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Your Observer

Ryan Rothhaar says his grandmother, Judy Robinson, hugs him so tightly he can hardly breath and she makes him feel loved. His sister, Allie Rothhaar agreed.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
Lessons in love from a Lakewood Ranch mom

Lakewood Ranch moms say their mothering skills have been passed down through the generations.

  • East County
  • News
A modern-day, distance-learning fourth grade student — headphones, no shirt, pajama pants and pizza. “His dream come true,” his mother says.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 6, 2020
Another unknown cost

Closing schools is having unseen costs on parents and children. Florida is squandering the need to experiment.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Jeff Wilson and Mark Wojcicki. Photo by Liz Ramos
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
East County physical education teachers connect with students through cycling

Lost cockatiel flies away from Lakewood Ranch home but returned after safe landing in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
MVP Sports and Social's Quarantine Cup is played via Zoom calls. Photo courtesy MVP Sports and Social.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 6, 2020
Lakewood Ranch rec sports get creative during quarantine

MVP Sports and Social has kept the fun going with its Quarantine Cup series of events.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bella Pasquale, a freshman at Braden River High School, edits the video her class created to inspire the school community. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2020
East County students create brave message

Braden River High School students work virtually to create video for school community

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's Cindy Appel and Lakewood Ranch's Lindsay Roth grab lunch at Fast N Fresh at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch May 4. It was Appel's first lunch out since the shelter-in-place mandate went into effect.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
Pivotal time for restaurants in greater Lakewood Ranch area

Sarasota restauranteurs must persevere as their customers decide whether it is safe to return.

  • East County
  • News
Amy Caron, a staff member with Nate's Honor Animal Rescue, loads a van with food to deliver. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2020
Giving Challenge accepted in Lakewood Ranch

Donors come through for Lakewood Ranch-area nonprofits during Giving Challenge

  • East County
  • News
Commercial real estate agents Michele Fuller and Stacy Rosenberg hope to attract users that will service the neighborhood and also compliment one another.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
Businesses flock to new plaza in Bradenton

School House Plaza is expected to open in summer off State Road 64 near Haile Middle School.

  • East County
  • News
Rendering of the future St. Regis Hotel and Residences
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 6, 2020
Celebrate with fireworks!

The Chuck Whittall-Andy Adams standoff is over.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Greta and her cygnet. Photo by Lou Newman.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 6, 2020
Longboat Key cygnet hatches

Out of five eggs, one cygnet emerged from its shell on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nancy Rozance's daughter created a collage for her mother.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 6, 2020
Longboat Key moms recall fond memories of Mother's Day

Even if Mother's Day isn't always perfect, moms agree that any day spent with their children feels like a special day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
April Glasco directs people picking up food.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 6, 2020
Longboat Key communities create a web of volunteers

Second Chance Last Opportunity is the Sarasota organization at the heart of the well-meaning web.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Parade organizer Keith Pandeloglou, the director of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, had to cancel the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 5, 2020
Virtual memorial replaces Lakewood Ranch parade

COVID-19 causes cancellation of Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Bob Rosinsky, the CEO and president of Goodwill Industries Manasota, had to furlough 600 workers.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 5, 2020
Goodwill's reopening a small dose of normalcy for Lakewood Ranch area

Treasure hunt in Lakewood Ranch begins again as Goodwill reopens.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County reports no issues at reopened beaches.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 5, 2020
No issues at reopened Manatee County beaches

No issues at reopened Manatee County beaches.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 5, 2020
Sarasota School board talks summer camps, reopening

At this point, the district is sticking to an online platform.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarasota Police are investigating a crash on Tamiami Trail just south of downtown.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2020
Lanes reopen after Sarasota traffic crash

Collision involving motorcycle prompted closure at Tamiami Trail and Bahia Vista Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 5, 2020
Longboat plans test of new alert system

Code Red system being replaced by Alert Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In 2019, Karen Kay Lyvers, a senior, took gold in the girls pole vault (3.76 meters; 12.36 feet) at the state track and field championships at the University of North Florida.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 5, 2020
Daily sports memories: May 5

More track and field accomplishments lead the day's history.

  • East County
  • Sports
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said state drive-up testing results show Florida's infection rate for COVID-19 to be below 3% currently.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 5, 2020
Governor lauds Florida's COVID-19 testing in Sarasota

Sarasota's new COVID-19 testing site gets visit from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

  • East County
  • News
The Giving Challenge results were presented virtually instead of during an in-person ceremony.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 5, 2020
2020 Giving Challenge raises $18 million for nonprofits

The fundraising challenge easily broke 2018's record of $11.7 millions

  • Sarasota
  • News
Aria and Andrew Mateos made signs for the parade.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 5, 2020
Birthday parade

Longboat Key first responders responded to a call for a birthday party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A majority of the commission wanted to see a sustained decline in the rate of COVID-19 cases locally before reopening Lido Beach, which has been closed since March 21.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 4, 2020
City to keep Lido Beach closed

In a split decision, the City Commission voted to keep the beach closed through mid-May as officials await more COVID-19 test results. Boat ramps will reopen Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Restaurants on Lakewood Main Street began to see customers come back on Monday. They will have more space for them beginning Friday.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2020
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch closes to traffic to give restaurants more seating capacity

Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch restaurants open May 4 at 25% capacity under state guidelines.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 4, 2020
Life on Longboat

Photos from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Town Commission met virtually for the second time on Monday, May 4.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 4, 2020
Longboat begins assessing COVID impact on budget

Town Manager Tom Harmer and town finance director Susan Smith presented their early analysis to the Town Commission on Monday afternoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 4, 2020
Lawsuit challenging county's redistricting plan denied in federal court

A lawsuit that claimed Sarasota County's new district lines were unlawful was denied in federal court.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Customers sit outside Pastry Art Bakery Cafe on Monday afternoon, the first day outdoor dining was allowed following a statewide stay-at-home order associated with COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 4, 2020
Reopening begins in Sarasota

The public can resume some activity that had been restricted to limit the spread of COVID-19, including outdoor dining and parking at county beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 4, 2020
Cops Corner: Good to go

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Veteran Herman Martinez participates in the 2019 Tribute to Heroes Parade. The 2020 event was cancelled Monday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 4, 2020
Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch cancelled

Lakewood Ranch community asked to participate in a virtual tribute on Memorial Day.

  • 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
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 4, 2020
Colony trial averted with deal for 75 units

Unicorp, Adams agree to terms after squabble over confidential settlement's missed original closing date.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's James Rivera.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 4, 2020
Daily sports memories: May 4

Track and field championships highlight this date for Sarasota and East County athletes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Some stores and restaurants will have modified hours at Sarasota's Mall at UTC.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2020
Sarasota's Mall at University Town Center to reopen Wednesday

Mall at UTC takes safety precautions as it reopens this week.

  • East County
  • News
The courts at the Longboat Key Tennis Center have been closed since March 22 aside from some maintenance work.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 4, 2020
Longboat Key Tennis Center to reopen with restrictions

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

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 1, 2020
Longboat condo installs Mini Reefs underneath docks

The idea behind the Mini Reef is to improve the ecosystem for marine life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Workers began on routing electricity for the temporary trailer just north of the existing Station 92.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 1, 2020
Longboat Key firefighters prepare to use temporary south-side fire station

A rebuilt Station 92 is scheduled to open in April 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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