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Your Observer

Riverview's Tyrus Jackson drives the lane.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 3, 2019
Sarasota and Manatee counties split basketball all-star games

The Sarasota girls and Manatee boys walked away winners.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tim Ortman and Library Foundation President Isabel Norton
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 3, 2019
Library foundation hosts an evening with Tim Ortman

More than 50 people attending the book signing and talk with Tim Ortman in the Harbourside Ballroom.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Approximately 850 students in Sarasota County will receive free internet access in the first year of the program.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • April 3, 2019
Sarasota County Schools collaborates to provide free internet access to low-income students

Sprint’s 1Million Project aims to help approximately “1 million low-income high school students across the country by providing them with free high-speed Internet access at home.”

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 3, 2019
East Bradenton community swings big for helping Homes for Our Troops

Rosedale nets $140,000 for veteran's home.

  • East County
  • News
Susan Weintraub and Phyllis Weitzner
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • April 3, 2019
The Sisterhood of Temple Beth Sholom takes to the runway

The Sophisticated Ladies Celebrate the Arts fashion show took place on April 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom sings at Premier Sports Campus in January, 2017. Lakewood Ranch still has no amphitheater or events center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 3, 2019
Embrace Temptations ... build an amphitheater in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch could use an amphitheater to draw rockers, other music acts.

  • East County
  • Opinion
A Sarasota County Schools Police Department vehicle sits outside of Sarasota High School.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • April 3, 2019
School Board OKs resolution against arming teachers

Members ultimately approved a statement 3-2 but not without differing views on how message should be articulated.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Liam Wilford and Brandon Schwartz hold their trophies.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • April 3, 2019
This Braden River class is a 'drag'

"It’s always a nice feeling when you see you have one of the fastest cars."

  • East County
  • Schools
Bill Lloyd teaches the Electrical and Instrumentation course.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • April 3, 2019
New MTC course teaches students how to wire and make machines run

While the singular  focus is to prepare students for the workforce, it’s hard to pin down a course description for Bill Lloyd’s new Electrical and Instrumentation class at Manatee Technical College.

  • East County
  • Schools
Esther and Brent Williams are both back at work following the kidney transplant.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 3, 2019
Bird Key executive chef makes recovery from kidney transplant

A week before he was set to start dialysis, Brent Williams found out he had a kidney match a lot closer than he thought.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kaylen Rivers and Reece Whatmore, sophomores at Out-of-Door Academy, created a storybook about cells using adaptive technology.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • April 3, 2019
Out-of-Door Academy students' novel idea honored

When you think about a children’s storybook, you might not think of adaptive features that make the learning accessible to everyone.

  • East County
  • Schools
Guests of the job fair had a wide variety of businesses and industries to select.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • April 3, 2019
Higher goals at job fair in Lakewood Ranch

In a modern age full of LinkedIn requests and Indeed job applications, some companies — and job seekers — believe there’s no way to substitute genuine human interaction between employers and job candidates.

  • East County
  • News
Aiden Torres said one day he hopes to make a cure for brain cancer.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • April 3, 2019
Small code, big dreams at SCF Lakewood Ranch

Local children — some as young as first graders, but most are fourth graders — attended a spring break coding camp the from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 25-29 at the State College of Florida’s Lakewood Ranch campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cast members poured all the emotion they could muster into their last rehearsal before the actual performance.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • April 3, 2019
Curtain call: seniors and director finish their time at Out-of-Door Academy

When student actors took the stage on Friday, March 29, at Out-of-Door Academy, it wasn’t just the last opening night for departing seniors in their drama department. It was the last performance for director and Associate Head of School for Academics L’Ta

  • East County
  • Schools
Chief of Operations Larry Luh, EMS Chief Paul DiCicco and District Chief Mark Regis are seeking ways to keep their ambulances in circulation.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 3, 2019
Surge is EMS concern in Manatee County

Manatee County EMS hopes better use of 911 will lessen strain on ambulances.

  • East County
  • News
At the core of the lawsuit against the town, and most others filed against governments, public agencies and private businesses, is the formatting of documents and information posted on their websites.Â
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 3, 2019
ADA lawsuit filed against Longboat Key over website

Town's lawyer in case said no clear standards exist for governments to follow.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 3, 2019
Swinging success

The Longboat Key Club 3.4 Tricities Continental Team are division champions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Eddie Cacciola of SRQ Vets, Bryan Jacobs of Vets 2 Success, President of Operation Kindness, Florida Inc, Joanne Forch and Bill Sterbinsky of SRQ Vets at last year's dinner.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 3, 2019
Operation Kindness continues supporting local veterans

On April 16, the 12th annual Operation Kindness Florida Tennis Round Robin and Golf Tournaments, will take place at the Resort at Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's June and Stan Schuer have enjoyed life despite June's battle with Parkinson's disease. "We really do," Stan said.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 3, 2019
Parkinson's disease can't rob Lakewood Ranch woman of her good days

Huge Parkinson's disease expo coming to the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 3, 2019
Longboat Key to host health fair

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 10, town employees and any residents with Florida Blue health insurance can get health tests done.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Luxury coyotes? Yeah, that's an April Fools gag.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 3, 2019
Don't call it 'fake news,' it's just our annual April Fools fun

Once a year, we enjoy a little goofiness while not taking ourselves too seriously.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Christine Wozz Photography
    A time to celebrate |
  • April 3, 2019
Just Married: Kellen & Julia

This couple's love story took them from the gym to the circus tent.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
New pavers in a variety of earth tones were installed through the second half of 2018 at the Sanctuary.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 3, 2019
Sanctuary's paver project fits together for a new look

Condo community spruces up its grounds with a project to replace the original bricks laid decades ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 2, 2019
Gas line break causes traffic jam on U.S. 41

Southbound lanes remain closed just south of Proctor Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although at least one city commissioner expressed a desire for more proactive law enforcement targeting the homeless community, City Manager Tom Barwin said the city needed to consider other long-term strategies.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 2, 2019
City Commission hears update on homelessness

Officials expressed excitement about progress made in the last two years, but significant challenges remain.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Guest Author
  • April 2, 2019
Letters to the editor

Readers sound off on key issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Alligators are more active this time of year as they seek breeding partners.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 2, 2019
Alligator 'on the prowl' in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch resident has a close-up encounter with an alligator on his neighbor's porch.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota leaders are expected to discuss the Fruitville Road project's best options on April 15. Longboat leaders plan to be there.
  • By David Conway and Eric Garwood
  • April 2, 2019
Longboat leaders try to head off Sarasota's 'road diet' plan

Commissioners plan special meeting to consider ways to oppose Fruitville Road remake.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 1, 2019
Spanish Main cooks up fish fry

On April 1, residents enjoyed a fish fry of Spanish mackerel and potluck dishes and desserts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Executive Director Suzy Brenner said progress on converting the Northern Trust building into a medical and wellness center are proceeding well.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2019
Longboat Key's Paradise Center plans moving ahead

Engineering plans for former Northern Trust building's new use are underway.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 1, 2019
Jill Wine-Banks visits Longboat Key Democrats

On April 1, Wine-Banks addressed a crowd of more than 220 in the Harbourside Ballroom.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Vanda Yvonne Bayliss
    In Memoriam |
  • April 1, 2019
Vanda Yvonne Bayliss

Vanda Yvonne Bayliss, 67, passed away March 3rd, 2019, in Sarasota, Florida after a brief battle with cancer.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • April 1, 2019
John F. “Brownie” Brown

John F. Brown, known as “Brownie” of Port Huron, Michigan peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on March 9, 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming hands the Officer of the Year plaque to Sgt. Lee Smith.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2019
Sergeant named Longboat's Officer of the Year

Smith has been in law enforcement since 1999.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Arnold Ray Davis
    In Memoriam |
  • April 1, 2019
Arnold Ray Davis

Arnold Ray Davis, 82, passed away on February 27, 2019. He was born August 15, 1936, in Alvy, West Virginia to the late Paul and Arlie (Cain) Davis

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • April 1, 2019
William Walter (Bill) Roberts

William Walter (Bill) Roberts, age 92, born June 27, 1926 to Millard Fillmore (Jim) Roberts and Eva Swan Roberts in Samoset, Florida, went home to be with the Lord March 3, 2019.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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Sparklers are among the items not allowed under Manatee County's burn-ban rules.
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  • June 23, 2026
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Scarlett and Amelia Evancic express art through various mediums, including pencil, paint, photography, digital art, cardboard and more.
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Florida man arrested at Bayfront Park
  • June 23, 2026
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Stephen Smagacz, Supervisor of Streetlights and Signalization for Sarasota County, checks on the proper operation of streetlights along 17th Street.
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