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Your Observer

    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 8, 2018
School district paid thousands to investigate complaints against administrators

The Sarasota County School Board paid an outside law firm $20,290 to investigate complaints made against Superintendent Todd Bowden and Booker High Principal Rachel Shelley.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Barrett.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 8, 2018
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: David Barrett

The Sarasota High pitcher talks getting focused and Fortnite.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A condominium in 222 Beach Road tops all transactions in this week’s real estate, selling for $2.6 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 8, 2018
Beach Road condo sells for $2.6 million

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 19-23.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The i-Ride operators will continue to monitor the amount of activity and adjust the hours of service going forward.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 8, 2018
Downtown circulator adjusts operations

After initially cutting back its hours of operation, the i-Ride Sarasota service is adjusting to additional resident feedback.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents worry the 624 Palm project — and other future developments — are being constructed too close to neighboring properties.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 8, 2018
Downtown residents campaign for building setbacks

As the city ponders new zoning regulations, downtown residents want more space between them and new construction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 8, 2018
Cops Corner: Sarasota 3.8.18

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Carrie Ling with her family from left to right: Lawson Ling, Landen Ling, George Ling and Libby Ann Ling with their signs of support.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 7, 2018
Braden River Elementary teacher misses top award

King Middle School teacher wins Educator of the Year for Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 7, 2018
Booker High boys basketball drops heartbreaker in final four

The Tornadoes pushed the defending champs to the brink in a 62-61 loss.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
City staff discouraged the Downtown Improvement District from moving forward with plans for a gateway sign arching over Main Street near U.S. 41.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 7, 2018
Downtown group discusses wayfinding

City officials believe they’re making progress on a longstanding request for directional signs, but it’s still unclear what the final product will look like.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 7, 2018
Learning and growing together with Children First and Hershorin Schiff Community Day School

Kindergartners from Hershorin Schiff Community Day School read, play, and plant with Children First preschoolers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sue Kerr shows off a totem project featuring dogs.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 7, 2018
Art's on fire in Lakewood Ranch

Waterlefe resident's ceramics art on display during Spring Arts Show at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Days before his Sarasota Balloon Festival runs from March 8-11, promoter Ricky Garvie supervises as the carnival attractions arrive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 7, 2018
New balloon festival takes off in Lakewood Ranch

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
Randy Volkart, the chairman of the New Facility Committee, said the new lodge will be open any day.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 7, 2018
New Lakewood Ranch/Sarasota Elks Lodge set to open

Final permits expected within the next week.

  • East County
  • News
Tina Kelly and Dina Lundberg.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 7, 2018
The best Things in life

Your Town

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Bird Key home at 119 N. Warbler Lane leads all sales for Feb. 19023m selling for $3,825,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 7, 2018
Warbler Lane home sells for $3,825,000

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 19-23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The home at 16406 Daysailor Trail recently sold for $1.41 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 7, 2018
Lake Club home tops sales at $1.41 million

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 19-23.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 7, 2018
Hopes, Miner should go

Manatee schools need the proposed 1-mill tax if they are to get on a path of consistently rising success. But voters also need a sign that the board can be trusted.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Commission candidates John Weber, Ken Schneier, Irwin Pastor, Ed Zunz and Randy Langley answered questions March 1 at a forum hosted by the Longboat Observer.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 7, 2018
We recommend …

With weighty issues ahead, Longboat voters have challenge in upcoming election.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • March 7, 2018
Betty Weinstein

Betty Weinstein, 106, of Sarasota, Florida, formally of Michigan, died February 26, 2018.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 7, 2018
ESPN host thrilled to be honored at upcoming Dick Vitale Gala

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brighton Osborne, Jessica Jackson, Amy Van Ryn and Keile O'Dell, all East County residents, helped the Bradenton Christian girls basketball team reach the final four.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 7, 2018
Local players help Bradenton Christian girls basketball reach state semifinals

The Panthers fell in the final four, but recognize that this was a special season.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 7, 2018
Whitney Beach looks back on 50 years

In 1968, Gordon Whitney sold his Whitney Beach property to Paul Neal. Fifty years later, the community is thriving.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Richard Gonzmart is nominated for "Outstanding Restaurateur." File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 7, 2018
Restaurant rewards

Richard Gonzmart of The Columbia Restaurant Group is nominated for "Outstanding Restaurateur."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Harmony at Lakewood Ranch is just one of many East County communities under development. Impact fees for new homes vary by the size of the home.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 7, 2018
Manatee County Commission set to vote on impact fees

Lower impact fees would result in $2 million less annually.

  • East County
  • News
VFW Post 12055 Chaplain Ernie Freedman serves up hot dogs to fellow post member Charlie Busack.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 7, 2018
VFW offers flame-broiled thanks

VFW serves firemen lunch in appreciation of being allowed to use their facility.

  • East County
  • News
Dashwood Payen performed in the marching band at Lakewood Ranch High School. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 7, 2018
Lakewood Ranch community mourns teen's death

Popular teen heralded as great trumpet player.

  • East County
  • News
Riana Rawson flips pancakes at last year's breakfast.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 7, 2018
Breakfast of Champions

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's annual Pancake Breakfast will be held on March 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lauren Walker.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 7, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Lauren Walker

The Braden River High third baseman talks hitting home runs and "Siesta Key."

  • East County
  • Sports
More than 70 people attended the more than eight-hour meeting Monday.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • March 7, 2018
Longboat commissioners advance plan to build St. Regis hotel

First vote goes 5-2 in favor of Unicorp in plan to remake former Colony. Second vote planned for March 16.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 7, 2018
Cops Corner: Fix my storm damage, already

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Pickleball players on both sides of a Bayfront Park tennis court enjoy their game on Thursday, March 1.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 7, 2018
New lines, nets expand pickleball options at Bayfront Park

Tennis court space can be used for both sports now.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden Wood's Susan Tannebaum listens to public comment on the MSTU.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 6, 2018
Manatee Commission delays MSTU vote

Commissioners hope to to reduce assessment amounts.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 6, 2018
St. Armands residents gather for annual meeting

The St. Armands Residents Association hosted the annual dinner March 6 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The town hopes to finish the undergrounding project by 2021.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • March 6, 2018
Longboat gets court approval for neighborhood utilities project financing

Legal OK protects the town from lawsuits in its projects to bury overhead wires in Longboat neighborhoods.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 6, 2018
Lord's Warehouse walks the runway

The "Once is not Enuf!" Fashion Show took place at Longboat Island Chapel March 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The city will continue to research its ability to create wider sidewalks in key areas.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 6, 2018
City Commission talks setback, sidewalk rules

The city might be able to enforce bigger setback requirements, but that won't necessarily lead to bigger sidewalks along pedestrian corridors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
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  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
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Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
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