• 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
  • Summer Fun Guide
  • 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
  • Summer Fun Guide
  • 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County

East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst says future chief Paul Wren has proven his leadership through his years of service with the department.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 25, 2026
East Manatee Board of Fire Commissioners approves new chief

Commissioners select in-house, choosing Deputy Chief Paul Wren to replace Lee Whitehurst in January 2027.

  • East County
  • News
Myakka City's Carol Felts gets emotional as she's sworn in as the District 1 commissioner on Nov. 19.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2026
Manatee County Commissioner Carol Felts dies at 68

The commissioner was found at her Myakka City home Tuesday afternoon by her aide.

  • East County
  • News
Joe Thayer, Bob Moffitt and Al Garcia play at Remy's on Main in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch's Bob Moffitt let his music do the talking

Friends say Bob Moffitt, who died at age 78, had two loves: music and family.

  • East County
  • News
Logan Pike was crowned the FHSAA Class 2A-District 9 champion Feb. 19 in the 190-pound weight class, marking a major milestone in his injury-riddled career.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 24, 2026
Braden River High junior embodies the will to wrestle

The Braden River High junior has endured multiple major injuries, but he just keeps going.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 508 Blue Shell Loop sold for $2.4 million. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,028 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 24, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 9-13 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue at Waterside home on Blue Shell Loop tops the week's sales at $2.4 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sanddy Marchena owns Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch with his wife Melodie Marchena (not pictured). Michelle Frease is the academy's director.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place gains a Kiddie Academy

Kiddie Academy of Sarasota opens its child care and preschool business March 2.

  • East County
  • Business
Senior forward/defender Rheanne Fleming looks for a pass during the FHSAA Class 6A-Region 3 championship Feb. 17 between Lakewood Ranch and East Lake. It proved to be the Mustangs' final win of 2025-26.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 23, 2026
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer falls short of state final

Facing the nation's No. 5-ranked team, the Mustangs were shut out for the first time all season.

  • East County
  • Sports
After allowing four goals in regulation, Avary Shirley held her own in penalty kicks, helping the Mustangs become back-to-back regional champions.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Avary Shirley

The junior goalkeeper made the save that sent Lakewood Ranch girls soccer to the state semifinals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Two dead in Lakewood Ranch shooting
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2026
Two dead in Lakewood Ranch shooting

A second person has died in what the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office described as a domestic incident.

  • East County
  • News
Nicholas Quintero, Conner King, Greyson Alexander and Lucas Matallana are campout ready with snacks, a lantern and even a headlamp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 22, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Campout lights a fire for families and friends

Approximately 150 people attended the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
University Park Women’s Club members Kristy Schubert and Fifi Queen co-chaired the “An Evening at SEA” fundraiser that raised $22,300. The funds will benefit two nonprofits — Women's Resource Center and Feeding Empty Little Tummies.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 21, 2026
University Park Women's Club raises $22,300 for local nonprofits

The two nonprofits, Women’s Resource Center and Feeding Empty Little Tummies, will each receive $11,150.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
St. Barbara's Hellenic Folk Dance Group member Harrison Barakos gives a wave, while being cheered on by fellow dancers Maria Stylianoudakis and Gianni Cappelluti, as his name is called at the St. Barbara 42nd annual Greek Festival.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 20, 2026
St. Barbara hosts 42nd annual Greek Festival all weekend

Members of the church come together to celebrate their faith and their Greek culture.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Weizhen Jiang Wolf and Yuhong Wan of Zen Rhythm Dance Group perform a Mongolian Dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 20, 2026
Sister Cities of Sarasota hosts Lunar New Year celebration

With an estimated 400 attendees, the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota hopes to expand the celebration even more next year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County extends its burn ban until further notice to protect residents and animals from wildfires. This photo was taken by the East Manatee Fire Rescue in June 2024 when over 100 acres burned at Lake Manatee State Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 20, 2026
Manatee County extends burn ban as drought worsens

East Manatee Fire Rescue is urging residents to abide by the burn ban to protect their neighbors.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Tina Ciaccio | Michael Saunders & Company
  • February 20, 2026
For Sale: 16111 Daysailor Trail Lakewood Ranch FL

Perfectly proportioned to enjoy the pinnacle of luxury living inside the exclusive gated community of The Lake Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
« 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 »
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
Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
  • March 31, 2026
LRHS junior named president for Florida's Future Business Leaders of America
2
Late Commissioner Carol Ann Felts will be honored April 18 at Crane Park.
  • March 31, 2026
Manatee County names Myakka preserve after late commissioner Carol Felts
3
Indigo's Amber Hanratty, who was in the building industry for 25 years, now has her own business called Dirty Sara-Soda.
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage
4
A Country Club Village home at 7028 Portmarnock Place sold for $4.55 million. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, five-and-three-half baths, a pool and 7,072 square feet of living area.
  • March 31, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 16-20 in Lakewood Ranch
5
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Brittany Lamont and Board Chair Wayne Parrish are eager for members to hit the course for the Ranch Scramble.
  • March 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance takes a swing at networking

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