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Your Observer

    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 10, 2019
Mothers and sons dance the night away at the Sarasota Fairgrounds

Guests could dance, ride in a horse-drawn carriage and dine on a Chick-Fil-A buffet at the mother and son date night.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sea turtle nests are frequently taped off with bright signs. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 10, 2019
County encourages beach visitors to “keep light out of sight” of sea turtle nests

With over 200 nests per mile, Sarasota County hosts the largest nesting sea turtle population on Florida’s gulf coast.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 10, 2019
Charitable conversations in Palm Aire

Palm Aire Women's Club awards seven charities with grants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 10, 2019
Siesta Key home sells for $7.5 million

Sanderling Club property features waterfront views of the gulf and Herons Lagoon.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The demolition of the GWIZ building comes after a contentious fight over plans to knock down the 1976 structure.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 10, 2019
Demolition begins on GWIZ building

After a failed preservation campaign, crews have begun to knock down the structure as part of a bayfront redevelopment project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 10, 2019
School vouchers and choice for all

Think back to the GI Bill and how those college vouchers gave our veterans total school choice.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Pillar of Hope stands in the lobby of CPC’s Child Advocacy Center. After a child’s initial services, the child and a staff member drop a blue marble down the pillar to join other marbles, symbolizing they are not alone.
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • May 10, 2019
Prevention — proof it's protecting our children

As the Child Protection Center reaches its 40th year, new data showing the child abuse rate in Florida is declining prove that its services are working and must continue.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A lane of Mound Street is blocked this evening as officers conduct an investigation. Photo courtesy Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 9, 2019
Sarasota Police investigate dead body found downtown

The body was found in a canal near Mound Street and Osprey Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: May 9

Jeannie Sparks caught this moment of a mother wood duck and her little ones at Red Bug Slough Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2019
East County weather page photo: May 9

Gordon Silver captures wildflowers in bloom at Myakka River State Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 9

Tahniya Smith enjoys a bit of sunshine through the clouds on Longboat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota senior Robbie Peterson captured gold in the 4A boys triple jump.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 9, 2019
Sarasota High wins gold, silver and bronze at the state track meet

Sarasota High wins gold, silver and bronze at the state track meet at the University of North Florida's Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Alec Frank.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 9, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Alec Frank

Cardinal Mooney lacrosse senior Alec Frank talks Jacksonville University and his favorite dessert.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Malachi Wideman.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 9, 2019
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 05.09.19

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 05.09.19

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 9, 2019
Children get in the spring spirit with May Day Baskets

Kids had the chance to create a nature-inspired basket at The Children's Garden and Art Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.9.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Mothers Helping Mothers volunteers bridge the gap between its current storefront and the space it will expand into.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 9, 2019
Mothers Helping Mother to expand

The Sarasota organization will nearly triple in size.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Greg Lintner preferred to side on the sidewalk while riding around Siesta Key.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 9, 2019
Quality of bike lanes on Midnight Pass raises safety concerns among Siesta Key cyclists

Cyclists on Siesta Key hope to see improvements in a bumpy and narrow stretch of a popular roadway.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The orchestra said the venue, depicted in this conceptual rendering, could complement the park and enhance the east side of downtown. Park users have pushed back against the proposal.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 9, 2019
Orchestra continues pursuit of Payne Park site

As the city prepares to meet with orchestra officials, a group has formed to oppose the concept of building a new venue on public parkland.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cynthia Saunders was under investigation by the Florida Department of Education. File photo.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
School District of Manatee County superintendent settles with State Department of Education

School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders puts accusations about inflating graduation rates in the past.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County 12 Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas consults with attorneys before ruling to hear more arguments at a later time.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 8, 2019
Recreation district bonds delayed

Pending lawsuit delays judge's decision whether to approve issuance of bonds for purchase of University Park's recreational facilities.

  • East County
  • News
Shane Swezey surrounded by students and staff at Oak Park School along with school district administrators and Florida Department of Education leadership. Photo courtesy of the Florida Department of Education.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 8, 2019
Oak Park School music teacher named Teacher of the Year finalist

Swezey is one of five statewide finalists for 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A preliminary conceptual rendering shown at a December workshop displayed the vision for a redesigned Lemon Avenue.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 8, 2019
Lemon Avenue project to begin next week

The city is undertaking a seven-month effort to redesign a downtown street and park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
One of two leatherback turtle nests is on Siesta Key. Mote scientist Melissa Bernhard said she wouldn't be surprised if both nests are from the same turtle. Photo courtesy of Mote.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 8, 2019
Rare leatherback turtle nest spotted on Siesta Key

Two leatherback turtle nests have been documented by Mote in Venice and Siesta Key. The last time a nest like this was in the area was 2001.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
In the past, commissioners have considered using the Fairgrounds or Robarts Arena as a convention center.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 8, 2019
Commission backs away from convention center consideration

Commissioners noted that the idea was not sustainable "this year" in specific.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stephen Ma and Teddy. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
Paw-fully helpful

LECOM hosts BioScentDX beagles in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mario Mendoza said he and his family pride themselves on being nerds. This shirt, featuring a right angle — making him always "right" — was perfect when he wore it the day before the Math Florida Standard Assessments on May 6.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
New Bashaw principal looks for potential in East County

"He’s fabulous and I’m sad to see him go."

  • East County
  • Schools
Renee Di Pilano. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 8, 2019
County names new head of Libraries and Historical Resources

Di Pilato succeeds Sarabeth Kalajian, the current director, who retires in the fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
'Ruff' night on Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Music on Main benefits the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kate Barlaug with Chris King . Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 8, 2019
Educator shout-outs

Buchanan recognizes Haile Middle School employee.

  • East County
  • News
Off the Handle opened this month on Clark Road.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 8, 2019
Business briefs

A Sarasota cycling studio opens, a computer business celebrates 30 years and hotel occupancy climbs in March

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Students of all grades came together to investigate what they thought to be a caterpillar but what may have been a worm.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
Bashaw kids dig it

Students dig it.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dee Danmeyer is no stranger to horses — she used to own three.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • May 8, 2019
SMART Director gallops into new role

When Dee Danmeyer has a bad day, she grabs a handful of peppermints and heads to the barn.

  • East County
  • News
Dabo Swinney celebrates Clemson's 2019 national championship with senior offensive lineman Mitch Hyatt (75) and junior cornerback Trayvon Mullen (1). Photo courtesy David Platt/Clemson Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 8, 2019
Dabo Swinney a dandy for the Dick Vitale Gala

Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney is a 'dandy' for the Dick Vitale Gala.

  • East County
  • Sports
Pat Cooper and her daughter Jenny Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 8, 2019
Longboat moms share their favorite motherhood memories

In honor of Mother’s Day on May 12, these Longboat mothers and grandmothers are sharing the good, bad and messy of motherhood.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, Animal Network board member Debra Star (behind), Animal Services Division Director Sarah Brown (center) and Animal Network President Pam Freni said the community has demanded more.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 8, 2019
Price of stray pets rises in Manatee County

County officials say $8 million animal shelter would address overcrowding.

  • East County
  • News
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