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Your Observer

    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 5, 2020
Sarasota School board talks summer camps, reopening

At this point, the district is sticking to an online platform.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarasota Police are investigating a crash on Tamiami Trail just south of downtown.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2020
Lanes reopen after Sarasota traffic crash

Collision involving motorcycle prompted closure at Tamiami Trail and Bahia Vista Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 5, 2020
Longboat plans test of new alert system

Code Red system being replaced by Alert Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In 2019, Karen Kay Lyvers, a senior, took gold in the girls pole vault (3.76 meters; 12.36 feet) at the state track and field championships at the University of North Florida.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 5, 2020
Daily sports memories: May 5

More track and field accomplishments lead the day's history.

  • East County
  • Sports
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said state drive-up testing results show Florida's infection rate for COVID-19 to be below 3% currently.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 5, 2020
Governor lauds Florida's COVID-19 testing in Sarasota

Sarasota's new COVID-19 testing site gets visit from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

  • East County
  • News
The Giving Challenge results were presented virtually instead of during an in-person ceremony.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 5, 2020
2020 Giving Challenge raises $18 million for nonprofits

The fundraising challenge easily broke 2018's record of $11.7 millions

  • Sarasota
  • News
Aria and Andrew Mateos made signs for the parade.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 5, 2020
Birthday parade

Longboat Key first responders responded to a call for a birthday party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A majority of the commission wanted to see a sustained decline in the rate of COVID-19 cases locally before reopening Lido Beach, which has been closed since March 21.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 4, 2020
City to keep Lido Beach closed

In a split decision, the City Commission voted to keep the beach closed through mid-May as officials await more COVID-19 test results. Boat ramps will reopen Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Restaurants on Lakewood Main Street began to see customers come back on Monday. They will have more space for them beginning Friday.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2020
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch closes to traffic to give restaurants more seating capacity

Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch restaurants open May 4 at 25% capacity under state guidelines.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 4, 2020
Life on Longboat

Photos from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Town Commission met virtually for the second time on Monday, May 4.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 4, 2020
Longboat begins assessing COVID impact on budget

Town Manager Tom Harmer and town finance director Susan Smith presented their early analysis to the Town Commission on Monday afternoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 4, 2020
Lawsuit challenging county's redistricting plan denied in federal court

A lawsuit that claimed Sarasota County's new district lines were unlawful was denied in federal court.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Customers sit outside Pastry Art Bakery Cafe on Monday afternoon, the first day outdoor dining was allowed following a statewide stay-at-home order associated with COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 4, 2020
Reopening begins in Sarasota

The public can resume some activity that had been restricted to limit the spread of COVID-19, including outdoor dining and parking at county beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 4, 2020
Cops Corner: Good to go

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Veteran Herman Martinez participates in the 2019 Tribute to Heroes Parade. The 2020 event was cancelled Monday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 4, 2020
Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch cancelled

Lakewood Ranch community asked to participate in a virtual tribute on Memorial Day.

  • East County
  • News
Unicorp in March of 2018 gained town approval  to develop a St. Regis branded hotel and condo complex at the 18 acre site at 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive, a parcel that has been empty since the last building was demolished in 2019.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 4, 2020
Colony trial averted with deal for 75 units

Unicorp, Adams agree to terms after squabble over confidential settlement's missed original closing date.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's James Rivera.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 4, 2020
Daily sports memories: May 4

Track and field championships highlight this date for Sarasota and East County athletes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Some stores and restaurants will have modified hours at Sarasota's Mall at UTC.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2020
Sarasota's Mall at University Town Center to reopen Wednesday

Mall at UTC takes safety precautions as it reopens this week.

  • East County
  • News
The courts at the Longboat Key Tennis Center have been closed since March 22 aside from some maintenance work.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 4, 2020
Longboat Key Tennis Center to reopen with restrictions

The Tennis Center has been closed since March 22 because of concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 1, 2020
Longboat condo installs Mini Reefs underneath docks

The idea behind the Mini Reef is to improve the ecosystem for marine life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Workers began on routing electricity for the temporary trailer just north of the existing Station 92.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 1, 2020
Longboat Key firefighters prepare to use temporary south-side fire station

A rebuilt Station 92 is scheduled to open in April 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
"Pacarette" is one of the feature films in the 2020 Sarasota Film Festival.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 1, 2020
Sarasota Film Festival extended through May 10

The festival, presented online due to COVID-19, will be shown for an extra week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction crews are building a roundabout at the intersection near the Sarasota Quay site. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 1, 2020
Fruitville Road closure to continue near U.S. 41

Although eastbound lanes on Fruitville Road at U.S. 41 were scheduled to reopen today, construction will keep all lanes closed for a few more days.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 1, 2020
Christie, Dungy, Farrow headline RCLA's 2021 schedule

Pair of postponed events from 2020 will be presented in November.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • May 1, 2020
Evan and Alexander Rees

Twins Evan and Alexander Rees were surprised by Cardinal Mooney High School with signs brought to their home celebrating their graduation.

  • East County
  • Celebrations
Unit 501 at 1301 Main St. was built in 2016. It has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,912 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 1, 2020
Main Street condo sells for $2.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 20-24.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The home at 426 Meadow Lark Drive was built in 1970 with four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,415 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 1, 2020
Bird Key home sells for $1.335 million.

Residential real estate transactions for April 20-24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Free coronavirus testing will be available to Manatee County residents on Saturday at four sites.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 30, 2020
MCR Health offers free coronavirus testing for Manatee County residents.

Sarasota, Bradenton and Parrish will host free coronavirus collection sites.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 30

Cindy Leder captured this sunset at Beach Place on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: April 30

MaryAnn Parks captured this image of a gallunule at Celery Fields in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2020
East County weather page photo: April 30

Greenfield Plantation’s Marissa Veith captures this rabbit at Heritage Harbour Golf and Eatery.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The annual powerboat event draws large crowds to Lido Key and downtown Sarasota every summer. Photo courtesy Pete Boden.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix postponed

Organizers said they will attempt to reschedule the annual event, originally set to take place June 26-28, later in the year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota County to reopen beach parking, tennis courts

County leaders also are looking at plans to reopen basketball courts and dog parks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kimberly Cullen cheers on students at Sarasota High School as they pick up their caps and gowns.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 30, 2020
Teachers find ways to connect with seniors during final weeks

Teachers in the Sarasota County Schools district reflect on the final weeks with the 2020 senior class.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mitsi Corcoran
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota Schools leaders consider budget options

Sarasota leaders are looking at the Great Recession as a guide for its budget plans for the next five years.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Manatee County has announced meeting schedule changes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2020
Manatee County announces meeting schedule changes

Manatee County commissioners' summer schedules have been altered.

  • East County
  • News
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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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