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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2017
East County weather page photo: May 11

Jeannie Sparks captured this shot of a roseate spoonbill ruffling its feathers in a Lakewood Ranch marsh.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2017
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 11

Greg Cummings captured this shot on Beer Can Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 11, 2017
Longboat Key Turtle Watch throws a fiesta

The annual fundraiser benefits the watch's sea turtle conservation and education efforts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • May 11, 2017
Visit Sarasota County recognizes local leaders

Visit Sarasota County honored members of Sarasota County's tourism industry during its National Travel and Tourism Week award luncheon on May 11 at the Hyatt Regency, Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 11, 2017
Eagle Sponsors kick off Phil Galvano Golf Classic

The annual tournament is in honor of Sen. Bill Galvano's late father.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Construction of a new home at 585 Halyard Lane in Country Club Shores prompted residents to get involved in discussion of exceptions to town height limits.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • May 11, 2017
Longboat Key P&Z Board postpones height discussion

Once scheduled for May 16, the discussion will now take place on June 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Back row: David Quintero, Brooke Harris, Brinley Beorlegui, Abbey Burwood, Sophie Lemus. Front row: Aubrey Robbins, Brianne Bonzheim, Kai Tsakiris, Paige McElyea, Bond Barone. Not pictured: Emily Conelias. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 11, 2017
Lakewood Ranch Chargers finish tied for first in league standings

The U11 girls team won 27 games under coach David Quintero.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • May 11, 2017
Temple Sinai hosts summer camp sendoff

Children from Temple Sinai will be attending camps located throughout the United States.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lisa Bechtold with sons Dylan, Jeremy and Kyle
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • May 11, 2017
Local moms share the mishaps and memories of motherhood

Motherhood might be chaotic, but at least it's funny.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cops Corner
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 11, 2017
Lakewood Ranch area Cops Corner May 11

A look at some of the more interesting crime reports in East County.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Sodium nitrates are added to processed meat to act as a preservative. Once the nitrates are in the body, they can form nitrosamines, which are chemical compounds that are carcinogenic.
    By
  • Kristine Nickel
  • May 11, 2017
The myths — and truths — of summer

Three points to ponder at the temperature rises.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
This home at 1703 Bayshore Road recently sold for $4.35 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 11, 2017
Nokomis home sells for $4.35 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 24-28.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Brian Speight tries to block a John Edwards shot, but misses.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 11, 2017
Sarasota basketball league embraces respect for game, each other

In Dennis Bunker's league, printed rules, a draft, and post-game beers are all part of the package.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Jaasiel Torres jumps the bar at the state meet.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 11, 2017
Sarasota High junior takes home the high jump state title

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Residents say outdoor staircases at the garage, depicted in this rendering, could negatively affect the homes across the street with light and noise. The city says residents’ concerns are being taken into consideration.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 11, 2017
St. Armands garage plans trouble neighbors

As the city finalizes the design of the St. Armands Circle parking garage, residents near the project site fear their interests aren’t being taken into consideration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Business leaders like Christine Robinson are cautioning the city about potential changes to its impact fee regulations.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 11, 2017
Divisions form over impact fee changes

The city is considering changing the way it calculates a fee associated with new development. Already, the development community is wary of the proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A red tide bloom struck the shores of Sarasota County’s barrier islands in September and didn’t subside until April.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 11, 2017
Red tide questions surface at Siesta gathering

It’s hardly a new phenomenon — in fact, it’s been around for thousands of years — but Siesta Key residents fear red tide blooms are getting worse.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A Publix could be coming to the Town and Country Plaza soon.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 11, 2017
Changes in store for Beneva shopping centers

Benderson Development is one of three property owners pursuing changes for commercial plazas near the intersection of Beneva and Fruitville roads.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week' s edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 11, 2017
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.11.17

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Joseph Kelly.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 11, 2017
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 05.11.17

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 05.11.17

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brian Speight.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 11, 2017
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: 05.11.17

Sarasota Athlete of the Week: 05.11.17

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Point of Rocks on south Siesta Key is well known for its snorkeling opportunities.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 10, 2017
Deputies investigate Siesta Key drowning

A woman drowned while snorkeling at Point of Rocks, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Voter turnout in the 2017 runoff Sarasota City Commission election topped 22%, which topped the 19% from the last at-large election.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 10, 2017
New Blood: Brody, Ahearn-Koch win City Commission seats

The City Commission is getting two new members on Friday. How much change will Hagen Brody and Jen Ahearn-Koch bring to City Hall?

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • May 10, 2017
Students go full-STEAM ahead at olympics

Braden River Middle School hosts annual STEAM Olympics for some fun, competitive play.

  • East County
  • News
Hagen Brody, Jen Ahearn-Koch and Martin Hyde were all vying for two seats on the Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 10, 2017
Sarasota City Commission election — By the numbers

How did your precinct vote in Tuesday’s runoff election?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sailor Circus Seniors from left – Sophie Watkins, Michael Mitchell, Silas Bichler, Alice Hafner, Owen Leonard, Lydia Nord
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 10, 2017
Sailor Circus hands out scholarships, awards

Five of the seniors will attend four-year schools in the fall at institutions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Neighboring residents have said they are eager for the former Colony property to be redeveloped.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • May 10, 2017
Colony developer and neighboring residents agree on plan for the property

A contract between the two parties includes "membership privileges" for immediate neighbors.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Shane Catts and Holly Rolls own Happy Paddler Kayak Tours & EcoVentures.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • May 10, 2017
Longboat Key settles on kayak vendor at Bayfront Park

The couple that operates Happy Paddler Kayak Tours & EcoVentures are familiar faces on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Teen drivers will get hands-on training on how to handle emergency situations during the Mopar Road Ready program presented by BRAKES.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 10, 2017
BRAKES makes important stop in Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton area

Teen drivers can take advantage of a hands-on, driver safety course.

  • East County
  • News
A mountain of food is delivered to the St. Joseph Food Bank.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 10, 2017
Special delivery food drive in Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton

Postal carriers launch into 25th annual 'Stamp out Hunger' food drive.

  • East County
  • News
Anthony Liakakos, the general manager at Oak & Stone, shows off the iPourIt beer system.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 10, 2017
Sarasota's Oak & Stone adds brunch to menu

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 10, 2017
And they're off!

The first turtle nest of the season was found on May 7.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Bayfront Park Recreation Center was formerly the tennis clubhouse at the Far Horizons Resort.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 10, 2017
Unfinished jewel

It took $3.5 million and 14 years — 14 years! — to renovate Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park. But the one amenity that has been and is used the most is still the same old inadequate building.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Gov. Rick Scott
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 10, 2017
Legislature vs. Scott: Time will tell

There will be a time to remember

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
East County’s Mark Stukey puts his right hand at the mark showing the high water levels during the 2003 flood.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • May 10, 2017
Manatee County releases updated storm surge evacuation levels

Manatee County's Public Safety Department releases the updated storm surge evacuation levels.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • May 10, 2017
Lakewood Ranch High students give Max effort

"Max in the Woods" just one of the original works read at Bashaw Elementary event.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
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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Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • 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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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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