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Your Observer

    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 17, 2019
Sarasota High graduates sail into the future

The 464 graduates gathered on the field at Charlie Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • May 17, 2019
Cardinal Mooney Catholic seniors say goodbye to high school days

More than 100 Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School seniors graduated at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
San Marco Plaza, located off Natures Way, has never had an anchor tenant.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 17, 2019
Lakewood Ranch's San Marco Plaza lands anchor tenant

Franchise swim school plans to operate in an 8,500-square-foot location on Natures Way.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 17, 2019
County identifies several funding priorities at budget workshop

The workshop primarily involved budget updates and reports from various Sarasota County departmental leaders.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Margaret Good holds one of the mosaics she commissioned .
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 17, 2019
Rep. Margaret Good commissions piece by Oak Park School students

The state representative commissioned a mosaic of the Florida state seal.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rev. James Golden represents District 5 for the School Board of Manatee County. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 17, 2019
East Bradenton school board member modifies meeting schedule

James Golden has changed dates for two Constituent Contact Meetings in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Nancy Shapiro spotted the baby ospreys Orville and Wilbur from her Beau Ciel condo terrace on Sunday. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • May 17, 2019
A Mother's Day surprise: Baby ospreys strike up conversation

One Sarasota resident spent Mother's Day photographing baby ospreys from her terrace.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Korean War Veterans march down Main Street during the 2017 Memorial Day Parade.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • May 17, 2019
What to do in Sarasota on Memorial Day Weekend

Here are a few events to attend Memorial Day weekend to honor those who died in military service.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 17, 2019
A walk in the park: Joan M. Durante Park

Walk with us through the Longboat Key's parks and other outdoor attractions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Maureen Wilt said that Lucas Giffard’s leadership skills set him apart from other scholarship applicants.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • May 17, 2019
Surprise! Pine View School senior receives $20,000 scholarship from FPL

Florida Power and Light Co. surprised Lucas Gifford with an annual scholarship.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is moving non-clinical workers into the former Sarasota Herald-Tribune building, left, while the parcel across Main Street is for sale. Photo courtesy SVN Lotus.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 17, 2019
Are big changes in store for mid-Main Street?

Two key parcels could help revitalize a quieter part of downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
English as a second language students gather for a picture together before separating into their academies.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2019
Braden River graduates sail toward future

Braden River High graduates Class of 2019.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 16, 2019
Booker High graduation celebrates "one school, unlimited futures"

The Booker High School Class of 2019 graduated May 16 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 16, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Right car, wrong person

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Tanks in Mote Marine's new Science Education Aquarium will hold more than 1 million gallons of water.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 16, 2019
Mote Marine picks builders for its Science Education Aquarium in Sarasota

Lakewood Ranch builder Willis Smith and its partner, Orlando's Whiting-Turner, get contract to build an iconic structure.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: May 16

Jill Anderson captured a honey bee landing on a flower in her backyard in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2019
East County weather page photo: May 16

Charles Haeussner catches a young alligator eyeing a limpkin on the shore of Lake Uihlein in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 16

Robert Todd caught this image of a storm approaching Longboat Key from the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Todd and Eddie Morton, co-owners of Morton's Market, have helped keep the 50-year business alive.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 16, 2019
Morton's Market celebrates 50 years

The grocer, located at 1924 S Osprey Ave, has survived the introduction of grocery chains and multiple ownerships.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The future Waterside Place project fronts a 1-mile long lake and will have a mix of shopping, restaurants and apartments. Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2019
New Asian restaurant headed to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch

New Asian restaurant, Kore, headed to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Riverview's Alexa Tarohocker will be a force in the 4A girls high jump next season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 16, 2019
Spring's under-appreciated athletes get a spotlight

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Riverview High boys basketball alumnus Brion Whitley is poised for a big 2019-2020 season at Murray State. Photo courtesy Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 16, 2019
Riverview High alumnus dishes on Murray State basketball and the NBA Draft

Brion Whitley believes potential top-three draft pick Ja Morant, a Murray State teammate, is worthy of the hype.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 16, 2019
Report on Longboat fatal crash concludes driver, cyclist share responsibility

New York bicycle rider was killed in crash with parked truck on Gulf of Mexico Drive in April.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gotcha hopes to expand its services from a ride-share to a bike and scooter share in Sarasota.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 16, 2019
Gotcha, VeoRide propose scooter- and bike-sharing in Sarasota

Ride-sharing service already at work in Sarasota hopes to expand business.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lake Club's Kevin Swan, left, said he is a die-hard Disney fan who ran into a complete day of employee apathy May 4.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 16, 2019
Lakewood Ranch resident receives Mickey Mouse treatment

A Life Story Foundation's Kevin Swan has a rough day at Disney World.

  • East County
  • News
As Vandyk plots a condo project on one of the last vacant tracts in the neighborhood, Golden Gate Point residents are concerned about parking.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 16, 2019
Golden Gate Point projects trigger parking concerns

Residents are advocating for the inclusion of more parking spaces in new developments.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police Chief Pete Cumming, Katie Johns and Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 16, 2019
Thanks for the memories, Longboat

Community editor Katie Johns reflects on her time with Longboat Observer before heading off to a new job in her hometown.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Concession Golf Club owner Bruce Cassidy Sr. says the addition of a Par 3 course and a putting course will offer members variety and hopefully attract new members.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 15, 2019
A new spin on Concession golf

Concession Golf Club to add a 9-hole course along with a putting course.

  • East County
  • News
Some town residents have asked about the possibility of piggybacking canal dredging with a recently completed Lido Key project. The complexities of permitting make that impractical, town officials said.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 15, 2019
New wrinkles in canal plan have Longboat leaders looking at options

Cost estimates, extent of seagrass mitigation adds new variables to a long-proposed project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Members of the Old Braden River Historical Society appreciated a presentation on the society's successes prepared by Bill Halstead.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 15, 2019
Old Braden River Historical Society plans for future

As the Old Braden River Historical Society celebrated 12 years at its May 7 meeting, members looked back on the successes of the organization and discussed plans for the future.

  • East County
  • News
Emily and Hudson Drake. Photo by Andrew Atkins.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 15, 2019
Moms pampered with class at Gene Witt Elementary

Spa day commemorates Mother's Day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarah and Avery Erickson. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 15, 2019
Tea time for mom at Braden River Library

Teddy bears tag along for Mother's Day celebration.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hayley Rio, the current Principal of Braden River Elementary, will take over as the first principal of Barbara A. Harvey Elementary in the next academic year,
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 15, 2019
Braden River Elementary's 'Amazing' principal to begin new role at Barbara Harvey

Braden River Elementary Principal Hayley Rio once was the kind of little girl who would line up her stuffed animals to play “school,” giving them math quizzes.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 15, 2019
Students play on Water Day at Braden River Elementary

"All's fair in love and war."

  • East County
  • Schools
Olivia Karow said she is guided by her faith and family. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 15, 2019
Look above, go beyond at Lakewood Ranch High School

Olivia Karow is clearly passionate about two things: her faith and her loved ones.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jack Kelley, 19, has made a miraculous recovery after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 15, 2019
Former Lakewood Ranch High basketball star continues comeback after auto wreck

He was cleared to exercise normally last week.

  • East County
  • Sports
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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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