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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 28, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: November 28

Michael Cohen captured this image of a feeding great egret at South Lido Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mario Mendoza. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 27, 2019
Bashaw Elementary principal turns fry cook

Bashaw Elementary principal turns fry cook

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tiffany Rock, a seventh grader, works through a few measures with sixth graders Kiera Woefel and Coltin Cramer. "It’s pretty cool to imagine I was them last year," Rock said.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 27, 2019
Light shines on job shadowing at Haile Middle

Haile Middle School students learn what it takes to be a teacher by shadowing their teachers

  • East County
  • News
Beth Grogan, a Lakewood Ranch resident who started Magic of Mittens, works with Stefani Heidenthal, Nolan's FBLA adviser, to collect items for families in need.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 27, 2019
Nolan Middle School students warm hearts with mittens project

Nolan Middle FBLA students warm hearts with Magic of Mittens project in Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
Community leaders hope to turn the portions of the Quads that received conservation easements into woodland habitat. Eric Garwood
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 27, 2019
Sarasota organizations hope for greener area around Celery Fields

Conservation Foundation of Gulf Coast and Sarasota Audubon Society share their hopes for the Quads.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 27, 2019
School board considering policy to allow administration of medical marijuana

The policy would make the school board compliant with state law.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Residents are eager to see improvements to the intersection of Siesta Drive and Higel Avenue.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 27, 2019
Siesta residents hope for improvements with road swap

Sarasota County will swap control of River Road and roads on Siesta Key with Florida Department of Transportation.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Orioles relief pitcher Richard Bleier signs autographs for fans at Ed Smith Stadium.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 27, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Giving back

In the spirit of the holiday week, a "thank you" to readers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
New head coach Kevin Corwin believes big things are in store for the Sailors girls basketball program.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 27, 2019
New coach has Sailors girls basketball going the right direction

Kevin Corwin is making the most of his first varsity head coaching opportunity

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Julia Rodriguez (32) gets a hug from Ellie DiGiacomo after getting fouled, as Aaliyah Capers (25) and Bella Patterson (13) jog up the court.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 27, 2019
Braden River girls basketball adds top talent

Star guard O'Mariah Gordon will have more assistance in 2019-2020.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch junior Lauren Beck started singing in sixth grade, and started playing soccer when she was 5.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 27, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Pitch just perfect for Mustangs soccer player

Lakewood Ranch junior defender sings as well as she slide tackles.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 27, 2019
Three-peat for Braden River's Marching Band of Pirates

Braden River High School takes top prize in 3A state band championship, Lakewood Ranch High places third in 4A

  • East County
  • News
Christian Perez.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 27, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Christian Perez

The Mustangs senior talks his favorite memory and defending taller players.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cheyenne Stubbs.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 27, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Cheyenne Stubbs

The Sarasota High junior talks her start in basketball and her desire to visit Paris.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Driveways would allow access from Palm Drive and Cedar Street but not from Gulf of Mexico Drive, plans show.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 27, 2019
Longboat planning board to hear proposal for office, parking lot

Operator of Mar Vista wants clearance for 98-spot lot, 300-square-foot office near Broadway and GMD.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Graham Ellis, a Navy veteran and member of VFW Post 12055, slowly takes the cloth off the seal in honor of the Navy. Ellis' daughter, Carly McCarthy, was an executive officer in Braden River High School's JROTC program in 2016.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 27, 2019
Wall of Honor dedicated at Braden River High

Braden River High School's new Wall of Honor to recognize veterans

  • East County
  • News
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School registrar Patty Lee said the school had choice available to incoming kindergarten students for the 2019-2020 school year.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 27, 2019
As Manatee Schools approaches open school choice, parents still worry

Open enrollment for all ages opens Dec. 2, but joining siblings not a guarantee.

  • East County
  • Schools
Animal Network Inc. President Pam Freni and Kassandra Zess-Pagel, vice president of Friends of Manatee County Animal Services, are pictured with 13-year-old Oreo. They say the current Animal Services building is in disrepair.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 27, 2019
A funding drive begins for Animal Network, with help from Manatee Community Foundation

The Manatee County nonprofit hopes to help the county fund a new animal shelter.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Wynn Watson and Hartley Aultman pull pasta, sauce, soup, stuffing, canned vegetables and other items from their cart after a busy morning of shopping. They found everything on their lists.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 27, 2019
Primrose students turn their labor into a Thanksgiving dinner for those in need

Kindergartners shop for Mayors Feed the Hungry program.

  • East County
  • Schools
Property investor and Realtor Howard Sadwin and partners with Duck Dog II are looking to sell their 15-acre site at the southwest corner of Lorraine Road and State Road 64 for about $3 million.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 27, 2019
Area developers, investors say timing is ripe for more business in East County

Commercial interests gobble up land from interstate to Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • News
Vehicles waiting in line to pick up children as school lets out at B.D. Gullett Elementary School spill onto Wood Fern Terrace. Stopping in traffic lanes there now will be prohibited.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 27, 2019
Parking restrictions tighten in Manatee County school zones

Commissioners add areas around three Lakewood Ranch schools to an existing no stopping or standing ordinance.

  • East County
  • News
Golden Gate Point residents critical of the new lights say the bridge's columns have become a canvas for ill-fitting bright colors, though there are some supporters of the new setup.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 27, 2019
Residents seek changes to Ringling Bridge lights

Colorful lights on the John Ringling Causeway have drawn criticism from some residents, who are optimistic improvements can be made.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The proposal for parkland at Bobby Jones with the most radical changes eliminates nine regulation holes from the course and places a greater emphasis on natural features. Images courtesy city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 27, 2019
City shares proposals for park at Bobby Jones

The city is considering three options for adding parkland to the municipal golf course, one of which would require eliminating nine more holes from the property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 27, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 11.28.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The site of the tree lighting.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 26, 2019
Tree lighting kicks off season at Longboat's Town Center this week

Town is gearing up for first event, then four concert series events in 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hunter, a golden retriever owned by Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department Deputy Chief Sandi Drake, poses in the Longboat Key fire station.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 26, 2019
Hunter the dog helps first responders tackle mental health issues

The golden retriever aids first responders in feeling comfortable and opening up to discuss topics from PTSD to anxiety

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nancy Rozance, right, accepts the president's gavel from Susan McGuire.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 26, 2019
In conversation with Nancy Rozance

The President of the Rotary Club of Longboat Key talks goals and what drew her to the organization.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kathy Reategui, left, and Limu Severino, right, say they are thankful to be working for Gretchen Bauer, center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 26, 2019
A special Thanksgiving for two Lakewood Ranch seamstresses who work at BSwanky

Two Lakewood Ranch seamstresses are grateful for their jobs at BSwanky as Thanksgiving approaches

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 26, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Close call in New Pass

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 26, 2019
Commissioners set final vote for beach ballot wording

Town residents would cast ballots on the measure in March.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Juliana Mattes works on her roll as a Harlequin doll in The 12 Dolls of Christmas.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 25, 2019
Time to earn applause for Ovation School of Musical Theatre of Lakewood Ranch

Ovation School of Musical Theatre of Lakewood Ranch presents The 12 Dolls of Christmas at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"Nucci" follows the life of a young circus performer who works to master the quadruple somersault.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Life under the big top

Adrian Catarzi, the 13th trapezist to do the triple somersault, wrote a book following his journey to mastering the feat.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 25, 2019
Pass the turkey

The Fire Department donates a turkey to a longtime resident.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Catherine Garey, Cyndi Seamon and Michael Garey. Photo courtesy of the Lazy Lobster.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 25, 2019
Lazy Lobster's 10th anniversary fundraiser concludes

The Longboat Key staple raised $1400 for six local charities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
John Bielinski, Jr. stands amid his students and a representative from Guinness World Records.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Trainer teaches longest medical class

John Bielinski leads a Sarasota session for 30 hours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Thanksgiving surprise

Out of Door Academy gifted 75 Gocio Elementary School families with Thanksgiving meal kits.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

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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
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
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East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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