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Your Observer

    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • October 3, 2019
Should we stop worrying and learn to love the roundabouts?

Florida has more roundabouts than any other state, but that doesn't mean locals and snowbirds are more comfortable with them.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The St. Armands BID is working with an architecture firm to modify the previously approved design of the restroom structure, depicted above.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2019
St. Armands Circle leaders tinker with bathroom plan

As it pursues a new direction for the design of a freestanding public restroom, a St. Armands group hopes the project is complete within a year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Accessory dwelling units can either be attached to a primary residence or located in a separate structure, such as this unit located above a parking garage in Laurel Park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2019
Sarasota County approves accessory dwelling unit plan

Sarasota County has authorized the construction of smaller residences on many single-family properties in hopes of providing more affordable housing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jerry Fogle and John Kretzer, manager of landscape operations, helped oversee the construction of the playground that opened Wednesday, Oct. 1 at Pioneer Park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2019
City continues to prioritize parks and recreation

The official launch of a park district is an opportunity for the city of Sarasota to improve its public parks and continue long-term strategic work, officials say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Lido Beach Restaurant is closed through December as the city renovates the concession property.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2019
Changes in store for Lido Beach pavilion

As the city begins work on renovating the pavilion property, it is also negotiating with a new concession operator to oversee food and drink services.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.3.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
One of the central points of contention regarding the Selby Gardens master plan is the scale of a proposed parking garage. The application calls for a building up to 75 feet tall with a rooftop restaurant.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2019
Divided Planning Board endorses Selby Gardens proposal

Despite some reservations, a majority of the advisory board recommended approval of the contentious master plan, which will now go to the City Commission for review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • October 2, 2019
Craig Howard Wheeler

Craig Howard Wheeler died peacefully at home surrounded by his family in Longboat Key, Florida on September 28, 2019 at the age of 68.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Robert Hueter attaches a satellite tag to a bull shark during a study in 2016. Bull sharks are one of the migratory shark species that PERC will focus on. Photo by Olivia Raney/Mote Marine Laboratory
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 2, 2019
Mote Marine Laboratory to study shark life history and sustainability

The laboratory will join other research outlets to study migratory marine species.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • October 2, 2019
Richard D. Levin

Richard D. Levin passed away at his home in Saraso­ta, FL September 24th.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 2, 2019
Lakewood Ranch area school promotes bicycle, pedestrian safety

Lakewood Ranch area school promotes bicycle, pedestrian safety

  • East County
  • News
From left, Lakewood Ranch High School senior Mariette Tomlinson, Braden River High School senior Madigan Wilford and Lakewood Ranch High School senior Joey Robertson beam with pride claiming the top prizes in the essay contest.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
Constitution's blessings praised in essays from East County seniors

Three East County seniors claim top prizes in School District of Manatee County's Constitution Day essay contest

  • East County
  • News
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School second grade teacher Martha Ferra, left, is teaching with her daughter, third grade teacher Xiomara Cappiello, for the first time.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
Teaching together at McNeal Elementary School

Teaching runs in the family at McNeal Elementary School

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School senior Claire Davidson is a 2020 National Merit Scholar semifinalist. She earned a score of 1470 on the PSAT.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
East County students score big on PSAT

Three East County seniors qualify as National Merit Scholar semifinalists

  • East County
  • News
Doug Spencer and Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 2, 2019
Common ground

National Coffee with a Cop day was Oct. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Wyatt Hossenlopp, runs after the ball while Jake Morales and Aidan Levine fight for it during a scrimmage game of hockey.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
Nolan Middle School students hooked on hockey

Tampa Bay Lightning Street Team introduces hockey at Nolan Middle School

  • East County
  • News
Town leaders are ready to proceed with basic improvements to the Town Center land.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 2, 2019
Longboat's Town Center: The path forward

While work proceeds on a village green site on the town's 4.8 acres, leaders begin the process of figuring out what residents want to come next.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Siesta Key Water Reclamation Facility will be demolished in 2020.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 2, 2019
Siesta Key Water Reclamation Facility demolition slated for 2020

The facility was decommissioned in 2018 and the property is now home to the Siesta Key Master Pump Station

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ryan Kohn puts his might to the test with the NBP Dragons. Photo courtesy Douglas Jessmer.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 2, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Dragon boat is harder than you think

The sport is challenging while remaining fun.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gillette Bauer.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 2, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Gillette Bauer

The ODA senior talks on-court leadership and her love of science.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County Construction Services Manager Tom Yarger talks about different features, including an aquatics center, at the future Premier Sports Campus park expansion during a Sept. 25 public meeting.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 2, 2019
Conceptual Lakewood Ranch park plans revealed by Manatee County

Conceptual Lakewood Ranch park plans revealed by Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
The Waterlefe Community Development District maintains stormwater inlets and other structures that sometimes need repair. Water from the ponds eventually drains into stormwater systems outside the community. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 2, 2019
Manatee County stormwater fee proposal advances

Manatee County proposes new stormwater fee.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County planner Jake Bibler reviews plans for a Taco Bell site in Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 2, 2019
Manatee county responds to development timelines mandated by Legislature

Manatee county responds to new development timelines

  • East County
  • News
Rancher Jim Strickland shows off one of two solar powered wells he uses to provide drinking water to cattle. Two more wells are planned.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 2, 2019
Myakka City rancher honored by Audubon, Manatee County

Myakka's Jim Strickland named Sustainable Rancher of the Year by Audubon Florida.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 2, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: When the prime suspect is the wind

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Fourth-grade teachers Lee Anne Durkee, Sarah Body and Danielle Herrmann join Chompy, the mascot,. Body was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2018.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 1, 2019
Gullett Gators take up the fight in Lakewood Ranch

B.D. Gullett Elementary School in Lakewood Ranch has pink out to support teacher fighting breast cancer

  • East County
  • News
Carlton Irvis will run the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 1, 2019
Man runs for charity

Carlton Irvis hopes to donate $1,300 to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls before he runs the Chicago Marathon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brian Roberts, who played for the Orioles and Yankees, will be the guest speaker Oct. 8 at Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet at the Church of Hope in Sarasota. The banquet is free to attend.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 1, 2019
Fellowship of Christian Athletes hopes to grow in Lakewood Ranch area schools.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes hopes to grow in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
East County's Katie McCoy plays with her guide dog, Bristol.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 1, 2019
Let Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto take you on a tour of the dark

Side or Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • Opinion
Murf Klauber died at age 91 in November 2018.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 1, 2019
Longboat Kiwanis' Lawn Party returns with tribute to Klauber

Annual kick-off of island's social season has new site, new beneficiary.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus students played at the park Tuesday morning after the city cut the ribbon on the new playground.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 1, 2019
City unveils new Pioneer Park playground

After the previous playground was destroyed in a fire, the city has replaced the equipment at the park near Cocoanut Avenue and 12th Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sandy Shahinian, Lakewood Ranch's director of community relations, stands in front of a kiosk in the new information center on Lakewood Main Street.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 30, 2019
New information center opens in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Main Street information center opens while two existing information centers on Rangeland and University parkways both will close.

  • East County
  • News
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee President and CEO Maribeth Phillips said in 2018 The Food Bank of Manatee would operate as usual and she hoped the community would donate to help replace food provided by Feeding Tampa Bay.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 30, 2019
Manatee food bank changes distribution model

Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee to focus on providing emergency supplies due to food supply changes.

  • East County
  • News
Lee Vickman and Carol Camiener, who came down from Michigan to join celebrations here.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 30, 2019
Rosh Hashanah luncheon brings friends together to celebrate holidays

One of the Jewish High Holidays continued through Monday, Sept. 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • September 30, 2019
Dorothy Beals Hixon

Dorothy Beals Hixon passed Sept. 26th 2019 at Plymouth Harbor Sarasota, FL after a lengthy battle with Memory Loss/Alzheimer’s.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 30, 2019
Exotic Car Festival revs up St. Armands Circle

The inner park of the circle was crowded with cars.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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