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Your Observer

    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 28, 2020
East County students enjoy a special goodbye at Rowlett Middle Academy

Rowlett Middle Academy celebrates eighth graders with "Driving On" parade.

  • East County
  • News
The Farnese model at Esplanade at The Heights has been greeted with fanfare.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 28, 2020
Taylor Morrison unveils its Esplanade at the Heights in Bradenton

Esplanade brand and location near Ward Lake in Bradenton have stimulated strong interest in the new community.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Hurricane Irma in 2017 forced East County residents to seek shelter.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2020
COVID-19 leads to reduced hurricane shelter space in Manatee County

Less shelter space will be available this hurricane season in Manatee County due to COVID-19.

  • East County
  • News
High touch areas, like touch tanks and the hurricane wind simulator, as well as presentations and narrations that encourage congregation, will remain closed.Â
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 28, 2020
Mote to reopen June 5

The aquarium has been closed since March 16 and will reopen with new rules and guidelines.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 28, 2020
City keeps Bobby Jones trails open

With golf operations closed, city complex opens its paths to exercise fans, wildlife enthusiasts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Moran
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 28, 2020
Leaders consider COVID-19 impacts on county budget

Leaders predict millions in losses in tourist development tax and gas tax revenues over the next two years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Danny Moroney sails supplies to The Bahamas with his nonprofit Hope Fleet. Brynn Mechem
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 28, 2020
Sarasota nonprofit sails supplies, hope to those in need

The nonprofit Hope Fleet has sailed supplies to The Bahamas since Hurricane Dorian hit.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 28

Susan Luke captured this egret feeding on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: May 28

Tony Munson captured a pair of sandhill crane colts fresh from their nest in Palmer Ranch.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
District leaders hope summer programs, which will be offered virtually, can help catch students up before the 2020-21 school year.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 28, 2020
Sarasota School leaders focus on summer learning, remediation

District leaders are hopeful that the Summer Boost program can catch students up before the 2020-21 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2020
East County weather page photo: May 28

Richard Bottorff captured this group of cormorants in a pond at Rye Wilderness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Parking in March at the Shore on Broadway Street.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 28, 2020
Town commissioners expected to vote on proposed changes to restaurant parking

The commission is set to meet virtually Monday afternoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High senior softball player Avery Goelz has made history.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 28, 2020
Lakewood Ranch softball player named Gatorade Florida Player of the Year

Avery Goelz is the first Mustang to receive the award.

  • East County
  • News
Josiah Joseph is the leader in the 6-9 division of The Junior Tour.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 28, 2020
Young Sarasota golfers happy to be playing national golf tour

Thanks to a regional director, the tour features some of the best courses in Sarasota and elsewhere.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    A time to celebrate |
  • May 28, 2020
Brianna Hair

Some are dreamers.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 28, 2020
The city has big plans

The city’s new transportation plan joins the list of long-range plans for water-sewer upgrades, parks and the Bay. From where will this $660 million come?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Selby Gardens hosts events such as its annual New Year’s Eve Gala at Michael’s on the Bay. The event space and partnership with Michael’s on East was the subject of scrutiny from the Sarasota County Property Appraiser.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 28, 2020
Property appraiser questions nonprofit tax exemptions

A challenge from the Sarasota County Property Appraiser could affect Selby Gardens, Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida Studio Theatre and other organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city closed a portion of the 1300 block of Main Street over the weekend to accommodate expanded outdoor dining. Despite some rain, at least one restaurant in the area said the closure was a financial success.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 28, 2020
City to continue street closure tests

As the city experiments with using roads as space for outdoor dining and pedestrian passage, it's unclear what direction the program will take.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Eateries such as Columbia Restaurant have expanded outdoor dining as COVID-19 regulations remain in place.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 28, 2020
Lido Beach reopening sparks hope for St. Armands recovery

The city is working with stores and merchants on the Circle to move more business activity outdoors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The prefabricated metal home was built to be assembled on-site — and could be dissembled if a plan for relocating it moves forward.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 28, 2020
Arlington Park residents hope to relocate historic home

The neighborhood association wants to turn Sarasota’s last remaining Lustron house into a community center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.28.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
This Florida softshell turtle found itself crossing traffic on White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 27, 2020
Turtle tries the fast lane in Lakewood Ranch

Florida softshell turtle survives trip in the Lakewood Ranch fast lane.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County YMCA Interim CEO Frank Frey says he is planning for the "worst case scenario" to make sure the YMCA remains viable.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 27, 2020
Pandemic puts Manatee County YMCA at risk

After the Manatee County YMCA was making financial gains, COVID-19 cut the Y's membership in half.

  • East County
  • News
Maj. Aaron Traver flies a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 27, 2020
Lakewood Ranch resident OK working in obscurity as an Air Force major

Major Aaron Traver comes home to Lakewood Ranch after his 11th deployment.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center nurse Danielle Ford accepts a cake from MTC. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 27, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center nurses receive sweet gift

MTC shows its appreciation for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center nurses with a sweet gift.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dozens of cars circled the school.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 27, 2020
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus bids farewell to students with parade

The parade for graduating fifth grade students was held May 27.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Director of Redevelopment and Economic Opportunity Geri Lopez said she expects the county to have multiple phases of business assistance, but the first will focus on reopening under COVID-19 related restrictions.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 27, 2020
Manatee County researches ways it can help local businesses after pandemic

Manatee County researches ways it can help local businesses after pandemic

  • East County
  • News
Cyndee Vanderford of Send Me Cyndee Travel loves helping people plan their dream vacation and advocating for her clients.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 27, 2020
A trip through the unknown for Lakewood Ranch-area travel agents

Some people are eager to travel again while others are more hesitant

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 27, 2020
Cheers to the Lakewood Ranch graduates

Parents, teachers and staff members celebrate seniors as they pick up caps and gowns for July graduation

  • East County
  • News
Jessica Kobetitsch, a freshman at Lakewood Ranch High, said the tour has helped take the craziness of the world off her mind.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 27, 2020
Chipping in: Local organizer scrambled to make youth golf tour happen

Boys and girls golfers from East County participate in the tour.

  • East County
  • Sports
Conner and Spencer Young bond over their passion for cars.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 27, 2020
Altered ceremony, same vows for East County couple

Couple adjusts to wedding plans changed by pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 27, 2020
Barrier islands be alert

Sarasota’s new transportation plan includes projects that will affect the residents of the keys. Now is the time to assure the islands are heard.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 27, 2020
Bittersweet farewells for Lakewood Ranch-area students

Mona Jain Middle and Freedom Elementary have parades to celebrate students as they move onto new schools.

  • East County
  • News
Florence and Milton Harr celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on Tuesday.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 26, 2020
Happy 75th anniversary

Florence and Milton Harr have been in Longboat Key for about 25 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • May 26, 2020
Lucille Orzach

Lucille Orzach died peacefully at home in Rhinebeck, NY on May 7.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The home at 1131 Horizon View Drive was built in 1987 with five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,989 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 26, 2020
Tortoise Estates home sells for $870,000

Real estate transactions for May 11-15.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
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