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Your Observer

Coco and Brice Claypoole stand in front of their homemade pro-peacock sign.
  • By Nathalie Kaemmerer and Sten Spinella
  • July 30, 2019
Peacock debate spreads its wings again in Longboat neighborhood

Longbeach Village peacocks ruffle feathers in a discussion between those who love them and those who support town efforts to keep the flock small.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cyndi Seamon measures a new nest.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 30, 2019
Turtle numbers on the rise

More nests spotted on Longboat beaches than in years past.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Traffic stopped for hours near the neck of the New Pass Bridge as emergency services responded to a gas line break on July 24.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 29, 2019
Town, contractors double down on gas line locations

July 24 incident prompted closure of Gulf of Mexico Drive for hours.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
2018's Good as Green Business of the Year second place winner Tomas Jusak of Junk King, first place Jacci Shovlin and Mike Solmonson of G. Fried Flooring and third place winners Angel Cruz and Ruben Rod. Photo by Katie Johns
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 29, 2019
Small Business Week approaches on Longboat Key

Celebrate your local economy by nominating a small business.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The former Pineapple Square properties total more than 30,000 square feet of retail space.
    By
  • Kevin McQuaid
  • July 29, 2019
Investor buys downtown retail spaces for $10.35 million

The multimillion-dollar sale includes Main Street and Lemon Avenue properties such as Sur La Table, Eileen Fisher, Pastry Art and Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Prohibiting alley parking is one of the new rules.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 29, 2019
Longbeach Village adjusts to new parking rules

The current regulations were approved by the Town Commission on June 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Elementary school times are the only ones changing.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2019
Elementary school start time changes in Manatee County

Elementary school start time changes in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
The meeting will be held at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2019
Manatee County to set millage

Manatee County to set millage rate for fiscal year 2020.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High football team emphasized fitness on the first day of practice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 29, 2019
High school football practice begins in East County and Sarasota

The regular season begins Aug. 23.

  • East County
  • Sports
Barb Green, Diane Brune, Judy Balmer, Marilyn Schugg, Jennie Buehner, Dianne Emmermann and Ginny Kaseman packed more than 500 backpacks.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 29, 2019
Packed with passion in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch woman spearheads drive to provide children with back-to-school supplies.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 29, 2019
Walk in the Park: Longboat Key Public Tennis Center

The tennis center serves up a good time for spectators and players alike.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 29, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Something fishy's going on here

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 29, 2019
Another day in paradise

Dry Dock one of 100 most beautiful restaurants

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brad Jeffers is the new general manager at the Grande Clubhouse.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2019
New general manager brings his 'Simple' tasks to the Grande Clubhouse in Lakewood Ranch

Longtime hospitality industry executive Brad Jeffers takes over at the Grande Clubhouse in the Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 28, 2019
2019 World Rowing U23 Championships close at Nathan Benderson Park

The 2019 World Rowing U23 Championships close at Nathan Benderson Park with USRowing taking one gold medal.

  • East County
  • Sports
New coach Rashad West has given the Lakewood Ranch Mustangs football program a spark.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 27, 2019
Mustangs may experience a power surge

The Lakewood Ranch High Mustangs football program may experience a power surge under coach Rashad West.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ryan Gosling in "First Man." Photo source: HBO.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 26, 2019
Binge Blog: One giant leap

Hulu's "Veronica Mars" and Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" are this week's Sarasota Observer Binge Blog picks by reporter Ryan Kohn.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
    In Memoriam |
  • July 25, 2019
William "Bill" Graham

William "Bill" John Graham, 79, of Longboat Key, Florida and formerly of River Edge, New Jersey passed away July 20, 2019.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 25, 2019
Campers get crafty at Art Center

Art Center Sarasota offers 11 weeks of art summer camps that explore a different theme each week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Three men robbed the Wawa gas station at 14510 State Road 70, Bradenton, of cigarettes this morning. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 25, 2019
Manatee County Sheriff on hunt for cigarette thieves

Authorities are looking for three male suspects who robbed a Lakewood Ranch Wawa.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: July 25

Stephanie Wallace captured this orchid after a rain shower at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2019
East County weather page photo: July 25

Gordon Silver captured this snowy egret admiring itself in the waters at Myakka River State Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 25

Charles Howard captured an image of an egret at Casa Del Mar on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jack Cox said his Halfacre Construction company continues to enjoy the growth being experienced in Lakewood Ranch and the surrounding area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 25, 2019
Lakewood Ranch's Halfacre Construction enjoys success with an eye on the future

Lakewood Ranch's Halfacre Construction enjoys success with an eye on the future

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 25, 2019
Involvement was in Dave Brenner's DNA

Over the past 25 years, almost everywhere you turned on Longboat Key, David Brenner was involved, giving to make the town a better place.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • July 25, 2019
Joan C. Stewart

Joan C. Stewart, 87, passed away May 13th in Sarasota, Florida. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Lakewood Ranch has a variety of housing types under construction with home prices ranging from the $200,000s to more than $1 million. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 25, 2019
Lakewood Ranch ranked No. 1 in construction starts

Metrostudy backs Lakewood Ranch's fastest-growing status for second quarter 2019.

  • East County
  • News
Tina Goodman is headed to the World Triathlon Championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 25, 2019
Sarasota athlete headed to 2019 World Triathlon Championships

She has been competing in triathlons for 20 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Michael Durham plays Superhot VR on the HTC Vive.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 25, 2019
Sarasota bar puts the reality in virtual reality

Sarasota bar Escape Reality Downtown puts the reality in virtual reality.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 25, 2019
Campers respond to call for superheroes at Dream Oaks Camp

Foundation for Dreams' "superhero" themed camp proves adventure for Dream Oaks Camp participants in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
City officials say they hope they can move past the discord at a July 1 meeting, but some displeasure lingers on both sides.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 25, 2019
City Commission, Planning Board clash over code compliance

Questions about procedures for enforcing city codes has caused tension among Sarasota officials.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on plans to take sand from Big Pass, which has never been dredged before, to renourish portions of the Lido Key shoreline.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 25, 2019
Siesta, city face off at Big Pass hearing

Representatives for the city and island residents questioned witnesses as the legal battle over a Lido shoreline project continues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Emergency services respond to the scene of Longboat's latest gas line break.
  • By Eric Garwood and Sten Spinella
  • July 24, 2019
Longboat Key road reopens after repair of gas line break

Town officials plan to meet Friday, July 26, to discuss third closure of Gulf of Mexico Drive since late June.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The USA's Emily Kallfelz won her heat of the women's single scull race at the 2019 World Rowing U23 Championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 24, 2019
World Rowing U23 Championships underway at Nathan Benderson Park

The competition will run through Sunday.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 24, 2019
Campers enjoy stable environment at Myakka farm

Mini horses offer summer learning, fun for campers in Myakka.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 24, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Yes, that cell phone can still call 911

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
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