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Your Observer

The Sarasota Kennel Club’s on-site racing operations shut down this year. Now, two different contract purchasers are putting together plans for redeveloping the Old Bradenton Road site.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 1, 2019
Redevelopment awaits Sarasota dog track site

The Sarasota Kennel Club could soon be replaced by a residential-focused project, though the prospective owner is open to community input.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 8.1.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Paid parking expanded west of Orange Avenue this week, the final phase of implementing a downtown paid parking program.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 1, 2019
City activates more downtown parking meters

Paid parking is now in effect for prime downtown spots between School Avenue and Gulfstream Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 31, 2019
Hundreds gather for town hall over Sarasota YMCA closures

Government officials and YMCA administrators, employees and members gathered at the Evalyn Sadlier Jones branch.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By AUTEUR Staff
  • July 31, 2019
Three ways for boating enthusiasts to feel at home at Sarasota’s finest new waterfront address

Three ways for boating enthusiasts to feel at home at Sarasota’s finest new waterfront address

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 31, 2019
Business After Hours brings local businesses together

The event, held at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, was full of lighthearted networking.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 31, 2019
Longboat Key residents out to fight bank closing

Letter asks customers to drive to next-nearest branch, in Cortez, after Sept. 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Steve and Becky Jarolin and Jayne Hackett review maps for proposed changes in Lakewood Ranch near their Eagle Trace homes after the July 11 Planning Commission meeting. They are worried about having four-story apartments nearby.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 31, 2019
Manatee County commission considers land-use changes

Manatee County Commission to consider apartments, other changes near Eagle Trace community.

  • East County
  • News
CDD 2 Supervisor Jerry Twiggs, a condo owner, says condo residents have asked for years for a change in methodology, but the concept gained traction over the last year.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 31, 2019
Lakewood Ranch CDD 2 assessments adjusted

Assessments to change for condos, homes in Country Club's CDD 2 in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Seven-year-old Emma Drehobl bounces a ball toward a fitness room to take a group picture with YMCA CEO Sean Allison before heading out on a field trip.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 31, 2019
New YMCA strategies afloat in Manatee County

Manatee County YMCA strives to stay relevant as market changes.

  • East County
  • News
Haile Middle School Principal Kate Barlaug reviews enrollment data with registrar Gricel Valls.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 31, 2019
More middle (school) ground in Lakewood Ranch area

Fewer portables, smaller classes benefits of Mona Jain Middle opening in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Shaina Swan checks out a Jalisco Mule, made by Grove GM and Executive Chef Greg Campbell, and which will be featured at the Celebrity Bartender Challenge.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 31, 2019
ALS fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch of Primo importance

ALS fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch of Primo importance

  • East County
  • News
Michael Cucci.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 31, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Michael Cucci

The Lakewood Ranch rising senior talks overcoming injuries and his goals for the season.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 30, 2019
School Board approves 2019-2020 budget

Concern about reserve fund prompts 3-2 split.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Erik Arroyo, left, and Dan Clermont, right, will compete for the District 3 seat that Shelli Freeland Eddie currently holds.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 30, 2019
Candidates enter City Commission race

Ahead of the 2020 election, Erik Arroyo and Dan Clermont have announced their candidacy for the District 3 seat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Turtle hatchlings instinctively head toward light from the beach.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 30, 2019
Court upholds Longboat's fine against resort operator over turtle rules

Code enforcement action levied $3,000 fine against Zota Beach Resort in the deaths of 15 turtle hatchlings in hot tub.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Crew won 13 races at the Halifax Summer Regatta. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 30, 2019
Sarasota Crew wins 13 races at Halifax Summer Regatta

Sarasota Crew and the Sarasota Scullers win races at the Halifax Summer Regatta in Daytona Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Here is one of the current doors. It will be removed and replaced with a stronger door in the coming months.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 30, 2019
Beachplace Association to replace every door in the complex

The project will cost $2.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Coco and Brice Claypoole stand in front of their homemade pro-peacock sign.
  • By Nathalie Kaemmerer and Sten Spinella
  • July 30, 2019
Peacock debate spreads its wings again in Longboat neighborhood

Longbeach Village peacocks ruffle feathers in a discussion between those who love them and those who support town efforts to keep the flock small.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cyndi Seamon measures a new nest.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 30, 2019
Turtle numbers on the rise

More nests spotted on Longboat beaches than in years past.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Traffic stopped for hours near the neck of the New Pass Bridge as emergency services responded to a gas line break on July 24.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 29, 2019
Town, contractors double down on gas line locations

July 24 incident prompted closure of Gulf of Mexico Drive for hours.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
2018's Good as Green Business of the Year second place winner Tomas Jusak of Junk King, first place Jacci Shovlin and Mike Solmonson of G. Fried Flooring and third place winners Angel Cruz and Ruben Rod. Photo by Katie Johns
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 29, 2019
Small Business Week approaches on Longboat Key

Celebrate your local economy by nominating a small business.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The former Pineapple Square properties total more than 30,000 square feet of retail space.
    By
  • Kevin McQuaid
  • July 29, 2019
Investor buys downtown retail spaces for $10.35 million

The multimillion-dollar sale includes Main Street and Lemon Avenue properties such as Sur La Table, Eileen Fisher, Pastry Art and Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Prohibiting alley parking is one of the new rules.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 29, 2019
Longbeach Village adjusts to new parking rules

The current regulations were approved by the Town Commission on June 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Elementary school times are the only ones changing.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2019
Elementary school start time changes in Manatee County

Elementary school start time changes in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
The meeting will be held at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2019
Manatee County to set millage

Manatee County to set millage rate for fiscal year 2020.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High football team emphasized fitness on the first day of practice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 29, 2019
High school football practice begins in East County and Sarasota

The regular season begins Aug. 23.

  • East County
  • Sports
Barb Green, Diane Brune, Judy Balmer, Marilyn Schugg, Jennie Buehner, Dianne Emmermann and Ginny Kaseman packed more than 500 backpacks.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 29, 2019
Packed with passion in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch woman spearheads drive to provide children with back-to-school supplies.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 29, 2019
Walk in the Park: Longboat Key Public Tennis Center

The tennis center serves up a good time for spectators and players alike.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 29, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Something fishy's going on here

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 29, 2019
Another day in paradise

Dry Dock one of 100 most beautiful restaurants

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brad Jeffers is the new general manager at the Grande Clubhouse.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2019
New general manager brings his 'Simple' tasks to the Grande Clubhouse in Lakewood Ranch

Longtime hospitality industry executive Brad Jeffers takes over at the Grande Clubhouse in the Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 28, 2019
2019 World Rowing U23 Championships close at Nathan Benderson Park

The 2019 World Rowing U23 Championships close at Nathan Benderson Park with USRowing taking one gold medal.

  • East County
  • Sports
New coach Rashad West has given the Lakewood Ranch Mustangs football program a spark.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 27, 2019
Mustangs may experience a power surge

The Lakewood Ranch High Mustangs football program may experience a power surge under coach Rashad West.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ryan Gosling in "First Man." Photo source: HBO.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 26, 2019
Binge Blog: One giant leap

Hulu's "Veronica Mars" and Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" are this week's Sarasota Observer Binge Blog picks by reporter Ryan Kohn.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
    In Memoriam |
  • July 25, 2019
William "Bill" Graham

William "Bill" John Graham, 79, of Longboat Key, Florida and formerly of River Edge, New Jersey passed away July 20, 2019.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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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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Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • 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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