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Your Observer

With Superintendent Diana Greene leaving, the School District of Manatee County will need to find a new leader.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 20, 2018
Time to keep close watch on School District of Manatee County

With a new superintendent being hired, three new school board members up for reelection and financial woes caused by the need to staff every school with a School Resource Officer, it is important for taxpayers to keep a close watch on the school district.

  • East County
  • News
Regina and John Joly accept their "Family of the Year"award at the Florida State Council of the Knights of Columbus State Convention at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando May 30. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 20, 2018
What a Knight for Lakewood Ranch couple

Lakewood Ranch couple's volunteerism earns accolades from the Knights of Columbus at the state level.

  • East County
  • News
Conor Goulding/Mote Marine Laboratory.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 20, 2018
Mote tags whale sharks off Sarasota County shore

Mote scientists located five whale sharks, which can be identified by their polka-dotted pattern, offshore of Longboat Key and New Pass.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 20, 2018
Tennis campers swing into summer

The Resort at Longboat Key Club tennis campers are working on their skills this summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tomoko Toler, one of the residents at Windsor Reflections, holds up her painting that she made for the auction.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • June 20, 2018
Painting a memory in Lakewood Ranch

Alzheimer and Dementia residents at Windsor Reflections host a silent auction to benefit the Alzheimer's Association.

  • East County
  • News
TJ Goelz just finished his first year at Lakewood Ranch High, but says he's "not sure" whether he'll continue to coach once his daughter has graduated in 2020. File photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 20, 2018
Manatee County coaches talk high turnover rate

There's no one reason why Manatee County coaches are leaving their jobs, but here, a few explain why some might. Twenty-five athletic programs at The Out-of-Door Academy, Braden River High and Lakewood Ranch High have changed head coaches since 2016.

  • East County
  • Sports
Olivia and Avery Davis attended the camp after moving from Indianapolis to Lakewood Ranch the week prior.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 20, 2018
Mustangs basketball camp a jam session in lessons

The Lakewood Ranch High basketball programs hosted a summer camp last week, and it was important for more than just the campers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Haile TSA students Reese Jones, Ryan Gustafson, Sidney Buice, Isabella Pasquale, Grace Kelley and Justin Tong hope their project will help the environment.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 20, 2018
Manatee County students to compete in national TSA competition

Haile TSA students promote environment with construction project.

  • East County
  • News
MTC board member Dr. Richard Conard, Priscilla Haflich's son Rick Farmer and school district official Doug Wagner unveil a portrait of Dr. Priscilla Haflich in the MTC East Campus auditorium.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 20, 2018
Late MTC administrator honored

Priscilla Haflich's educational legacy continues at MTC.

  • East County
  • News
Kimberly Bleach, Jane Hutchins, Shelia Gleason and Stephanie Feltz are all involved with SYC Cares. This summer, they will work on drafting a grants policy.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 20, 2018
Sarasota Yacht Club forms philanthropic organization

SYC Cares is working to put club members’ philanthropic passions under one umbrella.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mort and Carol Siegler at their 70th anniversary celebration and vow renewal in November 2017.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 20, 2018
Mort Siegler remembered for philanthropic spirit

Siegler, a family man and builder driven by details, died Tuesday, June 12.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Grand Marshal David Miller and  former Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mike Doll wave to the crowd at last year's parade
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 20, 2018
Freedom Fest to bring back crowd favorites

The 16th annual event steps off at 9 a.m. with a parade on Bay Isles Road.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Janet Shapiro
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 20, 2018
Beating summer hunger

Sutton Place Association donated 78 pounds of food to All Faiths Food Bank's Campaign Against Summer Hunger.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Richard Williams turned 90 on May 29.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 20, 2018
Cheers for 90 years

Longboat Key resident Richard Williams celebrated his 90th birthday on May 29. Now, he's ready to celebrate his life experiences and milestone birthday with friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cynthia Saunders has been named the new interim superintendent of Manatee County.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • June 20, 2018
School Board names interim superintendent in Manatee County

Current superintendent Diana Greene starts a new job July 1.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker envisions acreage north of Premier Sports Campus as a government services hub for the eastern part of the county.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 20, 2018
Manatee County plans service center in East County

Proposed Manatee County government building would have a premier location in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The city will discuss ballot language for the referendum at its first meeting in June.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 19, 2018
City selects election date transition plan

If voters approve a referendum to move city elections to August and November, sitting commissioners will get an extra 18 months added to their terms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 19, 2018
The Shore set to open in October

The restaurant sits at the former site of Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • June 19, 2018
Longboat Key repairing water-main break

A private contractor ruptured a pipe on Longboat Key under Bayou Sound at the intersection of Harbourside Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Grecia Quevedo at her graduation ceremony.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • June 19, 2018
Grecia Quevedo dreams of an education without borders

Despite DACA uncertainty, Booker High graduate Grecia Quevedo is determined to be first in her family to attend college.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key residents have a 30-day window to appeal the permit approval.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 19, 2018
State approves Big Pass dredge permit

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has granted a permit to dredge Big Pass as part of a Lido Key shoreline renourishment project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
STOP claims that large projects such as the 624 Palm condo, left, were built without the city providing proper notice to residents living nearby.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 18, 2018
STOP threatens lawsuit over city development notices

The citizen activist group alleges the city is not properly alerting residents about plans for certain downtown projects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tom Diener wants more pickleball courts on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • June 18, 2018
Pickleball fundraising goal set too high, players say

The goal of fundraising $100,000 for four additional pickleball courts on Longboat Key is asking too much of pickleball players, pickleball ambassador says.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 18, 2018
Drowning reported at Lido Beach on Sunday night

Police have not yet identified the man who died.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy. Joe Seidensticker is leading a revival of the Libby's brand.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 18, 2018
Prominent restaurant undergoes significant renovation

A mainstay restaurant in Southside Village, Libby’s Café & Bar, is getting a major renovation this summer — kicking off a revival of the decade-old brand. Owners plan to re-introduce Libby’s Café & Bar by October.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy. Joe Seidensticker is overseeing an expansion of Libby's into east Manatee County.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 18, 2018
Popular Sarasota restaurant plans second location in East County

A prominent restaurant outside downtown Sarasota, Libby’s Café & Bar, is expanding to East Manatee County. Expansion is part of a revival of the Libby’s brand, which dates back to 2008.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • June 17, 2018
USF Sarasota-Manatee hosts its first ever World Refugee Day

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee commemorated World Refugee Day through sharing stories, celebrating culture and giving.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kennedy, Sheri, Kayleigh, Kelsi and Kevin Hart
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • June 17, 2018
Great Father's Day Race celebrates dad

The Great Father's Day 5K Race brings fun, fitness, and fathers together at Siesta Key Beach on June 16.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sen. Marco Rubio and City Manager Tom Barwin, right, discuss the status of Lido Beach.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 16, 2018
Rubio talks renourishment at Lido Beach

During a visit with Sarasota officials, Sen. Marco Rubio called Lido Key's shoreline erosion the most dramatic he'd ever seen.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 15, 2018
Woodland camp offers fantastical fun

Woodland Fine Arts Academy campers present 'Alice in Wonderland Jr."

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • June 15, 2018
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce salutes small businesses

The 2018 Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business Awards honored six companies on June 15 at Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A Winn-Dixie moved out of the space at 1325 S. Tamiami Trail earlier this year.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 15, 2018
Midtown Plaza owner seeks rezone

The owner of the Sarasota commercial center hopes to fill the space a Winn-Dixie recently vacated, but no major changes to the property are planned.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Now that James and Misdee Miller have purchased the Sarasota Polo Club, players such as Southside Polo's Buck Schott will be able to continue playing polo for years to come.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 15, 2018
Sarasota Polo Club sale finalized

James and Misdee Miller purchase the facility and will continue to run equine-related events.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 15, 2018
Red tide levels on Sarasota beaches in low, medium ranges

Higher levels found in beaches to the south.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 15, 2018
Longboat Key weather page photo: June 14

Sergio Albuquerque photographed this evening on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 15, 2018
East County weather page photo: June 14

Sherry Packard photographed these sandhill cranes as the sun set over Summerfield lake in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
2
Artist JC Wayne hangs the ninth and final piece in her series "Atomic Universe," the latest installation at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. The display will be up throughout the holiday season.
  • December 19, 2025
Artist delves into ideas of existence at Longboat exhibition
3
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
4
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
5
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

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