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Your Observer

Malachi Wideman.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 9, 2019
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 05.09.19

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 05.09.19

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 9, 2019
Children get in the spring spirit with May Day Baskets

Kids had the chance to create a nature-inspired basket at The Children's Garden and Art Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.9.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Mothers Helping Mothers volunteers bridge the gap between its current storefront and the space it will expand into.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 9, 2019
Mothers Helping Mother to expand

The Sarasota organization will nearly triple in size.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Greg Lintner preferred to side on the sidewalk while riding around Siesta Key.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 9, 2019
Quality of bike lanes on Midnight Pass raises safety concerns among Siesta Key cyclists

Cyclists on Siesta Key hope to see improvements in a bumpy and narrow stretch of a popular roadway.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The orchestra said the venue, depicted in this conceptual rendering, could complement the park and enhance the east side of downtown. Park users have pushed back against the proposal.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 9, 2019
Orchestra continues pursuit of Payne Park site

As the city prepares to meet with orchestra officials, a group has formed to oppose the concept of building a new venue on public parkland.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cynthia Saunders was under investigation by the Florida Department of Education. File photo.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
School District of Manatee County superintendent settles with State Department of Education

School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders puts accusations about inflating graduation rates in the past.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County 12 Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas consults with attorneys before ruling to hear more arguments at a later time.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 8, 2019
Recreation district bonds delayed

Pending lawsuit delays judge's decision whether to approve issuance of bonds for purchase of University Park's recreational facilities.

  • East County
  • News
Shane Swezey surrounded by students and staff at Oak Park School along with school district administrators and Florida Department of Education leadership. Photo courtesy of the Florida Department of Education.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 8, 2019
Oak Park School music teacher named Teacher of the Year finalist

Swezey is one of five statewide finalists for 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A preliminary conceptual rendering shown at a December workshop displayed the vision for a redesigned Lemon Avenue.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 8, 2019
Lemon Avenue project to begin next week

The city is undertaking a seven-month effort to redesign a downtown street and park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
One of two leatherback turtle nests is on Siesta Key. Mote scientist Melissa Bernhard said she wouldn't be surprised if both nests are from the same turtle. Photo courtesy of Mote.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 8, 2019
Rare leatherback turtle nest spotted on Siesta Key

Two leatherback turtle nests have been documented by Mote in Venice and Siesta Key. The last time a nest like this was in the area was 2001.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
In the past, commissioners have considered using the Fairgrounds or Robarts Arena as a convention center.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 8, 2019
Commission backs away from convention center consideration

Commissioners noted that the idea was not sustainable "this year" in specific.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stephen Ma and Teddy. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
Paw-fully helpful

LECOM hosts BioScentDX beagles in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mario Mendoza said he and his family pride themselves on being nerds. This shirt, featuring a right angle — making him always "right" — was perfect when he wore it the day before the Math Florida Standard Assessments on May 6.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
New Bashaw principal looks for potential in East County

"He’s fabulous and I’m sad to see him go."

  • East County
  • Schools
Renee Di Pilano. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 8, 2019
County names new head of Libraries and Historical Resources

Di Pilato succeeds Sarabeth Kalajian, the current director, who retires in the fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
'Ruff' night on Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Music on Main benefits the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kate Barlaug with Chris King . Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 8, 2019
Educator shout-outs

Buchanan recognizes Haile Middle School employee.

  • East County
  • News
Off the Handle opened this month on Clark Road.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 8, 2019
Business briefs

A Sarasota cycling studio opens, a computer business celebrates 30 years and hotel occupancy climbs in March

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Students of all grades came together to investigate what they thought to be a caterpillar but what may have been a worm.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
Bashaw kids dig it

Students dig it.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dee Danmeyer is no stranger to horses — she used to own three.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
SMART Director gallops into new role

When Dee Danmeyer has a bad day, she grabs a handful of peppermints and heads to the barn.

  • East County
  • News
Dabo Swinney celebrates Clemson's 2019 national championship with senior offensive lineman Mitch Hyatt (75) and junior cornerback Trayvon Mullen (1). Photo courtesy David Platt/Clemson Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 8, 2019
Dabo Swinney a dandy for the Dick Vitale Gala

Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney is a 'dandy' for the Dick Vitale Gala.

  • East County
  • Sports
Pat Cooper and her daughter Jenny Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 8, 2019
Longboat moms share their favorite motherhood memories

In honor of Mother’s Day on May 12, these Longboat mothers and grandmothers are sharing the good, bad and messy of motherhood.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, Animal Network board member Debra Star (behind), Animal Services Division Director Sarah Brown (center) and Animal Network President Pam Freni said the community has demanded more.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 8, 2019
Price of stray pets rises in Manatee County

County officials say $8 million animal shelter would address overcrowding.

  • East County
  • News
Patty McBride, here with her dog Honey, says volunteering at Southeastern Guide Dogs keeps her active physically and mentally.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 8, 2019
Longboat resident helps furry friends in spare time

When Patty McBride retired, she wanted to stay busy, so she started volunteering with Southeastern Guide Dogs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nesting season runs from May 1 to October 31 . File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 8, 2019
Turtle seasons kicks off on Longboat Key

The first sea turtle nest was spotted on Longboat on April 26, five days before nesting season officially began.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Beth Chapman and her husband, Duane "Dog" Chapman, are known for their show "Dog the Bounty Hunter," which aired more than 300 episodes in about eight years. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 8, 2019
Bounty hunter's wife shares testimony in Bradenton

Realty star Beth Chapman talks about family on Mother's Day at the Source Church.

  • East County
  • News
Emma Moneuse graduated from Manatee High School last year. File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 8, 2019
Calling all 2019 grads!

Are you a soon-to-be-graduate? We want to hear from you.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 8, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: It was lost, then it was found

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Kali Reis.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 8, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Kali Reis

The Lakewood Ranch junior talks recruitment and grand slams.

  • East County
  • Sports
Conner Reese and Kiley and Rachel Nowaczyk love that their dog, Stashu, is calm and well trained.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 8, 2019
A golden future in Lakewood Ranch

Gold Star labrador fills void for local family.

  • East County
  • News
Kelly Lassiter, a volunteer for the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch, dresses as a black cat and hangs with Lola, a Humane Society alum.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 7, 2019
Record field of golfers plays in sixth annual Putts Fore Mutts Scramble in Lakewood Ranch

The annual Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch event draws a field of 114 to the Ritz Carlton Golf Course.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 7, 2019
Sand castle competition hits Siesta Key Beach.

It was the 47th annual Amateur Sand Sculpture Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
School Avenue cuts through the middle of Sarasota High School. The school district has been working for years to unify the campus, finally succeeding at Monday's commission meeting.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 7, 2019
City approves permanent School Avenue closure

Despite objections from neighbors, the City Commission agreed to relinquish its control of a road segment that cuts through Sarasota High School’s campus.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 7, 2019
County presses ahead with sample data for redistricting

Commissioners have taken the first step toward potentially redistricting, though they’d have to complete the process by the end of 2019 if they choose to do so.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An alert that was posted on Twitter by the school district. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 7, 2019
Limited lockdown at Tuttle Elementary lifted after reports of nearby shooting

Tuttle Elementary is located at 2868 8th Street in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • May 7, 2019
Diane Margaret Lewis

Diane Margaret Doyle Lewis, age 81, of Sarasota, Florida passed away on Saturday May 4, 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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