• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County

Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fourth graders Leona Killion and Michael Chmielarski created business cards as a dancer and a soccer player for the Project T.E.A.C.H. activity on March 12.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 23, 2026
Project TEACH volunteers work to inspire young minds in Manatee County

Fourth grade classes all over the district were joined by local business people to talk about careers and dreams.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jenna Jahn notched a pair of top-two finishes at the Eddie Starling Memorial Invite on March 13 — including a record-breaking performance.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Jenna Jahn

As a freshman at Lakewood Ranch High, she broke the program record for the 400-meter hurdles.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County staffers flew DJI drones in 2021 to help the town of Longboat Key monitor red tide blooms in the gulf.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 23, 2026
Drone replacement costs add to Manatee County expenses

Chinese-made models are no longer allowed by state to fly for governments, prompting new purchases.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs

The fundraiser has been held 11 years and brings the community together through music, food, and beer,

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Kathleen Flesch, Sonia Levy, Jane Imperiale and Peri Ann Aptaker dress for the Palm Royale-themed Divas and Dogs fundraiser that will benefit The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 21, 2026
Divas and Dogs brings together fashion and animal lovers

Divas and Dogs is in its 16th year raising funds for The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April

Swimming and rowing championships expected to attract more than 5,000 athletes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cooper Jones is one of seven freshmen additions for Braden River this season. The third baseman/catcher leads the team in RBIs and ranks second in batting average, as of March 10.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 18, 2026
Freshmen talent takes center stage for Braden River High's softball team

The Pirates were off to a fast start with seven freshmen having an immediate impact.

  • East County
  • Sports
Esplanade residents have an assembly line to stuff Comfort Cases backpacks to be delivered to foster kids.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 18, 2026
Esplanade pulls together to support foster kids

The residents fill 1,000 Comfort Cases backpacks with basic essential needs for the foster care community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ted Lindenberg thanks students from Rogers Garden Elementary for singing a couple songs during the Books for Kids annual luncheon at Lakewood Ranch Country Club March 12.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 18, 2026
Books for Kids' passion runs cover to cover

Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's reading program spells out success.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Condos and single-family homes for sale dot the map of downtown Sarasota and its adjacent neighborhoods.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 18, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee real estate market a mixed bag

Prices are up but not everywhere.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's Tony Mullet, Dianne Gardner, Annelle Mullet, Dave Gardner and Denise Miller get their green on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Lakewood Main Street on March 17.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 18, 2026
A green day on Lakewood Main Street to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Community members gathered to celebrate St. Patricks Day with music, beer, costumes and more on March 17.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Savanna at Lakewood Ranch's John Calovich is running for the District 6 at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch resident enters competitive District 6 election

John Calovich will have to win the primary first because there are four other Republicans in the race.

  • East County
  • News
The Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament has raised more than $108,000 for the Tidewell Foundation. With the final event, the goal is to reach the $150,000 mark.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 18, 2026
Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament prepares for final fundraiser

The tournament has raised $108,000 for the Tidewell Foundation and the goal is to reach $150,000 with one last tournament.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Concession Golf Club is hosting the Senior PGA Championship April 16-19.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 18, 2026
Final preparations underway for The Concession to host Senior PGA Championship

The Lakewood Ranch golf club has officially begun its one-month countdown to the tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Preston Bowers volunteers for TOPSoccer, and Chris Collins manages the program.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit soccer program is tops

TOPSoccer offers fun and camaraderie to children with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in East County

1
Jeff Toale stands inside the Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, where light-filled spaces and a contemporary design reflect a shift toward more personalized, meaningful memorial experiences.
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF
2
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Education Foundation as he is announced as the winner of the "Next Gen" award at University Park Country Club May 13.
  • May 16, 2026
Young Leaders Alliance presents its top award in Lakewood Ranch
3
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
4
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
5
Amanda Parrish was named interim CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. in January.
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County economic development evolves

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free