• 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

Pat and Bill Kopcsak still enjoy telling a story of incredible kindness that allowed them to have a wonderful Christmas in 1976.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2019
Lakewood Ranch couple tells Christmas story of kindness

Hitting a cow and damaged car doesn't stop a wonderful Christmas for Lakewood Ranch couple.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Peggy and Skip Turner, of Riverwalk Grove, always enjoy seeing kids' and parents' faces light up with excitement when they see their holiday display of Whoville.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 18, 2019
Seuss in the spotlight in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch residents transform yard into Whoville every year for Christmas

  • East County
  • News
Debbie Huckaby says an offer has been made to buy the property her refuge calls home and if the sales goes through, she can stay.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 18, 2019
East County parrot sanctuary could be rescued

East County's Birds of Paradise Sanctuary and Rescue could be rescued.

  • East County
  • News
Ray and Wilma McRay love the tradition of this Missouri prisoner's tie, which Ray McCray firs received as a gag gift in 1959.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2019
Tie creates holiday cheer, family bonds for Tara couple in Bradenton

Tie creates holiday cheer, family bonds for Tara couple in Bradenton

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior forward Jacob Jordan (8) goes for a header against Manatee High. He had two goals in the game.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 18, 2019
Lakewood Ranch boys soccer off to a fast start, but want more goals

The Mustangs are trying to find a go-to goal scorer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County Public Works Project Manager Robert Halbach says the improvements will improve traffic flow in the area.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2019
Public-private partnership improves traffic flow in Lakewood Ranch

County will work with Publix to execute Lorraine Road/State Road 70 intersection improvements.

  • East County
  • News
Carl Santos, a third grader, plays "12 Days of Christmas" with fourth graders Sheldon Wilkinson, Aiden tenHaaf and Ben Tomczuk-Ross during the winter concert at Gene Witt Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 18, 2019
Gene Witt renovation back on track

Gene Witt Elementary renovation and addition to move forward

  • East County
  • News
Ty and Stephanie Gremaux and neighbors Deborah and Jack Skelly love seeing their yards lit up for Christmas and having friends and neighbors to stop by to view them.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2019
Lakewood Ranch couples are shining stars of Christmas lights

At Christmas, these neighbors can't wait for the sun to go down.

  • East County
  • News
Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates event coordinator Megan O'Donnell and SANCA President and CEO Stephen Rodriguez were excited nearly 400 students were on site in November for a camp. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2019
Training results in boat-load of revenues at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota

Training results in boat-load of revenues at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota

  • East County
  • News
Bella Patterson.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 18, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Patterson

The Braden River girls basketball player talks learning to stop relying on height and her ability to box out opponents.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cops Corner
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 16, 2019
Best of Cops Corner for 2019

Best Cops Corners of 2019 highlight strange Sheriff's Office reports.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Renee´ Fletcher, her son Jack Fletcher and her husband, Wyatt Fletcher, are all musicians.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 15, 2019
Young drummer finds rich rewards in Sarasota

Young drummer finds rich rewards in Sarasota

  • East County
  • News
Guests could pet a variety of animals, including donkeys, goats and llamas.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2019
Lakewood Ranch church recreates 'Night in Bethlehem'

Families experience scenic night with crafts, music and food.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 13, 2019
Holidays Around the Ranch a jolly time for all

Lakewood Ranch's Holidays Around the Ranch a jolly time for all

  • East County
  • News
After retiring as fire chief from East Manatee Fire Rescue District, Henry Sheffield began working as Manatee Technical College's Fire Science Academy coordinator. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 13, 2019
Manatee County community mourns loss of firefighter, educator Henry Sheffield

Manatee County community mourns loss of firefighter, educator Henry Sheffield

  • East County
  • News
« 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 »
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
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
2
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
3
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
4
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
5
Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
  • December 18, 2025
Braden River High transforms into Winter Wonderland

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