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Your Observer

    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 11, 2020
You Observed: Surprise drive-by birthday

Joanne Forch's friends saw each other in person for the first time in weeks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tom and Norma McCarthy
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 11, 2020
Longboat Key couple's mini Mercedes is a neighborhood staple

The small set of wheels turns heads.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 10, 2020
Smiles all around East County church on Mother's Day

Oasis Church brings families together for drive-thru Mother's Day photo.

  • East County
  • News
Unicorp in March of 2018 gained town approval  to develop a St. Regis branded hotel and condo complex at the 18-acre site at 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive, a parcel that has been empty since the last building was demolished in 2019.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 9, 2020
Longboat Key town commissioners react to Colony settlement

Unicorp and Andy Adams came to a confidentiality agreement on April 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 8, 2020
Alderman Oaks retirement home surprised with Mothers Day parade

The parade took place May 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Country Club East home at 15408 Linn Park Terrace sold for $980,000. It has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,947 square feet of living area. Photo courtesy of listing agent Holly Pascarella.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 8, 2020
Residential Real Estate Transactions April 27-May 1

Country Club East home tops sales at $980,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The regulations on lawn watering will be in effect through the end of June. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 8, 2020
Watering restrictions announced for city residents

Residents will have limited hours to water their lawns following the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s issuance of a water shortage order.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 8, 2020
Singles play resumes at Longboat Key Tennis Center

The Tennis Center had been closed since March 22 because of concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Posted signs at Whitney's encourage social distancing.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 8, 2020
Longboat Key restaurant updates: Who's open for dine-in?

As of May 4, restaurants could reopen dining areas as long as they stick to 25% capacity.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Two people received non-life-threatening injuries in the incident that took place around 12:40 p.m. Friday.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2020
Car crashes into Sarasota business

Two inside building receive non-life-threatening injuries, police say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high schools will turn on their stadium lights to honor their graduating seniors.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 8, 2020
Light shines on Lakewood Ranch-area high school seniors

Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools to turn on stadium lights to honor seniors.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 8, 2020
Here's the scoop

Rotary Club of Longboat Key gift a sweet treat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 8, 2020
Love unwrapped in Lakewood Ranch

Primrose School offers drive-up Muffins for Moms event in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
On May 8, 2018, the Mustang softball team defeated East Lake High 7-0 in a regional semifinal.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 8, 2020
Daily sports memories: May 8-10

Historically, these dates set the stage for big postseason victories in softball and baseball.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 7, 2020
Getting those zzzzz's

Longboat Key getting more sleep amid stay-at-home order

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Owen Ayers.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 7, 2020
Daily sports memories: May 7

Lakewood Ranch High triumphed at the 2016 state track and field championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
Participants can do their 3.1-mile walk or run at their convenience. Photo by Nathalie Kaemmerer.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 7, 2020
Medical school launches virtual 5K fundraiser

Proceeds support future physicians from Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Libraries will begin offering curb service pickup for materials placed on hold by library users.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 7, 2020
Sarasota County begins reopening some services

Sarasota County Libraries are offering curbside pickup and beach concessions are starting to open up.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Head of the Booker VPA Dance Department Courtney Smith teaches some dance combos over Zoom. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 7, 2020
Arts teachers try to keep community alive while virtual teaching

Sarasota Schools teachers of fine arts say it is difficult to keep "family feeling" alive while teaching online.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Glenna Goodacre sits in her studio. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 7, 2020
Sarasota community remembers life of sculptor Glenna Goodacre

Goodacre, who has three sculptures in Sarasota, died at the age of 80.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 7

Kevin French captured a bald eagle on a nest on the northern end of Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: May 7

MaryAnn Parks caught a photo of this feeding egret on Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2020
East County weather page photo: May 7

Gordon Silver captured this red-shouldered hawk in his backyard in Del Webb.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Customers filled the sidewalk cafe outside Patrick's 1481 on Monday, May 4. Outdoor dining is now permitted in Florida as long as
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 7, 2020
Questions persist as Sarasota enters reopening phase

Although some businesses and officials are optimistic about resuming activity, it remains unclear what the future holds as the COVID-19 response continues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The hospital has a series of precautionary measures in place to limit the risk of spreading COVID-19 within the facility. Image courtesy Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 7, 2020
Sarasota Memorial Hospital resumes elective surgeries

Although precautionary measures remain in place to limit coronavirus spread, SMH wants the public to know it’s safe to come to the hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The City Commission held its first video conference meeting Monday to abide by social distancing requirements.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 7, 2020
City approves COVID-19 grant program for small businesses

The $2.3 million initiative will issue $5,000 grants to help businesses offset costs associated with the ongoing pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.7.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 6, 2020
Sarasota mothers adjust to life with newborns

As their first Mothers Day approaches, new moms adjust to life in quarantine.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney football coach Jared Clark said this spring should have been important for his team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 6, 2020
For Cardinal Mooney, the loss of spring football practice affected big plans

New coach Jared Clark was hoping to see his players on the field for the first time.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brandon Wilson enjoys playing piano because he can play chords and different octaves and can perform solos better than on saxophone. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2020
Lakewood Ranch musician works to inspire others

Brandon Wilson will release three more songs May 22.

  • East County
  • News
Monica Welde said she plans to give bears, like Bruno, full access to this lake and also to add more pools to their enclosures.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
Bearadise Ranch bears future in mind in Myakka

Bearadise Ranch struggles financially during COVID-19 pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
"Pacarette" is one of the feature films in the 2020 Sarasota Film Festival.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 6, 2020
Sarasota Film Festival rolls on an extra weekend

Event shifted to online format.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gene Witt Elementary School's addition and renovation project is being expedited while students are off campus. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2020
School projects ahead of schedule in east Bradenton

Several east Bradenton schools to undergo capital projects while students are unable to return to campus

  • East County
  • News
This home at 19428 Ganton Ave., in The Concession sold for $1.599 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 7,005 square feet of living area. Photo courtesy of listing agent Michael Burke.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 6, 2020
Concession homes tops sales at $1.6 million

Concession homes tops sales in Lakewood Ranch area at $1.6 million

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Prom on the Porch with Wendy Johnson.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 6, 2020
No prom? No problem for grad-to-be and friends

Family arranges a different kind of prom for Cardinal Mooney senior.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Loaded Cannon Distillery President and founder Steve Milligan says the same alcohol produced to make his rum and vodka is used to make hand sanitizer.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
Shot of kindness from Lakewood Ranch distillery

Lakewood Ranch distillery modifies operations during COVID-19 outbreak to produce free hand sanitizer.

  • 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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