightning rods on top of their home.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 15, 2020
Longboat revises proposed lightning-rod restrictions

Longboat Key town commissioners will vote on the proposal in October.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The new site plan for the Bath and Racquet Fitness Club property concentrates the residential buildings on the north end of the site to create more distance from single-family homes to the south. Image via Halflants + Pichette.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 15, 2020
Bath and Racquet Club shares new redevelopment plan

After failing to earn the city’s approval earlier this year, the owners of the fitness center property have prepared another proposal to build 207 residential units on the site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Impact100 SRQ co-founders Tilly Valls McFadden and Jane Watt, Impact100 founder Wendy H. Steele, Violeta Huesman and Deborah M. Johnson met at the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida building.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 15, 2020
Impact100 and Girl Scouts Gulf Coast Florida host suffragist celebration

The Equalitea event celebrated 100 year's of the fight for women's right to vote.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The town has closed lots of parking along Broadway in the Longbeach Village neighborhood. The town is also considering a resident-permit parking program for the neighborhood.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 14, 2020
Longboat moves forward with proposed parking fine increase

Longboat Key town commissioners are set to vote on Oct. 5 on whether to increase the town's illegal parking fines from $30 to $75.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A $157 upgrade to the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility continues to weigh on the county's budget.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 14, 2020
County considers $1.3 billion budget

The county will consider a millage rate of 3.46 and a general fund budget of $323 million at its final budget hearing Sept. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dick Vitale Gala sets record fundraising total for 2020 event
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 14, 2020
2020 Dick Vitale Gala sets record fundraising total

The event has now raised $37 million over 15 years

  • East County
  • Sports
Sections of Morgan Johnson Road were closed Sept. 10. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 14, 2020
Morgan Johnson Road partial closure still in effect in Bradenton

Road repairs expected to last into October.

  • East County
  • News
The town of Longboat Key's public beach parking has been closed since June 30.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 14, 2020
COVID closings draw mixed reviews in Longboat

Longboat Key's public beach parking has been closed since June 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Larson, Jim Burmeister, Andrew Vac and John Wild
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 14, 2020
Longboat Key clubs navigate a spectrum of gathering methods

Whether all in-person, all virtual or somewhere in the middle, Longboat clubs are finding a way to come back together.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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