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Your Observer

Suzanne Atwell, former co-chairwoman of the Change the Date campaign, thinks increased turnout in August's city election is a sign of improved public engagement with local government.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 3, 2020
New date, more votes in city elections

After seeing significantly increased turnout in the City Commission primary, candidates remain uncertain how a shift away from off-cycle elections will affect the race.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In February, Selby Gardens shared this concept image of a redesigned parking garage. Selby lowered the height of the proposed parking structure from nearly 70 feet to 39 feet. File image.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 3, 2020
Revised Selby Gardens master plan set for public review

Later this month, the city's Planning Board will hear arguments for and against approval of an updated proposal for the botanical garden property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week’s edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 9.3.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Commissioner Nancy Detert feared approval of a project that would extend past the county’s Gulf Beach Setback Line would set a bad precedent for future development on the island.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 2, 2020
Commissioners deny Siesta development on Beach Road

Commissioners feared approval of the project would set a bad precedent for the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 2, 2020
County closures, collection schedule affected by Labor Day

Several county buildings will be closed Sept. 7 and collections services will be delayed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Realtor Stacy Haas used her interior decorating experience to plan the renovation of a home in the Country Club that was going on the market.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 2, 2020
Space for improvement in the Lakewood Ranch Country Club

Huge renovation project hopes to double the worth of a Lakewood Ranch Country Club home.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 2, 2020
Does that make it 15-0?

The location is set to open this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fountain at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 2, 2020
Bubbles on the rise in Lakewood Ranch

Fountain on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch overflows with bubbles.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 2, 2020
Paint with purpose in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch's Let's Create Art gives homeschoolers and e-learners opportunities to learn while safely socializing.

  • East County
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 2, 2020
East County PTOs adjust to new normal

Lakewood Ranch-area Parent-Teacher Organizations are coming up with ways to host fundraisers and events.

  • East County
  • News
Country Club Edgewater Village Association property manager Cristi Valentine and Gary Glass, director of community association services for Town Hall, review a modification request for a homeowner in Country Club.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 2, 2020
Country Club HOA could split from town hall model

Country Club Edgewater Village Association explores whether it could save by seeking its own property management services.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 2, 2020
Hope thrives on horseback for East County resident

After stroke, East County senior takes SMART approach to horseback riding.

  • East County
  • News
Work remaining in the Rye Road project is related to a new master lift station and a satellite lift station at Gene Witt Elementary School.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 2, 2020
Rye Road project will take longer in Manatee County

Contractor seeks 90 more days to finish improvements.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 2, 2020
No reservation about reserves?

Manatee County defends reserves policies.

  • East County
  • News
Lt. Robert Andrews with the Crime Prevention Unit of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office gives an education presentation to residents. The Crime Prevention Unit will host a webinar on COVID-19 scams. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 2, 2020
Free webinar deals with COVID-19 scams

The webinar will teach residents tips on how to avoid scams.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • September 2, 2020
How Longboat compares

The Florida House’s transparency project lets Floridians see how their local governments compare to their peers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Oasis at Lakewood Ranch Apartments Property Manager Stephanie Cooper says residents will enjoy the amenity center, which includes a resort style pool, a fitness center, a game room and a place for doing business.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 2, 2020
Apartments on rise in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch residents get more housing options with 1,441 apartments on the way.

  • East County
  • News
David Marshall, principal at Gene Witt Elementary School, says the renovations allowed for more storage space for teachers and students to use. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 2, 2020
Gene Witt upgrades thrill administrators

Renovations of two buildings were completed for the new school year while construction on an addition continues.

  • East County
  • News
Mary and Pat Glass celebrate a dedication of the Manatee County Commission Chambers in Pat Glass's honor in 2018. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 1, 2020
Longtime Manatee County Commissioner Pat Glass dies at 93

Glass commended as 'unbelievable leader' for her advocacy and foresight.

  • East County
  • News
This home at 16321 Daysailor Trail sold for $1.42 million. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,502 square feet of living area. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 1, 2020
Concession home tops Lakewood Ranch area sales at $2.5 million.

Here are the residential real estate transactions for Aug. 17-21.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sailor Fleming and Adam Ulrich complete activities outside on Out-of-Door Academy's Siesta Campus. Photo Courtesy Out-of-Door Academy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 1, 2020
Out-of-Door Academy takes a phased reopening approach

Students won't be all together on the Siesta Key campus until Sept. 11.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The medical examiner's office would be a one-story facility to host offices and autopsy equipment.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 1, 2020
Commissioners talk internet program, medical examiner's office

Commissioners agreed to use federal relief dollars to provide internet support to low-income families who chose a remote learning option.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The fountain at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch was filled with bubbles this morning. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 1, 2020
Bubbles fountain up in Lakewood Ranch

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch gets bubbly surprise.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 1, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: What happens on Longboat . . .

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Public street parking on Broadway in the Longbeach Village neighborhood has been a point of contention for years.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 1, 2020
Longboat Key Commission has budget and more on its plate

The Longboat Key Town Commission is set to hold a regular meeting on Sept. 14.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Built in 1956, the home at 4051 Gulf of Mexico Drive has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,648 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 1, 2020
Gulf of Mexico Drive home sells for $3.7 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 17-21.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 1, 2020
Hometown humor

Longboat Key resident writes two books in six months.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kelli Smith has 29 years of law enforcement experience.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 1, 2020
University police chief is Longboat's choice as top cop

Kelli Smith has accepted a conditional offer to serve as the town of Longboat Key's next police chief.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The truck is decorated with Happy Birthday or celebratory signs.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 31, 2020
First responders just want to have fun

Why is there a fire truck driving by that birthday party? Because it's 2020, that’s why.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 31, 2020
Did you test positive for COVID-19?

The Observer is seeking Sarasota and Manatee residents who have tested positive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Karen Pashkow and Elise Passentino
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 31, 2020
Lord's Warehouse reopening on Longboat Key

The reopening of the Lord's Warehouse and the Longboat Island Chapel mark the near-full awakening of church life on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 31, 2020
"It's a boy!"

Firefighter Missina Cutting enlisted her fire family to help her reveal the sex of her baby.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Resort Wear owner Harvinder Mahesh Mirchandani (left) and customer Michelle Giannico (right) wore their masks in compliance with the town of Longboat Key's mandatory mask policy.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 31, 2020
Longboat extends mask policy through November

The town of Longboat Key's mandatory mask policy runs through Nov. 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bridgette Clark, Lisle Christensen, Giana Clark and Hartley Livesey
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 31, 2020
Longboat Key Turtle Watch patroller tracks trash, too

An app makes it clear to see how much refuse is out on the sand.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 31, 2020
Temple Beth Israel shares dinner with friends again

Temple members could pick up Shabbat dinners before the weekly virtual service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 31, 2020
Sarasota students head back to school

First day procedures looked different, but the energy remained the same.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
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3
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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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A visitor to Sarasota Art Museum takes a photo of David Hockney's "Inside It Opens Up As Well," which collector Stanton Storer loaned to the museum for "Something Borrowed, Something New."
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