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Your Observer

    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 25, 2019
Campers get crafty at Art Center

Art Center Sarasota offers 11 weeks of art summer camps that explore a different theme each week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Three men robbed the Wawa gas station at 14510 State Road 70, Bradenton, of cigarettes this morning. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 25, 2019
Manatee County Sheriff on hunt for cigarette thieves

Authorities are looking for three male suspects who robbed a Lakewood Ranch Wawa.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: July 25

Stephanie Wallace captured this orchid after a rain shower at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2019
East County weather page photo: July 25

Gordon Silver captured this snowy egret admiring itself in the waters at Myakka River State Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 25

Charles Howard captured an image of an egret at Casa Del Mar on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jack Cox said his Halfacre Construction company continues to enjoy the growth being experienced in Lakewood Ranch and the surrounding area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 25, 2019
Lakewood Ranch's Halfacre Construction enjoys success with an eye on the future

Lakewood Ranch's Halfacre Construction enjoys success with an eye on the future

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 25, 2019
Involvement was in Dave Brenner's DNA

Over the past 25 years, almost everywhere you turned on Longboat Key, David Brenner was involved, giving to make the town a better place.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • July 25, 2019
Joan C. Stewart

Joan C. Stewart, 87, passed away May 13th in Sarasota, Florida. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Lakewood Ranch has a variety of housing types under construction with home prices ranging from the $200,000s to more than $1 million. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 25, 2019
Lakewood Ranch ranked No. 1 in construction starts

Metrostudy backs Lakewood Ranch's fastest-growing status for second quarter 2019.

  • East County
  • News
Tina Goodman is headed to the World Triathlon Championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 25, 2019
Sarasota athlete headed to 2019 World Triathlon Championships

She has been competing in triathlons for 20 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Michael Durham plays Superhot VR on the HTC Vive.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 25, 2019
Sarasota bar puts the reality in virtual reality

Sarasota bar Escape Reality Downtown puts the reality in virtual reality.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 25, 2019
Campers respond to call for superheroes at Dream Oaks Camp

Foundation for Dreams' "superhero" themed camp proves adventure for Dream Oaks Camp participants in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
City officials say they hope they can move past the discord at a July 1 meeting, but some displeasure lingers on both sides.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 25, 2019
City Commission, Planning Board clash over code compliance

Questions about procedures for enforcing city codes has caused tension among Sarasota officials.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on plans to take sand from Big Pass, which has never been dredged before, to renourish portions of the Lido Key shoreline.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 25, 2019
Siesta, city face off at Big Pass hearing

Representatives for the city and island residents questioned witnesses as the legal battle over a Lido shoreline project continues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Emergency services respond to the scene of Longboat's latest gas line break.
  • By Eric Garwood and Sten Spinella
  • July 24, 2019
Longboat Key road reopens after repair of gas line break

Town officials plan to meet Friday, July 26, to discuss third closure of Gulf of Mexico Drive since late June.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The USA's Emily Kallfelz won her heat of the women's single scull race at the 2019 World Rowing U23 Championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 24, 2019
World Rowing U23 Championships underway at Nathan Benderson Park

The competition will run through Sunday.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 24, 2019
Campers enjoy stable environment at Myakka farm

Mini horses offer summer learning, fun for campers in Myakka.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 24, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Yes, that cell phone can still call 911

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sean White.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 24, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Sean White

The Riverview High quarterback talks offseason improvement areas and overcoming mistakes.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Land planner Bob Schmitt, consultant for the hotel site, said the State Road 64/Interstate 75 interchange is a perfect spot for new hotels.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 24, 2019
Developer awaits approval for hotels on S.R. 64 corridor

Two hotels planned for State Road 64, west of I-75.

  • East County
  • News
Spencer Mauk represented Team USA at the 2019 World Deaf Basketball Championships in Poland.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 24, 2019
Mustangs graduate represents U.S. at 2019 World Deaf Basketball Championships

Mustangs graduate Spencer Mauk represents U.S. at 2019 World Deaf Basketball Championships

  • East County
  • Sports
Guard attendant Curt Deerman lets a contractor through the gatehouse on Legacy Boulevard. The gate is manned 24/7.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 24, 2019
Gate debate swings open in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch CDDs focus on technology enhancements to help resolve gate access issues at Country Club, dispute about manned hours.

  • East County
  • News
One-year-old Venus Gonzalez gets some help from her mom, Cenya Moreno, at Tom Bennett Park. The pair have fun, despite the heat. Manatee County plans to add shade to the playground area next year.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 24, 2019
Manatee County plans priorities

Manatee County's 2020 capital plans include library, park improvements in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Bo Mortensen said it was an amazing feeling to detail an airplane that carried presidents of the United States. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 24, 2019
Air Force One detail is plane perfection for Bradenton man

Bradenton's Bo Mortensen polishes presidential aircraft as part of the Air Force One Detailing Team.

  • East County
  • News
Leland Wheeler.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 24, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Leland Wheeler

The ODA grad talks dodging defenders and the potential uses of teleportation.

  • East County
  • Sports
A patron walks out of the Frank G. Berlin, Sr. branch, one of the two branches closing. Whitney Elfstrom
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 23, 2019
Sarasota YMCA to close fitness branches

The Evalyn Sadlier Jones branch and the Frank G. Berlin, Sr. branch will close Sept. 13.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Superintendent Todd Bowden said that if this year’s millage rate was what it was in 2002 — when Sarasota voters first approved a one-mill increase, bringing the rate to 9.287 — the district budget would rise by $155 million.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 23, 2019
Sarasota School Board approves tentative 2019-20 budget

The sum of the general fund budget increased by $19 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Family portraits are one of the stops on the Day4Hope schedule.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 23, 2019
Sarasota, Manatee churches hold a 'Day4Hope' for families in need

Throughout Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice, 18 churches will fulfill 3,000 children's back to school needs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 23, 2019
AJC speaker urges Jewish-Muslim cooperation at July Lunch & Learn event

Ari Gordon spoke to Jewish-Muslim cooperation at AJC's July Lunch & Learn event.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County officials want to address panhandling.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 23, 2019
Panhandling hot topic in Manatee County

Manatee County commissioners want more info on how to deal with panhandling.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's Roskamp Institute is delving into the possible physical effects of red tide on coastal residents.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 23, 2019
Local nonprofit wants to know how red tide affects humans

The Roskamp Institute is seeking volunteers and political backing for the study.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
BubbaQue's wings are one of its barbecue items. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 23, 2019
BubbaQue's BBQ comes to Lakewood Ranch area

BubbaQue's barbecue restaurant to open in Manatee County in August.

  • East County
  • News
A beach visitor on South Lido Key photographed the waterspout off Siesta Key. (Courtesy image)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2019
Waterspout attracts beachgoers' attention

Storm off Siesta Key spawns short-lived twister over Gulf of Mexico.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 23, 2019
Four of eight speed humps established in St. Armands Circle

The project has been delayed multiple times due to weather.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The tennis team of Molly Gleason, Grace Hackett, co-captain Suzie Singer, Stacey Allerton, captain Fanny Younger, Chris Goodwin, Heather Whitfield and Ann Kelmenson.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 22, 2019
Public Tennis Center team swinging big

The USTA 40 and over team will partake in sectionals

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Phillips is event chair.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 22, 2019
Kiwanis set to award scholarships

Kiwanis set to award scholarships

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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