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Your Observer

In terms of points, the district continues to maintain its position as the third highest school district in Florida, behind St. John’s and Gilchrist counties
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 11, 2019
School district announces official state-provided grades

Sarasota County Schools was one of 24 Florida school districts to earn an A grade for the 2018-2019 academic year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 11, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Wake up!

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 11, 2019
Pack the Patrol Car returns

The Sarasota Police Department will collect school supplies through Aug. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: July 11

Jeannie Sparks spots a bee hard at work at Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2019
East County weather page photo: July 11

Gordon Silver captured this full moon shot in Del Webb on a clear evening.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Samantha Kahn began as Temple Sinai's new rabbi on July 1.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 11, 2019
Temple Sinai welcomes new rabbi

Samantha Kahn replaced Rabbi Geoff Huntting on July 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Trinity Pitts, Aliciana Harvey-Lopez and Raven Peterson will perform as The Supremes .
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 11, 2019
WBTT campers prepare for performance

Around 30 Stage of Discovery campers tried on their costumes for their upcoming July 14 performance.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 11

A great blue heron stands near Blackburn Point on Casey Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michael Drake struck a deal to relocate the cottages on vacant property on Broadway Street next to the Century 21 office at the entrance to Longbeach Village
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 11, 2019
Preserve Longboat's history

That history should not be forgotten. It deserves to be on display.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 11, 2019
Sarasota's spending is outpacing its growth

It is symbolic of a bigger issue: Who's in charge? Citizens? Commissioners? City manager?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Nan Miller and her dog Lance regularly volunteer with the pet therapy program.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 11, 2019
Humane Society of Sarasota spreads puppy love

Nearly 100 volunteers provide pet therapy to various Sarasota County organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Christina Unkel worked the 2019 World Cup as Fox Sports' rules analyst.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 11, 2019
Sarasota referee talks working as TV rules analyst during World Cup telecasts

Sarasota referee Christina Unkel talks working as a Fox Sports TV rules analyst during the 2019 World Cup telecasts.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Rudy Fraraccio is bringing old-school attitude to the Rams' head coaching position.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 11, 2019
New Rams basketball coach wants team to focus on routine, not going viral

New Riverview High Rams basketball coach Rudy Fraraccio wants team to focus on routine, not going viral

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Finance Director Kelly Strickland discusses the 2019-20 proposed budget at a special City Commission meeting Tuesday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 11, 2019
City budget prioritizes parks, police

Staff’s proposed $248.8 million budget for 2019-20 includes a flat operating millage rate, though a portion of property tax revenue could go to a new parks and recreation district.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The proposed first phase of the bayfront project now includes an arcing pier, an open lawn area and a beach shoreline.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 11, 2019
From concept to plan, Sarasota bayfront plan's details shift a bit

Nearly a year after the city adopted a vision for redesigning the bayfront, the proposed first phase of the public park project has undergone some changes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
If it undertakes the 45-hole project, the city estimates it would close the Bobby Jones complex in April 2020 and reopen in October 2021.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 11, 2019
City undecided on Bobby Jones plans

Facing the prospect of annual expenses exceeding $1.5 million, officials are considering options for renovating the municipal golf course.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"The plan also compares operating statistics to other peer transit agencies," according to the county
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 10, 2019
SCAT welcomes public input at Transit Development Plan open houses

The TDP will consider and compare the impact of Uber and Lyft, as well as account for overall transit finances.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 10, 2019
All lanes reopened on Gulf of Mexico Drive after gas-line break

Longboat Key officials closed the two-lane road around noon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The data-sharing agreement comes on the heels of the county's approval to open two libraries for Sunday hours
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 10, 2019
County and School Board OK library agreement

The initiative is specifically aimed at increasing digital-resource access for students and educators.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sweet Tea, a Moluccan cockatoo, loves attention from his owner, Gloria Schroeck. The Moluccan cockatoo is the loudest parrot in the world and can reach 135 decibels when it screeches.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 10, 2019
Bradenton woman's life is for the birds

Bradenton's Gloria Schroeck dedicates her time to finding quality homes for parrots.

  • East County
  • News
Around 36,000 gallons were spilled into Grand Canal on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 10, 2019
36,000 gallons of untreated sewage spills into Siesta Key canal

The Lockwood Ridge Booster station failed, causing the sewage to spill into Grand Canal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 10, 2019
Water rescues offer their own set of challenges

Longboat's marine presence allows help to respond quickly. Part of two stories on the police department's water rescue apparatus.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Officer Josh Connors said there are usually more boats out on a Sunday afternoon.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 10, 2019
One day on a Longboat Key police boat

Officer Josh Connors patrols waters off of Longboat on Sunday, June 30. Part of two stories on the police department's water rescue apparatus.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 10, 2019
Commissioners propose slightly higher tax rate to pay off Legacy Trail bond

Pending final budget deliberations, no other alteration to the rate is expected.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Andrew BoisD’Enghien committed to Air Force five days after his unofficial visit on June 20. Photo courtesy Andrew BoisD’Enghien.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 10, 2019
Braden River defensive end goes into the wild, blue yonder

Braden River High defensive end Andrew BoisD’Enghien's work ethic allows him to land at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jacob and Darrell Brooks enjoyed the state tournament despite Braden River's elimination.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 10, 2019
Little Leaguer learns from painful loss

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
East County's Riley Makeever, 6, says she likes the Lakewood Ranch YMCA's daily reading times, which are relaxing.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 10, 2019
Reading initiative reaps results

Lakewood Ranch YMCA program keeps children ahead on the reading scale.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Director of Public Works Chad Butzow said the county is trying to better anticipate road projects by putting them into the funding plan before the improvements are needed.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 10, 2019
On the road to change in Manatee County

Chad Butzow hopes to be more proactive about roadway needs.

  • East County
  • News
Wauchula's Bo Idsardi enjoys barbecue with his dad, Chris Idsardi, for the first time at Nancy's Bar-B-Q. Chris Idsardi had Nancy's while working Sarasota, so he knew it'd be the perfect place to bring his family for b
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 10, 2019
The new pit stop in Lakewood Ranch is Nancy's Bar-B-Q

Loyalty from Lakewood Ranch catering customers sparks new restaurant location.

  • East County
  • News
Tammy Taylor has taken the job as business development manager for the Neuro Challenge Foundation.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2019
Neuro Challenge Foundation hires business development manager

Neuro Challenge Foundation hires Tammy Taylor to be its business development manager

  • East County
  • News
Casey Wingate is crowned as the Florida Cattlemen's Association State Sweetheart. Photo by Ron O'Connor
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2019
Myakka City 'Sweetheart' primed for beefy role

Casey Wingate begins her term as the Florida Cattlemen's Association State Sweetheart.

  • East County
  • News
It's hard enough to avoid sandhill cranes in the roadway when not speeding.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2019
Slower pace would protect our wildlife in Lakewood Ranch

Slower pace would protect our wildlife in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 9, 2019
Cheers-style fun helps charity in Lakewood Ranch

Giving Circle, brewery partner for fundraising event.

  • East County
  • News
Zickafoose says she'd like a student body comprised evenly of 50% Spanish-dominant students and 50% English-dominant students
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 9, 2019
Lack of facility delays opening of county’s first dual-language charter school

Academy leaders have already notified the families of the more than 200 students who had pre-enrolled and registered for the fall

  • Sarasota
  • News
New home construction in Lakewood Ranch is outpacing most other master-planned communities nationwide. File image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 9, 2019
Lakewood Ranch maintains high sales ranking

Lakewood Ranch No. 2 in sales according to mid-year ranking by RCLCO.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • July 9, 2019
Jason Allen Rivard

RIVARD, Jason Allen, of Sarasota, Fla., age 42, passed away Friday, May 31, 2019, in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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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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