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Your Observer

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
Braden Woods’ William Stelcher takes a seat in his favorite “touring” car, the 1965 Morgan Plus 4.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • May 10, 2017
Lakewood Ranch man's wheels keep turning

Braden Woods resident has drive to continue racing antique automobiles.

  • East County
  • News
Andrew Basco, sales associate for Pulte Homes, said interest has been high for the developer' s Shoreview project, the first to open in Waterside.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 10, 2017
Builders bank on new community in Sarasota County

Lake access will be a big selling point at Waterside

  • East County
  • News
Summerfield' s Maureen Flaherty shows how low the water level is on the retention pond behind her house. She is worried about wildlife.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 10, 2017
Dry spring drops pond levels

Near drought conditions draw full attention of public.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 10, 2017
Plans for Post Boulevard under way

Design would accommodate a potential new Lakewood Ranch high school site.

  • East County
  • News
Susie and her cygnets swim around the Harbourside Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Lou Newman
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 10, 2017
Longboat Key swans hatch hope

Cygnets arrival is bittersweet for David Novak.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
St. Armands Circle Park is home to many festivals including a Taste of St. Armands, pictured here. File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 10, 2017
St. Armands Seafood and Music Festival to premiere later this month

The festival will take place on May 20 and 21.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 10, 2017
Art enthusiasts look back on the historic Longboat Key Center for the Arts

At the end of this month, the art center's doors will close for good.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 10, 2017
Longboat Key Obituaries: May 11, 2017

Vicki Anderson, Florence Heitler, James Hicks, Esther Jarvis, Bonita Kass and Nancy Koons died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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