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Your Observer

  • By Dariela Delgado
  • October 5, 2022
Pets, owners have a blessed day at Siesta Key church

Blessing of the Pets at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church is an annual tradition.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Out of an abundance of caution, all ceiling tiles in the ticketing area at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport were removed following roof damage caused by Hurricane Ian. (Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 5, 2022
SRQ was open and operating 36 hours after Hurricane Ian

Despite roof damage in the ticketing area, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport began serving passengers less than two days after the hurricane.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 5, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Food flight

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
After Hurricane Ian's exit, town leaders began surveying damage, which was not widespread, and the state of the town's' beaches. (Photo by Kat Hughes)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2022
Longboat pushes through better-than-expected Hurricane Ian

Town Manager Tom Harmer and Fire Chief Paul Dezzi both touted how fortunate the town was in experiencing minimal damage.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Michelle Rogers is a favorite behind the bar at Dry Dock. She's worked at the restaurant for 14 years. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 5, 2022
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill serves up a family recipe

Michelle Rogers, a longtime bartender at Dry Dock, says the Longboat Key seafood restaurant has become home.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
Sarasota Christian freshman wideout Travis Miller sprints for a touchdown against Academy at the Lakes. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 4, 2022
Sarasota Christian, Cardinal Mooney restart fall high school sports season

Sarasota County Schools, including Booker High, Riverview High and Sarasota High, remain in flux in terms of athletics.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The amount of storm debris is being estimated to double that of Hurricane Irma, and will take several months to complete. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 4, 2022
Sarasota begins storm debris collection Wednesday

Hurricane Ian debris collection operations will begin on Oct. 5. With twice the volume of Hurricane Irma, it is expected to take several months to complete.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Trees are down and other damage needs to be repaired at Ted Sperling Park. (Photo by Lauren Tronstad)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 4, 2022
Many Sarasota County parks remain closed

Damage assessments are still underway around the county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County's pickup of roadside debris from Hurricane Ian begins Friday.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 4, 2022
Manatee County roadside debris cleanup begins Friday

No fees will be charged if residents bring debris to Manatee County's landfill.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 4, 2022
Country Club East home tops sales at $2.28 million

A Country Club East home tops the week's sales at $2.28 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Michael's On East staff Scott West, Margaux Arthur, Matt Merriman, Co-Proprietor Phil Mancini and Lavardo Morely stand next to food crates ready for delivery. The restaurant made more than 3,000 meals by noon Sept. 30.
  • By Kat Hughes and Emily Walsh
  • October 4, 2022
Thankful? Great. Now be helpful.

Amidst the wreckage Hurricane Ian left behind, the rainbow after the storm emerges: When our neighbors need help, we know how to respond.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Brennan Asplen announced the district's north county campuses will reopen on Monday, Oct 10 with plans to resume classes in south county the following Monday. (Photo by Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 4, 2022
Sarasota County Schools to begin reopening on Monday

In a two-phase approach, Sarasota County Schools will begin reopening with north county schools starting Monday and south county schools one week later.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Venice Theatre suffered extensive damage in Hurricane Ian, but it isn't irreparable. (Courtesy photo)
  • By Spencer Fordin
  • October 4, 2022
Hermitage, Venice Theatre begin road to recovery

The Hermitage Artist Retreat and Venice Theatre suffered damage from Hurricane Ian that will require extensive renovation.

  • Arts + Culture
Van Wezel Performing Arts Center escaped major damage in Hurricane Ian and will stage a benefit concert on Friday. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • October 4, 2022
Van Wezel and Sarasota Orchestra team up for benefit concert

The storm is done, but the recovery is just beginning. And the Sarasota Orchestra and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall are teaming up to raise money.

  • Arts + Culture
Sherry Dominick was elected to the Town Commission in 2020. (File photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 4, 2022
Longboat's Dominick not seeking reelection

Dominick served one term in the District 1 seat of the Longboat Key Town Commission

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Largely, schools in the northern half of Sarasota County fared better than those in the south. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 4, 2022
Sarasota School Board grants Asplen emergency-recovery powers

The emergency order is given a 45-day run time, and expenditures of $100,000 or more must be reported to the school board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Firefighter-paramedic Jeff Bullock pins new lieutenant Ron Koper's badge to his uniform. (Photo by Lauren Tronstad)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 4, 2022
Longboat Key fire department holds ceremony for retirement and promotion

Lt. Alan Jenkins retires after 12 years with the department. Firefighter-paramedic Ron Koper was promoted to lieutenant in Jenkins's place.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 4, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Feet don't fail me now

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Residents gathered sandbags last week before the approach of Hurricane Ian. (file photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2022
Boil advisory lifted for Longboat Key residents

Residents are no longer advised to use boiled or bottled water for cooking and drinking.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Damage and debris on Thursday near Southside Elementary. (Photo by Kat Hughes)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 3, 2022
Sarasota school district schedules emergency board meeting Tuesday

The Sarasota County School Board will weigh hurricane and emergency resolution put forth by the superintendent.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 3, 2022
Food drive planned on Longboat Key to benefit Our Daily Bread

Christ Church will host the food drive Wednesday, and All Angels Episcopal Church has opened a comfort station for those still without power.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
NBC News Anchor Lester Holt (left) came to Sarasota to interview Mayor Eric Arroyo during final preparations for Hurricane Ian. They are pictured here with Arroyo's wife, Victoria. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 3, 2022
Sarasota mayor looks back on 'crazy' week of Hurricane Ian

From preparation to recovery to becoming a short-term media darling, Sarasota Mayor Eric Arroyo describes the wild week of Hurricane Ian.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 3, 2022
Temple Beth Israel celebrates Rosh Hashanah at Michael's On East

Rosh Hashanah kicks off a 10-day period of introspection and atonement.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River High's Rebecca Austerman, Prine Elementary's Scott Flynn, Lakewood Ranch High's Mike Staker and Jeannie Galindo and Superintendent Cynthia Saunders care for evacuees at Braden River High School. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 3, 2022
Manatee residents grateful for shelters during Hurricane Ian

More than 5,200 people evacuated to 17 shelters in Manatee County, including Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • News
Rob Oglesby, Nate's Honor Animal Rescue's development director, says panels from the cottages that were wrecked by Hurricane Ian are salvageable. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 3, 2022
Hurricane Ian causes limited damage at Lakewood Ranch pet rescues

Nate's Honor Animal Rescue and Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch make it through Hurricane Ian with limited damage.

  • East County
  • News
School District of Manatee County resumes regular operations on Tuesday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 2, 2022
Manatee schools back in session Tuesday

School District of Manatee County thanks Administrator Scott Hopes for fast turnaround from shelters back to schools.

  • East County
  • News
FPL begins restoration for Sarasota County customers. (Photo via FPL)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2022
FPL customers in Sarasota, Manatee counties face power outages

Florida Power & Light states it is responding to outages as conditions allow but is unable to estimate a restoration time.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2022
Equine therapy nonprofit SMART hit hard by Hurricane Ian

Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy is in need of funds and volunteers to repair damages from Hurricane Ian.

  • East County
  • News
Tour manager Courtney Dakin stands in front of the framework of one of the barns that was damaged by Hurricane Ian. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 1, 2022
Approximately 200 cows at Myakka's Dakin Dairy Farms die in Hurricane Ian

Owner Jerry Dakin said he isn't sure that rebuilding the longtime dairy farm is feasible.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County officials were handing out tarps, food and water in Myakka City on Saturday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 1, 2022
All Manatee County residents have water service again

Manatee County officials head to Myakka City to provide relief.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County officials urged motorists not to drive into standing water. Here a pickup truck is covered by floodwaters on Upper Manatee River Road. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 1, 2022
See the impact of Hurricane Ian in Sarasota, Manatee

Heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds hit Sarasota and Manatee counties Wednesday, causing damage across the region.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A palm tree was seen fallen onto a car at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday in Gulf Gate. (Photo courtesy of Reddit user u/bjbyrne)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 1, 2022
Hurricane Ian updates, news in Sarasota and Manatee counties

Water and wastewater services were restored to most of Siesta and Casey keys on Saturday morning. A boil water notice is in effect.

  • Sarasota
  • News
(Via Sarasota County video)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 1, 2022
Water restored in Siesta, Casey

Water and wastewater services were restored to most of Siesta and Casey keys on Saturday morning. A boil water notice is in effect.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Florida Highway Patrol reported a 65-year-old Parrish man died after a medical episode caused him to crash his car in the Public parking lot at State Road 64 and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 1, 2022
I-75 crash near University Parkway exit in Sarasota results in fatality

FHP has yet to identify the man whose Tesla burst into flames after hitting a tree.

  • East County
  • News
The tall tree that hosted bald eagles in the front of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church fell as Hurricane Ian passed through Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 30, 2022
Hurricane Ian topples host tree for popular bald eagles' nest in Lakewood Ranch

Eagles made the tall tree in front of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church home for years.

  • East County
  • News
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