• 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
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • 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
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • 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 | Opinion

Myakka City's Lily Wolfe, 9, and her rabbit, Smokey, are headed into competition at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 19, 2022
Important lessons by a not-so-silly rabbit in Myakka City

FFA and 4-H are important programs for sustaining our future farmers and ranchers in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's Mark and Jane Imperiale have assembled a group of more than 50 bell ringers for the Salvation Army.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 15, 2022
Lakewood Ranch volunteers give a new ring to exit strategy

Salvation Army volunteers have fun while ringing the bell at a Publix location in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
River Club's Vera and Jim Slocum have been each other's yin and yang for 65 years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2022
Chance meeting led to 65 years of marriage for River Club couple

Lakewood Ranch's Jim and Vera Slocum have laughed a lot while being each other's "yin and yang."

  • East County
  • Opinion
Nancy Perpall has used many of her experiences as a lawyer to write her first novel with more on the way.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 2, 2022
Real life drama leads to local author's fiction

Lakewood Ranch's Nancy Perpall has turned a page in her life, going from her profession as an attorney to writing novels.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Hal Meyers and Cindie Breeze of the Bluegrass Pirates entertain the crowd at Jiggs Landing. (Photo by Jay Heater)
  • By Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2022
Jiggs Landing of Bradenton plots the course of its concert series

The popular Manatee County park hosts live music Wednesday through Sundays.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The watercolor paintings of Stacey Lipton will be featured at the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch's 20th annual Fall Show and Sale on Nov. 19 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2022
Lakewood Ranch artist hopes to draw crowds to Fall Show and Sale

Painter Stacey Lipton will be featured during the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch event Nov. 19.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Janet and Dean Mixon might have to sell their beloved Mixon Fruit Farms in East County. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 27, 2022
Days numbered for historic Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton

After crushing agricultural factors hit Florida, owners Janet and Dean Mixon say they will listen to offers for their farmland.

  • East County
  • News
Palm Aire's Nick Barbi is seeking members for his new Science and Technology Society.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 21, 2022
Unique club seeks science-minded members in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch

Nick Barbi hosts his first Science and Technology Society event with restaurateur Ed Chiles as the main speaker.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 20, 2022
Observer recommends . . .

City and county charter questions in Manatee and Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 14, 2022
Observer recommends: State constitutional amendments

A key measure for voters to consider: do the amendments limit your freedom?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance volunteer Patrick Larivaud takes a break from packing food to visit with Meals On Wheels Plus CEO/President Maribeth Phillips.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 12, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance volunteers give back to help hurricane victims

The LWRBA's annual "Alliance Gives Back " event takes on extra meaning after Hurricane Ian.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Monica Welde shows a porcelain angel that flew from her Welcome Barn to a spot under her bedroom window during Hurricane Ian. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 5, 2022
Angel flies through the storm at Bearadise in Myakka

Bearadise owner Monica Welde says miracle flight of a porcelain angel during Hurricane Ian was a sign from her late husband.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rosedale Golf and Country Club resident Fred Booth said Rosedale maintains 87th Street East and residents would be upset if cement trucks use the entrance to get to State Road 70. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 22, 2022
Rosedale residents struggle with Lena Road extension

Manatee County is planning to connect the two lengths of Lena Road, but residents worry that turning Lena into a frontage road is going to greatly increase traffic overall, especially truck traffic.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 14, 2022
East Lakewood Ranch home highlights Sotheby's first live real estate auction

Just off State Road 70 near Myakka City, the 41.9-acre ranch is expected to soar high above its current $2.01 million bid.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh wasn't even up for election in the primaries but had a major impact on the winners. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 8, 2022
Constant attacks on Manatee commissioner backfired during election

Intensified attacks on Vanessa Baugh could have hurt incumbents' run for reelection.

  • East County
  • Opinion
« 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 »
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
This past season was Jordan Guerrero's first as the Out-of-Door Academy baseball coach. Guerrero, who pitched in the San Diego Padres organization from 2015-23, guided the Thunder to an 8-12 record.
  • July 16, 2026
Retired pros bring unique experience to high school coaching
2
Edward Bailey, Jr., a 22-year-old former District 5 commissioner's aide, is now vying for a seat on the dais.
  • July 15, 2026
Young candidates vie for Manatee County Commission, school board
3
Linda Matte, Theresa Langston and Rosemary Cummings of Stitchers welcome people of all skill levels to join the group on Mondays and learn about sewing, quilting and more.
  • July 15, 2026
Neighbors create threads of friendship with Lakewood Ranch club
4
Official renderings for the multiplex will be completed after the site plan is finalized, but this rendering offers a glimpse of what the facility at Premier Sports Campus North could look like.
  • July 15, 2026
Lakewood Ranch-area residents divided on proposed ice rink for Premier
5
Co-owners Tory Delany and Kevin O'Hanlon say every aspect of Delany's Public House on Lakewood Main Street is genuine Irish.
  • July 15, 2026
Delany's Public House ready to open on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

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