• 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

Lynn Howell, the pastor of Myakka Family Worship Center, says he is humbled and honored to see the faith community coming together to support him and his family.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 2, 2024
Churches unite to support Myakka City pastor after fire

Seven churches hold benefit to support Myakka Family Worship Center's pastor after his barn burned.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Carmie Snider helps his grandson Gabriel Legutko as Legutko works to earn his Eagle Scout rank by rebuilding a Christmas tree stand at Oneco Hope Global Methodist Church.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 2, 2024
Myakka Boy Scout becomes third in his family to earn Eagle Scout rank

Following in his brothers' footsteps, Gabriel Legutko adds to his family's scouting legacy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Olivia Mikos enjoys her first time fishing during the annual Youth Fishing Tournament in 2023 presented by the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club and Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 2, 2024
Blue-green algae concerns in Lake Uihlein postpone fishing tournament

Lakewood Ranch's Youth and Teen Fishing Tournament will take place in October as Lake Uihlein undergoes treatment.

  • East County
  • News
Parrish man dies after medical episode causes crash in Publix parking lot
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 1, 2024
Parrish man dies after medical episode causes crash in Publix parking lot

A 65-year-old man lost control of his car and hit a tree in the Publix parking lot at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
Ashley Nolan and Megan Wenger with the Tidewell Foundation are thankful for the grant Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch member Bob Grepling presented to them for Tidewell Foundation's Blue Butterfly program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 1, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club grants help Manatee, Sarasota nonprofits

The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch presented $130,000 in grants to 26 area nonprofits.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High flag football Head Coach Amanda Porco said she looks for players who are enthusiastic about the sport.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 1, 2024
Braden River High flag football wants to build something special

The Pirates are 11-0 as of March 29 and believe they can compete with the state's elite.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2024
The Observer plays dirty for April Fools’ Day

Our annual April Fools’ Day edition was published on March 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Trey Jones handles the lead vocals for American Jones during My Hometown Fest at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota on Saturday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 30, 2024
Thousands attend My Hometown Fest in Sarasota

Nathan Benderson Park hosted the annual fundraiser for the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 30, 2024
Revised housing project forges ahead at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Plans have changed from condos to townhouses, but Lakeshore will still be built on Rodeo Drive.

  • East County
  • News
Music Compound's Jenny Townsend and Alyssa Martin celebrate their students being on stage during Musicpalooza Friday at Nathan Benderson Park. the event was a lead-in to Saturday's My Hometown Fest.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 29, 2024
Performance of note at Musicpalooza at Nathan Benderson Park

Five Music Compound bands took the stage at the Sarasota festival.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rep. Tommy Gregory shakes hands with audience members before answering their questions.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 29, 2024
Rep. Tommy Gregory applies for SCF president post

Gregory is among three finalists to take over when current State College of Florida President Carol Probstfeld retires in July.

  • East County
  • News
This bookmobile was customized by the same company and provides an example of what Manatee County's bookmobile will look like.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 28, 2024
Manatee County buys a bookmobile to drive residents to read

The bookmobile will address a shortage of library space.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee Commissioner James Satcher has been appointed to be Manatee County's supervisor of elections.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 28, 2024
Bizarre supervisor of elections saga continues in Manatee County

Commissioner James Satcher faces tough choices as election approaches.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By JL Bainbridge Family Wealth Advisors
  • March 28, 2024
Will Your Retirement Last 30 Years?

Here’s what you should know about planning ahead for today’s average retirement from age 62 to 92.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
A rendering of the layout of 74 Club Homes at Heritage Harbour and the Homes2Suites hotel (top left).
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 27, 2024
Heritage Harbour resort project tees off with club homes, hotel

Construction has begun on 74 club homes at Heritage Harbour Golf Club in east Bradenton with a Home2Suites by Hilton on the way.

  • East County
  • News
« 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 »
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
School Board Member Heather Felton took off her blazer during the May 5 workshop to show her sleeveless shirt is appropriate for students in the Florida heat.
  • May 18, 2026
Manatee Schools to re-evaluate dress code guidelines
2
The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program serves kids ages 6 to 16.
  • May 18, 2026
Kids learn lessons on and off the water at Manatee River Youth Sailing Program
3
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
4
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Community 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
5
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.

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