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Your Observer

Sarasota NAACP President Trevor Harvey and Jamie Kahns.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 4, 2019
NAACP celebrates 34th annual Freedom Awards Banquet

The Sarasota County Branch NAACP presented eight awards on Oct. 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A 75-year-old Lakewood Ranch man died in a three-car crash Wednesday on State Road 70.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 3, 2019
Lakewood Ranch man dies in three-car crash on State Road 70

Gary Peak, 75, died at the scene.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 3, 2019
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key welcomes new president

Lynn Larson takes the mantle from Steve Branham at the club's meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 3, 2019
Lakewood Ranch man killed in traffic crash

Lakewood Ranch man killed in traffic crash at S.R. 70 and Greenbrook Boulevard.

  • East County
  • News
The 103 stories left by Ray Turk Sr.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 3, 2019
A glimpse into 1944's South Pacific

A Sarasota man discovered his father’s war correspondence reports from World War II.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
District 2 resident Tom Matrullo and District 1 resident Glenna Blomquist look at maps to determine how their districts would be affected.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 3, 2019
Sarasota County leaders hear criticisms of redrawn maps

Through a series of open houses, residents speak up about new districts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lauren Glynn and McKinley Moore. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 3, 2019
Lakewood Ranch area girls' cancer battle inspire fundraising gala

Lakewood Ranch Moms Group supports families impacted by cancer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: October 3

Jeannie Sparks captured a pretty cardinal at Celery Fields in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2019
East County weather page photo: October 3

Peter Miller captured this tree frog after a rain storm in Edgewater Sound in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: October 3

Tom McGee captured an image of this family of black skimmers on Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney senior boys golfer Noah Kumar, here hitting a drive on the first hole at Laurel Oak Country Club, is ranked No. 1 in Florida by the FHSAA and 92nd nationally by Junior Golf Scorecard.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 3, 2019
Cardinal Mooney boys golfer has climbed state and national leaderboards

The senior is committed to Florida Southern College.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Blazers go through blocking drills in practice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 3, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Blazers volleyball plays up to their competition

Sarasota Christian is a small program with a big spirit.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Ashtyn O'Shea.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 3, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ashtyn O'Shea

The senior talks Southeastern University and the setter position.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • October 3, 2019
Should we stop worrying and learn to love the roundabouts?

Florida has more roundabouts than any other state, but that doesn't mean locals and snowbirds are more comfortable with them.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The St. Armands BID is working with an architecture firm to modify the previously approved design of the restroom structure, depicted above.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2019
St. Armands Circle leaders tinker with bathroom plan

As it pursues a new direction for the design of a freestanding public restroom, a St. Armands group hopes the project is complete within a year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Accessory dwelling units can either be attached to a primary residence or located in a separate structure, such as this unit located above a parking garage in Laurel Park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2019
Sarasota County approves accessory dwelling unit plan

Sarasota County has authorized the construction of smaller residences on many single-family properties in hopes of providing more affordable housing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jerry Fogle and John Kretzer, manager of landscape operations, helped oversee the construction of the playground that opened Wednesday, Oct. 1 at Pioneer Park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2019
City continues to prioritize parks and recreation

The official launch of a park district is an opportunity for the city of Sarasota to improve its public parks and continue long-term strategic work, officials say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Lido Beach Restaurant is closed through December as the city renovates the concession property.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2019
Changes in store for Lido Beach pavilion

As the city begins work on renovating the pavilion property, it is also negotiating with a new concession operator to oversee food and drink services.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.3.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
One of the central points of contention regarding the Selby Gardens master plan is the scale of a proposed parking garage. The application calls for a building up to 75 feet tall with a rooftop restaurant.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2019
Divided Planning Board endorses Selby Gardens proposal

Despite some reservations, a majority of the advisory board recommended approval of the contentious master plan, which will now go to the City Commission for review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • October 2, 2019
Craig Howard Wheeler

Craig Howard Wheeler died peacefully at home surrounded by his family in Longboat Key, Florida on September 28, 2019 at the age of 68.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Robert Hueter attaches a satellite tag to a bull shark during a study in 2016. Bull sharks are one of the migratory shark species that PERC will focus on. Photo by Olivia Raney/Mote Marine Laboratory
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 2, 2019
Mote Marine Laboratory to study shark life history and sustainability

The laboratory will join other research outlets to study migratory marine species.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • October 2, 2019
Richard D. Levin

Richard D. Levin passed away at his home in Saraso­ta, FL September 24th.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 2, 2019
Lakewood Ranch area school promotes bicycle, pedestrian safety

Lakewood Ranch area school promotes bicycle, pedestrian safety

  • East County
  • News
From left, Lakewood Ranch High School senior Mariette Tomlinson, Braden River High School senior Madigan Wilford and Lakewood Ranch High School senior Joey Robertson beam with pride claiming the top prizes in the essay contest.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
Constitution's blessings praised in essays from East County seniors

Three East County seniors claim top prizes in School District of Manatee County's Constitution Day essay contest

  • East County
  • News
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School second grade teacher Martha Ferra, left, is teaching with her daughter, third grade teacher Xiomara Cappiello, for the first time.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
Teaching together at McNeal Elementary School

Teaching runs in the family at McNeal Elementary School

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School senior Claire Davidson is a 2020 National Merit Scholar semifinalist. She earned a score of 1470 on the PSAT.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
East County students score big on PSAT

Three East County seniors qualify as National Merit Scholar semifinalists

  • East County
  • News
Doug Spencer and Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 2, 2019
Common ground

National Coffee with a Cop day was Oct. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Wyatt Hossenlopp, runs after the ball while Jake Morales and Aidan Levine fight for it during a scrimmage game of hockey.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
Nolan Middle School students hooked on hockey

Tampa Bay Lightning Street Team introduces hockey at Nolan Middle School

  • East County
  • News
Town leaders are ready to proceed with basic improvements to the Town Center land.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 2, 2019
Longboat's Town Center: The path forward

While work proceeds on a village green site on the town's 4.8 acres, leaders begin the process of figuring out what residents want to come next.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Siesta Key Water Reclamation Facility will be demolished in 2020.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 2, 2019
Siesta Key Water Reclamation Facility demolition slated for 2020

The facility was decommissioned in 2018 and the property is now home to the Siesta Key Master Pump Station

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ryan Kohn puts his might to the test with the NBP Dragons. Photo courtesy Douglas Jessmer.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 2, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Dragon boat is harder than you think

The sport is challenging while remaining fun.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gillette Bauer.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 2, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Gillette Bauer

The ODA senior talks on-court leadership and her love of science.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County Construction Services Manager Tom Yarger talks about different features, including an aquatics center, at the future Premier Sports Campus park expansion during a Sept. 25 public meeting.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 2, 2019
Conceptual Lakewood Ranch park plans revealed by Manatee County

Conceptual Lakewood Ranch park plans revealed by Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
The Waterlefe Community Development District maintains stormwater inlets and other structures that sometimes need repair. Water from the ponds eventually drains into stormwater systems outside the community. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 2, 2019
Manatee County stormwater fee proposal advances

Manatee County proposes new stormwater fee.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County planner Jake Bibler reviews plans for a Taco Bell site in Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 2, 2019
Manatee county responds to development timelines mandated by Legislature

Manatee county responds to new development timelines

  • East County
  • 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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