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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 9, 2020
East County weather page photo: April 9

Bill Turnbull captured this yellow-crowned night heron napping in Robinson Preserve.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Susan Mitchell volunteers at Suncoast Science Center. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 9, 2020
Sarasota bands together to create shields, masks

Several residents are using their sewing skills and 3-D printers to make sure community members are safe.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Renderings provided to the county by Carrfour Supportive Housing show a four story mixed unit development.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 9, 2020
Sarasota County to see start of two affordable housing projects

The projects will be built on county-owned land near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and Sarasota High School.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parents should help their students log onto ClassDojo to help them stay connected with teachers and classmates. Harry Sayer
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 9, 2020
Sarasota teachers offer parental tips for at home learning

Fear not, parents. No one is expecting you to replace your child’s teacher, but here are some helpful hints to make at-home learning a little smoother.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has a unit that normally makes sheets for the Manatee County Jail. Now it is helping make personal protection masks for deputies and those in the grocery industry. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 9, 2020
Manatee County jail aids in mask production for COVID-19 protection

Masks benefit first responders and grocery workers in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 9, 2020
Sarasota Schools changes free lunch delivery

Rather than passing out food daily, families can collect lunch for the week one day a week.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Bruce Schaefer leaves palms at a neighbor's door.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 9, 2020
Palm Sunday, delivered

Since churches aren't meeting, congregants take the church outside.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The town's beaches drew high marks in the town survey.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 9, 2020
Town survey hits high marks for quality of life

About 97% of respondents called Longboat an excellent or good place to live.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cardinal Mooney freshman Olivia Davis practices her jump shot with coach Rico Antonio. Photo courtesy Olivia Davis.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 9, 2020
Pandemic won't stop Cardinal Mooney freshman from rehabbing knee injury

Olivia Davis missed her freshman season, but has three NCAA Division I offers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Adam Matin adds in dinner rolls before the food is sealed.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • April 9, 2020
Meals on Wheels of Sarasota continues to feed hungry amid pandemic

The nonprofit feeds nearly 600 people per day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Only City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs, Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch and Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown sat at the commission table for Monday's workshop. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 9, 2020
City talks COVID-19 response at workshop

Officials are bracing for a hit to the city’s budget and preparing to shift to virtual meetings for the immediate future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City workers repair a bench in Bayfront Park on Wednesday, April 8. Parks and recreation staff members are among the Sarasotans still working essential jobs during the statewide COVID-19 shutdown.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 9, 2020
COVID-19 presents challenges for Sarasota workers

From those who lost their job to essential personnel who must work in-person during a public health crisis, coronavirus is taking its toll on local laborers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Most of the parking lot at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport sits empty during what airport officials hoped could be a record-setting month for traffic.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 9, 2020
Coronavirus takes toll on airport traffic

Although some flights are still landing, SRQ officials say they don’t have the power to screen those who arrive for COVID-19 symptoms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In addition to instituting new safety guidelines for workers, Sarasota Memorial Hospital has announced plans to furlough some employees because of a decline in revenue linked to COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 9, 2020
Sarasota leaders track spread of COVID-19

Nearly a month after the first diagnosed COVID-19 case in Sarasota County, health professionals and public officials are closely monitoring the growth of the disease.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, he turned into a butterfly." — Chinese philosopher Zhuang Zhou
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 8, 2020
Inspiration at a butterfly garden in Lakewood Ranch during COVID-19

Stroll in Lakewood Ranch butterfly garden provides inspiration to fight off COVID-19 blues.

  • East County
  • News
Unit 36 at 1 Benjamin Franklin Drive was built in 1968. It has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,389 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 8, 2020
St. Armands Towers condo sells for $940,000

Residential real estate transactions for March 23-27.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
File Photo
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 8, 2020
Sarasota Ministerial Association to host virtual Good Friday event

The online event will stream throughout the day April 10.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Annya Hernandez picks up lunch for her children, Arianna and Alessandro, last week. Cafeteria worker Debby Shiebler hands them lunches containing corndogs, cucumbers and apples.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2020
Manatee School District provides meals to families

Provisions being made for long weekend.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch homebuilders said they have not had trouble finding subcontractors, like John Coleman, a plumber with Danny Via Plumbing, who was installing pipes for water and sewer for a new home under construction.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2020
Lakewood Ranch builders brace for COVID-19 impact

Sales fall, but builders are confident it's a short-term impact in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Elizabeth Callahan, the founder of SkinSmart Dermatology in Sarasota, has taken appointments online.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 8, 2020
This Sarasota doctor's in ... online

Dr. Elizabeth Callahan's SkinSmart Dermatology in Sarasota moves ahead with online appointments during COVID-19 threat.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County has wired buses with WiFi to send out to community centers and churches throughout the county to provide internet access to students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 8, 2020
Buses bring hotspots to students in Manatee County

School District of Manatee County buses to provide WiFi for students

  • East County
  • News
Beach Fishing Adventures proprietor Steven Herich (left) communicates with former client, now-friend Steve Nicolai while fishing Saturday on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 8, 2020
Outdoors-focused tourism operators struggle

Perfect weather in the height of the season can't help business, they say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pastor Caleb Free preaches to an empty room at Risen Savior Lutheran Church as he records a Sunday service.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 8, 2020
Prayer becomes a virtual reality in Lakewood Ranch area

East County church leaders and members adjust to online church services

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Jennifer Brigham had time to donate platelets, which takes about two hours. She came on opening day of the new facility.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2020
Blood bank opens new facility in Lakewood Ranch

SunCoast Blood Centers hopes to double its donor base in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Grove General Manager Austin Harlow said cold items are stored in a trailer outside to help ensure quick delivery times to customers.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2020
Survival in the bag for Lakewood Ranch restaurant

Grove in Lakewood Ranch offers market to support customers, sustain employees.

  • East County
  • News
University Place's Rebecca Blitz, with Gallagher, grew up riding horses and has spent her career working with nonprofits. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2020
Huge challenges for new SMART director in Manatee County

Rebecca Blitz takes over SMART during difficult financial times.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School horticulture students Paytton Yancey, Hannah Yancey and Madison Hartwig work on an assignment. Agriculture teacher Janyel Taylor will have her students work with plants at home. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 8, 2020
East County teachers note e-learning challenges

East County teachers find ways to engage their students through hands-on online learning

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 8, 2020
What about the 99%?

One-size-fits-all shutdowns don’t make sense. Public officials should shift their focus to reopening the economy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Mike Holderness placed fences along his property keep groups from gathering on the beach. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 7, 2020
Siesta property owner places fence on beach

A Siesta Key property owner placed a chain link fence near Siesta Key Beach Access 2, but county staff says it's not allowed.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital has tested more than 840 individuals for COVID-19. Photo by Harry Sayer.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 7, 2020
Two COVID-19 patients die at Sarasota Memorial Hospital

Seven people who tested positive for the disease have died at the facility, and 32 patients remain hospitalized.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 7, 2020
School board undecided on superintendent search

Board members agreed on a salary range and base qualificationsbut still do not know when the new candidate will officially be chosen.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Manatee County libraries have added a tutoring program to its online offerings. Stock image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 7, 2020
Manatee County libraries launch online tutoring

Tutor.com will offer live tutoring to Manatee County students.

  • East County
  • News
Josh Sinclair, left, Joanna Peng and Sunny Hannly present Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Robert Milano with 2,000 high-quality respirator masks they were able to buy through contacts in China. (Photos courtesy of Joshua Sinclair)
    By
  • Klint Lowry
  • April 7, 2020
Friends arrange shipment of 10,000 masks from China

Donations being spread among local hospitals, clinics .

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • April 7, 2020
Shout it out

Support first responders from afar by cheering for them at 6:30 p.m. every night in your front yard.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Allan Goldfarb and Earl Gordon
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 7, 2020
Earl "The Pearl" Gordon dies at age 87

Gordon served as president of Temple Beth Israel and was active in his community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 7, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A bottle of trouble

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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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
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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
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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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