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Your Observer

The vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed a 15-year-old boy Wednesday morning just north of Lakewood Ranch was found by FHP.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 24, 2019
UPDATE: FHP finds hit-and-run vehicle, but no arrest in death of 15-year-old near Lakewood Ranch

FHP searches for a 2012-2015 Toyota Tacoma after the crash near the intersection of Upper Manatee River Road and Waterlefe Boulevard.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: October 24

Michael Cohen captured this image of a feeding heron on South Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2019
East County weather page photo: October 24

Bill Turnbull captured this Eagle rebuilding his nest on White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: October 24

Unusual wave-made sand formations were photographed at Turtle Beach on Siesta Key by Richard Wulterkens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Chiles Group has applied to the town to build a 98-spot lot and an office on property between an empty bank and Whitney Plaza.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 24, 2019
Mar Vista seeks OK for satellite HR office, parking lot on Longboat

300 square foot office, 98 spaces proposed for land near Whitney Plaza.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Lynn Larson was officially installed in office earlier this month.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 24, 2019
Conversation with Lynn Larson, president of Longboat Key Kiwanis

She talks about a new benefactor for the Lawn Party, attracting members and how the community can help out.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The success center at Riverview High School is set up informally so students can move the seats into various configurations.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 24, 2019
Student Success Centers put focus on post-secondary life

The centers are located at Riverview High, North Port High and now Sarasota High.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
SRO Chip Cone and Ashton Elementary Principal Kristi Jarvis
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 24, 2019
Special guests serve kids lunch

School Lunch Week is a national initiative.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Girls, Inc. recently installed more than 550 solar panels to help save on energy costs.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 24, 2019
Sarasota County organizations launch sustainability initiative

Partners for Green Places offers nonprofits an energy audit to help save on energy costs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jordyn Byrd and Anna Klemeyer practice blocking during practice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 24, 2019
Cardinal Mooney volleyball finds its groove as playoffs intensify

The Cougars were in a rut, then they weren't. What changed? Even the team doesn't know for sure.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Debbie Robertson and Laura Clearie go through their routine. They won a silver medal for their duet performance.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 24, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Ladies win in unison

Sarasota masters swimmers take synchronized gold medal.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Mike Dowling coached the Cardinal Mooney football team for 30 years. Photo courtesy Melissa Tomasso.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 24, 2019
Celebration of life for former Mooney coach set for this weekend

Mike Dowling, who also worked as a history teacher, died in April at age 70.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rachel Jarrett.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 24, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Rachel Jarrett

The Cardinal Mooney runner talks her next time goal and getting mentally prepared to race.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Project opponents and supporters packed the commission chambers at an advisory board hearing regarding the proposal in September.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 24, 2019
City Commission preps for Selby Gardens hearing

Sarasota officials are making arrangements in case a special hearing on the contentious master plan proposal runs long.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 24, 2019
Affordable Housing: How far can my dollar go?

For many in the Sarasota-Manatee area, the prospect of finding a reasonably priced home seems bleak.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 24, 2019
Affordable Housing: For developers, residential projects come with costs, risks

Homebuilders say the incentive to build affordable housing in Sarasota isn't strong enough for most companies.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.24.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 24, 2019
Affordable Housing: In common professions, wages prove insufficient

In nine of the 10 fastest-growing professions in Sarasota County, average income isn't enough to afford fair market rent for a one-bedroom apartment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Prospective tenant Roberta Echard chats with Grand Living residents Judy Albert and Marji Tronvold, who both moved in Oct. 1.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 23, 2019
Grand opening for Lakewood Ranch retirement community

Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch opens in Sarasota County.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 23, 2019
Sarasota Police continue investigating fatal August crash

Truck driver was killed in incident on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Free family is excited about the installation of a playground at Risen Savior Lutheran. It marks the start of a preschool program. Pictured are Kristin and Pastor Caleb Free with their children, JoJo, Clay and Aaron.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 23, 2019
Lakewood Ranch church aims to open preschool

Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Lakewood Ranch preps for preschool opening.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 23, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Helping out with medical calls

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Brooke McDerment looks at her third grade daughter Celia's zootopia she made in class during a student-led conference. Celia McDerment dedicated the zootopia to her mother.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2019
Bashaw Elementary students take the lead in conferences

Bashaw Elementary School student-led conferences allow students to take ownership of their work

  • East County
  • News
Juniors Mikayla Stokes and Brianna Noon and seniors Lucy Crank and Angelina Ortiz practice playing together as a quartet. With different schedules, finding times to practice can be difficult.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2019
Lakewood Ranch High School quartet sets tone for orchestra

Quartet performs in East County to promote Lakewood Ranch High School orchestra program

  • East County
  • News
Dick Vitale, Ava Krug, Sydney Sforzo, Connor Krug, Ryan Sforzo and Jake Krug. Photo courtesy Dick Vitale.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 23, 2019
Practice time just dandy for Dick Vitale to watch his family

The Hall of Famer talks his grandkids ahead of his annual college tennis tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Abby Simpson. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2019
McNeal Elementary student spreads the love

McNeal Elementary student spreads the love through goodie bags

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said the Sheriff's Office is working to address the community's needs, and understands people are frustrated with traffic, in particular.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 23, 2019
Manatee County Sheriff's Office looks to hire 10 deputies

Sheriff's Office will need time to train 10 new deputies financed by budget increase.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Thomas Luzier
  • October 23, 2019
My View: Time for a reality check on Selby

Not in my backyard opposition to master plan has played out to an extreme.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Neighbors Danny Chappell and Ron Hunniford look at a map of the site on which Manatee Ranches wants to place a "country store." They say the site, behind them, should not be developed commercially.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 23, 2019
Intersection site proposed for development in Myakka area

Land owner seeks approvals for commercial development near CR 675/S.R. 70 intersection.

  • East County
  • News
Gene Witt Elementary Principal David Marshall
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2019
Gene Witt Elementary renovation put on pause

Gene Witt Elementary School renovations on hold as School Board of Manatee County member approaches state about replacement.

  • East County
  • News
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione says growth in tourism will come from a hotel and expansion of the existing convention center, as well as tourism in East County.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 23, 2019
Lakewood Ranch area future of tourism growth in Manatee County?

Lakewood Ranch area future of tourism growth in Manatee County?

  • East County
  • News
Fairfield resident Brian Dunne stand at the center of his community, where the pool and mailboxes are located. Behind him is an unobstructed skyline. He and others worry about the visual impact a five-story building could have.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 23, 2019
Fairfield residents oppose planned five-story building in Manatee County

Fairfield residents worry about views, traffic with proposed Bradenton plaza changes.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 23, 2019
Sarasota County School Board must leave a positive legacy

Superintendent Todd Bowden’s handling of the sexual harassment charges against the district COO demonstrates he is not a good fit, nor fit for the job.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Sarasota Orchestra announced last year it planned to move out of the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, but it has not yet selected a location to build a new concert hall.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 22, 2019
City renews conversation about Sarasota Orchestra venue

After the City Commission rejected a proposal to build a concert hall at Payne Park, some city officials want to reiterate their support for retaining the orchestra.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kylo Phillips, 3, tries on a pair of vision impairment goggles.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 22, 2019
Mobility Challenge takes over Selby Library

Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center celebrated White Cane Safety Day with Mobility Challenge Without Sight on Oct. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
After removing hundreds of Australian pines from John Ringling Causeway, the city will create a wider path between St. Armands Circle and the Coon Key Bridge.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 22, 2019
Work set to begin on Coon Key trail

After some St. Armands merchants expressed concern about the timing of the project, the city is attempting to accelerate a portion of the construction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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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