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Your Observer

Manatee County hurricane shelters will provide 60 square feet per person in 2020.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 24, 2020
Emergency chiefs urge shelter use as 'refuge of last resort'

Longboat Key leaders held a "Zoominar" to outline hurricane preparations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 24, 2020
Horsing around in East County

Camp participants spend time learning about horses, riding and doing arts and crafts.

  • East County
  • News
Traffic exits Interstate 75 southbound at University Parkway, because of a crash on the overpass in this FDOT traffic camera image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 24, 2020
Fatal crash blocks I-75 in Sarasota, Manatee counties

Florida Highway Patrol reroutes traffic for fatal I-75 crash in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Debbie Andreacci and Beth Hocking. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 24, 2020
Million dollar effort for Peridia Golf and Country Club

Peridia Golf and Country Club residents collect almost two tons in food for Food Bank of Manatee.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Although he never thought he would be an author, Central Park resident Bill Kopcsak publishes his first book. Now he's taking playwriting classes.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 24, 2020
Lakewood Ranch author treasures memories of 'Aunt Ruth'

Local writer publishes first book and starts writing plays.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Emergency Medical Services District Chief Mark Regis, Assistant Chief of Operations Larry Luh and paramedic Steven Wheler say the new station gives paramedics a place they can call "home" and space for training.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 24, 2020
Hospitals surge to help EMS in Manatee County

Improved turnaround time at Manatee County hospitals lets ambulances get back into action.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 24, 2020
Growth still on the rise in Lakewood Ranch area

Interesting projects flood into Manatee County for permitting.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 24, 2020
Resist permitted parking

There are more creative and private-sector options to solving the Village’s parking problems than creating a new government department.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea said the second level would not be initially built out, however it could still be used for group functions. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 24, 2020
New Lakewood Ranch library will have two stories

Manatee County plans nearly double future library's size.

  • East County
  • News
Capt. Sandy McIver has taken over command of District 3.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 24, 2020
District 3 of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office has new leader

District 3 of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office has new leader in Capt. Sandy McIver.

  • East County
  • News
David Fink served as president of the board for the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation and board chair for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 24, 2020
New president of the board invested in the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund

New president of the board Invested in the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.

  • East County
  • News
The FDOT Operations Center on State Road 64 near Lakewood Ranch will operate as an early voting site.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 24, 2020
Lots of wonders for those living in Lakewood Ranch

Things to wonder about if you live in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County will distribute $17.5 million in CARES Act funding.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 23, 2020
Manatee County will hand out $17.5 million to those impacted by COVID-19

CARES Act funding to be distributed through Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • June 23, 2020
Edward N. Schaye

Edward N. Schaye of Longboat Key, FL, husband of Harriet B. Schaye of blessed memory, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2020 just shy of his 91st birthday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 23, 2020
Father and son bond over basketball in Longboat Key

Tim and King Grant vacationed in Longboat Key. The father and son found Bayfront Park's basketball court to share their love of the game.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • June 23, 2020
Barbara French “Bobi” Sanderson

Barbara French “Bobi” Sanderson was born in Ottawa, Illinois on July 24, 1923, and died peacefully at home in Sarasota, Florida on June 17, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Commissioner Jack Daly was among those agreeing with the notion of possibly increasing the town's 90-day rainy day fund minimum.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 23, 2020
Town's $10 million reserve adds comfort for leaders

Proposed budget would keep rainy-day fund at more than double town's requirement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 23, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A lot hinges on this call

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 23, 2020
Happy birthday, Regina

The longtime Longboat resident celebrated 103 on June 23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 16416 Baycross Drive and a vacant lot at 16506 Baycross Drive sold for $3,690,000. The house has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,160 square feet of living area. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 23, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area residential real estate transactions June 8-12

Lake Club home tops sales at $3.6 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Kirby Bywaters, Liza Kane-Hartnett, Stanley Kane, Betsy Kane-Hartnett, Meghan Kane-Hartnett and John Kane-Hartnett all celebrated at Betsy's home. Photo Courtesy of Cliff Roles.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 23, 2020
A life well lived: Stanley Kane turns 100

The arts benefactor recently celebrated his 100th birthday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 23, 2020
Fire station demolition gets underway

Longboat Key firefighters at the south station has started using a mobile trailer until a new station is built.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A view of the beach at Longboat Key, Florida.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 22, 2020
Town expects borrow between $21 million-$28.5 million for beaches

Town Manager Tom Harmer estimates Longboat Key will borrow between $21 million and $28.5 million in bonds for its beach management plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Peffley in 2011.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 22, 2020
Gentle giant Jack Peffley dies at 72

The man was known for his kindness, readiness to help, and his loud pants.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 22, 2020
Bayfont Park's pickleball courts reopen

Longboat Key's courts at Bayfront Park reopened for the first time since March.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 22, 2020
In lieu of Freedom Fest, a flag raising on Longboat Key

The island's service organizations came together to create a bit of flag-waving fanfare.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Library stands empty for now.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 22, 2020
Longboat Key Library plans reopening for July 7

The library closed early in the coronavirus pandemic, but feels ready to come back.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office is located at 1115 Manatee Avenue W., Bradenton. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 22, 2020
Manatee County Clerk and Circuit Court to reopen

In-person appointments at the Manatee County Clerk's office or Circuit Court will resume June 24.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 22, 2020
Goodwin named FSBA president

School board member Jane Goodwin was named the 2020-21 president of the Florida School Boards Association.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Janet Shapiro won the Paul Harris Award.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 22, 2020
Rotary Club hosts member appreciation

Many members got a certificate as appreciation for what they do for the club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
While some facilities on Longboat Ke have reopened, the town remains under a state of emergency. Town Hall is still closed to walk in visits, but appointments, calls and emails are accepted.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 21, 2020
What's left to reopen in Longboat Key?

Many of the outdoor facilities at Bayfront Park reopened on Monday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 20, 2020
Juneteenth Festival offers message of joy, unity

A celebration in Newtown was envisioned as an opportunity to bring Sarasota’s Black community together.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Detour signs near U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road have helped direct traffic for months.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 19, 2020
Longboat Key vice mayor expresses concerns about Sarasota in Motion plan

Sarasota's transportation plan puts an emphasis on walking and biking.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 1440 Flower Drive was built in 2006 with has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,414 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 19, 2020
Home on Flower Drive sells for $1.55 million

Residential real estate transactions for June 8-12.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 19, 2020
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce meets via Zoom

Networking doesn't quite look the same these days, but they're making it work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 19, 2020
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch fathers enjoy sweet celebration

Kiddie Academy celebrates Father's Day with Donuts with Dad.

  • 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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