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Your Observer

    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 14, 2019
Siesta Key residents, officials, visitors share their perspective on Spring Break

What does Spring Break mean to the various people who have a hand in the culture of Siesta Key? Various voices weigh in on the good, the bad, the area in-between.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High junior Pippa Campbell has started a benefit polo match to raise money to dig water wells in Africa.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 14, 2019
Special polo event in Sarasota will raise money to dig wells in Africa

Lakewood Ranch High junior organizes polo fundraiser in Sarasota with Epic Polo Club owner Jaymie Klauber.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • March 14, 2019
Kudos to Sarasota County for criminal justice innovations

Strategies to hold the line on jail population are working.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lauren Falcione, Emma Plumley and Gianna Newsome.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 14, 2019
Cardinal Mooney softball returns for first season since 2013

The Cougars were once a powerhouse, winning back-to-back state titles in 1994 and 1995.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sailors catcher Owen Ayers takes his turn at the plate — before switching bats.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 14, 2019
A lucky bat helps bring Sarasota baseball back from defeat

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cyndi Seamon of Longboat Turtle Watch said the town is enforcing its turtle protection more.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • March 14, 2019
Turtle season preps come with high stakes

Appeals of on-the-spot citations point to new way Longboat Key enforces its rules.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Owen Ayers.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 14, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Owen Ayers

The Sarasota High senior talks the baseball team's goals and wanting super strength.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 14, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: March 14

John Caviglia took this photo from a kayak on a canal along Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 14, 2019
East County weather page photo: March 14

Lynette Davis captured this foggy morning spider web art — suspended between two trees in Del Webb.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 14, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: March 14

David Eskin captured this double rainbow at sunset at Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The City Commission will discuss the proposal at a meeting Monday to decide if further research and action is desired.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 14, 2019
City considers civil citations for cannabis possession

City Commissioner Hagen Brody believes the change would provide criminal justice benefits and help avoid overly punitive penalties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County officials said they're aware of concerns about the time limit at the library, but they did not provide information regarding the process for potentially considering changes.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 14, 2019
Selby Library visitors raise parking concerns

Users of the downtown library have issues with the facility’s parking policies. Are county officials willing to consider changes?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rosemary District Association President Howard Davis first outlined the foundational concepts behind the revised overlay district at a workshop last year. He said the majority of the feedback he's heard has been positive.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 14, 2019
Rosemary District overlay changes roll on

Despite some questions about the plan's efficacy, Rosemary District leaders remain enthusiastic about revised rules for new buildings in the neighborhood.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Orchestra President and CEO Joseph McKenna outlined how the organization arrived at its vision for a venue in Payne Park at a packed meeting Tuesday evening.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 14, 2019
Orchestra's Payne Park proposal met with opposition

Questions about green space and tennis facilities dominated a workshop regarding the Sarasota Orchestra's vision for a new venue near downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 14, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 3.14.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 13, 2019
Beachplace toasts to 40th anniversary

Nearly 100 residents gathered at Bird Key Yacht Club March 13 for an anniversary celebration.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marsha Penkert and Ellen Roberts
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 13, 2019
Sarasota throws a Party in the Park

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce hosted a gathering in Phillippi Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Teresa Mast shared personal stories from her life about what built her character and drive for success during Habitat for Humanity of Manatee County's International Women's Day luncheon March 8.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 13, 2019
Habitat for Humanity celebrates achievement of women

Manatee Habitat holds International Women's Day luncheon

  • East County
  • News
Fire teams investigated a report of a gas leak in a salon at Second Street and Central Avenue.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 13, 2019
Report of gas leak prompts evacuation of Central Avenue building

No injuries were reported in the Wednesday incident.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michael Saunders will be honored on March 20. File photo.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 13, 2019
Saunders to receive Hero of History award

Real estate company founder will be fifth recipient of Historical Society's award on March 20.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Artist Joyce Slate works at her station on a piece of jewelry.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • March 13, 2019
Manatee County jewelry artist will be one of many to shine at Lakewood Ranch Winter Fine Arts Festival

She will be among 70 to 80 artists featured at the event.

  • East County
  • News
Educator of the Year winner Debra Hartline stands with Support Employee of the Year winner Amanda Keeney.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • March 13, 2019
Top of the class at Braden River High and Myakka City Elementary in Manatee County

Braden River High teacher earns Educator of Year Award for the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Pavement Manager Brian Martineau and Ajax Paving Area Manager Steve Ayers say rebasing sections of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard between state roads 70 and 64 is a "fix, not a bandaid."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 13, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Boulevard rebasing begins

Motorists will experience delays beginning March 26.

  • East County
  • News
Residents of the overall Tara community, including The Preserve at Tara's David Woodhouse, sported red shirts to show their opposition to the settlement during the March 7 hearing.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 13, 2019
More delays on Tara dispute

Commissioners need more time to digest all the resubmitted information.

  • East County
  • News
The ROMEOs have established a set of rules, including no complaining and no drinking until everyone has their beverage.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 13, 2019
Longboat ROMEOs create camaraderie, tradition

When these guys head out for lunch, there’s no complaining, no chain restaurants and no notice on where they’ll end up.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch junior Doris Brooks runs past a Bayshore defender.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 13, 2019
Flag football flies at Lakewood Ranch

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 13, 2019
New heights for Mustangs boys basketball

Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball loses to Blanche Ely High 57-52 in the state title game at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

  • East County
  • Sports
Madelaine Verbeek, a museum educator with the South Florida Museum, educates students on fossils.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • March 13, 2019
Full STEAM ahead at Gullett Elementary in Manatee County

Gullett Elementary students explore science at annual education event in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Schools
George and Tina Skestos with their Akita, Gigi Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 13, 2019
Longboaters lend helping paw to dogs in need

In October, George and Tina Skestos opened Gigi's Shelter for Dogs in Ohio.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Donna Birmbaum, who organizes the art studio, works on the beginning stages of a stone sculpture.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 13, 2019
Longboat Harbour houses creative spaces for residents

From a wood shop to a stone sculpting studio, Longboat Harbour gives its residents places to come together and create art.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Josh Moss, Jason Berzowski, Dawn Dunkum and Chris Krajic
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 13, 2019
Filling the boot

Longboat Key firefighters asked for donations outside of Publix this week to support the “Giving Muscular Dystrophy the Boot” campaign.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Samantha van der Sommen.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 13, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Samantha van der Sommen

Lakewood Ranch junior Samantha van der Sommen talks the high jump and learning not to doubt herself

  • East County
  • Sports
Crews mow on Buffalo Canal north of Moran Road in September 2013. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 13, 2019
Manatee County considers stormwater fee

Dedicated stormwater fee could handle escalating routine maintenance.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 13, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: In hot water

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The Gulf of Mexico Drive plot is 1.8 acres and could be rezoned to accommodate seven housing lots.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • March 12, 2019
Longboat voters give thumbs up to two issues

Both ballot measures pass

  • Longboat Key
  • News
American Institute of Stress Executive Director Heidi Hanna, Building a Brain Healthy Community Initiative Executive Director Stephanie Peabody and Harvard Medical School psychology professor Erin Dunn are eager to get started.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 12, 2019
SMR commits $600,000 toward brain study in Lakewood Ranch

Building a Brain Healthy Community Initiative set to begin through collaboration of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Academy for Brain Health and Performance and Massachusetts General Hospital.

  • East County
  • News
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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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