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Your Observer

Lynn Flood captured this shot of water lilies blooming in Lakewood Ranch Professional Park.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2016
East County weather page photo: May 5

Lynn Flood captured this shot of water lilies blooming in Lakewood Ranch Professional Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 5, 2016
Mother's Day wishes from Bay Haven Elementary, St. Boniface Preschool

Students at Bay Haven School of Basics Plus and St. Boniface Preschool sit down and talk about their plans for Mother's Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Paul Meese, of Longboat Key, captured this shot of a jogger near New Pass Bridge about an hour after sunrise.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2016
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 5

Paul Meese, of Longboat Key, captured this shot of a jogger near New Pass Bridge about an hour after sunrise.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The site, known as the Moore's Dairy site, is outlined in blue and is immediately south of Waterlefe and west of Upper Manatee River Road.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 5, 2016
Mixed-use project approved on Upper Manatee

Medallion Home will build commercial and residential on property immediately south of Waterlefe.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 5, 2016
Longboat residents push for noise enforcement

Relief may be on the way for Longbeach Village residents concerned with the din of raucous parties flanking Jewfish Key each weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Frances Worman weaves reeds in a design for a basket for her daughter.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 5, 2016
Weaving friendship: basket weaving for visually impaired adults

The basket-weaving class for visually impaired at ACE at Suncoast Technical College is in danger of being discontinued.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Write-On Sarasota owner Eileen Wallace says the level of communication between neighboring businesses is higher than it's ever been in her eight years on First Street.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 5, 2016
First Street merchants band together to forge identity

What's on First? The answer may elude most Sarasota shoppers, but businesses on First Street hope a joint branding campaign can raise awareness of the mini-district.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although he told the commission he would withdraw his application for an apartment complex, Harvey Vengroff is willing to reconsider — as long as the city doesn't require inspections of his property.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 5, 2016
Inspection request puts Vengroff apartments in jeopardy

Harvey Vengroff says he will withdraw his affordable housing plans if the city demands annual inspections, but staff believes a compromise is still possible.

  • Sarasota
  • News
James Rutledge, trustee, and Deborah Rutledge, of Osprey, sold the home at 3920 Red Rock Way to Daniel McClure, of Palmetto, for $2.5 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 5, 2016
South Cocoanut Bayou home sells for $2.5 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between April 18 and April 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 5, 2016
Making mom feel special

Students at Bay Haven School of Basics Plus and St. Boniface Preschool sit down and talk about their plans for Mother's Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
File photo. Jonathan, Jadynn and Jonathan Jr. Bachman celebrated mom Robynn Bachman with brunch at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens last year.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 5, 2016
Sarasota Calendar 5.5.16

Sarasota and Siesta Key events for the week of May 5.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 5, 2016
Cops Corner: Sarasota 05.05.16

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Darwin Santa Maria plans to open a brick-and-mortar version of his CeviChela Project in the Village.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2016
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Darwin's on Siesta and affordable housing backlash

Darwin Santa Maria has found a new home in Siesta Key Village, and our Facebook followers responded to the fallout from Monday’s City Commission meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones played for guests.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 4, 2016
Manatee, Sarasota Chambers rock Blues by the Bay

Not even rain could stop the party for Manatee Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Players Theatre Artistic Director Jeffery Kin and Managing Director Michelle Bianchi Pingel say the early feedback to their move has been largely positive.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 4, 2016
Players Theatre uproots from longtime Sarasota home

The Players Theatre is selling its property near the bayfront and moving to Lakewood Ranch. Why is the oldest arts organization in Sarasota leaving the city?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Booker Middle School Principal LaShawn Frost, Conor Andrich, Sharon Burde, Joyce McCoy, Susan Morin and S.Kay Daniels with the 6,000 granola bars donated to the school Wednesday.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 4, 2016
SHS sophomore stocks Booker Middle pantry

CYD member Conor Andrich donates 6,000 granola bar for Summer Transition program at Booker Middle School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Kara Kimes strokes Squinty the screech owl . Squinty lost an eye in an accident but now he visits schools.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 4, 2016
McNeal Elementary visits with the wild side

Sarasota Jungle Gardens zookeeper visits students.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 4, 2016
Lou Newman takes flight

Lou Newman hosted his 10th annual wildlife photography exhibit, “A Focus on Birds,” May 3, at Plymouth Harbor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nine McNeal students' posters went on to the state contest.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 4, 2016
McNeal Elementary student art is a drop in the bucket

Students earned the grand prize for water conservation art in a state competition.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 4, 2016
Tamiami Trail lanes closed due to flooding

Sarasota Police expect northbound lanes of U.S. 41 at the intersection with Bee Ridge Road to be closed for 2 hours.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 4, 2016
Siesta Key lures Darwin Santa Maria

The local chef plans to open a brick-and-mortar version of his CeviChela Project in the Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Players CEO Michelle Bianchi Pingel and Artistic Director Jeffery Kin announce their deal with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch on Monday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 4, 2016
Lakewood Ranch lands The Players Theatre for Waterside

The Players plans to spend $8 million to $12 million for its new complex on 4.5 acres

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 4, 2016
How the beat the traffic

Bike lanes, public transit and a narrower Fruitville won’t solve Sarasota’s traffic congestion. Fact is, expanding capacity on the most congested roads is the way to go.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 4, 2016
Cops Corner 05.03.16

Enjoy this week’s edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
People's Choice — Mykenzie Johnson
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 4, 2016
#OMGmycommunity contest winners

Congratulations to our three high school photographers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 4, 2016
Longboat Key: Your Calendar

Check out upcoming events on Longboat Key and surrounding areas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 4, 2016
Longboat Key: Obituaries

Patricia Cassady Castell, Charles McKinney and Anne Stovall Timm died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Unit 801 condo at 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,460 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 4, 2016
Water Club condo sells for $2.8 million

The Unit 801 condo at 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,460 square feet of living area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
East County businessman Mac Carraway says the committee came to the "inescapable conclusion" that funding is needed to take care of the county's growing infrastructure needs.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2016
Advisory board says half-cent sales tax is best solution

Committee unanimously recommends a sales tax to fund county's infrastructure needs.

  • East County
  • News
SANCA President and CEO Paul Blackketter says he wouldn't be leaving if he didn't have full confidence in his staff at SANCA.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2016
Smooth waters at SANCA

Despite losing two top executives, SANCA board chairman says Benderson Park remains on course.

  • East County
  • News
The northeast corner of the Tom Bennett Park property, pictured here with Interstate 75 in the distance, is where the water park would be located.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2016
Will Lost Lagoon come up short for this ride?

Manatee County about to discover whether water park planning can move forward.

  • East County
  • News
Manfred Welfonder, principal at MW Corp., has been hoping to redevelop the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort on Longboat Key for more than five years.
    By
  • Kevin McQuaid
  • May 4, 2016
Welfonder seeks Colony plan with Fairmont Hotels

The Town Commission will consider extending the grandfathered tourism units for the Colony Beach & Tennis Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 4, 2016
Firm protests contract for Longboat Key beach project

A firm has protested the town’s $6.5 million choice of a contractor to mine Longboat Pass and New Pass to renourish island beaches.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Country Club Shores residents, both human and canine, rally in support of their crosswalk.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • May 4, 2016
Crosswalks: Should they stay or should they go?

For many residents, the answer is ‘stay.’ Now, the commission is hitting the brakes on a plan to ask FDOT to remove the safety features.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 4, 2016
Lake Club home tops local transactions at $1.13 million

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS APRIL 18 - APRIL 22

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Braden River's Linda Ross had three hits, including a double, three RBI and scored three runs in the Pirates Class 7A-Region 3 victory against Seminole Osceola April 26.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2016
East County High 5 Moments: 05.05.16

East County High 5 Moments: 05.05.16

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

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