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Your Observer

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
Those coming to the site for the supplies should be prepared to produce identification confirming their residency in Sarasota County. Â Â (Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 30, 2022
Sarasota County prepares to open supplies-distribution sites

Three of four located in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ian, though one close to city of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An ATV accident near Myakka City led to the death of a 22-year-old Myakka City woman.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 30, 2022
ATV accident leads to death of 22-year-old Myakka City woman

The accident occurred early Friday morning just off Verna Bethany Road.

  • East County
  • News
Greenhouse complex damage at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus includes 40 lost panes of glass. (Courtesy Marie Selby Botanical Gardens)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 30, 2022
Selby Gardens sustains no significant damage from Hurricane Ian

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will close both its Downtown Sarasota and Spanish Point campuses to make repairs and clear debris.

  • Sarasota
  • News
By around 9:30 a.m. Friday, FPL reported the restoration of power for 158,000 customers in the two counties. (Photo by Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 30, 2022
Two Sarasota County deaths appear linked to oxygen-machine power failures

A 94-year-old man and an 80-year-old woman were the first reported deaths due to Hurricane Ian, the Sheriff's Office says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 30, 2022
Manatee reports more than $14.9M in damage from Hurricane Ian

All eight floors of Manatee County's administration building suffered water damage.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County says more than 200 of its lift stations were without power or out of service as of 8 a.m. Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 30, 2022
Manatee County asks residents to limit what they put down the drain

More than 200 lift stations are still without power in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Water didn’t pour into the terminal. The membrane covers other roofing materials, but eight hours of leeching rainwater caused plenty of damage. (Photo by Ryan Kohn)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 30, 2022
SRQ set to resume operations after quick cleanup from damaged roof

Ceiling tiles have been removed and water dried up at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport after a portion of the roof was damaged by Hurricane Ian. Operations resume this afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cindy and Carl Shoffstall made the hard decision to stay put in Lido Key for Hurricane Ian. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • September 29, 2022
Residents spent restless night on Lido Key

They were presented with a difficult decision. Leave or stay inside. And they chose to ride out Hurricane Ian in their homes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 29, 2022
Siesta Key battered but not broken after Hurricane Ian

Fallen trees and water-filled roadways plagued the island Thursday afternoon, but homes and businesses remained largely intact.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 29, 2022
Lakewood Ranch area digs out after Hurricane Ian

Myakka City suffered the most damage in the East County area with severe flooding.

  • East County
  • News
A large tree was uprooted in St Armands Circle during Hurricane Ian but many of the businesses emerged unscathed. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • September 29, 2022
Businesses in St. Armands Circle emerge largely unscathed from Ian

Hurricane Ian came to St. Armands Circle, but it did not disrupt electrical service or result in a major storm surge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 29, 2022
See Hurricane Ian's impact on Longboat Key

Scenes from the aftermath of the storm on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key firefighters return to their off-island base near downtown Sarasota after an early morning assessment of the island. (Eric Garwood)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 29, 2022
Water service restored on Longboat Key

Boil-water advisory in effect until further notice on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sound Snatcher is a fan favorite character of the show, "Sounder & Friends." (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 29, 2022
Lakewood Ranch resident co-creates children's program to improve literacy

Heather Kenny's idea for children's program "Sounder & Friends" has come to fruition after 20 years.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Boats harbored in Sarasota Bay remained safely anchored Thursday morning after Hurricane Ian passed through. (Photo by Kat Hughes)
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • September 29, 2022
Hurricane Ian: 'We dodged a bullet'

From the city of Sarasota to Lakewood Ranch, mainland damage is limited mostly to downed trees and fences.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 29, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: September 29

MaryAnn Tygh Parks captured this mother and baby moorhen out for a swim in Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 29, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: September 29

Jackie Seidman captured this sunset after a stormy day on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 29, 2022
East County weather page photo: September 29

Gordon Silver took the photo of these pileated woodpeckers along White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Construction vehicles in September 2022 navigate the landfill on Lena Road, which is adjacent to the rezoned area.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 28, 2022
Manatee clears path to sell its Lena Road property in Bradenton

County Commissioners approved a rezone of 98 acres from agricultural to mixed-use.

  • East County
  • News
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