• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday 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
  • LWR Life
  • 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
  • LWR Life
  • 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
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County

    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 3, 2021
Fireworks On the Lake back with a bang at Benderson Park

Nathan Benderson Park of Sarasota hosts full-blown Fourth of July celebration one year after pandemic-restricted event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office dive unit recovered a body around 11 a.m. today.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 2, 2021
Sarasota man found dead in Benderson Park lake

Two people abandoned paddleboat around 4:30 a.m. in the middle of the lake, officials said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Lakewood Ranch High throws athlete Riley Simmons finished seventh (47 feet, 3.7 inches) in the girls shot put at the 2021 Nike Outdoor National Championships in Oregon. Photo courtesy Riley Simmons.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 1, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Former Lakewood Ranch shot put star finishes top-10 at Nike Outdoor Nationals

Riley Simmons' final throw as a high school-level athlete was a personal record, and one that she guaranteed.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2021
East County weather page photo: July 1

John Egnot captured this young bald eagle hanging on a tree limb on White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 30, 2021
Hundred Oaks Farm's Mini Horse/Mini Donkey Camp leads to big fun in Myakka City

Campers care for mini horses, mini cows, donkeys and puppies at Maureen Hudson's ranch in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ryan Kohn interviewed Carlos Palma and a variety of others, asking them questions from the real U.S. citizenship test. Photo by Brynn Mechem.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 30, 2021
U.S. citizenship test is no easy A

Passersby at St. Armands Circle were given the quiz and got mixed results.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Liz and Steve Rinehart. Photo by Brendan Lavell.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 30, 2021
Lightning fans from east Bradenton say team will win Stanley Cup

Liz and Steve Rinehart have been Tampa Bay Lightning fans since 1998.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Sutton Burnstein, 5; Elliott Knight, 8; Ethan Burnstein, 9; and Bob Wayman, 10, have a little fun at a Bradenton Marauders game at LECOM Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 30, 2021
What a catch! We love baseball's beauty.

Stars shine in America's pastime, but the burning love begins in our back yards.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi Grill Owner Sam Ray and General Manager Jeffrey Karasawa hope to open their restaurant at the heart of The Green by the end of 2021.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 30, 2021
Tsunami Sushi fills important role at The Green in Lakewood Ranch

Business owners at The Green hope two new restaurants located at the heart of the plaza will bring more shoppers.

  • East County
  • News
Mason Amyx and Cayla Fulkerson use the groceries they bought to make their lunches.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 30, 2021
Beyond the Spectrum expands facility in Sarasota

The nonprofit will add 2,500 square feet of space to address its growing waitlist of students. AND Beyond the Spectrum adds space to handle demand..

  • East County
  • Schools
Save Our Seabirds Operations Manager Jocelyn Shearer said this baby blue jay, rescued by Greenbrook's Lisa Laufenberg on May 28, could be ready to be released in the wild in July. (Courtesy of Save Our Seabirds)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 30, 2021
Sarasota's Save Our Seabirds explains how to help an injured bird

A Lakewood Ranch woman called for help to save an injured baby blue jay. The bird is now thriving.

  • East County
  • News
Connor and Owen Fitzpatrick show off the fish they caught. It's a Fitzpatrick family tradition to try to catch a fish to make for dinner on the Fourth of July. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 30, 2021
Food a big part of holiday traditions

Families share their delicious Fourth of July favorites.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
POWER President T.J. Meneely and Secretary Alicia Fretz stand by a sign in 2022 opposed to high-density development east of the Future Development Area Boundary line.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 30, 2021
Myakka City nonprofit works to discuss development sprawl

Protect Our Wildlife Environment and Resources aims to give voice to Myakkans and other rural and agricultural communities.

  • East County
  • News
Sky King Fireworks Managing Partner Dustin Luer said East County residents shouldn't wait until the last minute to buy their fireworks this year because of a supply shortage.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 29, 2021
Lakewood Ranch residents plan Fourth filled with fireworks, fun

However, an industry shortage could lower the boom in East County.

  • East County
  • News
Musician Jim Hill and Conductor Joe Miller talk about their upcoming July 4 concert with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 29, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble makes notable return

Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble is back after pandemic subsides to play July 4 concert at Sarasota Opera House.

  • East County
  • News
« 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 »
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
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
3
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
4
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
5
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man

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 © 2025 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