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Your Observer

Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea and Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis both say they must react to growth in the eastern portions of their counties.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 14, 2019
Growth in eastern Manatee and Sarasota counties key to administrators

Growth in eastern Manatee and Sarasota counties key to administrators

  • East County
  • Opinion
Shannon Dromgool, ESE liaison, is one of the teachers who dressed up as a honeybee.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 14, 2019
Gocio's plan: B amazing

To celebrate it's new school grade, Gocio Elementary School teachers dressed as honeybees.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mona Jain's grandson, Anant Agarwal, sprinkles rose petals on University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee senior Lauren Targaszewski as a symbol of good luck.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2019
Opening bell for new schools

Opening bells for new schools

  • East County
  • News
OnlyMoso's Diego Cespedes talks to Sarasota resident Nona Arnholt about how the bamboo grows at Mixon Fruit Farms.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2019
Mixon Fruit Farms has 'magic' harvest

Mixon Fruit Farms' first bamboo harvest is 'magic'

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 14, 2019
Eternal Reefs completes memorial to lost submariners

The Sarasota-based company began placing the memorial in the Gulf of Mexico in May.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tina Adams has been with the town of Longboat Key for 20 years. Photos by Sten Spinella.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 14, 2019
After almost 20 years of service to Longboat Key, Tina Adams takes on new role

Fire EMS Liaison and PIO Tina Adams looks to make Longboat's emergency services more accessible to the public and the news media.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 14, 2019
The consummate journalist

In her 70s, former Longboat Observer senior editor Dora Walters ran circles around the young Turks in the newsroom. She knew everyone and everything about Longboat Key. "She was our best reporter."

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2019
Bye mom ... hello learning

Some parents struggle to say goodbye on first day

  • East County
  • News
Bill Zarrella and Kristin Zarrella-Wikstrom will be coaching cross country together at Lakewood Ranch High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 14, 2019
Father-daughter duo runs the cross country program at Lakewood Ranch High

Running has been in the cards for the Zarrella family for a long time.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brandon Herten and Zane Spiekerman are Lakewood Ranch High wide receivers eager to hit the field this season and show off their skills.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 14, 2019
Mustang receivers catch optimism for 2019

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Panther Ridge resident Jim Schneck, with his wife Martine Vande Weghe, finds his home on the map in relation to the construction project. He is excited to have more space to bicycle along State Road 70.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 14, 2019
Six roundabouts planned for S.R. 70 in Manatee County

FDOT moving forward with S.R. 70 widening project in Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh hopes to focus on water quality and changes to the gas tax when talking with White House officials and federal legislators.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 14, 2019
Manatee County commissioner schedules White House meeting

Water quality top of mind as Manatee County commissioners head to White House.

  • East County
  • News
Costco Manager Hector Mencia s has been with the company for 30 years. He says attention to detail and creating a great customer experience is important for success at any Costco location.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 14, 2019
Costco makes its debut in Manatee County

Costco Wholesale ready to open in Bradenton

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Richard Albero has been a lifelong New York Yankees baseball fan. He named each mile of his journey for a Yankees player.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 14, 2019
Writing a book, not just a walk in the park for Lakewood Ranch man

Lakewood Ranch Yankee's fan chronicles walk from Tampa to the Bronx in new book.

  • East County
  • News
Shaina Swan shows off her speciality cocktail, AT-1501, served in IV bags. The real AT-1501 is an antibody produced by the ALS Therapy Development Institute and it protects nerves against the progression of ALS.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 13, 2019
A mix of cocktails and concern in Lakewood Ranch

ALS fundraiser draws crowd to the Grove in Lakewood Ranch to support A Life Story Foundation.

  • East County
  • News
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione says the hotel will allow Manatee County to have a fully diversified tourism base.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 13, 2019
Manatee County commissioners consider Bradenton Area Convention Center expansion

New hotel spurs vision for larger, improved expansion Bradenton Area Convention Center.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 13, 2019
Grand Canal health advisory lifted

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County lifted the advisory for Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 13, 2019
Longboat ranked sixth for senior social scene

Amenities in the island town are widely varied, organization says.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Allegiant will begin its new flights out of Sarasota in November.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 13, 2019
Allegiant adds eight flights from SRQ

New destinations from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport include Knoxville, Tenn., St. Louis, Mo., Louisville, Ky. and other Midwestern cities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 13, 2019
Fins and Fun Family Festival lives up to the name

Mote's event focused on the impact kids can have on the ocean.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 12, 2019
Longboat Key resident receives call pretending to be from police department

The caller asked the resident for money, and said a warrant was out for their arrest.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Aurora Melzer.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 12, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Aurora Melzer

Lakewood Ranch High cross country runner Aurora Melzer talks pushing herself and the appeal of flying.

  • East County
  • Sports
Abbey Brett shows off her new school supplies.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 12, 2019
Property company gives back to military families

Castle Group, a local property management company, partnered with Goodwill Manasota to throw a back to school bash on Aug. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Simply Susanne's is a small business on Longboat that takes great pride in its coffee.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 12, 2019
Longboat Key's new sign rules hit small business

Simply Susanne's Cafe provides a case study of how the signage regulations vary in desired effect.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 12, 2019
Yoga with the Sharks makes for a relaxing, oceanic morning

No, the sharks weren't in on the flow.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 12, 2019
Networking @ Noon brings local businesses together

The event proved there could be such a thing as a free lunch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Last month, The Bay presented this concept plan for Phase 1 to the City Commission.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 12, 2019
The Bay schedules meetings on park plans

The Bay Sarasota will host two community events Wednesday, Aug. 21 to discuss the group’s latest proposal for the first phase of the public park project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 12, 2019
Local property management group gives back to the children of veterans

Castle Group partnered with organizations around Sarasota to provide back-to-school supplies for children in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kim Miele
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 12, 2019
Brian health study in Lakewood Ranch hires program director

Kim Miele will serve a role as an important liaison to the Gulf Coast community as the program director for the Brain Health Initiative at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Ms. Reese's pre-K class lines up to go to breakfast. // Whitney Elfstrom
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 12, 2019
Sarasota children head back to school

More than 45,000 students started the 2019-2020 school year on Aug. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 11, 2019
Woodstock Revival parties on through rain

The Sarasota Famers Market held its third annual Woodstock Revival on Aug. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 9, 2019
Cardboard boat builders set sail in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch YMCA campers hone their cardboard boat-building skills at the end of summer.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells finds khaki pants for Carlos E. Haile Middle School student Ryan Gossett, 12, at Bealls Outlet.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 9, 2019
Manatee County children shop with a cop in Bradenton

Manatee County youth 'shop with a cop' event held in Bradenton at Bealls Outlet.

  • East County
  • News
Intern Anaga Davi works in the microbiology lab at Mote in 2016. Olivia Raney / Mote Marine Laboratory.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 9, 2019
Mote receives $1.5 million grant to help with STEM minority representation

The research center is the only non-academic institution to receive the LSAMP Center of Excellence award.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota County Fire Department blocked off a segment of the 1500 block of State Street as it responded to the alarm Friday afternoon.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 9, 2019
Carbon monoxide alarm causes downtown building evacuation

A van running a generator on State Street near The Mark construction site triggered the alarm, the county said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 9, 2019
In her own words: Dora Walters

A few samples of what Dora had to say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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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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