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Your Observer

The home at 1604 Travis Lane was built in 1964 with four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,549 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 30, 2020
Travis Lane home sells for just under $2 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 17 and Aug. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Phase-one improvements of the Town Center Green project finished in August.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 30, 2020
Longboat Key saves $119K on phase one of Town Center Green project

Longboat Key town commissioners are set to discuss phase-two improvements in October.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 28, 2020
Sarasota schools in need of musical instruments

Music teachers have started a grassroots effort to collect enough instruments for all their students, because of sharing limitations brought on by COVID..

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Winn-Dixie plans to make its debut in Lakewood Ranch in November.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 28, 2020
Winn-Dixie picks November for Lakewood Ranch debut

New Winn-Dixie grocery store plans to "experiment" with ways to serve the Lakewood Ranch community.

  • East County
  • News
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce president Heather Kasten congratulated Four Winds Network Services for winning Small Business of the Year.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 28, 2020
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce recognizes local businesses with virtual presentation

The 2020 Frank G. Berlin Small Business Awards were held on Aug. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The bald eagle name originates with the old English word "balde," which means white.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • August 28, 2020
Bird of the week: Bald eagle

National bird is the only eagle unique to North America.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 28, 2020
No feud for this family in Lakewood Ranch

Alliance hosts first large in-person networking event.

  • East County
  • Business
    In Memoriam |
  • August 27, 2020
Paul Edward Welch

Paul Edward Welch, age 81, of Sarasota, Florida passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Each classroom is fitted with plastic barriers to help keep particles from spreading. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 27, 2020
Sarasota schools prepare for students' return

From social distancing to masks and desk barriers, here's what your child can expect as they return to campus:

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Local doctors say for students with no underlying risks, it is safe to return to school to receive necessary early development learning. File Photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 27, 2020
Doctors say returning to school for most is safe

Local experts say kids don't get COVID-19 frequently and those without risk factors are safe to return to brick-and-mortar.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 27

Joanne Hummert captured this sunset on south Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2020
East County weather page photo: August 27

Gordon Silver captured this pileated woodpecker feeding her babies on White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: August 27

Matthew Press captured this scarlet tanager perched in a tree in Gulf Gate.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Street parking on the south side of Broadway is closed between Palm Drive past Longboat Drive South.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 27, 2020
Longboat Key commissioners to consider resident-permit parking proposal

The Longboat Key Town Commission will also consider increasing parking fines from $30 to $75

  • Longboat Key
  • News
We Nuzzle CEO John Myers (left) and founder Brian Bennett (right) officially founded the company on Oct. 1, 2019.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 27, 2020
Pet care startup makes Longboat Key home

We Nuzzle plans to launch its on-demand pet-care services app this fall in parts of Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • August 27, 2020
Philip Lynn Schneider

Philip Lynn Schneider passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Chair Mike Moran said the goal of the first phase of funding should be allocated toward providing food and shelter.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 27, 2020
County creates allocation plan for relief funding

The county will focus on businesses and individuals in the first $18.9 million funding phase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dick Vitale has raised more money for the Dick Vitale Gala than ever despite the pandemic.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 27, 2020
Dick Vitale raises the bar for gala fundraising despite the pandemic

The gala, usually held in Sarasota, will be virtual this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Rashad West gives orders underneath a mask at Lakewood Ranch High football practice. West said the Mustangs won't have the advantage of low expectations this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 27, 2020
Lakewood Ranch football wants consistency and steady progress

The Mustangs are in year two under coach Rashad West.

  • East County
  • Sports
Passenger traffic at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport rose in July as compared to June, but still remains down year over year.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 27, 2020
Boston service coming to SRQ in November

Allegiant will begin offering twice weekly service, adding 22nd destination.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The dredging project is adding more than 120 feet of sand to eroded portions of the Lido shoreline. Photo courtesy John Cloud.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 27, 2020
Lido Key shoreline renourishment progresses

As Lido residents celebrate the addition of sand to their beaches, Siesta Key residents are closely monitoring the dredging of Big Pass.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although Siesta Key Village businesses have expressed a desire to add more parking, residents are concerned about the prospect of adding angled spaces near an entry point for the commercial district.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 27, 2020
Siesta Village parking proposal draws concern

Although businesses are interested in adding parking spaces, condo residents are concerned about safety and aesthetics.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime has used outdoor markets, rum tastings, food trucks and more to attract visitors. Now, businesses are discussing strategies to do the same across the Limelight District. Photo courtesy Kim Livengood.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 27, 2020
City plans Limelight District zoning changes

Officials are working with businesses on a proposal to permit more commercial activity on industrial-zoned property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"Ballet in Space," Photographed by Suzanne Havens, Best in Show
  • By Selby Gardens
  • August 27, 2020
40th Annual Selby Gardens Juried Photographic Exhibition

Enjoy the winners of the 40th annual juried photography exhibition and sale. 

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Tracy Gapin has written his first book, "MALE 2.0: Cracking the Code to Limitless Health and Vitality."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 26, 2020
Lakewood Ranch doctor delves into men's health with his first book

Lakewood Ranch doctor's first book, "Male 2.0: Cracking the Code to Limitless Health and Vitality" now available.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 26, 2020
It won’t be a ‘V’ recovery

The $8.3 billion going to Florida counties for COVID-19 relief will do little to trigger a quick recovery. Visitors will need to know Florida is safe again.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Earlier this year, leaders pointed to the temporary closure of a left turn lane at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue as a source for some of the traffic congestion.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 26, 2020
Shuttle service proposed between downtown Sarasota and St. Armands

The proposal calls for the shuttle service to begin for the 2021 peak season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
April Tcherneshoff hopes the neighboring home will be rebuilt because it is too close to her home. The standard in Rosedale is a 12-foot minimum. The house is 7.6 feet away.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 26, 2020
Measure of concern in Rosedale

Builders might have to tear down homes built too close to their Rosedale neighbors.

  • East County
  • News
Stacy McKee, development director of HOPE Family Services, accepts backpacks for the children at the shelter and a donation check from the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 26, 2020
East County clubs serve the community

Supply drives held by Cascades, Lakewood Ranch women.

  • East County
  • News
First-grader Tyler Sweeting tests out the school's adaptive learning program with teacher Leslie Ruben. Courtesy Photo
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 26, 2020
Community Day School implements Google program for hybrid learning

The program has a mix of online and in-person learning.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Snowy egrets breed and nest in colonies, called rookeries, with other wading birds such as herons, egrets and ibises. (Miri Hardy photo)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • August 26, 2020
Bird of the week: Snowy egret

Their feathers once sold at a price higher than that of gold.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Shawna Hicks-Cranston. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 26, 2020
Reconnection a welcome gift in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosts first in-person meeting.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Palm Aire resident Leon Sickles spoke in favor of the project, adding the changes create the upscale community he and others desired.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 26, 2020
Palm Aire apartments approved in Manatee County

Site will have 315 luxury apartments instead of affordable housing.

  • East County
  • News
Katie Kandel, a fourth grade teacher at Freedom Elementary School, is shocked to receive so many donations. She received 11 packages just two days after posting her list to the Adopt a Manatee County Teacher page. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 26, 2020
Lakewood Ranch community donates supplies to teachers

Community shows support for teachers with donations of classroom and cleaning supplies.

  • East County
  • News
Hope Tudor, a freshman, uses the Bitmoji app to create an illustration showing the different hobbies she enjoys and things she loves like her three dogs, Belle, Rocket and Minnie.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 26, 2020
Braden River High School students share a bit of their lives

Students create animated environments to introduce themselves.

  • East County
  • News
Minta, Will and Jim Getzen were overjoyed at Will's new Eagle Scout status.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 26, 2020
Sarasota scouts receive Eagle Scout awards at ceremony

Scouts from Troop 895 received the honors.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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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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