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Your Observer

A Life Story Foundation's Shaina and Kevin Swan delivered lunch from the Granary to firefighter Jesse Reasoner, firefighter Joe Koehler, firefighter Jordan Rogers and Lt. Adam McDaniel.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 23, 2020
A Life Story lunch in Lakewood Ranch

East Manatee Fire Rescue workers benefit from a free lunch from A Life Story Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney High senior Ruby McGregor posed in her prom dress April 20. Photo courtesy Ruby McGregor.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 23, 2020
High school seniors lament lost experiences

Sarasota high school seniors come to terms with potentially missing key events.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paramedics prepare to respond to a COVID-19 suspected call wearing additional protective gear. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 23, 2020
Manatee County fire and EMS forces face COVID-19 with unified plan

Manatee County fire and EMS forces face COVID-19 with unified plan

  • East County
  • News
Jaxon, ridden by Manatee County Sheriff's Office Deputy Zach Bradley, is one of the newest horses on the Mounted Patrol Unit. Behind them is Deputy Kevin Vreeland on Gunny.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 23, 2020
Saddled up for public safety in Lakewood Ranch

When the crowds return, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office wants to have its Mounted Patrol horses ready.

  • East County
  • News
After weeks of tension with the Sarasota Farmers Market board of directors, Phil Pagano said he will resign his position and focus his energy on his popcorn business instead.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 23, 2020
Longtime farmers market director steps down

A dispute between Phil Pagano and the board of directors had led to a change in leadership for the Sarasota Farmers Market.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city is forecasting declining revenues for funds that generate income from user fees. That includes the St. Armands parking fund, which was created to pay off a 20-year bond for a garage facility near the Circle.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 23, 2020
Coronavirus takes toll on city budget

City officials are debating short-term spending priorities and bracing for long-term financial impacts associated with COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 4.23.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch community development district supervisors hope going to a partially automated gate system for the Country Club will save money and solve entry problems.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2020
Gateway access might change at the Country Club in Lakewood Ranch

Country Club in Lakewood Ranch studying possible change to its gate security system.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 22, 2020
Sarasota schools plan to honor senior class, host postponed graduation

COVID-19 caused the district to close schools and cancel many end-of-the-year events, but the district hopes to host graduations and dances in July.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Dakin Dairy Farms owner Jerry Dakin said he does not want to waste the milk his 2,200 cows are producing.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2020
Dakin Dairy in Myakka City seeks funding so it can donate its excess milk to those in need

Myakka City dairy seems bottling funds that would allow it to donate surplus milk.

  • East County
  • News
Built in 2005, Unit A501 has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,242 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 22, 2020
Orchid Beach Club condo sells for $2.2 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 6-10.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 22, 2020
County to open beaches with restrictions

Sarasota County beaches will be open for essential activities, though the parking lots will remain closed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Evan Bates loves participating in his weekly virtual playdates with his kindergarten class. "It's really fun," he says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 22, 2020
Time to play the virtual game in Lakewood Ranch

Gullett Elementary teachers host virtual playdates for their classes

  • East County
  • News
Blake and Hailey Richards are excited to make homemade ice cream. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 22, 2020
Scientific method for fun in Lakewood Ranch

East County science teachers share experiments that can be done at home.

  • East County
  • News
Jim and Deb Kehoe, Rosedale head golf professional Matthew Pivko and Kathi and John Skelton hope the community will rally to beat last year's fundraising total of $157,945.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2020
Rosedale women's undaunted effort yields funds for Homes for Our Troops

Despite their 2020 event being canceled, "little old ladies" pile up funds for disabled veterans.

  • East County
  • News
Michael Levitan, 71, said he plays golf at University Park Country Club three times a week, sometimes four, and it has kept him from going nuts.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 22, 2020
Golf offers 'safe haven' for East County athletes

Golfers say the sport keeps them mentally and physically healthy during COVID-19.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • April 22, 2020
We did it again: spent, spent, spent

We wasted a 10-year economic boom and didn’t save. Now we are really going to pay.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 22, 2020
Media make it far worse

The daily death scores in the media and politicians’ decrees fueled people’s fears. How do we bring back trust and sanity?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Food Bank of Manatee Director Cindy Sloan weighs bags pallets of rice ready for distribution. Wheels on Meals Plus of Manatee is seeing an increase in needs due to COVID-19. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 22, 2020
Can't mask the spirit of giving in Lakewood Ranch

Can't mask the spirit of giving in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 22, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: This dog has his own set of wheels

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota Cycle owner David Holm leads a team repairing bicycles.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 22, 2020
Back to the Bike

Local bike shops report an uptick in sales during pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo Courtesy Samantha Ponzillo Media
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 21, 2020
Change of Plans

Amy and Scott Carrington were married under some unusual circumstances.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 21, 2020
Commissioners agree to delay vote on mental health care special district

Amid COVID-19 concerns, commissioners said it "wasn't the right time" for the referendum.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee Memorial Hospital
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 21, 2020
Manatee Memorial Hospital joins government COVID-19 clinical trial

Manatee Memorial Hospital joins government COVID-19 clinical trial.

  • East County
  • News
Renee Di Pilato, libraries and historical resources director, said the librarians are looking for ways to bring programming to residents while they're at home.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 21, 2020
Sarasota libraries expand online alternatives

During library closures due to COVID-19, the library is offering a digital library card and online programming.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County staff installed a WaterGoat in Whitaker Bayou.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 21, 2020
County installs WaterGoats to collect trash in waterways

The floating devices will help keep trash from entering Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 839 Siesta Key Circle was built in 1972. It has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 5,233 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 21, 2020
Siesta Key Circle home sells for $2.44 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 6-10.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh and her fellow commissioners voted to lift the 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 21, 2020
Manatee County commissioners lift 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew

Manatee County commissioners lift 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew

  • East County
  • News
Connie Schindewolf walks an empty beach for turtle patrol. Turtle watch volunteers must obtain permission from the town.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 21, 2020
Turtle season approaches on Longboat Key

The Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteers are taking to the beaches to track sea turtles with new precautions and documentation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Only two commissioners, Jen Ahearn-Koch and Hagen Brody, attended today's City Commission meeting in-person. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 20, 2020
City Commission talks reopening plans, business assistance

During a truncated meeting Monday, city officials discussed spending priorities during a public health emergency and the need for more COVID-19 testing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said the town will work with surrounding jurisdictions when it comes time to consider reopening some local amenities.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 20, 2020
Longboat chief outlines how town could slowly reopen

It's unclear how long several of Longboat Key's closures will last.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 20, 2020
A time to give

Paradise Center looks forward to Giving Challenge.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 20, 2020
Through a lens: Sarasota during the pandemic

Photographer Cliff Roles captures the new abnormal from a safe distance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 20, 2020
Sarasota Schools closed for remainder of the year

Schools will not open until the 2020-21 school year, which parents can register their children for now.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 20, 2020
Provisional date set for Siesta Promenade hearing

The case, which first began in 2018, will be heard in the 2nd District Court of Appeals on June 23.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The FHSAA has officially cancelled the spring sports season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 20, 2020
FHSAA officially cancels spring sports season

Athletes affected will not receive an additional year of eligibility.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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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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