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Your Observer

Sarabeth Kalajian is stepping down from her role as director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources after 35 years.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 12, 2019
Ready for the next chapter: Sarabeth Kalajian reflects on career with Sarasota County libraries

Kalajian's career spans 35 years, though it began with a chance encounter.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: September 12

Longboat Key weather page photo: September 12

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 12, 2019
Sarasota County Libraries does away with late fines

The Sarasota County Commission approved the initiative with a 5-0 vote.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 12, 2019
St. Armands patrons learn that tea can be what's for dinner

The Spice and Tea Exchange on St. Armands Circle showcased the versatile leaves.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County is holding meeting to go over its ADA Transition Plan Sept. 26 and Oct. 2.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 12, 2019
Manatee County seeks to improve accessibility for special needs individuals

Manatee County seeks to improve Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility.

  • East County
  • News
The Rams celebrate after beating rival Venice for the first time since 2016.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2019
Riverview volleyball beats rival power Venice for first time since 2016

The win gave the Rams confidence and chemistry moving forward.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brendan and Jay Roper are a freshman and cross country coach at Riverview High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Riverview cross country star is coached by his dad

Rams freshman Brendan Roper is posting impressive times while on a limited mileage plan.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • September 12, 2019
Stopping sewage spills should be top priority

Sarasota County has had sewage spills almost every week since March. You would think commissioners would be alarmed.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Property owners downtown and in St. Armands Circle are considering teaming up to market commercial spaces.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 12, 2019
Commercial districts plot real estate strategy

St. Armands Circle and downtown Sarasota leaders want to fill vacancies and attract desirable tenants.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Critics of downtown paid parking are worried potential visitors are staying away, but city officials say there are conveniently located free alternatives for those uninterested in paying.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 12, 2019
Downtown paid parking draws mixed feedback

How is downtown Sarasota adapting to the recent installation of parking meters? Depends on who you ask.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The speed humps will be in place for a year as the Florida Department of Transportation evaluates their efficacy.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 12, 2019
St. Armands Circle leaders discuss speed humps

Some stakeholders in the Sarasota shopping district are happy with the traffic-calming devices, but others wonder if improvements can be made.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 9.12.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Eileen Amesbury, Carolyn Lowry-Nation and Nancy Schneider are among the founding club members of Gardeners Out East and Karen Eckert is the current president.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2019
Garden club still is growing in Lakewood Ranch

Gardeners Out East club still is growing in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
U.S. Navy veteran Les Martin leads the motorcycle parade from the parking lot in front of Naughty Monk Brewery.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 11, 2019
Sarasota, Manatee motorcyclists remember Sept. 11 terrorist attacks

Sarasota, Manatee motorcyclists remember Sept. 11 terrorist attacks

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 11, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Now it's locked

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Michelle Sampson and 2018 nominee Rob Wagner at last year's event.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 11, 2019
Chamber announces Small Business Week nominees

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce is gearing up to celebrate small businesses with awards luncheon in October.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home for sale in the Concession might not be a castle, but it's close. Courtesy photos
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2019
Living large in the Concession in the Lakewood Ranch area of eastern Manatee County

A $12 million Concession home in the Lakewood Ranch area would be most expensive ever sold in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Wilco Electrical crews were at work last week in Longbeach Village.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 11, 2019
As Longboat's underground project progresses, so does the list of who pays

As part of an annual requirement, properties are added to the list of those paying for town's underground utilities project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 11, 2019
Sarasota County honors the victims of Sept. 11

Sarasota County held the remembrance ceremony at Fire Station 16, 5875 Hummingbird Ave.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A view of the main building and some land belonging to Grant's Gardens on Longboat Key, which is in the process of rezoning the property. All photos by Sten Spinella.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • September 11, 2019
Grant's Gardens takes on rezoning, renovation

Landscaping business wants to rebuild its Gulf Bay Road operation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Monaca Onstad, the director of community relations for Lakewood Ranch Communities, and Community Coordinator Mackenzie Straley stand in front of a model of the future myLWR.com
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2019
myLWR.com — Time has come for new Lakewood Ranch website

Time has come for new Lakewood Ranch website, myLWR.com

  • East County
  • News
2,977 flags were set up on the front lawn of Riverview High on Wednesday morning.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 11, 2019
Students pay homage to Sept. 11 victims

In observance of Patriot Day, Riverview High School's Young Americans for Freedom Club honors the 2,977 who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 11, 2019
Longboat Key remembers those lost on Sept. 11

The town's Public Works Department puts up the memorial every year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
From left, Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fifth-graders Bakari Simmons, Harrison Phillips and Isaiah Buckson, work on an essay during class while sitting on exercise balls.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2019
More wiggle room for Lakewood Ranch students

Lakewood Ranch elementary school teachers transform classrooms to include flexible seating options

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2019
Tasty time for grandparents in Lakewood Ranch

Braden River Elementary School students relish eating with grandparents during luncheon

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said she spent two hours watching ships come through the Panama Canal. She said Panama's government makes about $10 million a day from the canal. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 11, 2019
Panama visit creates port insight for Manatee County

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh says Port Manatee should be ready for Panamax ships in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch sophomore setter Mackenzie Schmucker (3) fires up the team after winning a point against Manatee High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 11, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Sophomore sets table for Mustangs volleyball

Mackenzie Schmucker has taken on more responsibility for Lakewood Ranch High in year two

  • East County
  • Sports
Former B.D. Gullett Elementary School principal Shirin Gibson will take on a new role as the executive director of curriculum and professional learning for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2019
Former Gullett Elementary principal earns new role with School District of Manatee County

Former Gullett Elementary principal takes on new position for School District of Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
Mill Creek's Chloe Craciun plays with a puzzle after attending story time at the Braden River Library Sept. 4.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 11, 2019
Lakewood Ranch library advocates hope for bigger library

Lakewood Ranch library advocates hope for bigger library

  • East County
  • News
East Manatee Fire Rescue District Capt. Paul Wren says the district converted striping on the back of firetrucks from blue-and-white to red-and-yellow. The yellow is much more visible to motorists, especially at night.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 11, 2019
Lakewood Ranch area first responders in line of fire

Fire chief in Lakewood Ranch says I-75 responses can be treacherous.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 10, 2019
School board finalizes 2019-20 budget, millage rate

$874 million passes by 3-2 vote, with objections raised over reliance on reserve funds.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Draped in a cold towel and toting her water bottle, Sandy Schonhoff heads off the court.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 10, 2019
Longboaters turn up the heat on their love for summertime tennis

Even when most run for cover in air conditioning, Longboat Key's dedicated tennis players head to the court.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Reentry to the island after a mandatory evacuation is one of the emergency management issues raised in the town's proposal.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • September 10, 2019
Longboat Key proposes one-county solution in case of emergencies

Plan would allow Longboat to coordinate only with Sarasota County before and during a storm.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Sharks will maintain control of Selby Aquatic Center for up to the next 30 years.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 10, 2019
Sarasota County Commission approves Selby Aquatic lease

The Sarasota Sharks have maintained control over the property since early 2018.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 10, 2019
Donor makes a gift of learning

Freddie Figgers, founder and CEO of Figgers Communications, donated 20 computers to cadets at Sarasota Military Academy, a local, public charter school

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 10, 2019
An uplifting sight downtown

A portion of Main Street was closed down from Monday morning through 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
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
2
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
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
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.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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