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Your Observer

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is searching for a man wanted in a murder committed Sunday in eastern Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 12, 2018
Suspect identified in Sunday murder in Bradenton

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office said it is seeking an 18-year-old man after a shooting.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 11, 2018
Captain Craig's Showboat Spectacular visits Longboat Key

About 200 people gathered at Longboat Island Chapel for an afternoon performance on March 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 11, 2018
Sarasota Spring Fine Art Festival turns J.D. Hamel Park into outdoor gallery

The festival introduced art enthusiasts to the works of artists from all over the country.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 11, 2018
Sarasota HOG rides for the pups

Biker groups raise money for Sarasota Humane Society during annual St. Patty's Day Poker Run.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 11, 2018
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church walks the runway for veterans

St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Philoptochos Society’s Honoring Our Heroes Charity Fashion Show raises money to send local veterans to Washington, D.C.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 11, 2018
Suncoast Science Center revs up for race day

Student teams compete in this year's junkyard-themed RC Car Race Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 11, 2018
Drumming up good vibrations on Siesta Key with Positive Repercussions

New drumming center and percussion instrument boutique opens its doors for business in Siesta Village.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 11, 2018
St. Mary cheers to St. Patrick's Day

Church members gathered for a night of music, dancing and games March 10.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This rendering shows the future welcome center. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 11, 2018
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue announces expansion

The rescue will build permanent facilities on its Lakewood Ranch campus with sustainability in mind.

  • East County
  • News
Harper Morgan gets a birds-eye view of Irish dancers from the shoulders of her dad, Eric. They are visiting her grandparents, Lakewood Ranch's Don and Suzann Avolio, from Ohio.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 10, 2018
Irish Celtic festival livens Lakewood Ranch

Annual festival celebrates all things green.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue's Development Director Rob Oglesby announces plans for Nate's expansion with permanent buildings.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 10, 2018
Ponies, pups raise funds for rescue group

Honor Animal Rescue announces plans to expand.

  • East County
  • News
Balloons take off as the sun sets over the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 10, 2018
A hot topic

Sarasota Balloon Festival makes debut landing at Premier Sports Campus.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 9, 2018
Whitney Beach celebrates 50 years

Residents gathered for an anniversary party March 9 at the Whitney Beach Conservancy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Third-grader Quinn Kaffold and his teacher Carolyn Winget play the "Banana Bongos" at McNeal's STEAM night.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 9, 2018
Manatee School District plan: Extend school day

Teachers sacrifice paid planning time to be with students more.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • March 9, 2018
Shirley E. Peterson

Shirley E. Peterson died January 7, 2018 on Longboat Key, FL.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 9, 2018
Braden River High School Students Prove they are Technically Advanced

Braden River High School TSA club wins Outstanding School Award at state competition.

  • East County
  • News
The property to be called the Braden River Preserve provides access directly to the Braden River. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2018
Foundation sets $1 million goal for Bradenton preserve

Conservation group hopes to defray costs for River Club, Braden Woods residents affected by proposed taxing district.

  • East County
  • News
Tidewell Hospice officials cut the ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the opening of the Lakewood Ranch Hospice House March 9. It will begin receiving patients within one month, officials said.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2018
New hospice house opens in Lakewood Ranch

At buildout, the hospice house will be Tidewell Hospice's largest. OR Fundraising continues for Lakewood Ranch Hospice House.

  • East County
  • News
A week of early voting begins on Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 9, 2018
Early voting opens Saturday in Longboat as mail ballots roll in

Early voting runs for a week, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Town Hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Previous red tide effects washed these fish on to shore. File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 9, 2018
Red tide organism count elevated in Southwest Florida

Mote Marine Laboratory and other wildlife agencies continue to monitor the levels.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 9, 2018
Bathroom fire at Sarasota High School prompts evacuation

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire, which was put out before emergency officials reached the scene.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pilots prepare a hot air balloon for take off on March 9. The Sarasota Balloon Festival takes place this weekend. Photo taken by Katie Johns.
  • By Katie Johns and Niki Kottmann
  • March 9, 2018
Sarasota Ballon Festival pilots take early morning flight

Two Observer reporters get a front-row seat in a hot air balloon basket.

  • East County
  • News
Three students were hospitalized with minor injuries because of the crash. Photo courtesy Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 9, 2018
Officials investigate crash involving school bus

A four-vehicle crash near U.S. 301 and 17th Street sent three children to the hospital. Police are investigating one driver for a possible DUI.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • March 9, 2018
Dr. Robert Sherley Howell

Dr. Robert Sherley Howell died at his home in Lexington, KY on March 7, 2018.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 8, 2018
Southeastern Guide Dogs supporters dine in dark

The event was held March 8 in the Harbourside Ballroom of the Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 8, 2018
Joe Gruters announces bid for state senate

Gruters' announcement was accompanied with a list of 50 local elected officials who support his candidacy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Managing an aging Bobby Jones facility and continuing to draw golfers has proven challenging, city staff said.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 8, 2018
Bobby Jones Golf Club's financial woes continue

The municipal golf course could need another $400,000 subsidy before the end of the fiscal year — and a $1 million subsidy next year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pamela Gavette, right, with her family.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 8, 2018
Newcomer, incumbents file intent to run for Sarasota County School Board

A substitute teacher from Venice will challenge Jane Goodwin for her seat in this year's election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 8, 2018
Street sign's grammar draws quick criticism (or criticism quickly?)

Neighborhood wordsmith makes clear an opinion on Drive Slow sign.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key ballot deadline is 7 p.m., March 20.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • March 8, 2018
Ready, set, vote on Longboat Key

What you need to know before heading to the ballot box March 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Seniors Caleb Ward and Matthew McDonnell captain the Cardinal Mooney boys lacrosse team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 8, 2018
Cardinal Mooney boys lacrosse is ready to take 'the leap'

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The district is looking into ways to offer more protection at schools.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 8, 2018
Details needed to make school safety plans reality

Sheriff Tom Knight wants the school district to hire retired law enforcement officers to protect schools against active assailants. But the School Board has a lot of questions about how to make that actually happen.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 8, 2018
The price to earn an ‘A’

Sarasota’s school tax vote is a ‘renewal ritual.’ But for the new school tax to pass in Manatee, voters need to see a dramatic change. Two of its board members should resign.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Commissioners decided parking will be prohibited on the north side of Old Stickney Point Road.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 8, 2018
County blocks parking on part of Old Stickney Point Road

Safety issues outweighed the three spots being debated for the commission, but a proposed lot could provide more parking nearby.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    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
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Latest News

1
Kiki Bullas will be busy over the next few weeks competing in the USATF and AAU regional track and field junior olympics, hoping to reach the national competition in both.
  • June 22, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Kiki Bullas
2
A May 2024 rendering of the Sarasota County library on Longboat Key.
  • June 22, 2026
Property tax overhaul may put Longboat Key library in jeopardy
3
Manatee County staff and key stakeholders toss ceremonial dirt to kick off construction on a half-mile trail segment that will span from the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant to Rye Preserver.
  • June 22, 2026
Trail system breaks ground near Lake Manatee
4
Sienna Linn, a rising first grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, says she has no pets at home but has had a blast with her dog, Mia, at the Little Vet School camp.
  • June 20, 2026
Little Vet School teaches skills at The Out-of-Door Academy's summer camp
5
Palmetto community leaders showed up strong at Longboat Island Chapel's latest charity drive to support Mt. Carmel Resource Center on June 16. From left, Deputy Ken Jewett, Sgt. Joy Jewett, Chief of Police Scott Tyler, City of Palmetto Mayor Daniel West, Shirley Pearson, executive director of Strength in Action, Inc., Rev. Brock Patterson, Pearson's sister Laura Wallace, and Town of Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton.
  • June 20, 2026
From food to furniture, chapel's programs continue to make an impact

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