• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • 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
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County

Carl Backman and Nancy Cunningham, members of Aloha Ukulele, perform with the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities club for Play Music on the Porch Day on Aug. 26, 2023.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 27, 2023
Heat sends music event inside at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

That didn't bother 35 attendees who sang along with Aloha Ukulele during the Play Music on the Porch event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hurricane Idalia at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2023
Hurricane Idalia news, updates in Sarasota, Manatee

Idalia made landfall at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds.

  • Hurricane Season
Care packages include items used to battle heat-related illnesses, such as water bottles and electrolyte packets.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 26, 2023
Manatee County continues to battle a heat wave, drought

Manatee County staff members are working to keep heat-related illnesses at bay and drinking water safe.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 26, 2023
High school football roundup: Week one

East County and Sarasota teams found plenty of success to start the 2023 season.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA senior linebacker Charlie Tack stretches the ball over the goal line for a pick six against Berean Christian.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 25, 2023
ODA football starts 2023 season with shutout win

The Thunder beat Berean Christian 42-0 at home Aug. 25.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2023
Disaster prep sales tax holiday begins Saturday

Sales tax will not be collected on a variety of products to help weather the aftermath of a hurricane.

  • Sarasota
  • News
New pizza restaurant opens in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 24, 2023
New pizza restaurant opens in Lakewood Ranch

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza opened on the corner of State Road 70 and Lorraine Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Manatee County Commissioners Raymond Turner, James Satcher, Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Jason Bearden and George Kruse celebrated the opening of the 44th Avenue Bridge over the Braden River on Aug. 7. Commissioners Amanda Ballard and Mike Rahn were not in attendance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 24, 2023
Manatee County commissioners record new highs and lows

The decision to cut wetland protections sparks anger while the 44th Avenue extension generates joy.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Nokomis 15-month-old Lilly Murphy has a unique approach to mini golfing. Her mother, Heather Murphy, says UTC Kids Club is a new way for them to find a different playgroup.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 23, 2023
UTC Kids Club provides activities for children to enjoy

Dozens attended the first UTC Kids Club of the season on the Green at UTC.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Short Par 4 owner Martin Haas and CFO Todd Stires talk to Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Board Member Debbie Urban about the non-profit's upcoming events.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 23, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund generates more support

A special event at Short Par 4/Hidden Ranch offered information about the nonprofit's direction as it moves forward.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A 34.5-acre D.H. Horton project to build 99 townhomes on Linger Lodge Road will go before the Manatee County Commission on Sept. 7 at the land use meeting. The request is to rezone 17.8 acres.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 23, 2023
Rezoning considered for more residential in East County

An extension to the Hillwood development was approved, while a development on Linger Lodge road was pushed to next month.

  • East County
  • News
Janjay Gehndyu says his education at Lakewood Ranch High School paved the way for his success in life.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 23, 2023
Principal is proof that caring teachers can alter a student's path in life

Once a "troubled" child, Panther Ridge's Janjay Gehndyu leads Visible Men Academy in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
There's a pool down the street from her Esplanade home, so Carolyn Lowry-Nation opted for a garden on her lanai.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 23, 2023
Gardeners Out East club grows flowers, friendship

The 40-member club in Lakewood Ranch was founded on friendship and stresses environmental education.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Olivia Spiegel is a junior on the Lakewood Ranch High cross country team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 23, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Olivia Spiegel

The Lakewood Ranch High cross country junior finished 30th at states in 2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County acting Administrator Charlie Bishop was a surprise choice as one of two finalists to become the Manatee County administrator.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 22, 2023
Manatee County acting administrator becomes surprise finalist for top post

The Manatee administrator job search is down to acting Administrator Charlie Bishop and St. Pete Operations Manager Andrew Butterfield.

  • East County
  • News
« 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 »
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
The only access point to Bradenton Estates II is proposed from 18th Avenue East.
  • February 16, 2026
Manatee County commissioners approve 80 homes on 18th Avenue East
2
Manatee County Library Services Manager Tammy Parrott and Sue Ann Miller, president of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, believe the second floor of the facility will be put to good use.
  • February 16, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Library is about to reach new heights
3
Kelly Gilliland grew up in Sarasota and has now lived in Lakewood Ranch for 25 years.
  • February 16, 2026
Resident's long-lasting heart for Lakewood Ranch stems from a mother's love
4
Left: Darrel Drury has lived in the Lakewood Ranch area for nearly eight years. Right: David Sessions has overseen the construction of dozens of buildings in the region in the past 35 years.
  • February 15, 2026
Round and round goes the chatter about roundabouts in Lakewood Ranch
5
Negotiations continue between Manatee County and its two garbage haulers — Waste Management and Waste Pro.
  • February 14, 2026
Bulk garbage pickups likely to return for Manatee County residents

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.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now