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Your Observer

Traffic is shown backed up on the John Ringling Causeway Bridge.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 24, 2020
Leaders discuss alternate transportation across Ringling Causeway

Possibilities include adding a trolley system and water taxi to alleviate traffic woes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unit 2 of the Aqua condominium building at 280 Golden Gate Point was built in 2016 with three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,590 square feet of living space.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 24, 2020
Pair of Siesta Key properties sell for $3 million

Residential real estate transactions for July 13-17.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Three days after the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted to keep the start date of fall sports as July 27, the board has changed its mind.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 23, 2020
FHSAA reverses course, delays start of fall season to at least Aug. 24

The organization's board of directors will meet again no later than Aug. 17 to determine if the new start date is appropriate.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 23, 2020
Sarasota school board candidates debate back to school, charter schools

Candidates faced off in a virtual forum.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction will continue on the intersection but work should be complete in September. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 23, 2020
FDOT opens Rye Road roundabout on S.R. 64 in Manatee County

Construction should be complete in fall 2020.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee Technical College will welcome students back on campus with hybrid classes. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 23, 2020
Manatee Technical College to welcome students back on campus

Hybrid classes will allow for hands-on learning while limiting capacity on campus.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 23

Karin Shillus captured this great blue heron at sunset on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: July 23

Matthew Press captured this female rose-breasted grosbeak in a fig tree in Gulf Gate.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2020
East County weather page photo: July 23

Sherry Packard captured this magnolia flower in Summerfield Village of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
VPA director Rebecca Abrahamson and VPA Theatre Chairman Scott Keys stand where a new lobby could be added.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 23, 2020
Booker VPA seeks $22 million renovation

The $22.5 million upgrade would add a mezzanine, classroom space, a larger lobby and a black box theater.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Innovation Station operates out of the University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering facility located at 1468 Boulevard of the Arts.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 23, 2020
Innovation Station receives another $1.2 million

The program helps support the growth of high-tech, high-wage jobs in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Renovations at the Bee Ridge Facility are among the county's largest expenses for the next fiscal year.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 23, 2020
Sheriff budget, project requests grow as county budget tightens

The Sheriff's Office budget is projected to grow by $3.2 million and the county will push forward on renovations to the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Here is a rendering of the new South Fire Station 92. It is scheduled to open in April 2021.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 23, 2020
Zoning Board approves variance for south fire station

The new building for Fire Station 92 at 2162 Gulf of Mexico Drive is scheduled to open in April 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jammie Jordan is the new girls soccer coach at Booker High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 23, 2020
Booker girls soccer coach brings fresh approach

Jammie Jordan brings experience from football to help rebuild a program in disarray.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Although Mote has touted more than $75 million in commitments toward the project, county officials could revisit a crucial contribution because of budgetary challenges. Image courtesy Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 23, 2020
Public funds for Mote aquarium not set in stone

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium announced a September groundbreaking for a new facility in Nathan Benderson Park, but the county’s financial support isn’t fully locked in.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Starbucks offers a variety of hot and cold coffee and tea drinks. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 22, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area Starbucks see temporary closures

Two Starbucks locations in Sarasota, Manatee possibly impacted by COVID-19.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County commissioners will talk again about mask requirements July 27.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 22, 2020
Manatee County to consider mask mandate

Manatee commissioners torn between personal responsibility and need to promote public safety.

  • East County
  • News
The Granary general manager Hector Liemann adds powdered sugar to an order of French toast.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 22, 2020
Pandemic creates recipe for change in Lakewood Ranch

Restaurants adapting to new business climate in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Out-of-Door Academy rising seniors Reece Whatmore and Supawadee Surattanont explain their work to address red tide with Joaquim Goes, a Columbia University professor. Students will return for in-person classes Aug. 25. File photo
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 22, 2020
Back to campus for ODA students

Out-of-Door Academy's new middle school facility provides enough space for students to be social distanced.

  • East County
  • News
Isabella Macias, a graduating senior at Braden River High School, will sprinkle space references into her speech because of her love for space. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 22, 2020
Message of resilience to East County graduates

East County high school graduation speakers will remind classmates of their resilience through pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Andy Guz said the hospital isn't near capacity yet due to COVID-19.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 22, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center busy, but not maxed out

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center busy, but not maxed out because of COVID-19

  • East County
  • Opinion
Allison Maulfair and Spencer Mauk.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 22, 2020
Local grads tackle new college sport

Flag football added by NAIA member institutions.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch community development district supervisors hope going to a partially automated gate system for the Country Club will save money and solve entry problems. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 22, 2020
Lakewood Ranch IDA budget includes gate changes

Some projects put on hold due to pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
The Dienna family (Maria, Denise, Michael, Ava, Nicki and Matt) advocate for school to start with complete e-learning.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 22, 2020
Virtual woes confound School District of Manatee County

Students' needs must be assessed before being able to move completely online.

  • East County
  • News
Mote released a new rendering of its planned Science and Education Aquarium on Thursday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 22, 2020
Whale of an aquarium project begins in Sarasota

Mote to break ground in September on $130 million aquarium in Sarasota

  • East County
  • News
Science Center student volunteers Mia Merrell, Rylan Monge, Natalie Carrion, Max Fischer, Rocket Burns, Julia Chen, Pragnya Govindu and Claire Wang encourage people to donate on July 29. Courtesy Photo
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 22, 2020
Suncoast Science Center and SunCoast Blood Centers to host blood donation drive

The joint partnership blood drive will be on July 29.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 21, 2020
Riverview High School celebrates graduating seniors

Seniors accepted their diplomas at a distanced ceremony July 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The city plans to renovate the Bobby Jones Golf Club property in April 2021, a project expected to cost $21.4 million.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 21, 2020
City staff turns away Bobby Jones lease offer

A proposal from a private group interested in operating Bobby Jones Golf Club did not make it to the City Commission for review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Realtor Donna Soda of the Soda-Stavola Group said her favorite part of the home is the massive lanai. Photo by Jay Heater
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 21, 2020
Lots of luxury living being sold in Lakewood Ranch area

Luxury home market thriving in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Brian Lipton
  • By Brian Lipton
  • July 21, 2020
My View: Graffiti attacks bolster resolve to assertively attack antisemitism

Improve hate-crime reporting, commit resources to bring those responsible to justice.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Justin Matthews said the alligator was about 7 feet long.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 21, 2020
Alligator freed from soccer net in Lakewood Ranch area

Alligator trapped in soccer net in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
FHSAA opts to keep July 27 start date for fall sports.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 21, 2020
FHSAA opts to keep July 27 start date for fall sports

The decision goes against recommendations from the organization's Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.

  • East County
  • Sports
Closure of a turn lane on eastbound Gulfstream Boulevard had a detrimental effect on traffic during the winter.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 20, 2020
Town leaders drive home point about Sarasota traffic plan

Sarasota city commissioners will have to consider another version of the Sarasota In Motion Transportation Master Plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lynn Larson
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2020
Kiwanis Club writes check to Children’s Guardian Fund

The club has always focused on children’s education and this $10,000 check is the next step.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2020
Literary Longboat

The Boxser Diversity Initiative is bringing a literary festival to Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 20, 2020
Concession project on Manatee County commission agenda

Manatee County commissioners to consider Concession and Lakewood Ranch development projects.

  • East County
  • News
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Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
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3
This house in Plantation Oaks is advertised on several booking platforms as sleeping up to 32 guests.
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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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