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Your Observer

"Pacarette" is one of the feature films in the 2020 Sarasota Film Festival.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 1, 2020
Sarasota Film Festival extended through May 10

The festival, presented online due to COVID-19, will be shown for an extra week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction crews are building a roundabout at the intersection near the Sarasota Quay site. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 1, 2020
Fruitville Road closure to continue near U.S. 41

Although eastbound lanes on Fruitville Road at U.S. 41 were scheduled to reopen today, construction will keep all lanes closed for a few more days.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 1, 2020
Christie, Dungy, Farrow headline RCLA's 2021 schedule

Pair of postponed events from 2020 will be presented in November.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • May 1, 2020
Evan and Alexander Rees

Twins Evan and Alexander Rees were surprised by Cardinal Mooney High School with signs brought to their home celebrating their graduation.

  • East County
  • Celebrations
Unit 501 at 1301 Main St. was built in 2016. It has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,912 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 1, 2020
Main Street condo sells for $2.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 20-24.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The home at 426 Meadow Lark Drive was built in 1970 with four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,415 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 1, 2020
Bird Key home sells for $1.335 million.

Residential real estate transactions for April 20-24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Free coronavirus testing will be available to Manatee County residents on Saturday at four sites.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 30, 2020
MCR Health offers free coronavirus testing for Manatee County residents.

Sarasota, Bradenton and Parrish will host free coronavirus collection sites.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 30

Cindy Leder captured this sunset at Beach Place on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: April 30

MaryAnn Parks captured this image of a gallunule at Celery Fields in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2020
East County weather page photo: April 30

Greenfield Plantation’s Marissa Veith captures this rabbit at Heritage Harbour Golf and Eatery.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The annual powerboat event draws large crowds to Lido Key and downtown Sarasota every summer. Photo courtesy Pete Boden.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix postponed

Organizers said they will attempt to reschedule the annual event, originally set to take place June 26-28, later in the year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota County to reopen beach parking, tennis courts

County leaders also are looking at plans to reopen basketball courts and dog parks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kimberly Cullen cheers on students at Sarasota High School as they pick up their caps and gowns.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 30, 2020
Teachers find ways to connect with seniors during final weeks

Teachers in the Sarasota County Schools district reflect on the final weeks with the 2020 senior class.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mitsi Corcoran
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota Schools leaders consider budget options

Sarasota leaders are looking at the Great Recession as a guide for its budget plans for the next five years.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Manatee County has announced meeting schedule changes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2020
Manatee County announces meeting schedule changes

Manatee County commissioners' summer schedules have been altered.

  • East County
  • News
Remy DeVictor. Photo courtesy of Susan DeVictor.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2020
Despite COVID-19, pandemic birthday party in Lakewood Ranch goes on

Despite COVID-19 pandemic birthday party in Lakewood Ranch goes on

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota residents returned to Siesta Key Beach on Monday after the county reopened the public properties. Lido Beach in the city of Sarasota remains closed. Photo by Harry Sayer.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota officials prepare strategies for reopening

What does a reopened Sarasota look like while COVID-19 remains a threat? How do officials determine when it's OK lift restrictions?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although Siesta Key residents have expressed concerns about the potential for negative effects associated with the dredging, the project team has said it will monitor for and mitigate any issues that may arise. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 30, 2020
Big Pass dredge plans move forward

With a contractor selected, the city said work on a Lido Key renourishment project is poised to begin by July.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city has set up portable toilets and hand washing stations in the City Hall parking lot.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 30, 2020
Governments, agencies coordinate homelessness response

Although some stakeholders offered a positive assessment of ongoing outreach efforts, City Manager Tom Barwin is pushing for more action.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Restaurants, which have been forced to switch to carry-out and delivery service only while the stay-at-home order has been in effect, will be able to have dine-in service at a limited capacity beginning May 4.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 29, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces plans for first phase of reopening Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis announces plans for first phase of reopening Florida

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police Chief Pete Cumming (right) presented Detective Eric Smith with the Officer of the Year Award.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 29, 2020
Detective named Longboat's Officer of the Year

Eric Smith has worked in law enforcement for 36 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The School District of Manatee County equipped buses with Wi-Fi to send to at least 24 locations throughout the county to assist with e-learning. The Manatee Education Foundation started a relief fund to help with emergency costs.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Manatee Education Foundation starts COVID-19 relief fund

Manatee Education Foundation starts COVID-19 relief fund

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 29, 2020
County events canceled through May 17

Utility fees and service shutoffs are suspended through May 31.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dustin Dahlquist, principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, looks forward to celebrating the school's seniors' successes at the graduation ceremony July 29. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Bradenton area seniors can commence making plans

Bradenton area seniors grateful for new graduation dates

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 29, 2020
Gardens of Ringling Park neighborhood's lion says thanks

Statue frequently decorated for seasonal events.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Valerie Demino layers her rainbow cake. Demino has delivered cakes to health care workers, teachers and friends.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Multi-layered generosity in the Bradenton area

Greyhawk Landing resident bakes homemade cakes for people helping with COVID-19

  • East County
  • News
Isabella Juliano earns several awards during the regional Fusion National Dance Competition. She'll dance at the 2020 Fusion Nationals this summer. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Lakewood Ranch girl goes from tutu to can-do

Lakewood Ranch dancer flutters to national competition

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch 7-year-old Brayden Bishop makes sure to turn off the water while brushing his teeth.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 29, 2020
Water conservation urged in Lakewood Ranch area as Phase 1 Water Shortage declared

Self quarantine due to the coronavirus provides time to check your home's water efficiency.

  • East County
  • News
R. Dan Nolan Middle School yearbook co-advisor Sarah Steckling is dedicated to finishing the school's yearbook even if it means working on it from home. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Pandemic one for the books in Lakewood Ranch

East County schools are including online learning memories in yearbooks.

  • East County
  • News
Garrett Shinn, president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, said his board has approved $150,000 in grants to nonprofits in a "separate and immediate response as a direct result of COVID-19 in our area."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 29, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, Giving Challenge go forward during tough economic times

Despite tough economic times, Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, Giving Challenge go forward.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 29, 2020
‘You’re not the boss of me’

No one really knows what is the best path forward — not President Trump, not Gov. DeSantis. But given the option to reopen, we’ll figure out what’s best.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lauren Shinn
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 29, 2020
Cardinal Mooney signs point to seniors

Cardinal Mooney honors graduates to be.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pierre Bosse, a waiter at Paris Bistrot, helps prepare takeout and curbside orders for customers. In the 12 years the restaurant has been open, it has not done curbside pickup and had few takeout orders.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
An order of normalcy at Lakewood Ranch restaurants

Lakewood Ranch restaurants provide sense of normalcy to customers

  • East County
  • News
Zack Weston.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 29, 2020
East County athletes had shown promise before season was cancelled

Lakewood Ranch, Braden River and ODA stars gave great performances.

  • East County
  • Sports
John Frank, digital photography teacher at Braden River High School, creates videos to show examples and expectations for assignments. Communication is key for him and his students. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Manatee County teachers hone online skills

Online learning educational for Manatee County teachers too

  • East County
  • News
Samantha North, a third grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, writes "Happy birthday Nathaniel" as part of a birthday message for Nathaniel Molinar.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Chalk up a surprise in Bradenton area

Gullett Elementary teacher surprises students with birthday message

  • 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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