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Your Observer

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.14.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
In another split decision, the City Commission affirmed its decision to keep Lido Beach closed until at least next week.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 13, 2020
City stands behind decision to keep Lido Beach closed

Despite appeals from St. Armands Circle businesses, city leaders won't reopen the beach until next week at the earliest.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tidewell Hospice Music Therapist Michael Russo plays outside a patient’s window at Brookdale of Punta Gorda. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 13, 2020
New challenges for end-of-life care in Sarasota, Manatee

Tidewell Hospice adapts with less hands-on support allowed during COVID-19 pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
The masks are free for city residents.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 13, 2020
Police have you covered with mask giveaway

Sarasota Police plan another event, while supplies last.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 13, 2020
Happy Moms Day, Ms. Manatee

Rescue of pregnant sea cow coincides with Mothers Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Beth Stager and Hope Carey work with more than 175 volunteers to make masks for healthcare workers.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2020
Volunteers have healthcare workers covered in Manatee and Sarasota counties

More than 31,000 masks have been distributed to hospitals, assisted living centers and others.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2020
Sign of appreciation in Lakewood Ranch

Families and students find new ways to show appreciation during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School's Jake Whiddon is a 2020 National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winner.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2020
Braden River High School senior named National Merit Scholarship winner

Jake Whiddon one of two School District of Manatee County seniors to be named a Merit Scholar.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Robert Wentzell announced May 4 that Bradenton Insurance has become Guided Insurance Solutions.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 13, 2020
Bradenton-based insurance company has new policy for doing business

Bradenton-based insurance company has new policy for doing business

  • East County
  • Business
Neil Jones and David McIntyre played 12 hours of golf to raise money for charity.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 13, 2020
Local golf directors play marathon match for charity

The match, held at TPC Prestancia, lasted 12 hours and nine rounds.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Naughty Monk Brewery co-owner Joe Eibler he worries what will happen if his business is not allowed to reopen soon.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 13, 2020
Bartenders' only tip: Hang tough in Lakewood Ranch

Manatee County bars, gyms wait while other businesses bring in revenue.

  • East County
  • News
James Miller said despite having bad luck with the weather and COVID-19 during the past two seasons, he will continue improvements at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 13, 2020
Virus cuts out chunk of season at the Sarasota Polo Club

Sarasota polo club members committed to improvements despite lost revenue from COVID-19.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • May 13, 2020
Will it be a V, U or ✓?

The optimistic and pessimistic economists both have legitimate arguments on whether the recovery will be quick or protracted. One factor influencing the recovery will be government spending policies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Manatee County 12th Judicial Circuit Judge Lon Arend hears from attorneys in the Lake Lincoln dispute Feb. 9, 2018.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 13, 2020
Manatee County faces another Tara lawsuit

Lake Lincoln attorney says lawsuit would cover damages related to land use restrictions.

  • East County
  • News
The opening of Station 7 on Covenant Way will make most homes in The Concession within 5 miles of a fire station.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 13, 2020
East Manatee Fire Rescue District Station 7 about to debut in Lakewood Ranch

East Manatee Fire Rescue District aims to improve response times with new stations.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 13, 2020
Longboat Key resident turns 99

Friends and neighbors came together to celebrate Larry Rivkin.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sebastian Villaseca, Rachel Faist and Michelle Waldron at the Lazy Lobster welcome you in for take-out.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 13, 2020
Hey Longboat Key residents, need a change-up in your quaran-routine?

Missing normal life? Try these replacements for your daily activities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A cyclist rides with the flow of traffic in the bike lane.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 13, 2020
Coronavirus pandemic leads to cycling uptick on Longboat Key

With more people out for exercise, rules of the road on the town's multi-use trail become top of mind.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Naomi Jones sent an inspiring message using an orange. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 12, 2020
ODA student delivers fruitful message in Lakewood Ranch

ODA student delivers message in Lakewood Ranch using an orange.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 12, 2020
Life on Longboat

Photos, by you, from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea tells commissioners the county is working through its reopening plan.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2020
Manatee County drops time limit on beach parking

No more time limit on Manatee County beach parking.

  • East County
  • News
The board of FCCI Insurance Group terminated CEO Craig Johnson May 12.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 12, 2020
Insurance firm reverses course, fires CEO for alleged battery on police officers

The termination of Craig Johnson, who has maintained he will be vindicated, comes one day after he was granted a leave of absence.

  • East County
  • News
Volleyball courts are one of the many facilities to remain closed through May 31.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 12, 2020
Events held at county facilities canceled through May 31

Following CDC guidelines, county staff has canceled many events until May 31.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Initial site work at Town Center Green started in April and is scheduled to finish in late summer.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 11, 2020
Longboat begins looking at what's next for Town Center Green

Initial site work at Town Center Green began in April and is scheduled to finish in late summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The meeting will be held at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 11, 2020
Manatee County restarts land-use meetings

Meetings have been moved to the Bradenton Area Convention Center for now.

  • East County
  • News
Forrest, Steve and Doreen Schield with Savannah and Aaron Cobb, Zach Schield and Kala Klemenc.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 11, 2020
Longboat Key wedding goes on as scheduled, though not where it was scheduled

The wedding went from 180 guests to about 12, but the couple was happy to tie the knot.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
KB Belton. Photo courtesy The Out-of-Door Academy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 11, 2020
Two area high schools announce coaching changes

The Out-of-Door Academy has a new football coach, while Booker High has a new girls basketball coach.

  • East County
  • Sports
The properties at 684 Freeling Drive consist of one built in 1949 and one in 1968.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 11, 2020
Freeling Drive properties sell for $5.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 27-May 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The town of Longboat Key is exploring the possibility of transition the Longboat Library from a non-profit organization to a Sarasota County-operated service.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 11, 2020
Longboat Library lease extended until June 2024

The town is exploring the possibility of transitioning to a free library service operated by Sarasota County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Maria F. Finazzo M.D.
  • May 11, 2020
The Doctors Became Patients of Covid-19

The Doctors Became Patients of Covid-19

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The town of Longboat Key closed its public recreation areas at Bayfront Park on March 22.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 11, 2020
What's next to reopen on Longboat Key?

Town Manager Tom Harmer is set to reevaluate his latest executive order on or before Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Donny Long, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's director of environmental services, works with the RD UVC by Steriliz system.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 11, 2020
Light shines on hospital safety in Lakewood Ranch

Elective surgeries move Lakewood Ranch Medical Center back toward normal operation.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 536 Outrigger Lane was built in 2008 with four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,229 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 11, 2020
Outrigger Lane home sells for $2 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 27-May 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
File. FCCI Insurance CEO Craig Johnson recently took a leave of absence from the company.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 11, 2020
Lakewood Ranch insurance firm CEO, after arrest, takes leave of absence

Craig Johnson faces charges of battery on a police officer, among other allegations.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 11, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A truck but no driver

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
All Faiths Food Bank is planning a large-scale distribution on Saturday.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 11, 2020
All Faiths Food Bank plans large-scale distribution on Saturday

Event planned for Ed Smith Stadium.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

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  • December 21, 2025
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2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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