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Your Observer

Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer is pictured.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 3, 2020
Longboat Key town manager on pandemic: ‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint’

Town Manager Tom Harmer said the coronavirus pandemic is different than other emergency-response events he's experienced in the past.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Volunteer Washington Hill reads to a kindergarten class at Fruitville Elementary.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 3, 2020
Embracing our Differences sends message of inclusivity through literacy

The not-for-profit organization gifts each student a book during its Reading Day event.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Do: Find a fun background. It'll liven up that daily meeting without showing your dimly lit apartment.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 3, 2020
Tips for successful videoconferencing

Having trouble getting used to working from home? We can help.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates, the nonprofit that runs Nathan Benderson Park, has made modifications to access but is keeping the park open.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 3, 2020
Sarasota park remains open during pandemic

Nathan Benderson Park officials will keep the park open but ask public to practice social distancing.

  • East County
  • News
Five trailers were stolen from a Bradenton RV lot.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 2, 2020
Thieves camp out at Bradenton RV lot, steal five trailers

Bradenton RV lot hit with theft of five trailers.

  • East County
  • News
East County, including Jiggs Landing, could be under a curfew beginning Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 2, 2020
Manatee County could set curfew Friday

Manatee County commissioners will consider setting a curfew on Friday.

  • East County
  • News
Kellie and Grace Menke with their English bulldog Dozer.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • April 2, 2020
Cuddle up for virtual stories from Church of the Redeemer

Jacki Boedecker, director of Children’s Christian Formation, started ‘Goodnight Redeemer’ to help the community stay connected.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Weston Spoon, Courtney Hessell and Lynne Byrd with loggerhead sea turtle Chipi.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • April 2, 2020
Bon voyage, Chipi!

After 149 days in Mote's care, once-stranded loggerhead was released into the Gulf of Mexico on March 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 2, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 2

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 2, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: April 2

Chris Tarrant snapped this shot of a southern toad on Siesta Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 2, 2020
East County weather page photo: April 2

David Maloney captured the full moon over Tara Preserve.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Mark Clark, CFP®, CKA®
  • April 2, 2020
Are Your Assets Protected During This Pandemic?

Are Your Assets Protected During This Pandemic?

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The face masks will be reusable.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • April 2, 2020
From purses to masks

BSWANKY is making the move from handbags to face masks amid the coronavirus epidemic.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 2, 2020
Flora's flowers

One of St. Armands' statues is sporting a new hat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 2, 2020
Closed Sarasota beaches attract shorebirds weeks ahead of schedule

Local official says shorebirds could see a more successful season as a result of beach closures.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 2, 2020
School board debates whether superintendent search will be slowed

Some board members say the search should press on while others say coronavirus response should be top priority.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 2, 2020
Sarasota schools adjust to online learning

Following state directives, students in the Sarasota County School district will learn online until at least May 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Longboat Key Town Commission met on March 23. It will be the last in-person meeting the commission has for the foreseeable future because of the coronavirus pandemic.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 2, 2020
How to watch, participate in Monday’s virtual Longboat Key Town Commission meeting

The Longboat Key Town Commission is meeting electronically to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
About 20 or so people attended the Longboat Key Statutory Meeting on Monday, March 23. Town staff did its best to space out the chairs to practice appropriate social distancing amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 2, 2020
Longboat Key cancels Goals and Objectives meeting, others in April

There are still plans to hold April's Longboat Key Town Commission meeting electronically.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mote Marine Aquarium offers a livestream of its manatees swimming on its website.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • April 2, 2020
Stay busy, Sarasota : 19 ideas for staying active during self-isolation

The coronavirus pandemic might be keeping us in self-isolation, but that doesn't mean it needs to be boring.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The town's Linley Street boat ramp was closed at the same time Manatee County closed its county-operated ramps.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 2, 2020
Linley Street boat ramp shut down

Commercial fishermen can use the boat ramp on Coquina Beach, the town announced.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Robbie Peterson Jr. was named freshman of the year on the Aurora University football team. Photo courtesy Steve Woltmann photography.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 2, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Sarasota High alumnus lends helping hand

A former Sailors football player gives back to his community in a time of need.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 2, 2020
Longboat Key looks ahead to beach plan implementation

The town is still figuring out "pre-construction related services" and how much to spend of the $34.5 million available.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 2, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 4.2.20

Enjoy this week’s edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Activity on St. Armands Circle has significantly slowed during what would typically be the height of season, a cause for great concern among merchants in the area.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 2, 2020
Merchants seek assistance during business slowdown

With rent and other expenses still looming during a public health emergency, storeowners and commercial landlords are exploring new arrangements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital has 28 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2020
Two more COVID-19 patients die at Sarasota Memorial Hospital

The hospital is implementing new safety protocols in hopes of limiting the spread of the disease within the facility.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 1, 2020
Manatee County Sheriff's Office warns of coronavirus phone scams

Many Americans are expected to receive government stimulus payments in the next three weeks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A group assembled near sunset Tuesday at Indian Beach Park. The city has prohibited social gatherings of more than 10 people, but some officials think further regulations are necessary to limit the spread of COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2020
Statewide shutdown brings end to Sarasota stay-at-home debate

Local officials have expressed different perspectives on what measures are appropriate to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 1, 2020
Governor issues 30-day stay-at-home order

The executive order will last at least 30 days.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 1, 2020
Southside Elementary kicks off online learning with parade

Teachers drove past students' houses to get them excited for online learning.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Five-year-old Liam O'Dell, with his mother, Angie O'Dell, says he felt like he was "in the woods" the first time he hunted outside for teddy bears. Angie O'Dell said it's a fun way to help distract him from playing with friends.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2020
Bear necessities create sense of community in Manatee County

Teddy bears add fun for neighborhood children in River Place.

  • East County
  • News
Tara Community Development District Supervisor Darby Conner said not all residents were pleased the CDD closed amenities, but the CDD was encouraged to do so by its insurance company.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2020
Some pool closures cause frustration in Manatee County

Some residents irked with HOAs' decisions to shut down neighborhood amenities.

  • East County
  • News
Kim Spruance, a Greyhawk Landing resident, kisses her new puppy, Bonita Chica.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 1, 2020
Community comes to pets' rescue in East County

Community comes to pets' rescue in East County

  • East County
  • News
Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch's Carrie Mueller is using a simple pattern to create masks for healthcare providers with Tidewell Hospice. She's coordinating with about 15 other sewers in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2020
Mask motivation supports healthcare workers in Lakewood Ranch area

East County residents are on a mission to make a difference during coronavirus outbreak.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High senior Richie Morales steps up to the plate. Baseball is one of the sports on hold for the foreseeable future.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 1, 2020
East County high schools feel effects of sports stoppage

Three athletic directors talk the impact of not hosting events and more.

  • East County
  • Sports
The intersection of White Eagle Boulevard and State Road 70 now meets state criteria for signalization.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2020
Safety improvement in works in Lakewood Ranch

White Eagle/S.R. 70 signal should be online in 3 months in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
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Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
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2
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  • June 24, 2026
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This house in Plantation Oaks is advertised on several booking platforms as sleeping up to 32 guests.
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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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A visitor to Sarasota Art Museum takes a photo of David Hockney's "Inside It Opens Up As Well," which collector Stanton Storer loaned to the museum for "Something Borrowed, Something New."
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