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Your Observer

Mary Sue Hudgens, a patient at Windsor Reflections at Lakewood Ranch, interacts with Angie Kowalski-Lee, a licensed practical nurse. Kowalski-Lee's dedication to her patients makes her a role model at the facility. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 9, 2020
Love of the job leads to award for Lakewood Ranch nurse

Lakewood Ranch resident named 2020 'Caregiver of the Year.'

  • East County
  • News
Braden River Coach Curt Bradley said he expects his team to take a step forward this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 9, 2020
Braden River football will lean on its senior leaders in 2020

Those leaders include the Pirates' NCAA Division I-bound quarterback.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 9, 2020
Once again, I-4 is the key

Winning Florida’s electoral votes has been determined along Florida’s I-4 corridor. In this year’s election, the rise of independents and Pinellas and Seminole counties will be linchpins to victory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Woodland's Dewayne McFarland and Jennifer Passmore say the new building meets demands both for Dunn Prep Elementary, as well as church administration.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 9, 2020
Church, school grow together in Lakewood Ranch area

Woodland Community Church also expands educational opportunities.

  • East County
  • News
“I enjoy it,” Lake Vistas' Steve Harrison said of being an enumerator. “It’s really good for someone who’s a people person and that’s me.”
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 9, 2020
It's a numbers crunch in Lakewood Ranch

Census workers round up responses before Sept. 30.

  • East County
  • News
This boat ramp and dock on Lake Uihlein is rarely used. Its owner, the Country Club Edgewater Village Association, is trying to figure out what to do with it.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 9, 2020
CEVA fishes for solution in Lakewood Ranch

What's next for Lake Uihlein boat ramp?

  • East County
  • News
Megan Silvestri and Rebecca Cronander, school counselors at Gene Witt Elementary School, are always available to help the school's students and teachers, especially as they adjust to the new normal at school. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 9, 2020
New state of mind for East County counselors

School counselors face more challenges as a result of COVID-19.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 8, 2020
School board approves $503 million operating budget

With enrollment numbers still fluctuating, board members are unsure the effect it will have on the budget.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Nathan Benderson Park has event hosted international rowing events. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 8, 2020
Nathan Benderson Park named rowing favorite

Rowing facility makes top 10 list of 'notable' venues.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 8, 2020
ODA celebrates opening of new middle school facility

Eighth graders return to Lakewood Ranch campus and get a first look at new facility.

  • East County
  • News
The town of Longboat Key's public beach access points have been closed since June 30.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 8, 2020
Longboat Key's COVID-19 closures continue

Town Manager Tom Harmer issued his latest executive order on Tuesday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key projects manager James Linkogle shows how the town's undergrounding utility service will replace FPL poles.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 8, 2020
Phase one of Longboat Key's undergrounding project is near completion

The town of Longboat Key's plan is to have its $49.1 million undergrounding project finished by the end of 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sand from nearby beaches facing the Gulf of Mexico has filled the eastern spit of the Greer Island shoreline for years. Here is a look on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 8, 2020
Quick fix coming for Longboat's Canal 1A

The town of Longboat Key is finalizing its plans before hiring a marine contractor to move 1,000 cubic yards of sand.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • September 8, 2020
Jayne Forstenzer

Jayne Forstenzer, 99, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2020, just two weeks after celebrating her 99th birthday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Michael Bodnyk leads the choral scholars in rehearsal.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 8, 2020
Undergrads comprise church's choir

Four college kids are the only music for St. Armands Key Lutheran Church during the pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 7, 2020
Lord's Warehouse thrift store reopens on Longboat Key

The warehouse has been closed to shoppers since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 3929 Higel Ave. was built in 2000 with five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 8,381 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 6, 2020
Siesta Key home sells for $5 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 25-28.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The home at 1461 John Ringling Parkway was built in 2002 with five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,165 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 6, 2020
Lido home sells for $4.9 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 24-28.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sarasota's Carolyn Garron and Dawn Shay wanted to support their friend, organizer Lori Ruth.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 5, 2020
Derby drives charity

Sunshine Kids takes spotlight during Kentucky Derby event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 4, 2020
Sailors football runs away from North Port

Sarasota High defeated the Bobcats 38-9 on Friday night.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 4, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Slow it down, huh?

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 4, 2020
Smoke, no fire, discovered at Longboat resort following alarm

No injuries and little damage reported in 11:45 a.m. incident on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Winward at Lakewood Ranch's amenity center will open in 2021. Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 4, 2020
Windward at Lakewood Ranch opens

Neal Communities introduces new gated Lakewood Ranch community.

  • East County
  • News
A videographer kept everything running smoothly.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 4, 2020
High-tech High Holy Days at Temple Beth Israel

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are not until mid-September, but Temple Beth Israel has already recorded the services.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 4, 2020
Christ Church of Longboat Key hosts food drive

These days, even quick stops by a food drive are a welcome chance to see friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Black vultures find food by using their keen eyesight or by following turkey vultures, which possess a powerful sense of smell. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Guest Author
  • September 4, 2020
Bird of the week: black vulture

Often maligned species plays a critical role in our daily lives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The School District of Manatee Country has created a dashboard to inform the public how many COVID-19 cases have been confirmed at individual schools and support sites.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 3, 2020
School District of Manatee County creates COVID-19 dashboard

Six East County schools have reported at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 since first day of school.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2020
East County weather page photo: September 3

Pamela Williams captured this white egret overlooking a pond in the Hazeltine neighborhood of Country Club East.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: September 3

John Greco captured this photo of an alligator basking in the sun in a pond in Osprey.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: September 3

Claire Fadely captured these swans with their cygnet on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Assistant Principal Meredith McArthur helps students find their Alta Vista Elementary School teachers. Harry Sayer
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 3, 2020
Sarasota schools adjust to a new norm

Though teachers say the year isn't without its challenges, they are excited to be back in the classroom.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The School Board of Manatee County is looking for a resident to serve on the Audit Committee.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 3, 2020
School Board of Manatee County seeks resident to join committee

Audit Committee is in need of Manatee County resident.

  • East County
  • News
TECO Energy is also installing a 6-inch gas line along Gulf of Mexico Drive from North Shore Road to Bayview Drive.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 3, 2020
Roadside work underway on Gulf of Mexico Drive

The Florida Department of Transportation's work is set to be completed by Sept. 11

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • September 3, 2020
How do the city and county of Sarasota stack up?

No municipality is in an entirely different world than the others. Things that work in one of them can work in others.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sambo Ung Jr. had a breakout season for Riverview in 2019.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 3, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Fall sports return to Sarasota County on Friday

A preview of the on-field action and some athletes to watch.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Downtown leaders are discussing spending more to promote the availability of outdoor dining space, curbside pickup and more to attract customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 3, 2020
Downtown stakeholders seek increased business activity

A group of downtown property owners is considering spending more on advertising in hopes of offsetting the effects of COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
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Mia Busser's recruitment opened June 15 following the USA Gymnastics Women's Development Program National Championships. There, she placed fourth in the all-around, second on floor and fourth on vault.
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