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Your Observer

Caitlin Loewe and Kat Grimmett pick flowers.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 22, 2019
Sarasota schools celebrate farm to school month

Farm to School is an initiative from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 22, 2019
Report of the Independent Investigation of Cheraina Bonner's Complaints

Prepared for Sarasota County School Board Oct. 16.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Bradenton's Nadine O'Connor won the first Bingo game of the night to claim a designer purse.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 21, 2019
Bingo calls Sisters to action

Sisterhood for Good hosts Designer Bag Bingo in Lakewood Ranch to raise money for charity.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Whitehouses have been volunteering at the Phillippi Farmhouse Market for a collective 17 years. Fred, who is the market manager, has been there for 11 years and Grace, who runs the welcome tent, has volunteered there for six.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 21, 2019
Sarasota couple awarded Florida voluntary service award

The Whitehouses have volunteered at the Phillippi Farmhouse market for a collective 17 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
One of the topics likely appear on the survey is a question about the possibility of someday eliminating the county border that splits the town between Manatee and Sarasota counties.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 21, 2019
One-county question likely on town's citizen survey

Residents will be asked about key issues, customer service in early 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 21, 2019
Impasse-settlement hearing planned for Nov. 20

Retirement system is main sticking point in police contract talks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 21, 2019
Slime squishes its way into Sarasota

The first-ever Slime Festival took place at Robarts Arena on Oct. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sararsota Farmers Market has been operating north of Main Street as the city and private developer worked on construction projects to the south.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 21, 2019
Sarasota Farmers Market returns to South Lemon

The market is moving back to its old location along Lemon and State Street after a period of construction caused it to temporarily relocate to the north.

  • Sarasota
  • News
To Sarasota students, this artwork is what health looks like.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 21, 2019
Students’ art takes top prizes

Sarasota students participated in a Southwest Florida wide art contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch ponds are used to collect stormwater runoff.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 21, 2019
Manatee County schedules stormwater informational meetings

Manatee County schedules stormwater informational meetings in Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Five beach hot spots are targeted for renourishment in the next five years.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 21, 2019
Town presses ahead with beach-borrowing ballot issue

Commissioners would formally discuss, take first of two votes in early November on language.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alex Peric poses with Gilly the shark.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 21, 2019
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium holds scary fun Halloween event

The annual event brought out the creative costumes and scientific minds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tom and Barbara Gardner.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 21, 2019
Bird Key Yacht Club parties on despite rain

Members of the club still got together for an evening celebration — indoors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Woman in White (Yvonne Clark) was a haunting figure during The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 20, 2019
Headless Horseman arrives day late in Lakewood Ranch

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has a successful run a day late at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Town Hall is located at 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 20, 2019
Suncoast Blood Bank to host Lakewood Ranch blood drive

The event will be Oct. 21 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Adding to the north end of the basketball court would allow that area to accommodate two new pickleball courts and a half-court for basketball.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 20, 2019
Longboat leaders working to solve dilemma of how to expand pickleball on island

Options include several variations that could cut into other popular amenities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 20, 2019
Runners triumph at First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon

The event made adjustments in light of the rainy weekend, but carried on strong.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Thousands enjoy the corn maze during the 2018 Hunsader Farms' Pumpkin Festival. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 19, 2019
Hunsader Farms cancels Pumpkin Festival due to rainfall

Hunsader Farms' cancels Pumpkin Festival due to rain

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 18, 2019
Mustangs football gets rain-soaked victory over Dixie Hollins

The weather made things sloppy, but Lakewood Ranch's defense held firm.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 18, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Block Party & Club Day draws huge crowd

Lakewood Ranch Block Party and Club Day offers residents a look at communities to live in, clubs to join and businesses around the area.

  • East County
  • News
Children enjoy a train ride during the 2017 Pumpkin Festival. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 18, 2019
Inclement weather forces changes to Sarasota, Manatee county events

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival and 'Legends of Sleepy Hollow' all modify schedules.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 18, 2019
Longboat first responders restart shock victim's heart

Rescuers arrived to find man with no pulse.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The eatery will offer a variety of Neapolitan style pizzas. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 18, 2019
Doughbie Bros. Pizza opens at University Town Center plaza

Doughbie Bros. Pizza opens at Benderson's University Town Center in Sarasota-Manatee area.

  • East County
  • News
The first phase of The Bay Sarasota's park project is the source of concern for some residents near the site, but bayfront leaders are confident there's substantial public support for the design they've produced.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 17, 2019
The Bay Sarasota fields questions on phase one plans

At a community workshop Wednesday, residents living along Boulevard of the Arts continued to raise concerns about the layout of the park project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The suspect was stopped at 9:10 a.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 17, 2019
Nolan Middle School student charged with making threats

Nolan Middle School student arrested after making threats

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 17, 2019
Sarasota Military Academy employee named STEM Teacher of the Year

Todd Brown received recognition for his "Inspire Project" curriculum.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The 2019 youth delegates for the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 17, 2019
Sarasota teen sparks passion at world summit

Abigail Koester was chosen as one of the youth delegates for the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: October 17

Sheila Pies caught this image of an American bald eagle at Blackburn Point Park in Osprey.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2019
East County weather page photo: October 17

Connie Callison captured this beautiful hibiscus flowering in her yard in Rosedale Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: October 17

Tahniya Smith captured this reflecting sunset on Greer Island, Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jeanette Gardner stretches during the song "YMCA."
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 17, 2019
Sarasota YMCAs finding a new norm after changing ownership

New leaders had to start from ground zero, rehiring employees and finding new members.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 17, 2019
Sarasota County Schools are safe, says Florida assessment

The Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool is broken down into seven categories to asses the health and safety of school districts.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Neal Signature Homes' Palmavera model is in Country Club East. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 17, 2019
Lakewood Ranch launches 2019 Tour of Homes

Lakewood Ranch Tour of Homes kicks off with more than 90 models, move-in ready homes to view.

  • East County
  • News
Benderson Development proposes a multiuse project including retail, residential and commercial at Tamiami Trail and Stickney Point Road.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 17, 2019
Both sides in Siesta Promenade state their cases

Developer rejects residents' contention that project was improperly approved.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tampa Bay Mobile Mammography brings 3D screening straight to patients. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 17, 2019
Sarasota County Schools offers mobile mammography screenings

More than 270 participated in the pilot program, which was at 18 district locations.

  • Health
Tray Hall has made in impact at Riverview after transferring from Cardinal Mooney.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 17, 2019
Riverview running back has been wearing out opposing defenses

The Rams senior keeps the offense steady.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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