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Your Observer

The sandbag station at 100 Broadway Street is in the lot normally used for public beach parking.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 21, 2020
Longboat offers sandbags for residents

Tropical Storm Laura could be passing through Gulf of Mexico early next week.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County public safety officials say residents should prepare their homes for storms. Shelters should be last resort. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 21, 2020
Manatee County officials monitor Tropical Storm Laura

Leaders say shelters should be 'last resort' if the storm hits here.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • August 21, 2020
Joan Hannah Peterson

Joan Hannah Peterson, 87, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully on Aug. 16, 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 20, 2020
Historic St. Armands home hits market at $12.7 million

The home was the fifth house constructed on St. Armands.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 20, 2020
County to begin construction on new cooling plant

The $14.8 million project will support air conditioning for the county's downtown campus buildings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 20, 2020
No swim advisory issued at Siesta Beach

During routine water quality tests, staff found a high level of enterococcus bacteria.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2020
East County weather page photo: August 20

Bill Marrone captured this colorful sunset over a lake in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: August 20

Gordon Silver captured this seagull riding the waves on top of a pelican on Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 20

Abby Laster captured this image of an osprey catching a fish along a Longboat Key beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wilkinson Elementary School teacher Pat-e Gillezeau started a Facebook group to help teachers get the resources they need.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 20, 2020
Facebook group helps teachers get supplies for new year

Adopt a Sarasota County Teacher Facebook Group allows residents to gift teachers with necessary back to school items.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Tommy Gregory
  • By Rep. Tommy Gregory
  • August 20, 2020
My View: Florida Democrats target black incumbents

Three Democrat lawmakers who dared to support school choice and limits on teen abortions are being labeled as no longer Democrats.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 20, 2020
Sad kiss goodbye?

No. Say it won’t be so. Unconditional Surrender sets Sarasota apart. Keep it on the bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Head coach Josh Smithers and the Riverview football team will start practice Aug. 24 and can play games as soon as Sept. 4 — if they can find an opponent.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 20, 2020
Sarasota County coaches cautiously excited for fall sports season

Practice begins Aug. 24 for all sports.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 8.20.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The town of Longboat Key has posted several of these "wear a mask" signs throughout the island.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 20, 2020
Longboat commissioners to vote Aug. 31 on extension of mandatory mask policy

The Longboat Key Town Commission is set to hold an emergency virtual meeting on Aug. 31.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Shaina and Kevin Swan are appearing in social media videos to answer questions about living with ALS.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2020
A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries videos to raise ALS awareness

A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries YouTube videos to raise ALS awareness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 19, 2020
Commission approves relief fund allocations, programs

County staff will now work to release applications by September and allocate funds by Dec. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The current owners of the Sarasota Kennel Club have been working to sell the land for redevelopment after greyhound racing came to an end in 2019.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 19, 2020
Developer plots residential project on Kennel Club site

A new prospective owner of the Sarasota Kennel Club property hopes to build apartments, but specific plans are still to be determined.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michael Cucci Jr. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Big shot on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Creekwood 2-year-old has first try at cornhole.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Beat goes on in East County

Braden River High School's Marching Band of Pirates resume practice.

  • East County
  • News
Deb Herbert stands in front of a oil painting she did at MJ Ranch in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2020
Former Sarasota County Schools fine arts teacher excels in equine themed art

Former Sarasota County Schools fine arts teacher excels in equine themed art.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Andy Guz, Brain Health Initiative Executive Director Stephanie Peabody, LWR Communities' Monaca Onstad and County Health Officer Jennifer Bencie hold survey invitations.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2020
University of Florida joins brain health study in Lakewood Ranch

University's Florida Survey Research Center will help collect, analyze data for Brain Health Initiative.

  • East County
  • News
South West Florida Therapy Animals Partners Ana Dod, with Boots, and Heather Perry, with Milo, hope to host events at the nonprofit's campus to help raise funds for the animals' care.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2020
The animal effect is in Lakewood Ranch

Ranch provides therapeutic connections in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Development Director Rob Oglesby, with 8-week-old Finch, says the campus improvements will help the nonprofit become self-sustainable.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2020
Things looking up at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue in Lakewood Ranch

Vertical construction begins as part of Nate's Honor Animal Rescue's $10 million expansion.

  • East County
  • News
Sophie Niedzielski, a second grader at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, sees a double rainbow on her way to her first day of school. Niedzielski says the double rainbow is a sign of good luck. Photo by Dagmara Niedzielski.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Opening day rainbows for first day of school in East County

Classrooms in the School District of Manatee County are back in action.

  • East County
  • News
Barrie spent years directing theater students in Sarasota.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 18, 2020
Turning the Page: Former Sarasota resident Zara Barrie releases self-help book

Former Sarasota resident Zara Barrie releases self-help book that heads in a different direction.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eleven-year-old Olivia Kruse hugs her dad, George Kruse, after he wins the Republican nomination. "I'm really proud of him," she said. "There was a lot of sign waving."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2020
Kruse hopes to offer new voice to Manatee County Commission

George Kruse pulls away from longtime Administrator Ed Hunzeker, moves to general election.

  • East County
  • News
Fire commissioners for East Manatee Fire Rescue and Myakka City Fire Control District will meet jointly Aug. 20 to vote on the merger. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2020
Myakka City residents approve merger with East Manatee Fire Rescue

Myakka City residents approve merger with East Manatee Fire Rescue.

  • East County
  • News
Parrish's Gina Messenger looks forward helping the School District of Manatee County move from a B district to an A district. "I'm excited to continue the good work that Manatee County is doing," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 18, 2020
Parrish's Messenger retains Manatee County school board seat

Gina Messenger will focus on early childhood education and grade level reading in next four years.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 18, 2020
Edwards, Rose win Sarasota County School Board seats

Karen Rose has worked in Sarasota County Schools for 28 years. Businessman Tom Edwards will replace incumbent Eric Robinson.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Terry Turner and Dan Clermont, top, earned the most votes in the District 2 and 3 primaries respectively. Liz Alpert and Erik Arroyo, bottom, are also advancing to November's general election.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 18, 2020
Turner, Alpert, Clermont, Arroyo advance in Sarasota City Commission race

In District 2, a former and current city commissioner will face off. In District 3, two newcomers are moving on to the general election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 18, 2020
Hoffman wins Sarasota County Sheriff primary

Col. Kurt Hoffman has worked for the Sarasota Sheriff's Office for 14 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Moran
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 18, 2020
Moran, Cutsinger win County Commission primaries

There are three Sarasota County Commission seats up for grabs in the Nov. 3 election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Superintendent Brennan Asplen said the added restrictions are intended to help minimize the spread of particles.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 18, 2020
Sarasota School Board revises face mask policy

The new policy requires all students and staff to wear snug-fitting, non-porous face masks.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mary Anne Bowie, pictured second from left with other past and present Arlington Park Neighborhood Association board members, thinks the city could improve its public input processes. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 18, 2020
Neighborhood groups push for planning influence

City officials offered mixed feedback to a request for procedural changes from the Arlington Park Neighborhood Association.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County makes more CARES Act funding available to small businesses and nonprofits.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 18, 2020
Manatee County makes more CARES Act funding available

Small businesses in Manatee County can apply for CARES Act funding through the county.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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