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Your Observer

Chuck Brantley.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 23, 2019
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 05.23.19

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 05.23.19

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dominic Bennett.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 23, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Dominic Bennett

Sarasota High running back Dominic Bennett talks goals for next football season and his taco preferences.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    A time to celebrate |
  • May 23, 2019
John Vorel’s 90th Birthday

Longboat Key resident John Vorel celebrated his 90th birthday on May 19th!

  • Longboat Key
  • Celebrations
The issue of poles, pole height, aesthetics and cell-phone service have been front and center in town this year.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • May 23, 2019
Letters to the editor: Getting cell-service right

Island residents sound off on Key topics.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
This preliminary conceptual rendering shows the city's vision for redesigning Lemon Avenue with brick pavers and no curbs.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 23, 2019
City schedules Main Street intersection closure

The city has delayed the start of a Lemon Avenue streetscape project until May 28, at which point a segment of the downtown road will be closed for about a month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mote has said county financial support is essential for making the five-story, 110,000-square-foot aquarium project a reality.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 23, 2019
County analysis of Mote project raises questions

A consultant challenged projections associated with a proposed aquarium project, but Mote officials remain optimistic about receiving county support.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Bay's proposal for a TIF district could steer $100 million in city and county property tax revenue into the construction of a waterfront park and a new performing arts center.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 23, 2019
Bayfront group works on public funding

The Bay Park Conservancy must navigate different priorities from city and county officials as it attempts to finance a waterfront park project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
According to Swezey, his motivation and flexibility are what set him apart from other educators
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 23, 2019
Teaching-award finalist helps pupils find a voice

Shane Swezey, a Sarasota educator and board-certified music therapist, uses music as more than just an instrument for fun.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City Commissioners rejected a plan to explore Payne Park as a possible site for the Sarasota Orchestra.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 23, 2019
Vote on Sarasota Orchestra sends a message

The city seems at a turning point, as it was in the late 1960s when forward-thinking commissioners shaped a lasting vision.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Day 1 crew on the building site. Includes Stock Signature Homes and Lake Club volunteers as well as Habitat volunteers and staff.
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • May 22, 2019
Getting their hands dirty

Residents of Lakewood Ranch's Lake Club community come together to build for Habitat for Humanity.

  • LWR Life
The county aims to revisit the topic of redistricting next month
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 22, 2019
County to hire consultant for potential redistricting process

After reviewing a variety of options to base new district lines off of, commissioners directed staff to hire a consultant within the next month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pearl and Don Constantino say they enjoy playing pickleball at Bayfront Park, but they’re always prepared in case the court is in use.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 22, 2019
Pickleball plans firm up with consultant report

Town study shows where courts could be added, and for how much.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 22, 2019
Longboaters trade briefcases for putters

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce held its Business After Hours event at The Fish Hole.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tamlyn Leatt pet Benny enthusiastically while her peers watched.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 22, 2019
Thunder strikes for mounted patrol

Nolan Middle School students name the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Mounted Patrol Unit logo.

  • East County
  • Schools
Doug Wagner talked with Stokely Browne about her dreams and career goal of becoming a neurosurgeon or neuroscientist.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 22, 2019
Manatee County students explore horizons through Project TEACH

"How do you spell neurosurgeon?"

  • East County
  • Schools
The Lakewood Ranch softball team is headed to the final four for the second year in a row.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 22, 2019
Lakewood Ranch softball heads to second-straight final four

Lakewood Ranch softball heads to its second-straight final four in Vero Beach.

  • East County
  • Sports
Former Lakewood Ranch High outfielder Logan Newton is hitting .427 on the season, 16th in the country, for James Madison. Photo courtesy JMU Athletics Communications.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 22, 2019
Local star now softball royalty with Dukes

Lakewood Ranch star Logan Newton now softball royalty with James Madison Dukes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Joby Smith, the Bay County Emergency Management division chief, will be the keynote speaker and will discuss Hurricane Michael.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 22, 2019
Town, Chamber to host disaster preparedness seminar

The seminar will run from 3:15 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 30 in the Harbourside Ballroom.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
LaRose didn't intend to become a translator. She anticipated having a career in marketing or public relations.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 22, 2019
Irina LaRose translates languages, helps bring people together

Since 1993, LaRose has worked as a Russian language translator. Her work has brought to Russia and around the U.S. to help clients.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Addison and Sophia Riesen share a common goal of protecting the environment and marine animals.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 22, 2019
Longboat sisters work in their own ways to protect the environment

Sophia and Addison Riesen protect the environment in different ways but share the same goal – protect marine animals and the environment.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Calvin Hedgepeth.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 22, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Calvin Hedgepeth

The Braden River pitcher talks dog piles and his out pitch.

  • East County
  • Sports
The town used a 30-foot light pole along Bee Ridge Road as an example of a dark-painted aluminum pole. The flag pole is 25 feet high,
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 21, 2019
Town moves ahead with heights for small-cell poles

Longboat Key leaders take a critical step in the design of their town's underground utilities and upgraded cell service.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A.G. Lafley, Cathy Layton, Ric Gregoria and Debra Jacobs pose around the board announcing The Patterson Foundation's contribution toward the first phase of the bayfront project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 21, 2019
Patterson Foundation announces donation to The Bay

The foundation’s initial $2 million contribution could grow to $5 million as The Bay Park Conservancy embarks on the first phase of its park project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cheri Coryea is the new Manatee County administrator.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 21, 2019
Manatee County Commissioners approve Coryea as full-time administrator

Cheri Coryea given full title after three months as Manatee County's acting administrator.

  • East County
  • News
Brentwood Elementary School. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 21, 2019
Brentwood Elementary to hold vigil for 9-year-old killed on way to school

The event will be at Brentwood Elementary, located at 2500 Vinson Avenue in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 21, 2019
Lido Pool to temporarily close

The pool, located at 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive, will be closed for seven days.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Stephanie Peabody conceived the brain health study.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 21, 2019
LWR Talks features brain health study

Speaker Stephanie Peabody says community round-table discussions about the Lakewood Ranch Study of Brain Health will begin in September.

  • East County
  • News
The parade begins on Main Street every year.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 21, 2019
Upcoming Memorial Day Parade prompts road closures

Road closures in the city of Sarasota will begin around 9 a.m. on Monday, May 27

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota County Administration buildings will be one of several closed facilities.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 21, 2019
Sarasota County announces Memorial Day closures

Most county-led government and recreational facilities will be closed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Both opponents and supporters of the Sarasota Orchestra's proposal packed the commission chambers at City Hall on Monday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 21, 2019
City Commission rejects orchestra's Payne Park vision

Although the Sarasota Orchestra said it was the only viable site in the city, the commission ruled out using the park property for a music hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • May 20, 2019
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe brings 'Soul' to Art in the Ballpark

WBTT's Soul Crooners performed to a sold-out crowd at Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium May 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 20, 2019
9-year-old struck and killed on way to Sarasota school

The boy was a third grade student at Brentwood Elementary School.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ninety-five-year-old Robert Kanter, who earned a purple heart with the 101st Airborne Division in World War II, was honored with a float sponsored by his son, Lakewood Ranch Dental owner Michael Kanter.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 20, 2019
East County embraces its heroes in Lakewood Ranch

Fallen soldiers, veterans and current military members are center stage at annual Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 18, 2019
Lakewood Ranch High graduates follow their dreams

Lakewood Ranch High students celebrate their graduation at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

  • East County
  • News
Retired Army Sgt. Dave Daily of Mill Creek is the 2019 Tribute To Heroes Parade grand marshal.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 18, 2019
Career soldier the grand marshal in Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch

Career soldier the grand marshal in Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
A body was found behind the Dunkin Donuts in Lakewood Ranch on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 18, 2019
No ID yet on body found in Lakewood Ranch

Female's body was found in vehicle behind Dunkin Donuts in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
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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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