• 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

News

In addition to instituting new safety guidelines for workers, Sarasota Memorial Hospital has announced plans to furlough some employees because of a decline in revenue linked to COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 9, 2020
Sarasota leaders track spread of COVID-19

Nearly a month after the first diagnosed COVID-19 case in Sarasota County, health professionals and public officials are closely monitoring the growth of the disease.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, he turned into a butterfly." — Chinese philosopher Zhuang Zhou
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 8, 2020
Inspiration at a butterfly garden in Lakewood Ranch during COVID-19

Stroll in Lakewood Ranch butterfly garden provides inspiration to fight off COVID-19 blues.

  • East County
  • News
File Photo
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 8, 2020
Sarasota Ministerial Association to host virtual Good Friday event

The online event will stream throughout the day April 10.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Annya Hernandez picks up lunch for her children, Arianna and Alessandro, last week. Cafeteria worker Debby Shiebler hands them lunches containing corndogs, cucumbers and apples.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2020
Manatee School District provides meals to families

Provisions being made for long weekend.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch homebuilders said they have not had trouble finding subcontractors, like John Coleman, a plumber with Danny Via Plumbing, who was installing pipes for water and sewer for a new home under construction.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2020
Lakewood Ranch builders brace for COVID-19 impact

Sales fall, but builders are confident it's a short-term impact in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Elizabeth Callahan, the founder of SkinSmart Dermatology in Sarasota, has taken appointments online.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 8, 2020
This Sarasota doctor's in ... online

Dr. Elizabeth Callahan's SkinSmart Dermatology in Sarasota moves ahead with online appointments during COVID-19 threat.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County has wired buses with WiFi to send out to community centers and churches throughout the county to provide internet access to students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 8, 2020
Buses bring hotspots to students in Manatee County

School District of Manatee County buses to provide WiFi for students

  • East County
  • News
Beach Fishing Adventures proprietor Steven Herich (left) communicates with former client, now-friend Steve Nicolai while fishing Saturday on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 8, 2020
Outdoors-focused tourism operators struggle

Perfect weather in the height of the season can't help business, they say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pastor Caleb Free preaches to an empty room at Risen Savior Lutheran Church as he records a Sunday service.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 8, 2020
Prayer becomes a virtual reality in Lakewood Ranch area

East County church leaders and members adjust to online church services

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Jennifer Brigham had time to donate platelets, which takes about two hours. She came on opening day of the new facility.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2020
Blood bank opens new facility in Lakewood Ranch

SunCoast Blood Centers hopes to double its donor base in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Grove General Manager Austin Harlow said cold items are stored in a trailer outside to help ensure quick delivery times to customers.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2020
Survival in the bag for Lakewood Ranch restaurant

Grove in Lakewood Ranch offers market to support customers, sustain employees.

  • East County
  • News
University Place's Rebecca Blitz, with Gallagher, grew up riding horses and has spent her career working with nonprofits. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2020
Huge challenges for new SMART director in Manatee County

Rebecca Blitz takes over SMART during difficult financial times.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School horticulture students Paytton Yancey, Hannah Yancey and Madison Hartwig work on an assignment. Agriculture teacher Janyel Taylor will have her students work with plants at home. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 8, 2020
East County teachers note e-learning challenges

East County teachers find ways to engage their students through hands-on online learning

  • East County
  • News
Mike Holderness placed fences along his property keep groups from gathering on the beach. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 7, 2020
Siesta property owner places fence on beach

A Siesta Key property owner placed a chain link fence near Siesta Key Beach Access 2, but county staff says it's not allowed.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital has tested more than 840 individuals for COVID-19. Photo by Harry Sayer.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 7, 2020
Two COVID-19 patients die at Sarasota Memorial Hospital

Seven people who tested positive for the disease have died at the facility, and 32 patients remain hospitalized.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 »
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 News

1
Debby Debile joins fellow Longboaters in enjoying a relaxing afternoon at The Paradise Center, where a summer kick-off event featured tea and coloring.
  • May 17, 2026
It's time for tea on Longboat Key
2
Jeff Toale stands inside the Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, where light-filled spaces and a contemporary design reflect a shift toward more personalized, meaningful memorial experiences.
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF
3
CAC Co Founder Dolly Jacobs and all the models gather on the stage for the fashion show finale.
  • May 16, 2026
Circus Arts Conservatory hosts first Cirque Vogue fashion show
4
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Education Foundation as he is announced as the winner of the "Next Gen" award at University Park Country Club May 13.
  • May 16, 2026
Young Leaders Alliance presents its top award in Lakewood Ranch
5
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.

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