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Your Observer

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
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 12, 2019
Longboat Key Republicans get in St. Patrick's Day spirit

The Republican Club of Longboat Key hosted its monthly meeting March 12 in the Harbourside Ballroom.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 12, 2019
County decides to slow down, reconsider future plans for SCAT

Following several hours' worth of debate and public comment, county commissioners have agreed to revisit options for public transit in a future workshop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Guest Author
  • March 12, 2019
Letters to the editor

Readers sound off on key issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 12, 2019
Longboat Democrats install new leadership award

Former club president Murray Blueglass is the namesake and first recipient of the leadership award, which was given out on March 12.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Traffic leaving to the south from Tangerine Bay and other communities and businesses along Gulf of Mexico Drive often must contend with an unbroken line of cars in both directions.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 12, 2019
Longboat condo complex warns of traffic circle side effects

Tangerine Bay board says long-term vision for GMD might make it harder to exit and enter residences and businesses.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Tina and James O’Brien, Agents and Neighbors
  • March 12, 2019
COYOTES AND PANTHERS AND DEER – OH MY!

COYOTES AND PANTHERS AND DEER – OH MY!

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Speed tables installed on Harbourside were too steep and are being replaced with ones built to a different specification.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • March 12, 2019
Bay Isles speed tables remade to right size

Right size speed tables will be put in

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 11, 2019
St. Mary dreams up spring fashion show

On March 11, more than 200 people gathered in the Harbourside Ballroom for the "Daffodils & Dreams" fashion show.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Pretty enticing, right? Many residents have already received their new recycling bin — but the city says you can't use them until April 1. Photo courtesy city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 11, 2019
Keep using your old recycling bins, city says

The city has begun rolling out new wheeled recycling bins, but residents are still supposed to use their old bins until April 1.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rendering of new south fire station.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • March 11, 2019
Contracts readied for new Longboat fire stations

Temporary trailer will be used to house personnel at south station

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Guest Author
  • March 11, 2019
Letters to the editor

Island residents sound off on key issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 11, 2019
County libraries to join statewide interlibrary loan program

Once delivered, residents can simply pick up their requested items at their local library.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Numerous fire and police units were on the scene at 1900 Main Street on Monday morning.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 11, 2019
Smell of gas prompts evacuation of Main Street building

No injuries reported in Monday morning incident.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sasha Rosin with David, Priya and Kohav Weiman
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 11, 2019
Temple Emanu-El gets into the spirit of Purim

The temple celebrated the holiday with services and a carnival.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bonnie and Daphne Silvestri
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 11, 2019
Temple Sinai celebrates Purim

The holiday was celebrated with a carnival on March 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • March 10, 2019
Lakewood Ranch champions green spirit

Annual Irish Celtic Festival rocks the Adventure Park in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Katy Carrigan and her rescue dog, Homer, enjoy the festivities at Ponies for Pups. Carrigan works for event sponsor Raymond James.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 9, 2019
Poodles of fun at Sarasota Polo Club

Ponies for Pups draws support for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Volunteers had to funnel portions of rice and other portions of the meal packets.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 9, 2019
Siesta Key church works with RIse Against Hunger

St. Boniface parishioners helped pack meals for the program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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