• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • 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
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County | Neighbors

Chad Day loved fishing. His memory is now honored through the Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • March 3, 2025
Chad Day Memorial fishing tournament raises funds for Tidewell Hospice

The event has nearly raised $100,000 over its seven years to benefit terminally ill patients.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Bob and Carol Carter dressed the part for Tropical Nights. Carol is the event chair.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 2, 2025
When it comes to Lakewood Ranch fundraisers, that's amore

Tropical Nights Under Paris Light sizzles at the Grove.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Leo Eineker, left and Susan Groover practice CPR on mannequins during a short class Feb. 25 at the Tara Golf and Country Club.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 28, 2025
Tara residents armed with life-saving knowledge

Residents got hands-on training in CPR and in using an automated external defibrillator.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gabe Moberly hits a jump during an Aker Sunday Session in September before the new track was installed. The cattle are fenced off from the track.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2025
BMX track draws amateur and pro riders to Myakka City

Aker Brand Farms is a 15-acre BMX training facility and a dream come true for owners Jeremy Smith and Will Grant.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Blaze of Hope's Meghan Houlihan and Christine Dodge man a table at the North Port Farmers market. Hayli Bhatia just happened to be there with her daughters Scarlett and Juliette.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2025
East County nonprofit is a 'Blaze of Hope' for families in need

Blaze of Hope provides financial assistance to families when a child is hospitalized due to a life-threatening illness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chuck and Phyllis Stolteben have been entertaining crowds at the Lakewood Ranch Elks Club for more than 25 years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 26, 2025
25 years of spinning tunes for the Elks

Chuck and Phyllis Stolteben celebrate the last quarter century while raising funds for the Elks' Harry Anna fund.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Amy Bradley is a clarinetist with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble and a retired music teacher. You can see her perform March 2 at Peace Presbyterian Church.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 26, 2025
Love of music leads former teacher to local ensemble group

Amy Bradley will perform during the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble's March Melodies.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kay Kwenski shows off a green jumpsuit to a crowd of about 140.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 23, 2025
'Effortless Elegance' on display at Palm Aire Country Club

The Palm Aire Women's Club hosted its annual fashion show Feb. 21.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Myakka's trail marking was made possible thanks to Friends of Myakka River volunteers and a generous grant from Athletic Brewing.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • February 23, 2025
Myakka marks backcountry with numbered posts

New trail markers will enhance wayfinding and help rangers locate park visitors in need.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Tom and Kristine Scott attended All That Jazz: Cabaret for a Cause Feb. 21 at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota to support Sisterhood for Good.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 22, 2025
Sisterhood for Good's All That Jazz proves a smashing success for charity

The Sarasota event, that featured the Suncoast Swing Band and Lady Z and Jonathan Cortez, raises funds for nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Zach Kalles fires up the light brandy as he makes saganaki, a dish consisting of melted goat cheese and brandy, served on grilled pita, at the St. Barbara Greek Festival.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 21, 2025
Opa! St. Barbara Greek Festival is a feast

The 41st annual event continues through Sunday at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lee Whitehurst was named chief of the East Manatee Fire Rescue District in 2017.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 21, 2025
Fire chief prepares to pass the torch of public safety

Lee Whitehurst's passion to become a firefighter was kindled as a teenager. Five decades later, with retirement looming, he remains devoted to the craft.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mike and Katie Emmons founded the Taylor Emmons Scholarship fund in 2010.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 21, 2025
Taylor Emmons' legacy lives on through Out-of-Door Academy scholarship

Grieving parents turned their son’s tragic death into a sustainable charitable endeavor that has paid for more than a dozen teenagers to attend a private high school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bagpipe players lead the dogs in the Lucky Dog Parade at the 2024 Irish Celtic Festival.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2025
The best things to do in Lakewood Ranch this spring

From live music to classic cars, the Lakewood Ranch area has events for everyone.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Jaydyn Boucher has been fishing since she could hold a fishing rod.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • February 20, 2025
To find the best fishing holes, you have to ask the locals

With its many lakes, Lakewood Ranch offers prime fishing spots that invite anglers to cast a line amid serene surroundings, whether they're seeking a quiet escape or the thrill of reeling in the catch of the day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 »
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
Evan Rowe has distinguished himself in the 165-pound weight class this season and carries aspirations of a top-three finish in March's FHSAA individual championships.
  • January 19, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Evan Rowe
2
Gardeners Out East president Nancy Schneider gives the plaque for the Japanese blueberry tree that the group donated to Simone Rose, who works as the office manager for Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center.
  • January 19, 2026
Japanese blueberry tree serves as gift to LWR celebration of life center
3
Lakewood Ranch's Rhonda Leiberick and Roscelyn Guenther snag a selfie together in between the running and yoga portions of the triathlon. They alternated between walking and running every two minutes.
  • January 18, 2026
Triathlon brings mindfulness to Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place
4
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
  • January 17, 2026
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
5
The crew from Station 1 walk across the parking lot to grab some lunch. From left to right: Battalion Chief Craig Madsen and firefighters Adam Stem, Evan Berggren and Tyler Schuele.
  • January 16, 2026
Braden River VFW dishes out thanks to East Manatee firefighters

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