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Your Observer

Tom Freiwald, chair of the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force, speaks to the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key during a December meeting at Lazy Lobster.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 5, 2020
Longboat Key Kiwanis Club offering free trial for interested members

Those interested in trying the service organization will only be charged for breakfast until membership dues are collected in October.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sally Fernandez (left) and her husband/editor, Joe Fernandez, stand in their "conference room" by the pool at their Sarasota home.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 5, 2020
Author Fernandez talks high hopes for Max Ford movie, ideas for future projects

Sally Fernandez, award-winning author of the Max Ford trilogy, enjoys working at the intersection of fact and fiction.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Queen Zabriskie, assistant professor of sociology
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 5, 2020
New College to host symposium

New College will hold its annual New Schools of Black Thought symposium on Feb. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 5, 2020
Mothers Helping Mothers expands

Mothers Helping Mothers expanded into its building to 8,000 feet.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bill Vogel tells the board why Florida School Board Association is the best choice.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 5, 2020
Sarasota School Board selects superintendent search firm

The board selected Florida School Board Association to lead the search for a new leader.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Senior Colin Castro dressed in 1980s fashion while junior Kaylen Rivers represented the 1970s. Castro was going for a "Miami Vice" look.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 5, 2020
95 and counting for ODA

Out-of-Door Academy's campus in Lakewood Ranch celebrates 95th year on 95th day of school

  • East County
  • News
  • By Laurel Oak Country Club Staff
  • February 5, 2020
A New Year, A New Reason to Celebrate!

A New Year, A New Reason to Celebrate!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Mike Weir, the Masters champion in 2003, is the only Canadian to win a major tournament.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 5, 2020
Catch big-time talent at the LECOM Suncoast Classic

The event will feature plenty of players who have tasted PGA Tour success, or are headed that direction.

  • East County
  • Sports
The LECOM Suncoast Classic utilizes Juan Gutierrez's leadership abilities as a volunteer.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 5, 2020
Lakewood Ranch residents score important volunteer roles with LECOM Suncoast Classic

More than 400 volunteers have helped the LECOM Suncoast Classic become a top Korn Ferry Tour event.

  • East County
  • News
Mark Hubbard won the inaugural LECOM Suncoast Classic in 2019.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 5, 2020
Will 2020 LECOM Suncoast Classic make another star?

For Mark Hubbard, the road back to the PGA Tour ran through Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lanto Griffin is fourth in the FedEx Cup standings. Photo courtesy of PGA Tour Media.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 5, 2020
From the Suncoast Classic to stardom

These five current PGA Tour contenders played in the inaugural LECOM Suncoast Classic.

  • East County
  • Sports
Seath Lauer tees off during the first round of the 2019 LECOM Suncoast Classic. Lauer missed the cut, but is back for the 2020 tournament.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 5, 2020
Another shot at the Classic

A local golfer missed the cut at the 2019 LECOM Suncoast Classic. He's approaching the 2020 event differently.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jon Bullas was named a top 50 coach by U.S. Kids Golf.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 5, 2020
Laurel Oak golf instructor named top-50 kids coach nationally

Jon Bullas believes there's a different energy in the air when coaching young golfers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Jamal Aoudi gets on top of his opponent.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 5, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Mustangs wrestler finds a perfect match

The senior said wrestling has helped him become an all-around better person.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rucker turned 2 on Feb. 3. He is trained to identify and respond to anxiety cues, such as bouncing knees and crying.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2020
Manatee County has a hound with a heart

Therapy dog helps emergency providers deal with anxiety, stress in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Alexis Moss says she wants to focus her nursing career on psychiatric mental health.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2020
Future nurse receives lesson in bedside manner in Manatee County

Manatee Memorial Hospital nursing staff, MTC instructors help nursing student achieve dream.

  • East County
  • News
Traffic backing up on Ringling Bridge on a recent afternoon.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 5, 2020
Traffic troubles this season have Longboat leaders looking for answers

Town wants to find new ways of mitigating effects of off-island construction projects north and south, present and future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River Utilities manager Bob Simons said an effort to create metered billing for Lakewood Ranch Phase 1 irrigation also resulted in improved pressure.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2020
Meters solve uneven water billing in Lakewood Ranch

Half-million dollar investment by BRU to pay off for Lakewood Ranch community development districts.

  • East County
  • News
Jackpot, a Boston terrier, shows his owner, Kim Parks, of Lakewood Ranch, some love.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 5, 2020
Doggy obedience on display in East County

Sarasota Obedience Training Club to host American Kennel Club-sponsored Responsible Dog Ownership Day.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota mechanic Robert Phothisack works on a car at Honest1 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 5, 2020
Honest1 Auto Care hopes to live up to its name in Lakewood Ranch

Can Honest1 Auto Care live up to its name in Lakewood Ranch?

  • East County
  • Business
arth Fare’s Steve Schonwetter cooks up Bilinski’s brand no-casing chicken sausage for patrons to taste when the store opened Jan. 27, 2018.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2020
Lakewood Ranch grocer will close

Earth Fare chain to close all 50 stores, including location in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Pastry chairwomen Kalle Amoratis, Daniela Soiman, Janet Rantis and Pat Trempelas say they love manning the pastries because desserts are social and they enjoy interacting with glendi patrons.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2020
Bradenton women buttered up for pastry sales at Greek Glendi

Greek festival features Greek music and dancing, food and pastries and items for sale.

  • East County
  • News
Past chair Heather Williams, new chair Lisa Kirkland, incoming chair 2021 Kristi Hoskinson and deputy chair Erik Hanson look forward to a year of continued success for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 5, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance welcomes new board

lakewood-ranch-business-alliance-has-new-board-chair

  • East County
  • News
Freshmen CJ Tufano and Nicholas Harlin, senior Alex Kraus, sophomores Aldan Rossnagel and Aaron Lourie and senior Gabby Macogay will have the audience laughing during a beach scene.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 5, 2020
'Here we go again' at Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High School theater department performs "Mamma Mia!"

  • East County
  • News
Rosedale's Hal Ross is a former Canadian toy industry executive who now will concentrate on writing suspense novels.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 5, 2020
Nothing fictional about Bradenton writer's goals

Former Canadian toy industry executive enjoying life as an author in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 5, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: We're fine, really

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 5, 2020
Traffic: Officials respond

Longboat town commissioners sent comments about traffic to Sarasota commissioners and FDOT, requesting immediate action and better coordination. And the city’s response? The usual nothing.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 4, 2020
Town hopes to close out survey by middle of next week

Deadline to finish answering town's questions is Feb. 10.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 4, 2020
McNeal's Grandparents Day a first for some but last for others

McNeal's Grandparents Day a first for some but last for others

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 4, 2020
Get ready for Girl Scout cookies in East County

Get ready for Girl Scout cookies in East County

  • East County
  • News
Monsignor Gerry Finegan at his Golden Jubilee Mass on May 7, 2017. Photo by Katie Johns.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 4, 2020
Monsignor Gerry Finegan, pastor of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, dies

Finegan was a beloved priest wherever he served throughout his 52-year career.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • February 4, 2020
Fr. Gerry

Fr. Gerry passed away on Monday, February 3, 2020, surrounded by his sisters and close friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The Bath & Racquet Club hoped to build 10 buildings, ranging in height from three to five stories, around the existing fitness center.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 4, 2020
Commission rejects Bath & Racquet Club plans

Although a proposed land use change drew support from a majority of the commission, a redevelopment plan for the fitness club won’t be moving forward.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County government offices will be closed Feb. 17. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 4, 2020
Manatee County announces holiday closures

Trash and recycling in unincorporated Manatee County will be pushed back one day the week of Feb. 17 because of Presidents' Day.

  • East County
  • News
Julia Rodriguez.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 3, 2020
East County Athlete of the Week: Julia Rodriguez

The Braden River senior talks physical defense and her love of shrimp.

  • East County
  • Sports
The town's tree-lighting ceremony was the first event held on the former Amore property.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 3, 2020
Commissioners OK budget transfer for Town Center work

Cost of initial work higher than originally envisioned.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
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3
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.
  • June 24, 2026
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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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