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Your Observer

Commissioners discussed the possibility of a paid beach parking program.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 21, 2020
County officials consider variety of traffic improvements on the key

Among proposed traffic improvements on Siesta Key are traffic calming measures, a bike share program and a water taxi.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Brody Rose, a fifth grade student at Out-of-Door Academy, put together videos of his classmates performing and created a concert for Bay Village residents. Photo courtesy Neal Alfano
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 21, 2020
ODA student assembles virtual concert for retirement community

Brody Rose and his classmates typically perform at Bay Village of Sarasota once a month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andrew Arbanas, center, is happy to be able to interact with his family after a month of intensive care for COVID-19 patients. Jaxson, Tiffany, Jude and Aryella are thrilled to be able to hug him.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
Not so safe at home for Lakewood Ranch area nurses

Healthcare worker isolates himself from his family to protect them.

  • East County
  • News
Jacquie McLaurin, a fifth grade teacher at Robert E. Willis Elementary, is disappointed her career ends with e-learning as she retires this year, but she has enjoyed the time with her students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
New lesson in retirement for Lakewood Ranch-area teachers

Retiring teachers and staff members disappointed with the ending but happy for the memories.

  • East County
  • News
Workers pump water from the site of a 10-inch pipe break on Bogey Lane.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 20, 2020
Boil-water order set for Longboat neighborhood

The water main break may cause Country Club Shores to have little to no water pressure.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longboat Key Club's golf courses have remained open throughout the coronavirus outbreak.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 20, 2020
Longboat Key Club golf courses provide normalcy for members

The Key Club's Harbourside and Links golf courses have remained open throughout the coronavirus outbreak.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sheila Milazzo, Anita and Ed Hagen and Jo Fava enter Our Lady of the Angels for the first in-person Mass in two months.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
Cautious reopening for Lakewood Ranch-area churches

East County churches excited but cautious with reopening

  • East County
  • News
DVA Arena originally envisioned a hockey arena, construction of which began in 2005, on the site. It was demolished in 2009 by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch and now is vacant land. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
No longer on ice in Lakewood Ranch

After years of uncertainty, former hockey arena site headed for development in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Crystal Landkas-Coronas feeds carrots to Melman and Twiggs. The giraffes love carrots and enjoy romaine lettuce, fresh branches from trees and other foods.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
In Lakewood Ranch area: Here's looking at zoo, kid

Public gets a free look at Rye Road Giraffes in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Deputy Damon Ackerman. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
Stadium lights honor Manatee County high school seniors

High school seniors in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch honored with shining of stadium lights.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
KB Belton is the new head football coach at The Out-of-Door Academy. Photo courtesy ODA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 20, 2020
New ODA football coach wants to continue recent success

K.B. Belton moves up from offensive coordinator to replace Chris Kempton.

  • East County
  • Sports
Pre-kindergartners like Brayden Hackman, a pre-kindergartner at Gene Witt Elementary School, could be a part of the VPK summer program, which will be done online this year. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
Summer school attendance could drop in Manatee County

District could see fewer students in summer programs as result of move to online learning.

  • East County
  • News
Fencing around the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center is showing the harsh effects of age and the humid air.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 20, 2020
It's time to open Longboat

The lockdowns have done their job. We all know what to do and not to do. Reopen the parks all the way.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
East County's Arne Hansen told stories of his time as a bombardier during WWII.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 20, 2020
Bradenton man shares stories of life and death aboard a B-17 in WWII

WWII bombardier from Bradenton talks about his days aboard a B-17.

  • East County
  • News
Suncoast Blood Centers' blood product numbers are at a "urgent" need level. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
Blood donations in high demand in Lakewood Ranch area

With so many blood drives having been cancelled, blood donation centers ask the community for help in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 20, 2020
Box of thanks

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church donates meals to frontline workers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lisa and Ava O'Hara
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 20, 2020
Ma's Garden Boutique on Longboat Key opens amid pandemic

The mother-daughter team behind floral shop are looking forward to the adventure.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Fitz and Kim Fitzpatrick run their business, Illuminate Landscape Designs, out of their Mill Creek home. The couple try to not only shed light on people's homes but also in people's lives.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2020
Perseverance comes in handy in east Bradenton

Illuminate Landscape Designs owners Fitz and Kim Fitzpatrick navigate struggles of COVID-19 impacts.

  • East County
  • News
Vacation rentals like this one in East County currently are not allowed for short-term rentals. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 19, 2020
Manatee County advances plan to reopen vacation rentals

The plan must be reviewed by state the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the governor's office.

  • East County
  • News
Sirius Day Spa manager Jenn Devine took her time touching up Lindsey Golonka 's hair.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 19, 2020
The Mane Event

Professional hair care can't come soon enough after weeks of lock down.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Glorius and Kate Rhodes were the first two people to play when the Longboat Key Tennis Center reopened on May 8.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 19, 2020
Longboat Key Tennis Center loosens restrictions

The Longboat Key Tennis Center will be open longer and the facility will offer singles-only lessons.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Osprey make their nests at the tops of dead trees, atop power poles and on manmade nesting platforms.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 19, 2020
Town not planning to remove existing osprey-nest poles

FPL is removing its power poles, but not the free-standing osprey-nest poles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
If they win, Mote will use the funds for nesting survey supplies like stakes for marking nests.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 19, 2020
Vote for Mote

Because it rhymes! And to help sea turtles.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • May 19, 2020
Jonathan Brinton Detwiler

Jonathan Brinton Detwiler, 88, passed away May 11, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 18, 2020
County prepares for potential hurricane evacuations amid COVID-19

Officials are considering additional measures such as more space between people, masks and extra sanitation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Harbour Walk home at 557 Fore Drive sold for $1.16 million. It has six bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,691 square feet of living area. Photo courtesy of listing agent Jonnie Buffaline.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 18, 2020
Residential Real Estate Transactions May 4-8

Lake Club home tops sales at $1.55 million

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The city had kept the beach closed as it awaited additional COVID-19 testing data.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 18, 2020
Lido Beach to reopen

Beginning Tuesday morning, the public can once again visit the beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 18, 2020
Bayou neighborhood entrance matures in its second year

The design is eye-catching, but there are no native plants in the display.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key commissioners participate in Monday's virtual special budget workshop meeting.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 18, 2020
Town takes cautious look at budgets on the horizon

Fiscal year 2021 begins in October for the town of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 18, 2020
Sarasota teen is Florida's youth of the year

It's the third year in a row a Sarasota area youth has won the award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Freya Robbins, CDFA™
  • May 18, 2020
Time To Trade In Or Restore?

Time To Trade In Or Restore?

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The twin murals, of a surgical masked man and a woman, were undertaken on April 28. An official unveiling took place May 15.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 18, 2020
Downtown Sarasota murals tell heroic story

Health care workers honored with pair of paintings downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2020
Lakewood Ranch church's parade uplifting for members

Oasis Church of Lakewood Ranch hosts small parade to share messages of love and hope.

  • East County
  • News
Karen Pashkow rattles a noisemaker to attract attention from drivers.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 15, 2020
Longboat Island Chapel hosts food drive

May 15 marked the first day of a two-day food drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy. Staff members are back at work at Mattison's Riverwalk Grille in Bradenton.
    By
  • Brian Hartz
  • May 15, 2020
Restaurant chews on ways to survive, make it through summer

A longtime industry leader learns that sometimes not doing something — say takeout in the pandemic — can be a long-term benefit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 15, 2020
Sarasota schools plan special celebrations for seniors

Booker High School and Pine View School will host events at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall to honor the senior class.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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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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