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Your Observer

Zane Zimmerman with his grandmother Jaunita Zimmerman.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 23, 2015
Families flock to Sarasota Pumpkin Festival

The 7th annual Sarasota Pumpkin Festival brings entertainment, food and fall favorites.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Military Academy Sergeant Major Dennis Richardson taught JROTC for seven years.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 23, 2015
Cadets bid farewell to Dennis Richardson

Sarasota Military Academy honors JROTC instructor Sergeant Major Dennis Richardson Sr.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 23, 2015
Trump picks Gruters to lead campaign in Florida

Sarasota GOP Chairman Joe Gruters will lead Donald Trump's presidential campaign in Florida, and Sarasota will boast the candidate's first office in the state.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 23, 2015
Chamber congregates at Longboat Island Chapel

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce held its monthly Business After Hours Oct. 22, at Longboat Island Chapel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Dennis Smith replaces Tony Vasile, Jr., who vacated his position on the board in August.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 23, 2015
New resident fills GreyHawk Landing CDD vacancy

The board appointed Dennis Smith at the September meeting.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 23, 2015
Bird Key Yacht Club colors its walls with art

Bird Key Yacht Club held its monthly art opening on Oct. 22.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Come and experience 5 acres of terror. Walk trough the woods, but remember: you won't be alone..!! Photo courtesy of Belisa Mazzara.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 23, 2015
Upper Manatee River Road gets spooky with haunted trail

An East County family opened Delirium Haunted Trail to the public this year.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River head coach Curt Bradley has five former players on his staff: Malcom Belton, Michael Douglas, Kelvin Albritton, Brett Walker and Tyler Strahs.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 23, 2015
Tackling a new challenge

Five of Curt Bradley's former players have assumed roles in his Braden River program.

  • East County
  • Sports
The city of Sarasota is currently undertaking a $2.2 million roadway project in front of the soon-to-be occupied Sarasota Times building.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 23, 2015
Owner revives Sarasota Times building

Sharon Carole bought the historic downtown building for $2.1 million in 2014, and now plans to open a new restaurant early next year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This is a digital rendering of Mote Marine Laboratory's new research facility located in Summerland Key.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 23, 2015
Mote's Summerland Key research facility receives approval

Researchers at Mote’s Summerland Key research facility are growing thousands of coral fragments in nurseries in the wild using naturally occurring generic strains .

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An Atlanta-based development firm, Carter, plans to begin construction next week on 180 apartments in downtown Sarasota, in a project that dates back at least three years.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 23, 2015
Developer to break ground on 180 downtown apartments

Following a $7 million acquisition, Atlanta-based Carter aims to start construction next week on a downtown Sarasota project originally conceived by local entrepreneur Jesse Biter.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 23, 2015
Rams seek players for fundraiser

The Riverview High boys basketball team will hold its Golf Outing fundraiser Nov. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Michelle Bullerdick and Karen Misantone
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 22, 2015
CPC opens doors to community

Pillar of Hope brings support from community to Child Protection Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Miller submitted this photo of seagulls flying by a Big Pass sunset off of Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 22, 2015
Sarasota photo contest winner: Oct. 22

Jennifer Miller submitted this photo of seagulls flying by a Big Pass sunset off of Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
East County photo contest winner: Oct. 1
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 22, 2015
East County photo contest winner: Oct. 22

Doreen Steinhauser submitted this photo from Palma Sola Boulevard in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 22, 2015
Pair of $2 million-plus homes sell in Lake Club

Two homes in Lake Club top all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Bryant Niedospial submitted this photo of Longboat Key as seen from across the water from The Old Salty Dog at sunset.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 22, 2015
Longboat Key photo contest winner: Oct. 22

Bryant Niedospial submitted this photo of Longboat Key as seen from across the water from The Old Salty Dog at sunset.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Neal Communities, Taylor Morrison Homes and Lee Wetherington Homes have all constructed residential communities in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 22, 2015
Local builders named in top 15 for sustainable homes

The Florida Green Building Coalition selected three Lakewood Ranch builders.

  • East County
  • News
In a survey of 128,000 readers, Longboat Key was named the ninth best island destination in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2015 Readers’ Choice Awards
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 22, 2015
Longboat named ninth best U.S. island destination

In its 2015 Readers’ Choice Awards, Condé Nast Traveler ranked Longboat ninth in its top U.S. island destinations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Maribeth Phillips, the Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee chief executive officer, and Will Robinson, the board chairman, delivered the organization's 10 millionth meal on Thursday to 97-year-old Marie Smith of Bradenton.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 22, 2015
Meals on Wheels delivers 10 millionth meal

97-year-old Bradenton resident eats celebratory turkey.

  • East County
  • News
East County resident David Dillard found photos left behind on Portal Crossing in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 22, 2015
East County family found

After David Dillard found a bin of family photos, the family from the photos contacted him.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Terry Gans has qualified to run as a candidate for his Longboat Key Town Commission at-large seat.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 22, 2015
Gans qualifies for commission seat

Longboat Key At-Large Commissioner Terry Gans is running for another two-year term and has no challengers for his seat yet.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Drivers should expect some lane closures as part of the process. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 22, 2015
Signal installation to cause traffic delays

FDOT is installing a new traffic signal just west of Braden Run, on State Road 70, Monday night.

  • East County
  • News
The ribbon is cut for the reopening of the Lakewood Ranch Information Center on University. Enjoying the moment were Heather Kasten, Vanessa Baugh, Jimmy Stewart, Angie Kaleskas, and Jahna Leinhauser.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 22, 2015
Side of Ranch: Information delivered with style

East County managing editor Jay Heater writes his daily blog

  • East County
  • News
Although Heritage Harbour has a speed radar sign on Fair Isles Lane, residents and CDD supervisors say some continue to speed.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 22, 2015
Heritage Harbour South CDD aims to slow speeders

An off-duty deputy will monitor speeding on Fairway Isles Lane for a month.

  • East County
  • News
Roy and Jean Schappacher have been married for 60 years.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 22, 2015
Your Town

Couple celebrates 60th anniversary; McNeal students practice kindness with project; and Manatee County offers videos about county commissioners.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jack Short
  • October 22, 2015
Gulf Gate residents take swings at golf course plans

Representatives of Medallion homes got a cold reception at their development public workshop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
20 N. Washington Blvd.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • October 22, 2015
Are 86 spaces a deal-breaker?

A parcel in a prime location at the corner of “Main and Main” generates one bid, even after a deadline extension.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Devin Rutkowski, who owns several residential properties and formerly co-owned the Blue Rooster, is determined to get the city to change its policy on backflow prevention devices.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 22, 2015
Resident inspires backlash to city's backflow prevention policy

Appearing at a series of municipal meetings this month, one Sarasota resident is calling attention to what he believes is a major eyesore invading the city’s shopping districts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The artist will take six months to create “Embracing our Differences,” which is slated for installation in April.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 22, 2015
City approves first piece in roundabout art series

Next spring, the city will install a new piece of public art in the center of the roundabout at Main Street and Orange Avenue: a 20-foot-tall, 2,500-pound, infinity-symbol-shaped sculpture.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Solomon Shenker, owner of Sol Meyer New York Deli, spent 30 years in the culinary business before the fall opening of his Main Street restaurant.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 22, 2015
Change continues to come to downtown Sarasota

As construction crews continue to toil away and storefronts swap tenants, we checked in on some projects of note in the heart of the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sage Lyons
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 22, 2015
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 10.22.15

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 10.22.15

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Riverview High volleyball team finished the regular season 19-1 and earned the No. 2 seed in the Class 8A-District 6 tournament.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 22, 2015
Rams find success when it counts

The Riverview High volleyball team finished the regular season 19-1, the No. 2 seed Lady Rams will play for the Class 8A-District 6 title Oct. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Cardinal Mooney football team clinched a playoff berth last Friday.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 22, 2015
Sarasota Football Friday: Week 8

Sarasota Football Friday: Week 8

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch girls golf, Katie Kroos-Roberts hits a shot.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 22, 2015
ECO High 5 Moments: 10.22.15

ECO High 5 Moments: 10.22.15

  • East County
  • Sports
Emma Knego and Katie Green volunteer at the Pillar for Hope open house at the Child Protection Center in 2014.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 22, 2015
Sarasota Calendar 10.22.15

Sarasota and Siesta Key events for the week of Oct. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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  • December 12, 2025
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  • December 12, 2025
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5
Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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