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Your Observer

Ice Rink Events employee Mike Sampson works to get the ice skating rink at Holidays on the Green ready for visitors. He said it takes about one week to set up.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 13, 2019
Benderson Development readies to bring on the lights in Sarasota, Manatee counties

Benderson Development's Holidays on the Green returns at new location in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
The Heritage Harbour South Community Development District currently maintains the Stoneybrook and Lighthouse Cove communities' stormwater systems. Maintenance is funded through property taxes. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 13, 2019
Stormwater management up for debate in Heritage Harbour communities

Stormwater management up for debate in Heritage Harbour communities

  • East County
  • News
Contractors slow traffic as they complete work on Rye Road. Improvements include widening of the travel lanes and the addition of bicycle lanes and paved shoulder.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 13, 2019
Manatee County's Rye Road project might need additional time

Manatee County's Rye Road project might need additional time

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch residents Sandy Williams and Tony Llamas, with his daughter, Meghan Llamas, worry about safety at the intersection of Post/Greenbrook boulevards at State Road 70. They drive there daily for work and other needs.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 13, 2019
Crashes at Post Boulevard prompt concern in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch residents say immediate action needed to prevent more fatalities.

  • East County
  • News
Kate Walker.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 13, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Kate Walker

The Braden River senior talks overcoming injuries and her goals for the state meet.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tim Swanson listens to testimony about proposed changes to a project near his home in Fairfield during a Nov. 7 land-use meeting.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 13, 2019
Five-story concept rejected in Manatee County

Manatee County commissioners support lower building height near Fairfield.

  • East County
  • News
James Cutway, president of the Suncoast Beekeepers Association and owners of Myakka's Gold Apiary, sells local, raw honey at the Who Knew Pop Up Market at Summerfield Park.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 13, 2019
Honey of a problem in Lakewood Ranch

East County Beekeepers share what to do when you find a bee colony around your home.

  • East County
  • News
A vacuum truck works side by side with the boring crews, often clearing water from the excavation sites.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 13, 2019
Longboat underground utility work makes progress

Decisions coming soon on where the project will head next: into the south-island neighborhoods or farther along on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • November 13, 2019
How to make budgets useful for taxpayers

State and local government budget reporting should shift away from inputs and focus on performance.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Officer Shawn Nagell stands with the safety recognition award he received for his work during the 2019 Click It or Ticket National Campaign. (Courtesy of Town of Longboat Key Police Department)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 13, 2019
Longboat police officer receives safety recognition award

Shawn Nagell earned the award during a national Click It or Ticket campaign

  • Longboat Key
  • News
BJ BishopThe
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 12, 2019
Longboat elections 2020: Five questions with BJ Bishop

Town Commission candidate qualifies for at-large seat campaign.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An initial rendering of Fire Station 13, located on Siesta Key, shows a two-story building that matches the beach facade. Photo courtesy of Sweet Sparkman Architects.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 12, 2019
Work begins soon on new Siesta Key fire station

The station will be built on the same location, at 1170 Beach Road, and will be two stories.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 12, 2019
Bradenton school celebrates freedom

Freedom Elementary School in Bradenton honors military veterans, first responders with Veterans Day ceremony.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 12, 2019
Welcome back, Sarasota: 10 things you missed while you were away

A lot of news happened over the summer. Here's the best of it.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 12, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Marooned on Greer Island

Police Reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 11, 2019
Veterans honored by Longboat Rotary Club on Veterans Day

The club orchestrated a series of moving moments to recognize the sacrifice of American veterans.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
At a Nov. 5 meeting, Todd Bowden initially offered to step down from the superintendent role in exchange for a 10-year executive director contract paying him $175,000 annually.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 11, 2019
Bowden agrees to part ways with school district

After the Sarasota County School Board put the superintendent on 30-day notice, a “mutual separation agreement” is set to bring an end to his tenure effective Dec. 31.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Letter writer wants to see road improvements.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • November 11, 2019
Letters to the editor

Letter writer hopes for improvement on dangerous Lakewood Ranch roads.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Herman Martinez and Jerry Hufford stand alongside the Circle of Honor memorial that was dedicated by the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters and the Pulte Group Southwest Florida Division at Del Webb.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 11, 2019
Del Webb unveils veterans memorial in Lakewood Ranch

Veterans Day ceremony presented by the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters at Del Webb Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The work at the playground is expected to continue through mid-December.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 11, 2019
Payne Park playground project begins Tuesday

The Circus Park Playground will be closed for about a month as the city works to resurface the grounds and upgrade landscaping.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Herman Martinez, commander of the Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters, said his organization honored Reinhard Edward Bauer during a Veterans Day ceremony.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 11, 2019
University Park of Sarasota veteran recalls horrors of World War II

Edward Bauer, a U.S. Marine who served during World War II, recalls the horrors of the atomic bomb.

  • East County
  • News
Lori Lockhart and Karen Howe
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Arlington Park takes center stage at Porchfest

The fourth annual event took place in Nov. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ralph Franklin, 99, cuts the birthday cake with a sword.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Marine Corps celebrate 244th birthday with a Sarasota gathering

Veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps gathered Nov. 10 at Marina Jack to celebrate birthday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Katie Dick, 9, picks out her new mug.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Bowls of Hope: A day for soup and appreciation

The 17th annual event was held on Nov. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 11, 2019
Michael's On East delivers 425 lobsters to New College Foundation clambake

Lobster armies and therapy horses headline a busy week.

  • Black Tie
Ryan Praerke and Kendra Simpkins, co-founders of Operation Warrior Resolution.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Sarasota's Veterans Day parade salutes those who served

Young and old take part in the annual celebration of veterans.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 11, 2019
Fashion for a cause in East County

Tara Golf and Country Club social committee hosts fashion show for charity

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 11, 2019
LBKTW helps memorialize members

Longtime member Lucinda Hathaway passed away this summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Shelley Bartlett, Melissa Herring and Whitney Rivera.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 10, 2019
Longboat Key Firefighters Association raises over $20,000

The annual golf fundraiser brought in money for the benevolent fund.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Judy Ebrahim and Gail Hetler catch up.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 10, 2019
Christ Church waves hello to members once again

Food, friends and faith combine again on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Volunteer runway model Nicole Bradley wears clothes from Twist Boutique in Venice while taking a rescue dog for a walk during Divas and Dogs.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2019
Dog walk makes fashion statement in Sarasota

Divas and Dogs fundraiser at the Founders Club raises money for the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 10, 2019
Longboat Key Fire Department thanks community, staff

Department's first Medal Day honors those who serve and those who help.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 10, 2019
Waterlefe Art Show raises money for local schools in East County

Waterlefe Art Show benefits Haile Middle and Freedom Elementary school students.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 10, 2019
Suncoast Food and Wine Fest ages well in Lakewood Ranch

Thousands enjoy annual Suncoast Food and Wine Fest in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 9, 2019
Tara Elementary honors its veterans in Bradenton

Tara Elementary School honors veterans and first responders during Veterans Day ceremony.

  • East County
  • News
The Pirates take the field through a cloud of smoke.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 8, 2019
Pirates football falls in first round of playoffs

Braden River gave Palmetto all it could handle, but it was not enough.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest News

1
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
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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