• 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

Fireworks light up the sky at Nathan Benderson Park last year. Photo by Berkley Mason.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • June 27, 2018
More bang for the buck at Nathan Benderson Park

Second annual fireworks event expands food, beverage offerings.

  • East County
  • News
Lilliann Bridges. Photo by Amelia Hanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 27, 2018
Dream Oaks camper loves tug of war

VBS builds character

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cindy Rhategan uses her elbow to smash a board during her fifth-degree dan physical test. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 27, 2018
Lakewood Ranch woman officially a taekwondo 'master'

Lakewood Ranch resident Cindy Rhategan received her fifth-degree dan (black belt) at a ceremony at Lakewood Ranch Taekwondo on June 21.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bri Demeno (7) takes a face-off for Monsters Lacrosse against Beast Lacrosse.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 27, 2018
Rip up your conceptions of area lacrosse

The 2018 Rippin' at the Ranch showcase, held at Premier Sports Campus on June 23-24, was an example of how much the sport has grown in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County Public Works employee Ronny Seleska demonstrates how to use one of Manatee County's new sandbagging machines.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 27, 2018
Manatee County has hurricane preparation in the bag

County purchases five new sandbagging machines to help with emergency efforts.

  • East County
  • News
New hours for the Balmoral Woods Boulevard entrance into The Country Club at Lakewood Ranch will be 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 27, 2018
Gate hours into Country Club at Lakewood Ranch will change

Country Club moves forward with safety plan to limit public access at Balmoral Woods entrance.

  • East County
  • News
Freedom Elementary's Jordan Michaelin tosses her friend Eleanor Ietermend in the pool at John H. Marble Park with a splash. They have fun cooling off.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 27, 2018
Manatee County's capital plan includes Marble Park upgrades

County attempts 'balancing act' in parks system to keep up with growth.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 27, 2018
Lakewood Ranch Sisterhood for Good presents grants

Lakewood Ranch Sisterhood for Good presents grants worth more than $9,000.

  • East County
  • News
Debbie Huckaby with Aquiel, a Moluccan Cockatoo
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 27, 2018
Eastern Manatee County sanctuary grows to almost 400 parrots

Birds of Paradise, run by Executive Director Debbie Huckaby in east Manatee County, provides a safe perch for rescued parrots.

  • East County
  • News
Fernanda Flores.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 27, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Fernanda Flores

Fernanda Flores, a Lakewood Ranch High rising senior, talks Monsters Lacrosse and her future goals.

  • East County
  • Sports
The 60th anniversary PAWC board — Janice Scanlon, Kim Lege, Judy Bouchard, Susan Romine and President Patti Hernandez — is installed during a candlelit ceremony. Photo courtesy of Meg Garofalo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 27, 2018
Charity grows at garden club

Palm Aire group celebrates 60th year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chris Kempton is the new head coach of the Out-of-Door Academy football team. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 26, 2018
ODA names new high school football coach

The Out-of-Door Academy is promoting defensive coordinator Chris Kempton to head football coach following Ken Sommers' resignation.

  • East County
  • Sports
USRowing CEO Patrick McNerney announced Nathan Benderson Park as the host of the 2019 World Rowing Under-23 Championships next July.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 26, 2018
2019 World Rowing U23 Championships coming to Nathan Benderson Park

The announcement comes on the heels of USRowing's agreement with the park to host the next three Youth Championships.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County's Tourist Development Council suggested using tourism dollars to fund the purchase of Premier Sports Campus in December. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 26, 2018
Manatee County seeks Tourist Development Council members

Three positions are available on the Manatee County Tourist Development Council, a citizens' advisory committee.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 22, 2018
East County weather page photo: June 21

Joseph McAuliffe captured this sunset from Gosport Cove in Lakewood Ranch’s Del Webb neighborhood.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 »
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