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Your Observer

The town's Linley Street boat ramp was closed at the same time Manatee County closed its county-operated ramps.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 2, 2020
Linley Street boat ramp shut down

Commercial fishermen can use the boat ramp on Coquina Beach, the town announced.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Robbie Peterson Jr. was named freshman of the year on the Aurora University football team. Photo courtesy Steve Woltmann photography.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 2, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Sarasota High alumnus lends helping hand

A former Sailors football player gives back to his community in a time of need.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 2, 2020
Longboat Key looks ahead to beach plan implementation

The town is still figuring out "pre-construction related services" and how much to spend of the $34.5 million available.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 2, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 4.2.20

Enjoy this week’s edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Activity on St. Armands Circle has significantly slowed during what would typically be the height of season, a cause for great concern among merchants in the area.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 2, 2020
Merchants seek assistance during business slowdown

With rent and other expenses still looming during a public health emergency, storeowners and commercial landlords are exploring new arrangements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital has 28 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2020
Two more COVID-19 patients die at Sarasota Memorial Hospital

The hospital is implementing new safety protocols in hopes of limiting the spread of the disease within the facility.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 1, 2020
Manatee County Sheriff's Office warns of coronavirus phone scams

Many Americans are expected to receive government stimulus payments in the next three weeks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A group assembled near sunset Tuesday at Indian Beach Park. The city has prohibited social gatherings of more than 10 people, but some officials think further regulations are necessary to limit the spread of COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2020
Statewide shutdown brings end to Sarasota stay-at-home debate

Local officials have expressed different perspectives on what measures are appropriate to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 1, 2020
Governor issues 30-day stay-at-home order

The executive order will last at least 30 days.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 1, 2020
Southside Elementary kicks off online learning with parade

Teachers drove past students' houses to get them excited for online learning.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Five-year-old Liam O'Dell, with his mother, Angie O'Dell, says he felt like he was "in the woods" the first time he hunted outside for teddy bears. Angie O'Dell said it's a fun way to help distract him from playing with friends.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2020
Bear necessities create sense of community in Manatee County

Teddy bears add fun for neighborhood children in River Place.

  • East County
  • News
Tara Community Development District Supervisor Darby Conner said not all residents were pleased the CDD closed amenities, but the CDD was encouraged to do so by its insurance company.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2020
Some pool closures cause frustration in Manatee County

Some residents irked with HOAs' decisions to shut down neighborhood amenities.

  • East County
  • News
Kim Spruance, a Greyhawk Landing resident, kisses her new puppy, Bonita Chica.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 1, 2020
Community comes to pets' rescue in East County

Community comes to pets' rescue in East County

  • East County
  • News
Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch's Carrie Mueller is using a simple pattern to create masks for healthcare providers with Tidewell Hospice. She's coordinating with about 15 other sewers in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2020
Mask motivation supports healthcare workers in Lakewood Ranch area

East County residents are on a mission to make a difference during coronavirus outbreak.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High senior Richie Morales steps up to the plate. Baseball is one of the sports on hold for the foreseeable future.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 1, 2020
East County high schools feel effects of sports stoppage

Three athletic directors talk the impact of not hosting events and more.

  • East County
  • Sports
The intersection of White Eagle Boulevard and State Road 70 now meets state criteria for signalization.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2020
Safety improvement in works in Lakewood Ranch

White Eagle/S.R. 70 signal should be online in 3 months in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Sandy Humenik is the Florida Center for Early Childhood's 2020 Volunteer Champion for Children.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 1, 2020
Lakewood Ranch resident earns volunteer award

Lakewood Ranch resident to be honored as Florida Center for Early Childhood's 2020 Volunteer Champion for Children.

  • East County
  • News
289 Cedar Park Circle was built in 1954. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 3,947 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 1, 2020
Cocoanut Bayou home sells for $2.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for March 16-20.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 1, 2020
More steps for the state

Economist Arthur Laffer says state and local governments should be cutting expenses now.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The home at 521 Harbor Point Road was built in 1979. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,631 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 1, 2020
Bay Isles home sells for $1.985 million

Residential real estate transactions for March 16-20.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch's Sandy Hughes loves eggs and has been happy eating scrambled eggs every day. She keeps her pan out and ready.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2020
Culinary incarceration creates fun in Lakewood Ranch

Self-quarantined families familiarize themselves with pots and pans.

  • East County
  • News
Forty patients have tested positive for COVID-19 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital this month.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 31, 2020
Third COVID-19 patient dies at Sarasota Memorial Hospital

A 28-year-old in Sarasota County is the youngest identified coronavirus death in Florida. Two additional hospital workers have also tested positive for the disease.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Judith Williams said she wanted to let Publix know how much she appreciates their assistance now that she had to close Fifi's Fine Resale temporarily.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 31, 2020
Lakewood Ranch business owner offers thanks to Publix for its rent assistance

Lakewood Ranch business owner praises Publix for waiving up to two months rent to help during COVID-19 crisis.

  • East County
  • News
Winn-Dixie will be moving into The Green at Lakewood Ranch in the former Earth Fare site.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 31, 2020
Winn-Dixie replaces Earth Fare at The Green in Lakewood Ranch

Winn-Dixie replaces Earth Fare at The Green in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
On the hotel's beach, the chairs are utilized only by wildlife.
  • By Nat Kaemmerer and Brendan Lavell
  • March 31, 2020
For Longboat Key snowbirds, the question looms: Stay or go?

Concerns about COVID-19, possible travel restrictions or stay-at-home orders fuel winter visitors' decisions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 31, 2020
Sarasota schools to remain closed through May 1

The district was originally set to learn online through April 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Superintendent Cynthia Saunders announced The School District of Manatee County will extend school closures through May 1.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 31, 2020
School District of Manatee County extends closures through May 1

Manatee County schools closed until May 1

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 31, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Night swimming . . . or not

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The beaches already were closed and now Manatee County has closed pickleball courts.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 30, 2020
Coronavirus brings down pickleball nets in Manatee County

Coronavirus brings down pickleball nets in Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
Messages of gratitude decorate the sidewalks outside of Country Club Shores.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 30, 2020
Volunteer task force will let neighbors help neighbors

Friends and neighbors continue to show up for each other on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The City Auditor and Clerk's office is currently accepting limited development applications by mail.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 30, 2020
City freezes development permit, application timelines

The city of Sarasota is extending permit expiration dates and deadlines for reviewing pending applications. The city is also closing the Van Wezel through April 26.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Grand Bay residents toast from a distance.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 30, 2020
Longboat Key communities come together while staying safe

Longboaters figure out ways to mix and mingle from afar.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 30, 2020
COVID-19 concerns prompt delay in Colony trial

Five-day proceeding was expected to begin April 6, now reset for May 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • March 30, 2020
Robert “Fred” Ruth Jr.

Robert “Fred” Ruth Jr., age 95, of Sarasota, Florida passed away on March 26, 2020.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Vacation rentals, such as one listed on Airbnb, will be closed for two weeks.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 30, 2020
Sarasota County closes vacation rentals, leaves boat ramps open

Following a statewide directive, the county closes its vacation rental properties for two weeks. Noncompliance could result in a 2nd degree misdemeanor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Publix has announced it will help its tenants that are struggling due to COVID-19 closures by suspending rent for two months.
    By
  • Grier Ferguson
  • March 30, 2020
Publix offers rent relief to its tenants, including those in Lakewood Ranch area

Lakewood Ranch area businesses benefit from Publix waiving rent for its tenants that are struggling due to COVID-19.

  • 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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