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Your Observer

Abbey Brett shows off her new school supplies.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 12, 2019
Property company gives back to military families

Castle Group, a local property management company, partnered with Goodwill Manasota to throw a back to school bash on Aug. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Simply Susanne's is a small business on Longboat that takes great pride in its coffee.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 12, 2019
Longboat Key's new sign rules hit small business

Simply Susanne's Cafe provides a case study of how the signage regulations vary in desired effect.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 12, 2019
Yoga with the Sharks makes for a relaxing, oceanic morning

No, the sharks weren't in on the flow.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 12, 2019
Networking @ Noon brings local businesses together

The event proved there could be such a thing as a free lunch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Last month, The Bay presented this concept plan for Phase 1 to the City Commission.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 12, 2019
The Bay schedules meetings on park plans

The Bay Sarasota will host two community events Wednesday, Aug. 21 to discuss the group’s latest proposal for the first phase of the public park project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 12, 2019
Local property management group gives back to the children of veterans

Castle Group partnered with organizations around Sarasota to provide back-to-school supplies for children in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kim Miele
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 12, 2019
Brian health study in Lakewood Ranch hires program director

Kim Miele will serve a role as an important liaison to the Gulf Coast community as the program director for the Brain Health Initiative at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Ms. Reese's pre-K class lines up to go to breakfast. // Whitney Elfstrom
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 12, 2019
Sarasota children head back to school

More than 45,000 students started the 2019-2020 school year on Aug. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 11, 2019
Woodstock Revival parties on through rain

The Sarasota Famers Market held its third annual Woodstock Revival on Aug. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 9, 2019
Cardboard boat builders set sail in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch YMCA campers hone their cardboard boat-building skills at the end of summer.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells finds khaki pants for Carlos E. Haile Middle School student Ryan Gossett, 12, at Bealls Outlet.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 9, 2019
Manatee County children shop with a cop in Bradenton

Manatee County youth 'shop with a cop' event held in Bradenton at Bealls Outlet.

  • East County
  • News
Intern Anaga Davi works in the microbiology lab at Mote in 2016. Olivia Raney / Mote Marine Laboratory.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 9, 2019
Mote receives $1.5 million grant to help with STEM minority representation

The research center is the only non-academic institution to receive the LSAMP Center of Excellence award.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota County Fire Department blocked off a segment of the 1500 block of State Street as it responded to the alarm Friday afternoon.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 9, 2019
Carbon monoxide alarm causes downtown building evacuation

A van running a generator on State Street near The Mark construction site triggered the alarm, the county said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 9, 2019
In her own words: Dora Walters

A few samples of what Dora had to say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Most everyone who has worked with Dora Walters at the Observer reveres her.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 9, 2019
Observer staff remembers Dora Walters

There is no shortage of stories about the former Longboat reporter.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dora Walters on duty in the Longboat Observer newsroom.
  • By Nathalie Kaemmerer and Sten Spinella
  • August 9, 2019
Dora the Explorer: A Longboat legend (1927-2019)

The spunky, beloved longtime Longboat Observer reporter has died at age 92.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The sixth Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota, depicted in the rendering above, will be located at 14 School Ave., Arcadia.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 9, 2019
Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County to expand to Arcadia

The new location will take over the Smith-Brown Reception Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Police Department is waiting for officials to fix the gas leak.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 9, 2019
UPDATE: Orange Avenue reopens following gas leak

A segment of the road between 19th Street and 25th Street was closed as authorities responded to a gas leak.

  • Sarasota
  • News
From left, Mona Jain, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee mascot Rocky the Bull, and School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders pose for a photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 8, 2019
Opening of Mona Jain Middle School in Lakewood Ranch stirs emotions

Community honors Mona Jain during ribbon cutting for the new middle school in Lakewood Ranch named after her.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 8, 2019
Proposed budget ready for commissioners in September.

$17,189,514 spending plan delivered on Aug. 1; public hearings begin when commissioners return from summer break.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • August 8, 2019
Alfred Floyd Bracciano

Alfred Floyd Bracciano, known as “Poppy” to the people closest to him, was born July 29, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 8, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: August 8

Dennis Pacheco caught a yellow-crowned night heron feeding her chicks at Bay Tree Club on south Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 8, 2019
East County weather page photo: August 8

Mark Williamson captured this bald eagle landing in Conservatory Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 8, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 8

Michael Cohen spotted this tricolor heron near South Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A photo of former Longboat firefighters in front of a long-gone truck.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 8, 2019
Longboat Key Fire Department looks to strengthen tradition

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi is trying to assemble historical displays of the department's past.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • August 8, 2019
The power and limits of home rule

In recent years the Florida Legislature has gone after home rule polices restricting guns, vacation rentals, plastic bags and tree ordinances, just to name a few. When is overriding home rule merited?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Adam Bowman, Marco Vannucci and Quayshaun "Q" Oliver make up the band AWAKENNATION. Photo Courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 8, 2019
Local band premieres first song 'Sarasota'

The band AWAKENNATION featured lyrics about Sarasota Bay and the Ringling family in the city-themed song.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
VPA director Rebecca Abrahamson and VPA Theatre Chairman Scott Keys stand about where the lobby will be expanded to.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 8, 2019
Booker VPA to see $4 million renovation

School officials hope investment into the theater facility will shine a brighter light on student artists.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Senior safety Matt Garcia is a steadying presence in the secondary.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 8, 2019
Riverview High football season preview

The Riverview High Rams and football coach Josh Smithers have high expectations after a historic playoff run.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brian Battie, who played for the Sailors as a sophomore, is back for his senior season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 8, 2019
Sarasota High football season preview

The Sarasota High Sailors football team believes it is close to righting the ship under Spencer Hodges.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
R. Dan Nolan Middle School Principal Scot Boice said the changes should improve traffic flow at arrival and dismissal times.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 8, 2019
Lane changes aid arrival, dismissal at McNeal Elementary and Nolan Middle in Lakewood Ranch

McNeal Elementary, Nolan Middle have new car rider paths for parents to navigate.

  • East County
  • News
Brian Battie.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 8, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Brian Battie

Returning Sarasota High running back Brian Battie talks USF and his burger preferences.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The size of a proposed 500-space, five-story parking garage with a rooftop restaurant has been central to the controversy over Selby Gardens' master plan.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 8, 2019
State scrutinizes Selby Gardens plans

FDOT officials questioned the scope and impact of a redevelopment project, but gardens officials stand behind the proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ken Shelin thinks it's possible to reach a simple, agreeable solution for changing building regulation on South Palm Avenue, but residents are initially sharing opposing perspectives on the best path forward.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 8, 2019
Palm Avenue residents, owners at odds over zoning

Can neighbors with opposing perspectives find room for compromise on building rules?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this weeks edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 8, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 8.8.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lieutenant Brandon Desch shows off the Longboat Fire Department's night vision monocular. Photos by Sten Spinella.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 7, 2019
New equipment improves vision for Longboat Key Fire Department

Even in the night, firefighters can see as clear as day.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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