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News

Manatee County deputy Antonio Hernandez was killed in a car accident Dec. 20 while off duty.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 21, 2020
Off-duty Manatee County deputy dies in car accident on I-75

Manatee County Deputy Antonio Hernandez died after an early-morning crash Dec. 20 on I-75 near the SR 64 exit ramp.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County libraries have received a $30,400 grant from the Bradenton COVID-19 Response Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation to support the community and enhance its virtual services and programming. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 21, 2020
Manatee libraries receive grant from Bradenton COVID-19 Response Fund

Manatee County libraries receive a $30,400 grant to enhance virtual services and programming.

  • East County
  • News
Chris Christie
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 18, 2020
2022 RCLA Town Hall Lecture Series lineup announced

The rescheduled series starts on Jan. 17.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key project manager James Linkogle demonstrates how homes in the Country Club Shores IV North neighborhood will use the undergrounding work for utilities. FPL is scheduled to remove its poles in January 2021.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 18, 2020
Underground electricity coming to south end of Longboat Key by January 2021

Longboat Key plans is to have its underground utilities project finished by the end of 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Elks' Brett Davis and Darrin Simone present Operation Santa 2020's Dolly Johnson with a huge toy donation on behalf of the Elks and Walgreens.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2020
Operation Santa a success

Elks Mighty Southwest District and Walgreens provide hundreds of toys for Myakka City's Operation Santa.

  • East County
  • News
Bob Rosinsky, right, called MacKenzie Scott's $10 million donation to Goodwill Manasota a gift that will help the nonprofit's services for job seekers in the region. Image courtesy Goodwill Manasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 18, 2020
Local United Way, Goodwill chapters receive $30 million from MacKenzie Scott

United Way Suncoast and Goodwill Manasota have called the philanthropic contributions a transformational gift that will bolster the services they provide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
RN Margo Post works at SunCoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch Dec. 18 with blood to be shipped out.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2020
Convalescent plasma donations in Lakewood Ranch provide Pennsylvania Christmas miracle

SunCoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch provide convalescent plasma donations to Bethlehem, Pa., for a Christmas miracle.

  • East County
  • News
Photograph of the pipe lying on its side at the Town of Longboat Key's Public Works Department. The breach was in the bottom invert of the pipe.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 18, 2020
Report blames underground log in Longboat sewage spill

About 14.7 million gallons of untreated sewage spilled between June 17-30.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Madison Abbacchi knows the grade she received in every class in school — A.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Lakewood Ranch student finishes academic career with perfect A record

Lakewood Ranch's Madison Abbacchi recorded an A in every class throughout her academic career.

  • East County
  • News
Robin Ruhnke says the Sheriff's Office retired horses will have green grass — and carrots as Valor enjoys — forever in her fields.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Heaven for horses in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office horses enjoy retired life at the Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County has unanimously voted to extend Superintendent Cynthia Saunders' contract for two years. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 17, 2020
School Board of Manatee County extends superintendent's contract

School District of Manatee County's superintendent Cynthia Saunders is under contract to serve another two years.

  • East County
  • News
As of Thursday, Dec. 17, 1,738 patients have tested positive at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and 140 COVID-19 patients have died.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
Tracking COVID-19 cases in Sarasota, Manatee

As of Thursday, the state lists 16,389 confirmed positive cases in Sarasota and 19,612 in Manatee. In Sarasota, 454 positive individuals have died, and 400 have died in Manatee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Town Commission will use a hybrid approach for meetings (four of the seven commissioners physically present) for the remainder of 2020.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 17, 2020
Health Department delves into COVID-19 data for town

The state's data routinely puts positive COVID-19 cases on the Manatee County side of Longboat Key's 34228 ZIP code.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cyndi Seamon made a turtle nest in summer 2020. Photo Credit: Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 17, 2020
Longboat Key proposing increased sea turtle protections

The Longboat Key Town Commission could have the first reading of a proposed ordinance as soon as Feb. 1, 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ballet dancer Melanie Hamrick, the girlfriend of rock legend Mick Jagger, bought this Lake Club home. Photo courtesy of Michael Saunders Realtor Tina Ciaccio.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Mick Jagger's girlfriend buys Lake Club estate in Lakewood Ranch

Mick Jagger's girlfriend buys Lake Club estate in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe stars perform in the inaugural Weekend of Soul Dec. 27-28 at WBTT's Donelly Theatre.
  • December 23, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 25-31
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Yvette Brown poses for a photo on Dec. 11 next to the trophy case by Booker's gym. Through the first six games of the Tornadoes' season, she led in points, rebounds and steals.
  • December 23, 2025
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Myakka City's Diane and Rich Bartoszek display a handmade ceramic nativity scene each year.
  • December 23, 2025
Decorating for Christmas with a personal touch in Lakewood Ranch
4
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
5
Chef Drew Adams recently took the helm as the new head chef at CW Prime, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort's signature steakhouse. He brings his experience working on the Sarasota food scene.
  • December 23, 2025
Sarasota chef celebrates local ingredients at CW Prime

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