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Your Observer

Donna DeFant
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2019
They've got the power in the Lakewood Ranch area

Here are the people to watch in 2019.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 2, 2019
Turtle-ly awesome donation

On Dec. 7, the Longboat Key Turtle Watch donated $9,670 to Mote Marine Laboratory’s sea turtle and education programs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 2, 2019
2019 word: Chivalry

Men, 2018 was a lousy year. We need to change the trend lines. Adopting the codes of the honorable knights of the Middle Ages would be a good way to start.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
William Smock. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2019
New perspectives for Manatee County Planning Commission

Three new members carry a variety of occupational backgrounds.

  • East County
  • News
Nancy Krohngold, owner of Nancy's Bar-B-Q, will convert Lil’ Nancy’s Bar-B-Q at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch into a prepared food concept and open a larger barbecue location at Lorraine Road and State Road 70.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2019
'Yum' is the word in Lakewood Ranch area

East County dining opportunities will continue to expand in 2019.

  • East County
  • News
Dan Bebak, the vice president of Aquarium, Education and Outreach for Mote Marine, said major planning will take place in 2019 for the new aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 1, 2019
Mote builds momentum in building East County aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park.

Mote Marine builds momentum in building East County aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • News
A 25-year-old Lakewood Ranch woman was killed after being struck by a car along the shoulder of State Road 70, just east of Lorraine Road, on Monday evening.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 1, 2019
Lakewood Ranch woman dies after being hit by car on State Road 70

Florida Highway Patrol investing Lakewood Ranch pedestrian's death just east of Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • News
How long will 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive stay vacant? Depends on a few things.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 1, 2019
Ten bold predictions for 2019

A lot is in the cards for Longboat this year. Here's one swing at what some of them might be.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The pineapple dropped on once the clock struck midnight.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 31, 2018
Happy New Year, Sarasota!

Sarasota's New Years Eve traditional pineapple drop had families and party-goers alike loving the feeling of a new year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rex Jensen, the CEO and president of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, said he is most proud of how Lakewood Ranch has grown as a community.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 31, 2018
Big silver celebration in Lakewood Ranch

Rex Jensen talks about 25 years of progress in Lakewood Ranch before Music on Main party celebrates 25 years.

  • East County
  • News
The scales will tilt up during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • December 31, 2018
Weight and stress are all part of the holiday experience

Be patient during the holidays

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Grand Residence condominium at 280 Golden Gate Point in Aqua sold for $5,695,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 5,946 square feet of living area.Â
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 30, 2018
2018: Top real estate transactions

Top Sarasota-area residential sales by dollar amount.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 29, 2018
2018: Top 10 real estate transactions

East County residents get more than a million for plenty of homes.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Andy Guz, the CEO of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, said a $28.5 million improvements project, started last February, will be completed by March.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 29, 2018
More upgrades for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

More upgrades for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center in 2019

  • East County
  • News
Spider-Man made appearances all over the county, but his stop at the Sarasota Farmers Market brought him to police attention.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2018
2018 Digital Year in Review

Top stories, Yourobserver.com, 2018, most popular, most read stories of the year, Sarasota, Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch, Siesta Key

  • Sarasota
  • News
A fatal traffic accident tied up traffic for hours on Interstate 75 near the State Road 70 exit on Friday morning.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 29, 2018
Motorcyclist dies in I-75 crash near Lakewood Ranch

Motorcyclist dies in I-75 crash near Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
The home at 1219 Westway Drive, built in 2003, has five bedrooms, six-and-two-half baths, a pool and 7,415 square feet of living area. It sold for $7 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 28, 2018
2018: Top 10 real estate transactions

Top Longboat Key residential sales by dollar amount.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
On a morning more suited to hot chocolate than Gatorade, hundreds of runners turned out for the Andrew Monroe Memorial 5K on Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2018
Sarasota's year in pictures: 2018

From the serious to the whimsical, a lot took place last year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2018
Longboat year in review: 2018

In words and photos, we recall the previous 12 months on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2018
Best of Cops Corner: 2018

The best reports from a year of Cops Corner in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
8. Booker boys basketball celebrates following its win against Mariner High in the regional finals.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 27, 2018
Golden days: The top 10 Sarasota sports moments of 2018

The top 10 Sarasota sports moments of 2018, featuring athletes from Booker, Riverview, Sarasota and Cardinal Mooney high schools, plus others.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
1. Lakewood Ranch's Karen Kay Lyvers dances off the mat. She won the 4A girls pole vault at the track and field championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 27, 2018
A year of champions: The top 10 East County sports moments of 2018

The top 10 East County sports moments of 2018 included athletes from Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high schools and The Out-of-Door Academy, plus youth and adult sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rick Scott
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 27, 2018
Give Rick Scott his due

Scott’s ‘relentless discipline’ was crucial to his winning four races and leading Florida’s economic turnaround.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Best of Cops Corner
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 26, 2018
Best of Cops Corner for Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton areas in 2018

Some of the most interesting Sheriff's Office reports in 2018.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 26, 2018
Cops Corner: Best of 2018 on Longboat Key

Here are 2018's best police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Keith Pandeloglou said a community campout is being considered for Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 26, 2018
New activity pitched for Lakewood Ranch residents

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities might host a neighborhood campout.

  • East County
  • News
Cat Pennenga Photography
    A time to celebrate |
  • December 26, 2018
Just Married: Kym and Gerett

A fairy tale love story took this couple from the Country Club to the aisle.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
County offices will be closed Dec. 24-25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. because of the holidays.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 21, 2018
City, county offices to close for holidays

Governmental facilities throughout Sarasota will be closed in observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day, causing adjustments to trash collection.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Isabel Decluccia glues down her stuffed dog on the front of her sweater.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 20, 2018
Sweater weather in Sarasota

Poet’s Walk Sarasota, A Spring Hills Memory Care Community let residents make their own sweaters for a contest on Dec. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kompothecras said current owner Julie Brown would help with the transition to a new professional management team at the bar. Photo courtesy Google Street View.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 20, 2018
Gary Kompothecras to buy Crescent Club

The 1-800-ASK-GARY founder plans to maintain the Siesta Key bar, but he's also got grander plans for revitalizing the surrounding area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Polo Club's grounds were completely submerged Thursday afternoon from steady rains that hit the area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 20, 2018
Heavy rain in Sarasota, Bradenton causes damage

Heavy rain in Sarasota, Bradenton causes damage while tornado touches down in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
Kayla Pizarro, Cedric Washington, Jayden Washington, Mia Washington and Paris Phillips
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 20, 2018
Light up the holiday season at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

The Family Togetherness event was a little rainy, but families still came out to see the lights.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Ronn Wyckoff is the only person in Florida Senior Games history to shoot a perfect 30/30 in the free throw competition twice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 20, 2018
Sarasota man makes history in Florida Senior Games

He is the first person to go 30 for 30 in the free throw competition — twice

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Madison Smithers.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 20, 2018
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Madison Smithers

The freshman talks her favorite basketball memory and her best advice.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Selby Gardens officials were inspired to seek county funding after seeing other organizations make similar requests for large capital improvements.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 20, 2018
County faces questions on project priorities

County funding is a coveted resource for Sarasota organizations embarking upon major capital projects, but how do officials choose recipients of public money?

  • Sarasota
  • News
St. Armands businesses said speeding is an issue when motorists pass Columbia Restaurant on the way to Longboat Key.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 20, 2018
St. Armands prepares for speed tables

The temporary installation of traffic calming devices around the Circle has drawn concern from Longboat Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
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