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Your Observer

University Village's Eugene Vaadi was a prisoner of war in two different wars and he fought in three — World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 3, 2019
Our flag means everything to this Sarasota veteran

Sarasota man fought in three wars to protect our flag, and its freedoms, and was a prisoner of war in two.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Dan Elmaleh pitches during an MVP Sports and Social softball game at Fruitville Park. Softball fields are one thing being discussed by Lakewood Ranch as a potential add. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 3, 2019
MVP Sports co-founder hopes to expand recreational sports in Lakewood Ranch

Future upgrades at Premier Sports Campus could be a game-changer, as could other amenities

  • East County
  • Sports
Ellen Jaffe Jones took gold in the 4x100 relay (1:11.39) at the National Senior Games.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 3, 2019
Lakewood Ranch athlete strikes gold in Albuquerque

She took first place in the 4x100-meter relay at the 2019 National Senior Games.

  • East County
  • Sports
Camden Pope.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 3, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Camden Pope

The Lakewood Ranch Little Leaguer talks the mental side of baseball and affinity for science.

  • East County
  • Sports
Claire Davidson.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 3, 2019
East County High 5 Moments: 07.03.19

East County High 5 Moments: 07.03.19

  • East County
  • Sports
Paul Thorpe Jr. Park, formerly known as Pineapple Park, is one of three city parks where vending is allowed.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 3, 2019
City cools on ice cream proposal

A city advisory board rejected a pitch to place an ice cream sandwich vendor in a downtown park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Francine DiFilippo Kent, Raymmar Tirado, Shay Atluru and Stephanie Immelman hope to unite downtown stakeholders behind a common promotional cause.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 3, 2019
Downtown groups brainstorm advertising strategy

Can downtown stakeholders band together in support of one united marketing campaign?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 3, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 7.3.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Ovation School of Musical Theatre's Summer Camp presented a performance of "Hamilton" on June 28.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2019
Standing ovation in Lakewood Ranch for 'Hamilton'

Campers at Ovation School of Musical Theatre in Lakewood Ranch perform the musical 'Hamilton.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
GreyHawk Landing's Laura Bloise has opened Waxing the City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2019
Wax to the max at University Town Center

Waxing the City leaves no hair behind at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Business
Students from the Lakewood Ranch High theater department will perform at The Fringe Festival in Scotland in August.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2019
Lakewood Ranch High student actors take on The Fringe in Scotland

Lakewood Ranch High student actors take on The Fringe in Scotland

  • East County
  • News
Cops Corner
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2019
Myakka City man notices after a decade of fraud

Interesting Sheriff's Office reports from the Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton areas.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Dan Knop, T.J. Bishop and Bryan McManis are all PGA teaching professionals who are excited by their new camp reward system.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Golf Summer Camps score with U.S. Kids Golf Curriculum and Awards Program

Lakewood Ranch Golf Summer Camps score with U.S, Kids Golf Curriculum and Awards Program.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 2, 2019
The Longboat Key Historical Society tries making history repeat itself

Michael Drake is leading the effort to finally purchase land for the historical society museum.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Col. Kurt Hoffman and Taylor Hatch, assistant secretary for the Florida Department of Children and Family's economic self-sufficiency program, speak about the victims who were affected by the operation.
  • By Samantha Chaney and Brynn Mechem
  • July 2, 2019
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office uncovers statewide data breach

Two of the seven individuals who have been charged by the SCSO are still at-large.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County's Acting Director of Public Safety Jacob Saur said the county will train existing employees for the 3-1-1 program, so the budget impact is minimal.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 2, 2019
Help on the line in Manatee County

Manatee County readies to institute 3-1-1 information call center.

  • East County
  • News
Nancy's Bar-B-Q opened July 1 for customers in Lakewood Ranch at Lorraine Corners. It eventually will replace the store at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, which will offer pre-prepared options for Nancy's Bar-B-Q customers.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 1, 2019
Nancy's Bar-B-Q opens new Lakewood Ranch location

Nancy's Bar-B-Q opens new Lakewood Ranch location

  • East County
  • News
Town Consultant Mark Porter addresses Longboat Key residents on plans for underground utilities work Monday morning.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 1, 2019
Longboat Key preps residents for underground utilities project

The well-attended meeting informed audience members of processes, timetables and possible inconveniences.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The City Commission is also scheduled to discuss a bond issue for a major golf course renovation in July.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 28, 2019
City explores Bobby Jones conservation partnership

Ahead of a planned multimillion-dollar golf course renovation, Sarasota city administration has considered permanently designating the 300-acre property as open space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pink flags donning Mote Marine Laboratory line the turtle's pathway.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • June 28, 2019
Turtle trackers hit the beach daily

Mote scientists and volunteers take to Sarasota and Manatee shores to look for turtle nests each day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The south fire station will be rebuilt.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • June 28, 2019
Longboat commissioners meet for last time before recess

Commissioners heard about plans for the town's fire stations: The south station will be razed and rebuilt and the north station will be renovated.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Crews cleaned the newly resurfaced street segment Friday afternoon ahead of the intersection reopening.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 28, 2019
Main Street intersection to reopen today

The city has nearly completed a segment of a Lemon Avenue streetscape project, bringing an end to a month-long intersection closure.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Emma Elfenbein, Brynn DeJongh and Sienna Steiner plate the s'mores focaccia bread.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • June 28, 2019
Mattison's summer camp cooks up imagination

Mattison's Forty-One holds basic and advanced week-long summer chef camps.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mike Moran, Nancy Detert, Nicole Rissler and Charles Hines concluded the event with the official reveal of the bond
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • June 28, 2019
County closes on land for Legacy Trail extension

The event took place in Payne Park, 2110 Adams Lane, where the Legacy Trail extension is to end in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota County Administration building will be one of several closed facilities
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • June 28, 2019
Sarasota County announces Independence Day closures

Most county-led government and recreational facilities will be closed to celebrate the July 4 holiday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stephanie Peabody said $1.4 million has been raised for the Brain Health Initiative at Lakewood Ranch, so the study is moving forward.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 27, 2019
With $1.4 million raised, Brain Health Initiative moves forward in Lakewood Ranch

With $1.4 million raised, Brain Health Initiative at Lakewood Ranch moves forward.

  • East County
  • News
Rudy Vazmina won four golds at the National Senior Games. Photo courtesy Rudy Vazmina.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 27, 2019
Sarasota swimmer wins four National Senior Games golds

Sarasota swimmer Rudy Vazmina wins four National Senior Games golds in Albuquerque, N.M.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Daniel Vasquez and Matthew Bailey
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • June 27, 2019
Company stands up to childhood cancer

S-One raised money for Alex's Lemonade Stand on June 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
“The Winterkeeper” is Jo Schmidt’s first self-published book. She writes under the pen name “Anna.”
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • June 27, 2019
Sarasota romance author branches out

Jo Schmidt, who writes as Anna Schmidt, released ‘The Winterkeeper’ in March.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The view on Gulf of Mexico Drive, looking south at Bay Isles Parkway. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • June 27, 2019
Longboat reopens road after gas line break

Gulf of Mexico Drive shut down at Bay Isles Parkway, though detours are set through Bay Isles community.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • June 27, 2019
Summer at the circus

The Circus Arts Conservatory’s camps fuel a love of performing for kids from 5-15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: June 27

Jeannie Sparks spotted and photographed this great blue heron recently at Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2019
East County weather page photo: June 27

Gordan Silver captures this polka-dot wasp moth pollinating a lantana flower in Del Webb.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: June 27

Michael Cohen catches an image of a yellow-crowned night heron on Lido Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Col. Kurt Hoffman
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 27, 2019
Hoffman to run for sheriff

Col. Kurt Hoffman has worked with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nancy Shapiro's favorite part of watching Wilbur was seeing how he developed.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • June 27, 2019
Return of the baby ospreys

Sarasota resident Nancy Shapiro bid adieu to the baby ospreys she's been photographing for a month and a half.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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