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Your Observer

Country Club at Lakewood Ranch resident Richard Williams is an advocate for himself and others affected by hearing loss. He can use this remote control to change settings for the inner ear implant he got in 2011.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 12, 2020
Bradenton expo makes sense of hearing issues

Hearing Tech Expo and Clinic offers information, resources to those affected by hearing loss in Manatee, Sarasota counties.

  • East County
  • News
Faith Bench, a math teacher at Braden River Middle School, and her husband, Matthew, is in disbelief of her being named Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2020
Simple math: She's No. 1 in Manatee County

Braden River Middle School math teacher named Educator of the Year in Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
George and Toby Loukmas said they are excited to help teach children water safety through the opening of their Goldfish Swim School franchise.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 12, 2020
New swim facility opens in Lakewood Ranch

Goldfish Swim School makes its debut at San Marco Plaza in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Author Latoya Desamour talks about bullying with students at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2020
Author teaches McNeal students about bullying

Author uses personal experiences to connect with students at McNeal Elementary

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 12, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Please just go away

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Owen's Fish Camp opened in Sarasota in 2010. A second OFC is headed to Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 11, 2020
Owen's Fish Camp hooks Lakewood Ranch location

Lakewood Ranch will be home to a second Owen's Fish Camp restaurant.

  • East County
  • News
Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner reminds people to register for the presidential primaries. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 11, 2020
2020 elections underway in Sarasota County

The first batch of vote by mail ballots were sent out Feb. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium officials hope funding from Manatee County will help them secure state and federal funding, as well. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 11, 2020
Tourist Development Council recommends Manatee County commit $1 million to Mote's City Island facility

The TDC board did not support a $5 million funding request.

  • East County
  • News
The proposal for alternative three would shrink golf at Bobby Jones to 27 holes and create an expansive park space emphasizing natural elements, which planners compared to the Celery Fields.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 11, 2020
Parks board endorses less golf at Bobby Jones

In a 4-3 vote, the advisory board recommended adopting the $21.4 million redesign option that would maximize park space at the 293-acre city-owned property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 11, 2020
Rick Steves talks fear, embracing other cultures

Travel writer, TV host is the second speaker in the RCLA Town Hall Series.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 11, 2020
Philip D. Cady

Unstoppable. Fearless. Adventuresome. Caring. Generous. Faithful.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,899 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 11, 2020
Bird Key home sells for $3.5 million

Residential real estate transactions for Jan. 27-31.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 10, 2020
All Angels by the Sea gathers parishioners for annual meeting

The members discussed the past and future over brunch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 10, 2020
Dr. James Edmond Green

James Edmond Green, Ph.D., of Lakewood Ranch and Leakey, TX departed this world quietly and unexpectedly in the early hours of Feb. 1, 2019, after a life steered in the “fast lane” and filled with remarkable academic, professional and personal accomplishm

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
This rendering, provided by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, shows the proposed parking garage at the corner of Mound Street and Orange Avenue.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 10, 2020
Selby Gardens files revised site plan

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens leaders hope a scaled-down garage and a relocated restaurant will convince city officials to approve a redevelopment proposal they previously rejected.

  • Sarasota
  • News
About 700 people attended the Longboat Key Kiwanis Club Gourmet Lawn Party on Dec. 7.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 10, 2020
December's Kiwanis lawn party raises about $30K for children's foundation

Admission and raffle tickets raised the most money from the 700 or so people who attended the party.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ginger Merman at her easel with finished artwork. Photo courtesy of Susan Goodfriend.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 10, 2020
You Observed: Tangerine Bay Club Artisan happy hour

Artists from the Tangerine Bay community had the opportunity to show off their talents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 10, 2020
Love on Longboat Key: Finding the most romantic spots on the island

The island paradise offers no shortage of romantic opportunities, from traffic jams to bicycle mishaps-in-waiting.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tom Volpe snaps a photo of a eagle sculpture from John Townsend.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 10, 2020
Sarasotans take a walk on the art side

The 32nd annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts took place on Feb. 8 and 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Billy Rice Band recently released "Just Sayin'. ''
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 10, 2020
Billy Rice Band leads off Savor the Sounds

Country-rock band will be first to play at the Town Center Green site.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Randy and Susan Mallitz are being honored by Temple Emanu--El for their philanthropy.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 10, 2020
Temple Emanu-El honors Lakewood Ranch couple

Temple Emanu-El honors Lakewood Ranch couple for their philanthropy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,608 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 9, 2020
Buccaneer Bay home sells for $3 million

Residential real estate sales for Jan. 27-30.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2020
A taste of Greek culture in Sarasota

36th annual festival in Sarasota showcases Greek culture, cuisine.

  • East County
  • News
Angela Wester adopted Pepper from the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch one month ago.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2020
Valentine's in the Vines supports the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch

Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch hosts wine fundraiser at Bradenton winery, Rosa Fiorelli Winery.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 8, 2020
Temple Beth Israel honors community leadership

Dozens of members gathered for dinner and camaraderie.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 8, 2020
Hope Seeds at Christ Church feeds families worldwide

Christ Church of Longboat Key often partners with the non-profit to send seeds around the globe.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2020
A rootin' tootin' good time at Gene Witt

A rootin' tootin' good time at Gene Witt father-daughter dance

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 7, 2020
Dream Weaver Collection celebrates 30 years in Sarasota

On St. Armands Circle, Dream Weaver draws in customers with its artful pieces.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 7, 2020
Sarasota mayor responds to barrier-island traffic concerns

Turn lane could reopen weeks earlier, Ahearn-Koch writes in an email that also suggests a re-examination of roundabout plan at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Planner Rachel Layton, representing Windham Development, says the requested change is consistent with development immediately around the site.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 7, 2020
Manatee County Commission wants to reevaluate roads plan

Lorraine Road project prompts discussion on roadway needs.

  • East County
  • News
Festival organizers began taking in food and other festival items at 4:30 p.m. because of the weather. The festival will reopen Feb. 7.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 6, 2020
Opening night of Greek Glendi in Sarasota canceled due to weather

Greek Glendi festival will continue as planned this weekend.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • February 6, 2020
Mary Kathleen (McQuade) Sittig

Mary Kathleen (McQuade) Sittig of Longboat Key, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2020 at age 81.  

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,751 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.6 million in 2004.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 6, 2020
Tower Residences condo sells for $2.65 million

Residential real estate transactions for Jan. 20-24.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Megan Piggott as the Library Lady and Pedro Leos as Tomás .
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 6, 2020
FST shines a light on libraries

In placing chldren’s libraries in the spotlight, ‘Tomás and the Library Lady’ runs through Feb. 22 at Florida Studio Theatre.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Built in 1950, 1190 Westway Drive has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,590 square feet of living area. It sold for $925,000 in 2013.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 6, 2020
Lido Key home sells for $1.36 million

Residential real estate transactions for Jan. 20-24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
USF professor Mitch Ruzek tells students about different items he found at the site.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 6, 2020
Excavation leads to numerous lessons at Alta Vista Elementary

A weeklong immersive scenario was held at Alta Vista thanks to a grant from the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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