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Your Observer

Chris Tapalaga watches as a SCAT bus drives by her as she protests in front of the County Administration building.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 7, 2019
Potential SCAT plans spark concern, confusion

County Commission this month expects to discuss potential private ways forward for public transit system.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A sign signals to beachgoers that animals are not allowed on the beach.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 7, 2019
Siesta's stance on beach dogs doesn't sit, stay well with everyone

Dogs make for popular outdoor companions, but some residents on Siesta Key emerge split over whether or not dogs should be banned on the beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 7, 2019
Alta Vista students connect with, learn from, students in Ghana

The second-grade students at Alta Vista Elementary also organized a fundraiser in order to send school supplies to the students at St. Peter's School in Ghana.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • March 7, 2019
Reward set for fugitive charged in Longboat theft

Sarasota man also charged in Venice, Crescent City.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Leah Kessler, from Covered Bridge in Ellenton, is a student in the Advanced Manufacturing course. She holds her "catch" — a fish she cut out of metal using a plasma cutter.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • March 7, 2019
MTC course sets the bar to hirer

In six short months, students in the advanced manufacturing course at Manatee Technical College find their lives transformed and a world of opportunities before them.

  • East County
  • News
The Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in London.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 7, 2019
Sarasota’s cultural vision

Sarasota Orchestra’s vision to move to a facility in Payne Park should prompt discussions and decisions on prioritizing what Sarasota wants to be and how to get there.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's Lynetta Freeman brings her dogs, Sweet Pea, Giovanni and Rascal. File photo.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • March 7, 2019
Irish Celtic Festival gets green light

Favorite Irish events return to support the nonprofit, SUGAR.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: March 7

Paul Meese photographed these sea gulls, terns and friends gathering at the south end of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2019
East County weather page photo: March 7

Gordon Silver photographed this great horned owl high in a palm tree off The Masters Avenue in Country Club East.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: March 7

Mary Tygh Parks photographed this little green heron playing hide and seek at the Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A condominium in Tessera at 500 S. Palm Ave. recently sold for $2.2 million. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,315 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 7, 2019
Tessera condominium sells for $2.2 million

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 18-22.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The city has secured a six-month extension on an agreement with the current concession operator. The city is beginning the process of searching for a new long-term concessionaire.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 7, 2019
City pivots on Lido pavilion

After a lease agreement with a private operator fell through, the city is moving forward with plans to renovate the beach property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ken Shelin hopes to raise enough private money to build a monument to the city’s commitment to diversity. His ideal location is in Bayfront Park, a proposal the city is yet to fully endorse.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 7, 2019
Group proposes bayfront diversity artwork

A committee of local leaders, led by a former city commissioner, wants to erect a new monument in a park near downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Judy Alexander and Kim Livengood hope The Bazaar at Apricot and Lime can become the center of an active business district.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 7, 2019
Sharing the limelight: Merchants plot new district near downtown

The proprietors of The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime aren't just trying to get a new business off the ground — they're working to enliven an overlooked portion of the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 3.7.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's Walk for Water is meant to raise awareness for children who do not have clean water in other countries. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 6, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Rotary preps for Walk for Water event

Garden club sprouts yard sales in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
This white pelican tries to steal away a fish from a cormorant, which isn't about to let it go.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 6, 2019
White pelicans make pit stop in Lakewood Ranch

Majestic white pelicans find quiet pond on White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch to their liking.

  • East County
  • News
Stephanie Hawkins, Jane Goodwin, Caroline Zucker, Todd Bowden, Sue D’Angelo, Shirley Brown, Sydney Burrows, Eric Robinson, Deb Schultz and Dawn Clayton. Courtesy of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 6, 2019
Sarasota County Schools honors Women’s History Month by awarding three female educators

On March 6, Sarasota County Schools announced the recipients of their “Honoring Our Own” award in honor of Women’s History Month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 6, 2019
Sarasota Memorial Hospital named Top 100, awarded five stars

The hospital received top marks from both Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and IBM Watson Health.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Collier-Walker home at 660 Neptune Ave. recently sold for $1.55 million. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,440 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,565,000 in 2017.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 6, 2019
Neptune Avenue home sells for $1.55 million

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 18-22.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch at 7112 Teal Creek Glen to Evan and Kathleen Trommer for $1.5 million. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,000 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 6, 2019
Pair of $1.5 million homes top local sales

Pair of $1.5 million homes top local sales

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 6, 2019
New site for the center?

It makes sense to leave out the black box theater. A new location may make sense, too.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
H. Terrell Griffin with his seventh novel, “Fatal Decree.”
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 6, 2019
Griffin’s writing, and himself, made him a Longboat treasure

Popular novelist dies at age 76.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 6, 2019
New Sarasota condo includes a pool on each floor

The Beacon, which is set to begin construction at the end of summer, will comprise six private residences.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • March 6, 2019
Longboat residents blast unfinished plan for new streetlights

Residents pan notion of 45-foot tall streetlights but town leaders say heights are maximum estimates, studies are coming and no decisions have been made.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • March 6, 2019
Before Longboat bridge work begins, workers must step up to bat

Longboat Pass bridge work to begin in May

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 6, 2019
Lakewood Ranch High's boys basketball team heads to the state semifinals

Lakewood Ranch High's boys basketball team heads to the state semifinals against Fleming Island High.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jack Kelley remains in the intensive care unit of Sarasota Memorial Hospital following a car accident Feb. 28.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 6, 2019
Community rallies around former Lakewood Ranch basketball star

The community rallies around former Lakewood Ranch basketball star Jack Kelley.

  • East County
  • Sports
Junior Lakewood Ranch High first baseman/outfielder Avery Goelz, here celebrating a home run against Manatee High
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 6, 2019
Grand-slam talent on Lakewood Ranch softball team

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh hopes this budget cycle commissioners will prioritize extending Lena Road so it connects between state roads 70 and 64 .
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 6, 2019
Commissioners form a $7 million shopping list in Manatee County

Failed Homestead Exemption increase leads to $7 million in unexpected funds for county.

  • East County
  • News
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Director of Development Rob Oglesby smiles as he unloads a van full of 55 puppies taken from two shelters and two rescuers in Georgia. Nate's will find the animals homes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 6, 2019
Nate's Honor expansion takes off

Groundbreaking on $8 million project set for this month.

  • East County
  • News
Terry Griffin was 76.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 6, 2019
Author Terry Griffin dies at 76

Griffin died on Feb. 21. A celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tara Golf and Country Club resident Martha Brandon flips through old photos with friends at Tara over the last 30 years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 6, 2019
Tara Golf and Country Club celebrates 30 years of family

Anniversary celebration includes tournaments, a dinner dance and fireworks.

  • East County
  • News
Easton Nock with Bradenton police officers Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 6, 2019
Best birthday surprise ever

Easton Nock was visited by some of his heroes during his fourth birthday party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Principal Bill Stenger is known for his caring attitude, attention to details and high expectations.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 6, 2019
Willis Elemetary leader had great principles

After 14 years, Principal Bill Stenger will retire.

  • East County
  • News
Tina Dyott and Suzette Bingham are a mother-daughter duo who volunteer. Dyott lives out of state but makes time to volunteer for the two months she's in town.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 6, 2019
St. Armands group quilts for good cause

Every Monday, a group of volunteers sews quilts for Lutheran World Relief. In 2018, they made 220.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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A feather banner is anchored next to the sidewalk on Gulf of Mexico Drive. Longboat Key staff are preparing an amendment that could prohibit that type of sign by refining the definition of flag in town code.
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Flag or sign? Town may tighten code as banners sprout on GMD

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