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Your Observer

    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 11, 2019
Sarasota County honors the victims of Sept. 11

Sarasota County held the remembrance ceremony at Fire Station 16, 5875 Hummingbird Ave.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A view of the main building and some land belonging to Grant's Gardens on Longboat Key, which is in the process of rezoning the property. All photos by Sten Spinella.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • September 11, 2019
Grant's Gardens takes on rezoning, renovation

Landscaping business wants to rebuild its Gulf Bay Road operation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Monaca Onstad, the director of community relations for Lakewood Ranch Communities, and Community Coordinator Mackenzie Straley stand in front of a model of the future myLWR.com
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2019
myLWR.com — Time has come for new Lakewood Ranch website

Time has come for new Lakewood Ranch website, myLWR.com

  • East County
  • News
2,977 flags were set up on the front lawn of Riverview High on Wednesday morning.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 11, 2019
Students pay homage to Sept. 11 victims

In observance of Patriot Day, Riverview High School's Young Americans for Freedom Club honors the 2,977 who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 11, 2019
Longboat Key remembers those lost on Sept. 11

The town's Public Works Department puts up the memorial every year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
From left, Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fifth-graders Bakari Simmons, Harrison Phillips and Isaiah Buckson, work on an essay during class while sitting on exercise balls.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2019
More wiggle room for Lakewood Ranch students

Lakewood Ranch elementary school teachers transform classrooms to include flexible seating options

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2019
Tasty time for grandparents in Lakewood Ranch

Braden River Elementary School students relish eating with grandparents during luncheon

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said she spent two hours watching ships come through the Panama Canal. She said Panama's government makes about $10 million a day from the canal. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 11, 2019
Panama visit creates port insight for Manatee County

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh says Port Manatee should be ready for Panamax ships in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch sophomore setter Mackenzie Schmucker (3) fires up the team after winning a point against Manatee High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 11, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Sophomore sets table for Mustangs volleyball

Mackenzie Schmucker has taken on more responsibility for Lakewood Ranch High in year two

  • East County
  • Sports
Former B.D. Gullett Elementary School principal Shirin Gibson will take on a new role as the executive director of curriculum and professional learning for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2019
Former Gullett Elementary principal earns new role with School District of Manatee County

Former Gullett Elementary principal takes on new position for School District of Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
Mill Creek's Chloe Craciun plays with a puzzle after attending story time at the Braden River Library Sept. 4.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 11, 2019
Lakewood Ranch library advocates hope for bigger library

Lakewood Ranch library advocates hope for bigger library

  • East County
  • News
East Manatee Fire Rescue District Capt. Paul Wren says the district converted striping on the back of firetrucks from blue-and-white to red-and-yellow. The yellow is much more visible to motorists, especially at night.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 11, 2019
Lakewood Ranch area first responders in line of fire

Fire chief in Lakewood Ranch says I-75 responses can be treacherous.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 10, 2019
School board finalizes 2019-20 budget, millage rate

$874 million passes by 3-2 vote, with objections raised over reliance on reserve funds.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Draped in a cold towel and toting her water bottle, Sandy Schonhoff heads off the court.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 10, 2019
Longboaters turn up the heat on their love for summertime tennis

Even when most run for cover in air conditioning, Longboat Key's dedicated tennis players head to the court.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Reentry to the island after a mandatory evacuation is one of the emergency management issues raised in the town's proposal.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • September 10, 2019
Longboat Key proposes one-county solution in case of emergencies

Plan would allow Longboat to coordinate only with Sarasota County before and during a storm.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Sharks will maintain control of Selby Aquatic Center for up to the next 30 years.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 10, 2019
Sarasota County Commission approves Selby Aquatic lease

The Sarasota Sharks have maintained control over the property since early 2018.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 10, 2019
Donor makes a gift of learning

Freddie Figgers, founder and CEO of Figgers Communications, donated 20 computers to cadets at Sarasota Military Academy, a local, public charter school

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 10, 2019
An uplifting sight downtown

A portion of Main Street was closed down from Monday morning through 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The city now intends to keep the course open until April 2021 as it finalizes a design and seeks to raise funds for the renovation project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 10, 2019
City alters design for Bobby Jones renovations

The city will reduce the footprint of the municipal golf course from 45 holes to 36 holes, though some officials are still worried about the cost of the project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The meeting will be held in the commission chambers of the first floor of the Manatee County administrative building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 9, 2019
Manatee County Commissioners to finalize budget

Manatee County Commissioners to finalize fiscal year 2020 budget

  • East County
  • News
The church hopes to have the steeple removed by the end of the day Monday. A replacement steeple should be installed by the end of September.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 9, 2019
Steeple removal closes segment of Main Street

A crane is stationed on Main Street to accommodate the removal of the steeple at FirstSarasota church.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key's Sept. 11 memorial consists of 2,977 flags arrayed along Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 9, 2019
Longboat prepares for annual Sept. 11 memorial

Flags along Gulf of Mexico Drive memorialize victims of attacks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Whitney's Roadside is undergoing construction at the corner of Gulf of Mexico Drive and Broadway Street.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 9, 2019
Work on Longboat Key eatery continues

Informal eatery under construction at Broadway and Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 9, 2019
Donate directly to the Bahamas

Bahamian Star Woods-Gordon is collecting donations for her home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 9, 2019
Splish, splash: Families dive into Fun Night at Arlington Park

Arlington Park and Aquatic Center hosted its September Family Fun Night on Sept. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Glasses are filled to toast Alice and Murray Bluegrass.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 9, 2019
Temple Beth Israel facilitates fond friendships

For Shabbat, friends and family were clearly the most important part of the dinner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Murray and Alice Blueglass
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 9, 2019
Blueglasses celebrate 50 years

The secret formula is "love, love, love."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 7, 2019
Lakewood Ranch football moves to 2-0

The Mustangs beat Bayshore High 16-6 thanks to an opportunistic defense.

  • East County
  • Sports
East County football roundup: 09.06.19
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 6, 2019
East County football roundup: 09.06.19

All three area teams were victorious this week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Evelyn England and Becki Creighton
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 6, 2019
Siesta Key Chamber members mingle at September luncheon

The members of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce networked over lunch at The Old Salty Dog.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Unicorp, the plaintiff in the suit, filed to dissolve the Colony’s condo association in the beginning of 2018 as a means of moving forward with a planned hotel and condominium project at 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • September 6, 2019
Order to terminate Colony condo association filed

Trial dates are set for April 2020, where the court will address other issues in the suit.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Coyote in beach dunes at snowy plover nest. Photo courtesy of Susan Phillips.
  • By Nathalie Kaemmerer and Sten Spinella
  • September 6, 2019
Coyotes spoil at least four turtle nests, experts say

Turtle watchers report hard-to-mistake tracks, but town officials say no sightings have been reported.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Audra Snyder and Rick Huylebroeck sign in for the event.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 6, 2019
Networking @ Noon provides a productive respite from the workday

Burgers and business cards make for a good afternoon with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kelli Jaco with her children Katy and Joshua.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 6, 2019
Shabbat serves up a storm

Hurricane Dorian didn't scare off this Community Day School's potluck.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 6, 2019
Our View: Who's playing politics now? Draw new county districts now

Sarasota County voters overwhelmingly approved single-member districts in the 2018 election. There are many compelling reasons to implement them.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 5, 2019
Apartment plans for Town Center Parkway in Lakewood Ranch

Manatee County commissioners approve zoning changes in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
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