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Your Observer

Girl Scouts Maia Bacchus, 8, left, and Olivia Hedrick, 7, right, use puffy paint to make non-slip socks for patients at Heartland Health Care Center as Hedrick's mom, Sara, watches as a parent volunteer.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 18, 2019
Girl Scouts need local volunteers in Lakewood Ranch

Girl Scouts need volunteers in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Alana Kutt has advanced to the regional finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 18, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Local golfer's drive sends her to major event

Alana Kutt is headed to TPC Sawgrass on Sept. 28 for the Drive, Chip and Putt regionals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gracie Marston.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 18, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Gracie Marston

The Braden River sophomore talks her running origins and how her motivations have changed.

  • East County
  • Sports
Dan, Katie and Robert Powers are excited Manatee County has agreed to rename a baseball field at Lakewood Ranch Park in honor of Matthew Powers, who played baseball there.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 18, 2019
Tragedy sparks year of change in Manatee County

State, local officials look for ways to speed up safety improvements following teenagers' deaths.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 18, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: I'm fine . . . really

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Superintendent Todd Bowden speaks with a student at Alta Vista Elementary. Photo courtesy Sarasota Schools.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 17, 2019
Sarasota School Board rates Bowden as 'highly effective'

In its annual evaluation, the school board rated superintendent Todd Bowden as highly effective and awarded him a $5,000 bonus.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Although more detailed plans are still forthcoming, The Bay has refined its vision since first presenting a conceptual proposal for Phase 1 in September 2018.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 17, 2019
City Commission endorses bayfront park plans

City officials approved the latest proposal for the first phase of The Bay Sarasota project, though additional planning work remains.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • September 17, 2019
Marlene L. Yohe (Mickey)

Marlene L. Yohe (Mickey) 87 years passed peacefully Sept. 5 at Santa Barbara, CA where she was living with her husband, and near to her daughter and family.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
County officials, fire department personnel and officials from Willis A. Smith Construction broke ground on the Apex Road Fire Station.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 17, 2019
Sarasota County officials break ground on fire station

The fire station is located on Apex Road, near Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • News
University Park Country Club co-owner John Neal and University Park Recreation District Chairman Bob Wood are pleased Manatee County 12th Judicial District Judge Edward Nicholas approved the issuance of bonds.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 17, 2019
Judge OKs University Park Country Club purchase

Manatee County Judge OKs bonds for University Park Country Club purchase.

  • East County
  • News
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Executive Director Dari Oglesby and Amy Caron carry in a rescued dog.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 16, 2019
Lakewood Ranch rescue takes homeless dogs from the Bahamas

Dogs left homeless by Hurricane Dorian have found shelter at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Allan Mestel and his work.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 16, 2019
Up close and personal: Longboat Key photographer makes an impact with recent exhibit

Allan Mestel showcases the humanity of all people in an exhibit spanning over two and a half years of work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Guest Author
  • September 16, 2019
You Observed: Temple Emanu-El families enjoy Shofar Blowout

The event taught the children of the temple about the significance of Rosh Hashanah.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 16, 2019
Parents become students at Fruitville Elementary

Parents had the chance to step inside the classroom during Sarasota School's "Bring Your Parent to Work Week."

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 16, 2019
Pine View Association and Barnes and Noble created a Read-A-Thon for Sarasota kids

The event got kids up and excited about reading.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 16, 2019
Pedestrian killed in U.S. 41 incident, FHP says

Car had green signal as it approached Gulf Gate Drive, report shows.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The first of three public meetings will be hosted at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 16, 2019
Manatee County seeks input on Lakewood Ranch library

Manatee County seeks input on Lakewood Ranch library

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 14, 2019
Riverview High School staff member dismissed after altercation involving student

School district police are still investigating the circumstances of the incident.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 14, 2019
Braden River Bluegrass Festival draws big crowd to Linger Lodge in Bradenton

Linger Lodge in Manatee County hosts Braden River Bluegrass Festival

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 14, 2019
It's time to play ball in Heritage Harbour

Cal Ripken league opens fall season in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
East County football roundup: 09.13.19
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 13, 2019
East County football roundup: 09.13.19

For the second week in a row, Lakewood Ranch, Braden River and ODA all win.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 13, 2019
Sailors football drops anchor on Titusville

Sarasota High puts up historic numbers to move to 4-0.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The new route will be one of six Delta offers out of SRQ in 2020. Photo courtesy Delta Air Lines.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 13, 2019
Sarasota-Bradenton airport adds seasonal Minneapolis route

Beginning in January, Delta will offer service from SRQ to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vicki Mann, a former employee of a past bank in this same location, waits outside to say goodbye to her old coworkers. Friday was the last day of operation at Fidelity Bank on Longboat Key. All photos by Sten Spinella.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • September 13, 2019
Despite grassroots efforts, Longboat Key's Fidelity bank closes

Ameris/Fidelity withheld details regarding the impetus for closing.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
One of the open houses will be presented from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Sarasota's Selby Library.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 13, 2019
Sarasota County to host redistricting open houses

There will be five open houses with one in each district.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High seniors Faith Kurtz and Kaylee Eckelman collect donations from students during lunch. Photo courtesy of Jaime Gutierrez.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 13, 2019
Lakewood Ranch High School helps Hurricane Dorian victims

Lakwood Ranch football benefits Hurricane Dorian victims in Bahamas.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 13, 2019
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County recognizes local leaders

The 14th Annual Intertape Polymer Group Leadership Breakfast honored Rachel Shelley and Jaime DiDomenico.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Survivors in Sync races at Nathan Benderson Park, which will host the 2022 International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2019
SANCA brings major dragon boat racing event to Sarasota

Nathan Benderson Park earns the right to host Club Crew World Championships to Sarasota in 2022.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • September 12, 2019
Settlement accepted in Longboat Key's short-term rental lawsuit

The defendants admitted to violating town code.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch optometrist Ashley Masuga conducts an eye exam. Masuga will be conducting dozens of eye exams as volunteer at the annual RAM clinic at Manatee Technical College in October.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2019
RAM clinic a 'reunion' for volunteers

Annual RAM clinic at Manatee Technical College a 'reunion' for volunteers

  • East County
  • News
Rachel Shelley has been principal at Booker High since 2011.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 12, 2019
Art-education group names Booker High's Shelley principal of the year

Florida Art Education Association honors educator for her support in arts in education.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sisters Bradley and Lisa Nixon present David Sessions with the Clyde Nixon Business Leadership Award.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 12, 2019
EDC celebrates Sarasota economic innovation with awards ceremony

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County honored business success at its annual meeting and awards luncheon on Sept. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Whiskey Joe's is looking at an opening in 2020 along the Manatee River in Ellenton.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2019
Whiskey Joe's plans "sand-breaking" along Manatee River

Whiskey Joe's plans "sand-breaking" along Manatee River in Ellenton.

  • East County
  • News
Kahwa Coffee is Charlotte Corker's first solo show.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 12, 2019
Sarasota coffee shop's walls are booked for local artists

Downtown cafe’s waitlist for new artists to display their work extends to 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: September 12

Tom McGee captured this common gallinule family swimming together at Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2019
East County weather page photo: September 12

Michael Cohen caught this diverse group of birds in South Lido Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
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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
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Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
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