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Your Observer

Animal Network Inc. President Pam Freni and Kassandra Zess-Pagel, vice president of Friends of Manatee County Animal Services, are pictured with 13-year-old Oreo. They say the current Animal Services building is in disrepair.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 27, 2019
A funding drive begins for Animal Network, with help from Manatee Community Foundation

The Manatee County nonprofit hopes to help the county fund a new animal shelter.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Wynn Watson and Hartley Aultman pull pasta, sauce, soup, stuffing, canned vegetables and other items from their cart after a busy morning of shopping. They found everything on their lists.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 27, 2019
Primrose students turn their labor into a Thanksgiving dinner for those in need

Kindergartners shop for Mayors Feed the Hungry program.

  • East County
  • Schools
Property investor and Realtor Howard Sadwin and partners with Duck Dog II are looking to sell their 15-acre site at the southwest corner of Lorraine Road and State Road 64 for about $3 million.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 27, 2019
Area developers, investors say timing is ripe for more business in East County

Commercial interests gobble up land from interstate to Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • News
Vehicles waiting in line to pick up children as school lets out at B.D. Gullett Elementary School spill onto Wood Fern Terrace. Stopping in traffic lanes there now will be prohibited.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 27, 2019
Parking restrictions tighten in Manatee County school zones

Commissioners add areas around three Lakewood Ranch schools to an existing no stopping or standing ordinance.

  • East County
  • News
Golden Gate Point residents critical of the new lights say the bridge's columns have become a canvas for ill-fitting bright colors, though there are some supporters of the new setup.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 27, 2019
Residents seek changes to Ringling Bridge lights

Colorful lights on the John Ringling Causeway have drawn criticism from some residents, who are optimistic improvements can be made.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The proposal for parkland at Bobby Jones with the most radical changes eliminates nine regulation holes from the course and places a greater emphasis on natural features. Images courtesy city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 27, 2019
City shares proposals for park at Bobby Jones

The city is considering three options for adding parkland to the municipal golf course, one of which would require eliminating nine more holes from the property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 27, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 11.28.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The site of the tree lighting.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 26, 2019
Tree lighting kicks off season at Longboat's Town Center this week

Town is gearing up for first event, then four concert series events in 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hunter, a golden retriever owned by Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department Deputy Chief Sandi Drake, poses in the Longboat Key fire station.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 26, 2019
Hunter the dog helps first responders tackle mental health issues

The golden retriever aids first responders in feeling comfortable and opening up to discuss topics from PTSD to anxiety

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nancy Rozance, right, accepts the president's gavel from Susan McGuire.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 26, 2019
In conversation with Nancy Rozance

The President of the Rotary Club of Longboat Key talks goals and what drew her to the organization.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kathy Reategui, left, and Limu Severino, right, say they are thankful to be working for Gretchen Bauer, center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 26, 2019
A special Thanksgiving for two Lakewood Ranch seamstresses who work at BSwanky

Two Lakewood Ranch seamstresses are grateful for their jobs at BSwanky as Thanksgiving approaches

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 26, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Close call in New Pass

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 26, 2019
Commissioners set final vote for beach ballot wording

Town residents would cast ballots on the measure in March.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Juliana Mattes works on her roll as a Harlequin doll in The 12 Dolls of Christmas.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 25, 2019
Time to earn applause for Ovation School of Musical Theatre of Lakewood Ranch

Ovation School of Musical Theatre of Lakewood Ranch presents The 12 Dolls of Christmas at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"Nucci" follows the life of a young circus performer who works to master the quadruple somersault.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Life under the big top

Adrian Catarzi, the 13th trapezist to do the triple somersault, wrote a book following his journey to mastering the feat.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 25, 2019
Pass the turkey

The Fire Department donates a turkey to a longtime resident.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Catherine Garey, Cyndi Seamon and Michael Garey. Photo courtesy of the Lazy Lobster.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 25, 2019
Lazy Lobster's 10th anniversary fundraiser concludes

The Longboat Key staple raised $1400 for six local charities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
John Bielinski, Jr. stands amid his students and a representative from Guinness World Records.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Trainer teaches longest medical class

John Bielinski leads a Sarasota session for 30 hours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Thanksgiving surprise

Out of Door Academy gifted 75 Gocio Elementary School families with Thanksgiving meal kits.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kay Thayer returns a serve at the Longboat Key Tennis Center, where you can get a "serving" of a different kind on Thanksgiving Day.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 25, 2019
Giving thanks, the Longboat Key way

This island is full of its own traditions. Here's what a Thanksgiving Day on Longboat Key might look like.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
FCCI Insurance's Blake Perkins, John Kretkowski, Andrew Hoffa and Scott Langdon serve up Perkins' special butternut squash bisque. It's made with butternut squash, chicken stock, thyme, brown sugar and nutmeg.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 23, 2019
Soup for everyone in Lakewood Ranch to raise funds

Lakewood Ranch supports Meals on Wheels PLUS through Empty Bowls luncheon.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 22, 2019
Walk-a-thon gobbles up funds in Lakewood Ranch.

Mona Jain Middle School students, faculty and staff enjoy first-ever walk a thon before Thanksgiving break.

  • East County
  • News
A thawed duck and the ingredients for a mirepoix wait for Chef Arpke.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 22, 2019
Ray Arpke steps back into teaching role at Euphemia Haye

The head chef and owner was excited to show folks how cooking is done.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 22, 2019
All Angels Bake Sale raises money for hurricane relief

Handmade items and treats brought in money for Hurricane Dorian relief.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A patron walks into the Frank G. Berlin Sr. branch after it changed ownership.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 22, 2019
Sarasota YMCA signs another short-term lease, hopes to make purchase of land

The new lease runs through March 31, though leaders hope to make a purchase on the properties before then.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Left turns from southbound U.S. 41 onto Fruitville Road will be restricted beginning Monday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 22, 2019
Traffic changes planned for U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road

Some turn movements will be restricted beginning next week to accommodate the construction of a roundabout at the downtown Sarasota intersection.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fruitville Elementary is one of the schools that will receive updates.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 22, 2019
Sarasota Schools to improve hurricane shelters, add one

Taylor Ranch Elementary will be added as the 12th evacuation center in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Domenique Maitre knits new items to sell during the festival.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 22, 2019
Pinecraft gets crafty for the holidays

The 26th annual Christmas in Pinecraft Arts and Crafts Festival runs through Nov. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ed Zunz
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 22, 2019
Longboat elections 2020: Five questions with Ed Zunz

Chatting with the commissioners-elect.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bill Saldo, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota, and Neil McCurry, president and CEO of Sabal Palm Bank.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 22, 2019
Sabal Palm Banks hosts 'Party at the Point'

Proceeds from the event went to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Janice Reiser, Maggie Urban, Melanie DeCarlo and Chris Parker.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 21, 2019
Garden Club hosts fall meeting

The Garden Club gathered to hear about Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 21, 2019
Stolen bulldog on his way home after leading Sarasota police to burglary suspects

Maggie was stolen from a California owner in 2015.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 21, 2019
Preschool students give thanks through song

First Presbyterian Preschool held its annual Thanksgiving pageant on Nov. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Brynn Mechem and Harry Sayer
  • November 21, 2019
Artists create 'labor of love' at 10th annual Crystal Classic

Sculptors came from all over the world to compete in the competition on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 21, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: November 21

Allison Forsyth captured this image of a setting sun from under Ringling Bridge at Bird Key Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 21, 2019
East County weather page photo: November 21

This black-bellied whistling duck was captured in flight over a field near Lorraine Road by photographer Gordon Silver.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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