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Your Observer

Shaina and Kevin Swan are appearing in social media videos to answer questions about living with ALS.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2020
A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries videos to raise ALS awareness

A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries YouTube videos to raise ALS awareness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 19, 2020
Commission approves relief fund allocations, programs

County staff will now work to release applications by September and allocate funds by Dec. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The current owners of the Sarasota Kennel Club have been working to sell the land for redevelopment after greyhound racing came to an end in 2019.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 19, 2020
Developer plots residential project on Kennel Club site

A new prospective owner of the Sarasota Kennel Club property hopes to build apartments, but specific plans are still to be determined.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michael Cucci Jr. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Big shot on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Creekwood 2-year-old has first try at cornhole.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Beat goes on in East County

Braden River High School's Marching Band of Pirates resume practice.

  • East County
  • News
Deb Herbert stands in front of a oil painting she did at MJ Ranch in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2020
Former Sarasota County Schools fine arts teacher excels in equine themed art

Former Sarasota County Schools fine arts teacher excels in equine themed art.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Andy Guz, Brain Health Initiative Executive Director Stephanie Peabody, LWR Communities' Monaca Onstad and County Health Officer Jennifer Bencie hold survey invitations.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2020
University of Florida joins brain health study in Lakewood Ranch

University's Florida Survey Research Center will help collect, analyze data for Brain Health Initiative.

  • East County
  • News
South West Florida Therapy Animals Partners Ana Dod, with Boots, and Heather Perry, with Milo, hope to host events at the nonprofit's campus to help raise funds for the animals' care.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2020
The animal effect is in Lakewood Ranch

Ranch provides therapeutic connections in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Development Director Rob Oglesby, with 8-week-old Finch, says the campus improvements will help the nonprofit become self-sustainable.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2020
Things looking up at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue in Lakewood Ranch

Vertical construction begins as part of Nate's Honor Animal Rescue's $10 million expansion.

  • East County
  • News
Sophie Niedzielski, a second grader at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, sees a double rainbow on her way to her first day of school. Niedzielski says the double rainbow is a sign of good luck. Photo by Dagmara Niedzielski.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Opening day rainbows for first day of school in East County

Classrooms in the School District of Manatee County are back in action.

  • East County
  • News
Barrie spent years directing theater students in Sarasota.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 18, 2020
Turning the Page: Former Sarasota resident Zara Barrie releases self-help book

Former Sarasota resident Zara Barrie releases self-help book that heads in a different direction.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eleven-year-old Olivia Kruse hugs her dad, George Kruse, after he wins the Republican nomination. "I'm really proud of him," she said. "There was a lot of sign waving."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2020
Kruse hopes to offer new voice to Manatee County Commission

George Kruse pulls away from longtime Administrator Ed Hunzeker, moves to general election.

  • East County
  • News
Fire commissioners for East Manatee Fire Rescue and Myakka City Fire Control District will meet jointly Aug. 20 to vote on the merger. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2020
Myakka City residents approve merger with East Manatee Fire Rescue

Myakka City residents approve merger with East Manatee Fire Rescue.

  • East County
  • News
Parrish's Gina Messenger looks forward helping the School District of Manatee County move from a B district to an A district. "I'm excited to continue the good work that Manatee County is doing," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 18, 2020
Parrish's Messenger retains Manatee County school board seat

Gina Messenger will focus on early childhood education and grade level reading in next four years.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 18, 2020
Edwards, Rose win Sarasota County School Board seats

Karen Rose has worked in Sarasota County Schools for 28 years. Businessman Tom Edwards will replace incumbent Eric Robinson.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Terry Turner and Dan Clermont, top, earned the most votes in the District 2 and 3 primaries respectively. Liz Alpert and Erik Arroyo, bottom, are also advancing to November's general election.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 18, 2020
Turner, Alpert, Clermont, Arroyo advance in Sarasota City Commission race

In District 2, a former and current city commissioner will face off. In District 3, two newcomers are moving on to the general election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 18, 2020
Hoffman wins Sarasota County Sheriff primary

Col. Kurt Hoffman has worked for the Sarasota Sheriff's Office for 14 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Moran
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 18, 2020
Moran, Cutsinger win County Commission primaries

There are three Sarasota County Commission seats up for grabs in the Nov. 3 election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Superintendent Brennan Asplen said the added restrictions are intended to help minimize the spread of particles.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 18, 2020
Sarasota School Board revises face mask policy

The new policy requires all students and staff to wear snug-fitting, non-porous face masks.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mary Anne Bowie, pictured second from left with other past and present Arlington Park Neighborhood Association board members, thinks the city could improve its public input processes. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 18, 2020
Neighborhood groups push for planning influence

City officials offered mixed feedback to a request for procedural changes from the Arlington Park Neighborhood Association.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County makes more CARES Act funding available to small businesses and nonprofits.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 18, 2020
Manatee County makes more CARES Act funding available

Small businesses in Manatee County can apply for CARES Act funding through the county.

  • East County
  • News
Deputy Election Official Lucille Cirrintano helped Cheryl Stade fill out information at the First Presbytarian Church polling location at 2050 Oak St.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2020
Voting turnout in Sarasota climbs above 2016 primary

By noon, county turnout stood at 27% with seven hours of in-person voting remaining.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall now is slated to reopen Nov. 4. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall extends closure

Services are still offered by appointment only.

  • East County
  • News
Matthew and Gina Messenger celebrate after Gina retained her District 1 seat on the School District of Manatee County board.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 18, 2020
Voting totals final for key Lakewood Ranch area and East County races

The final results

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 17, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here

Police reports from around the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Executive director Isaac Azerad.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 17, 2020
"My Jewish Journey" furthers friendships

Members are taking a deep dive into life before Longboat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Shade provides a bit of relief from the sun at Harry's.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 17, 2020
Longboat restaurants get creative in normally slow summer season

The end of the summer season also tends to be slower for many of Longboat Key's restaurants.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Although the parade was scheduled for December, event organizers said group prep work typically begins in August and September.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 17, 2020
Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade canceled

The organizers of the annual holiday celebration are postponing the 25th anniversary of the event until 2021 because of COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stop and read the plaque that gives visitors a little more context to Longboat history.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 17, 2020
The essential guide to Longboat Key

From longtime Longboaters, the can’t-miss spots on this sandy strip of serenity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Amy Lowrance drops off her daughter Sophie at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School for her first day of third grade.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 17, 2020
Students return to school in Lakewood Ranch area

School District of Manatee County opens its campuses to students for the start of a new school year.

  • East County
  • News
A grant will help pay for supplies and other needs for girls in the Girl Scouts Fully Funded Troops Program. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 17, 2020
Sarasota, Manatee Girl Scouts program secures $10,000 grant

Donation by Wison-Wood Foundation will support Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida's Fully Funded Troops program.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 17, 2020
In conversation with Brad Marner, Rotary Club of Longboat Key president

Marner has not yet held a face-to-face meeting with his club as he navigates presidency in a pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Guest Author
  • August 17, 2020
Letters to the editor: readers sound off on beach parking

Letter writers ask for public lots to reopen .

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lou Newman photo///Black skimmers spread out over Lido Beach.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 17, 2020
Shorebird season lasts long on Lido

The area's nesting shorebirds flocked to Lido Beach this year, where their season has been successful.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Six months after every March municipal election, the town audits its population of registered voters to ensure a balance remains in the districts from which five of seven commissioners are elected.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 17, 2020
With balanced population, no district redrawing needed

Variation between smallest and largest stands below charter threshold for required action.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 17, 2020
Mall at UTC celebrates start of school

Back to School Bash a success in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • 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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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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