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Your Observer

Photo courtesy of Ann Anderson
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 4, 2017
Beachgoers share the shore with wayward shark

On Sept. 25, Carl Lowe and Ann Anderson were enjoying a day at the beach when they got a surprise visitor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Casa del Mar Beach Resort General Manager Mark Meador let 10 families stay at the resort following Irma.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 4, 2017
Town says thanks for hurricane heroes

Following Hurricane Irma, Meador opened up Casa Del Mar Beach Resort to ten families.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Drew Myers signals that an extra point is good.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 4, 2017
Lakewood Ranch grad makes right call being an official

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 4, 2017
Longboat Key Obituaries: Oct. 5, 2017

Jean Green, Roscoe Brown and Howard Lowsky died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kai Soderberg.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 4, 2017
East County Athlete of the Week: Kai Soderberg

The ODA cross country runner talks his time in New York and his best piece of advice.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bryan Gagg.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 4, 2017
East County High 5 Moments: 10.04.17

East County High 5 Moments: 10.04.17

  • East County
  • Sports
Cyclists in the Lakewood Ranch-based Village Idiots cycling group turn onto Hidden River Trail from Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to travel to Lorraine Road during a weekly Wednesday night ride.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 4, 2017
For cyclists, it's an open road in Lakewood Ranch

No-cycling signs come down on Hidden River Trail.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • October 4, 2017
Longboat Town Commission advances fire station bond

If approved by the commission in November and voters in March, the bond would deliver nearly $5.9 million to rebuild one fire station and renovate the other.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 3, 2017
Operation Kindness dines for veterans

Through Cafe L'Europe's Community Night, 20% of check proceeds will go to Operation Kindness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Manatee County hiring expo will take place this Thursday at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • October 3, 2017
Manatee County Hiring Expo showcases career opportunities

Plenty of public sector jobs will be available.

  • East County
  • News
It's early, but both Braden River and Lakewood Ranch are strong in points.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 3, 2017
East County football teams in good shape for playoffs

It's early, but both Braden River and Lakewood Ranch are strong in points.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Fort Hamer Bridge last was scheduled to open Sept. 23, but was delayed because of Hurricane Irma. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 3, 2017
Fort Hamer Bridge opening set

The tentative opening date is now Oct. 18.

  • East County
  • News
Emma Hatfield, 4, as a princess, Pearl Carey, 5, as a witch, and Matilda Hatfield, 4, also as a princess at last year's Fright Night.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 3, 2017
St. Armands books busy October

The St. Armands Circle Association will be hosting three events through this month that are open to the public.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The city hopes to complete the St. Armands parking garage by December 2018.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2017
City approves St. Armands garage project

The $15.5 million project will also bring the implementation of a paid parking system in St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pirate’s Den Bait & Tackle owner Steve Jourdenais and General Manager Eric Ramon say their new business will be a place for people to hang out.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • October 3, 2017
New bait shop coming to East County

East County resident treasures new bait shop.

  • East County
  • Business
Myakka City’s Morgan Smith has nine goats on her property, including two of her favorites, Jay and Annie.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • October 3, 2017
Milking a hobby on the ranch

Myakka City resident hopes to clean up with goat soap.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • October 2, 2017
Bayfront Park features electric car charger

Longboat residents can now charge their electric vehicles on the town's dime.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • October 2, 2017
Town advances marijuana dispensary ban

Commission looks to block any dispensaries from opening on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
After months of delays, the Shore restaurant has resumed construction.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • October 2, 2017
Shore construction passes inspection, makes progress

The restaurant on the island's north end is slowly advancing after clearing inspection.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • October 2, 2017
Parking structure part of Selby's vision for the future

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has filed plans with the city detailing improvements to garden infrastructure.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • October 2, 2017
Sarasota County School Board considering referendum voting cycle

The referendum vote typically takes place during a special election, but the Board is debating again if that's the most practical way to get the funding.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The state will replace the traffic signals on U.S. 41 at 10th and 14th streets with roundabouts.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 2, 2017
FDOT to hold U.S. 41 roundabout meeting

Construction on roundabouts at 10th Street and 14th Street will begin soon and continue into spring 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The series premiered in July, and production is currently under way on eight more episodes.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • October 2, 2017
'Siesta Key' reality show returning in winter 2018

The new episodes will air in winter 2018, and will include all of the original cast members.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • October 2, 2017
Redeemer celebrates Feast of St. Francis

The Church of the Redeemer hosted its annual pet blessing to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A condominium at 300 S. Pineapple Ave. recently sold for $1,762,500.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 2, 2017
Sansara condominium sells for $1,762,500

Residential real estate transactions for Sept. 18-22.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • October 2, 2017
Van Wezel hosts rowing championship

Visitors and community members gathered at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at the close of the World Rowing Championships.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 1, 2017
Cops Corner: Stranger 'checks up' on Myakka City woman

A round up of this week's most interesting police reports from Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Ellen Tomek falls back into the arms of U.S. teammate Meghan O'Leary after they earned a silver medal in the Women's Double Sculls on Sunday at the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 1, 2017
2017 World Rowing Championships closes in Sarasota

Sarasota, Manatee county areas big winners in tourism.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 30, 2017
Brighter future for Rosedale clubhouse

Rosedale residents, club owner praise clubhouse upgrades.

  • East County
  • News
East County's Julie Reagan and Joe Suboticki and Myakka City's Daysha and Mark Walters shot a 56 to win the scramble event.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 30, 2017
Lakewood Ranch Elks golf tourney includes an ace

Annual benefit at Tara Golf & Country Club draws 90 entrants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 30, 2017
U.S. adds to World Rowing Championships medal count

The Americans added two silver medals and a bronze on Saturday.

  • East County
  • Sports
Commander Joe Hembree hugs wife Melissa Hembree in Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on Sept. 29.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • September 29, 2017
Sarasota serviceman returns home after year-long deployment

Commander Joe Hembree was expecting a welcome party, just maybe not quite one so large.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Switzerland's Patricia Merz collapses after finishing fourth in the Lightweight Women's Single Sculls final on Friday in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 29, 2017
Time to show mettle at 2017 World Rowing Championships

Athletes strike gold in opening finals in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
Except Sunday, FEMA representatives will be at the Robert L. Taylor center daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 4.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 29, 2017
FEMA offers assistance at Robert L. Taylor center

Individuals affected by Hurricane Irma can register for FEMA disaster assistance at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex through Oct. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 29, 2017
Field set for District 72 special election

Four candidates qualify to run for state House seat vacated by Alex Miller, who resigned.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The City Commission will also discuss Bobby Jones Golf Club and tree regulations at Monday's meeting.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 29, 2017
City Commission to discuss St. Armands garage construction

On Monday, the commission will consider a $12 million contract for the garage, which would be partially funded with St. Armands Circle paid parking revenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
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
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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