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Your Observer

The fireworks display included fireworks forming the shapes of hearts and Mickey Mouse ears before the grand finale.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 3, 2020
Patriotic celebration in Sarasota

Fireworks show at Nathan Benderson Park celebrates nation's independence.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's Ellie Connours, age 8, is all business during the camp's final day relay race.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 3, 2020
Barrel of laughs ... and work ... at Sarasota rodeo camp

Kids learn advanced rodeo skills at Sarasota camp.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River High School seniors Juan Brito, Daniel Sipes, Jeremy Rinehart and Cameron Ostenson look forward to their July 28 graduation at LECOM Park.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 2, 2020
Lakewood Ranch, Braden River high school graduations moved to LECOM Park

Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high schools' graduations are being moved to provide more social distancing.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 2, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: The kids are alright

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Parents can sign up for Inner Explorer, which helps students manage their anxiety and stress.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 2, 2020
Therapist offers ways to help students manage stress, anxiety

Students can try breathing techniques and mindfulness apps to help them refocus.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Built in 1972, the home at 1207 N. Lake Shore Drive has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,043 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 2, 2020
Oyster Bay Estates home sells for $1.95 million

Residential real estate transactions for June 22 -26.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The home at 629 N. Owl Drive was built in 2017 with three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 4,437 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 2, 2020
Bird Key home sells for $3.425 million

Residential real estate transactions for June 22-26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2020
East County weather page photo: July 2

Gordon Silver captured this summer sunset in Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The policy takes effect Friday.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 2, 2020
Longboat Key to require masks starting Friday

https://www.yourobserver.com/article/sarasota-mask-requirements-covid-19-coronavirus

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This University Park home at 7015 Langley Place sold for $805,000. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,317 square feet of living area. Photo courtesy of listing agents Dick and Marcia McLaughlin.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 2, 2020
Residential real estate transactions June 22-26 for greater Lakewood Ranch area

University Park home tops sales at $805,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Rebecca McCullough takes Achilles for a ride in the arena in preparation for their July 4 performance.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 2, 2020
Back in the saddle in Myakka City for Herrmanns' Royal Lipizzan Stallions

Herrmanns' Royal Lipizzan Stallions get back to business with July 4 performance

  • East County
  • News
The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board held a virtual meeting in May.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 2, 2020
Board member's nomination held until September

Longboat Key commissioners have not been able to meet Planning and Zoning Board candidates in person because of concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 2, 2020
Stolen scooter in Lakewood Ranch yields lesson in kindness

Lost bracelet returned to owner in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brody Wiseman. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 2, 2020
Interim Sarasota coach plans on continuing culture rebuild

Brody Wiseman is keeping things on the same trajectory.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Willow and Whitney Willis sit in the children's area at the back of Willow's Café, a Rosemary District restaurant that opened in April.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 2, 2020
Community support carries Willow's Cafe through challenging circumstances

Despite opening during a statewide lockdown, the owner of the Rosemary District restaurant is determined to make things work.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Florida Department of Transportation has signaled an interest in shifting the design of Fruitville Road from an almost-exclusive emphasis on cars to one that more effectively serves cyclists, pedestrians and transit users.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 2, 2020
State examines future of Fruitville Road corridor

The state is emphasizing safety and multimodal transportation as it considers changes to a road that stretches from the interstate to downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
St. Armands Circle stakeholders have been pursuing plans for public restrooms for years. File image.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 2, 2020
Circle bathroom plans clear hurdle

Although construction is projected to take place during season, the St. Armands Business Improvement District is moving forward with the project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City Manager Tom Barwin speaks at a press conference to discuss new COVID-19 regulations and the city's plans to give out 50,000 masks to the public. Residents can get masks at City Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 2.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 2, 2020
City mask requirements officially take effect

Sarasota officials hope an increased emphasis on face coverings — mandatory in the city, strongly encouraged in the county — will slow the spread of the coronavirus.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 7.2.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch President Laura Adcock. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 1, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club installs new officers

Lakewood Ranch area clubs get creative during pandemic.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pamela Gibson. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 1, 2020
Manatee County librarian finishes final chapter

East County's Pamela Gibson retires from Manatee County's library system.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Police released this image of the crane.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 1, 2020
Two men charged with climbing aerial crane

Sarasota police arrested pair after security personnel spotted them inside a fenced construction site, climbing a crane ladder.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Verinder, president and CEO, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
    By
  • Guest Author
  • July 1, 2020
Masks can help slow the spread

Health care professionals urge the public to wear face masks to slow the virus spread.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
JT Girman enjoys spending quality time with his mother, Danielle, before he goes to the University of Florida. He was supposed to take summer classes, but they were canceled due to COVID-19.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2020
Date nights on hold for east Bradenton parents

Lakewood Ranch-area parents excited to have a few more months with their college-bound kids before becoming empty nesters.

  • East County
  • News
The Concession residents Alicia Peetril (front) and Pamela Donahue (behind) opposed the changes because of concerns related to flooding, as well as connections to Concession's private water and sewer lines.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 1, 2020
Manatee County Commission nixes Concession development in Lakewood Ranch area

Plans for The Concession Phase IV turned down Manatee County commissioners.

  • East County
  • News
Get used to ordering groceries online.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 1, 2020
So you have the coronavirus. What's next?

Our reporter gives his thoughts on experiencing the virus.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Town Manager Tom Harmer, town labor attorney Reynolds Allen, Southwest Florida Police Benevolent Association president Mick McHale and union attorney Caroleen Brej at the November impasse-resolution meeting.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 1, 2020
Police, town have a deal on contract

Three-year pact agreed to by town and union bumps pay, town contributions to retirement plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County Financial Director Jan Brewer and Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea worked closely to develop the budget, planning for reductions in state and local revenues.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 1, 2020
Manatee County officials come up with 4% budget solution

County prepared to push ahead on 44th Avenue extension, new Lakewood Ranch library.

  • East County
  • News
Country Club's Peter Moscovita is working on his second book after publishing his first in June.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2020
Lakewood Ranch author takes new profession by storm

The self-published author is working on his second book after publishing his first in June.

  • East County
  • News
Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches Program Director Ron Serpliss said he disappointed the residential foster care program has ended, but he is excited about potential programming opportunities that may be coming.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 1, 2020
New direction for Sheriffs Youth Ranches property in Manatee County

Group home services discontinued at the Rye Preserve campus.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 1, 2020
Longboat reports sewer line repairs completed

The break happened Sunday night in an underwater sewer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Geri Lopez, Manatee County’s Redevelopment and Economic Opportunity (REO) Department director, said new federal funding will allow the small business recovery program to go countywide.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 1, 2020
Safety First grants targeted for Manatee County businesses

Manatee County will award funds to help businesses with safety features.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River Middle School rising seventh graders Ehab Bakhet, Kyle Page and Peyton Lyn eat lunch in the cafeteria. The district is considering different options for food services for next year. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2020
Learning plan unveiled for Manatee County schools

School District of Manatee County recommends full return for elementary students and hybrid classes for middle and high school students.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch athletic director Kent Ringquist said he believes adding a sand volleyball court on the school's campus is something that can be done.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 1, 2020
New sports might be headed to local high schools

Sand volleyball and girls wrestling were approved by the FHSAA.

  • East County
  • Sports
Fireworks start at 9 p.m. People should be in their designated parking areas by 8:30 p.m. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2020
A celebration with pop at Nathan Benderson Park

Nathan Benderson Park's Fireworks on the Lake will require a ticket to ensure social distancing.

  • East County
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • July 1, 2020
Dr. Norman Pritchard

We are blessed to have Dr. Pritchard delivering world class sermons at Christ Church of Longboat Key (CCLBK) and ministering selflessly to our growing congregation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Celebrations
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Latest News

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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
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
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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
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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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