• 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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
    • Elections
    • 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 | Neighbors

Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2024-25
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 28, 2024
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2024-25

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2024-25 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Out-of-Door Academy junior Celia Rayman, math teacher Michael Saxton and senior Joe Clarke get ready for their performance at Waterside Place on Feb. 27.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 28, 2024
Sights and Sounds hosts The-Out-of-Door Academy band

The theme for the evening in Waterside Place was Jazz Under the Stars.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sandy Baptist Church stands strong on Clay Gully Road. The church incorporated in 1904.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 28, 2024
Sandy Baptist Church retains Old-Florida charm in Myakka City

The congregation has worked to keep the doors open after Hurricane Ian tore through the 120-year-old church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dave Otterness says his wife Jennifer's support allows him to give back to the community through the LWRBA.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 28, 2024
Willis Smith exec takes over as LWRBA chair

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Chair David Otterness says he will put new vision and mission statements into action and increase the nonprofit's advocacy in 2024.

  • East County
  • Business
The Suncoast Walk-a-thon has become Southeastern Guide Dogs' biggest walk-a-thon that also raises the most amount for the nonprofit.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 27, 2024
Southeastern Guide Dogs gears up for annual Suncoast Walkathon

Local puppy raisers play key role in preparing the dogs to help their future clients.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Making An Impact resource guides make finding help easier for organizations and individuals.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 27, 2024
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit curates community resources

Making An Impact’s Community Connections Resource Guide contains information on more than 300 local organizations that provide assistance to residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chabad of Bradenton to host first Kosher Food Festival
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 26, 2024
Chabad of Bradenton to host first Kosher Food Festival

The Kosher Food Festival will provide various offerings to educate people on kosher foods while meeting the needs of the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
MVP Sports and Social members go all-out for the pirate costume contest. Photos of the members were posted on social media so members at home could vote for best costume.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 25, 2024
Lakewood Ranch's MVP Sports and Social hits the high seas

Local residents board a cruise with the area's sports and social organization.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Phil Thibodeau takes his wife, Nicole, 7-year-old son Lochlan, 5-year-old daughter Zolana and 4-year-old son Dexon camping at the Adventure Park.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 25, 2024
Lakewood Ranch campout becomes a neighborly adventure

Dozens of families pitched their tents at Adventure Park to introduce their children to camping.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Co-chairs of this year's fashion show are Ann King and Sherry Kenny.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2024
Palm Aire Women's Club struts for scholarships

The East County club held its annual fashion show to raise money for local students and charities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kambrie Rowell, a Ballard Elementary kindergartner in 2022, loves working with her literacy mentor, Esplanade's Barbara Liodice, who volunteers for the Books for Kids Kindergarten program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 19, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Rotary needs volunteers to expand Books for Kids

Manatee County principals say the Books for Kids programs spark a love for reading in students and that they want more classes involved.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ezequiel Rodriguez-Guadalupe and Sol Castro will move into a smart home provided by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 19, 2024
Knights of Columbus hosts Patriotic Ball at Tara Country Club

The annual event was held to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Zack Kallis uses brandy to light up the saganaki as Renee Amoratis looks on.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 17, 2024
Opa, St. Barbara Greek Festival is back in Sarasota

The annual Greek Glendi is in its 40th year and runs through Sunday at the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jonathan Cortez sings "The Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 17, 2024
Sisterhood for Good soars with Phantom at Sarasota Hyatt Regency

The themed fundraiser expected to raise major funds for Lakewood Ranch area non-profits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Clydesdales don't shy away for their close-ups.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 16, 2024
8-pack of Budweiser Clydesdales strut down Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Hundreds lined the street to see the majestic horses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 »
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
Work has either started or will begin soon on four roundabouts on University Parkway, east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. University Parkway also is being widened from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard.
  • July 8, 2026
Necessary construction will snarl University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch
2
FoodTrukt, a new app, aims to bring together food truck owners and customers through making locations, schedules and menus more accessible.
  • July 8, 2026
Find nearby food trucks with new app
3
Deborah Callahan-Stratton, Joy Stone, Barbara Najmy and Jennifer Alokeh are collecting sneakers for the fifth annual Sneakin Back to School Sneaker Drive to benefit The Twig.
  • July 8, 2026
The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle transitions to a nonprofit
4
Avery Banfill (left) and Phoenix Scanlan (right) grew up on the same junior golf circuit. Their respective journeys converged at Parrish Community High and will converge once again at Memphis next fall.
  • July 8, 2026
Stars align for local golfers who are headed for the University of Memphis
5
The Manatee County Property Appraiser is located at 915 4th Ave. W. in downtown Bradenton.
  • July 8, 2026
How your home is appraised in Manatee County

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.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free