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Your Observer

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
Mesa Serbin, a student at Booker High School in the Visual Performing Arts program, auctioned off her painting.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 9, 2019
Booker High School fundraiser showcases student talent

Actor Charlie Barnett, of Russian Doll and Chicago Fire, also attended the event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 8, 2019
Longboat Harbour presents the best of Broadway

Bob Geraci and Jan Ortmann performed Broadway hits for residents March 8.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wes Broadway brought his dog, Georgie, to the event.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 8, 2019
Music on May Lane grooves to a new beat

The Bayside Club hosted the event to promote construction of the building.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Malouf Abraham, Therese Abraham and Harriet Thompson
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 8, 2019
Sarasota learns how to be better together

Gulf Coast Community Foundation's Better Together luncheon took place on March 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 8, 2019
Lakewood Ranch basketball advances to state title game

Lakewood Ranch basketball beats Fleming Island 60-38, advances to state title game at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

  • East County
  • Sports
The accident occurred just north of University Parkway on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 8, 2019
One year later, Sarasota woman charged with vehicular manslaughter

Crash killed Lakewood Ranch resident Thelma Moore.

  • East County
  • News
5630 Gulf of Mexico Drive is about two acres and the subject of a referendum question on the ballot.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 8, 2019
Saturday is last day for Longboat early voting

Two referendum questions on the ballot for town consideration.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Young opened fire on an ambulance and its crew following a false medical call.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 8, 2019
Sarasota man charged with shooting at ambulance

32-year-old Tyran Young is a five-time convicted felon in the state of Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tara Golf and Country Club resident holds a sign to protest the proposed settlement agreement.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 7, 2019
Manatee County delays settlement decision

Agreement to end litigation between county, Tara's developer is postponed to April.

  • East County
  • News
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