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Your Observer

Columbia Restaurant's outdoor dining area sits empty after the restaurant announced it would close indefinitely.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 25, 2020
From takeout to layoffs to closures, Longboat restaurants adjust to pandemic

Florida's decision to close restaurants' dine-in areas indefinitely means uncertainty going forward.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, is confident the district will be able to launch e-learning for its more than 50,000 students March 30.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
E-learning access concerns East County families

Lakewood Ranch-area parents have concerns over e-learning

  • East County
  • News
A sign indicates that the Longboat Key Tennis Center's courts are closed. The facility closed Sunday amid concerns about COVID-19.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 25, 2020
Longboat sports buffs seek new outlets

Some are playing their usual sports with new restrictions, while others are finding new forms of exercise.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jo-Ann Yermak (center) is worried about providing childcare for her two children, Mikenna and Hayden, who are students at Braden River Elementary School, while she works full time and they start e-learning.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
E-learning poses child-care difficulties in Lakewood Ranch area

Challenges in childcare concern Lakewood Ranch parents during e-learning

  • East County
  • News
Earth Fare began liquidating assets at its 50 locations nationwide in early February. The Lakewood Ranch store closed Feb. 24.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 25, 2020
Wish list for Earth Fare space in Lakewood Ranch

East County shoppers hope for another specialty grocer at The Green.

  • East County
  • News
Beth Peace has been working at Peach's Restaurant for 16 years. As a result of the restaurant closing due to the coronavirus, Peace has lost her job.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
Lakewood Ranch-area employees out of service

'It's day-by-day' for employees affected by business closures in Lakewood Ranch area

  • East County
  • News
Please continue to heed the advice of state and local authorities, practice social distancing, and wash your hands. We want to see you all back on April 15th!
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 25, 2020
East County athletes stay prepared with lonely workouts

In their minds, they have no choice but to be as sharp as possible.

  • East County
  • Sports
Stephanie Peabody
    By
  • Guest Author
  • March 25, 2020
Letter to the editor: Take positive action during COVID-19 threat

Brain Health Initiative founder gives important advice to heed during coronavirus threat.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Karen Medford, who owns Sirius Day Spas in Lakewood Ranch and University Park, worries about the effect the coronavirus will have on her out-of-work employees.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2020
Local Lakewood Ranch area businesses search for answers during COVID-19 threat

COVID-19 leaves Lakewood Ranch businesses searching for answers.

  • East County
  • News
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee President and CEO Maribeth Phillips says the greatest need her organization has is for donations of food or money. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 25, 2020
Food demands rise in Manatee County

Meals on Wheels Plus seeks community support to meet the growing need.

  • East County
  • News
Being kind can mean painting a rainbow, such as this one on a sidewalk in Greenbrook, to make people smile. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2020
Under lockdown in the Lakewood Ranch area, we can still be kind

Time to give back to a Lakewood Ranch business

  • East County
  • Opinion
Pre-kindergartners Teddy Page, Morgan Drackett and Elise Serrano write letters and draw pictures. More children will have access to early education at the new Primrose School. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
Primrose Schools to expand in Lakewood Ranch

Primrose Schools to expand in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Marty Duffany, the regional manager for Whiskey Joe's, said the site on the Manatee River was perfect.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2020
EYE ON BUSINESS — Ellenton lands a waterside attraction

Whiskey Joe's gives Ellenton and Bradenton areas another waterside choice.

  • East County
  • Business
Michael Garey
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 25, 2020
Customer donates $2,000 to Garey's Lazy Lobster staff

The Lazy Lobster patron, who donated the money to help tipped employees, wishes to remain anonymous.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Although amenities such as playgrounds will be closed, open park space will remain open and accessible to the public.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 24, 2020
County, city to shut down park amenities

Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota are closing playgrounds and athletic courts Wednesday as part of an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 24, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Tree-trunk travel delays

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Nine confirmed COVID-19 patients remain hospitalized at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 24, 2020
COVID-19 patient dies at Sarasota Memorial Hospital

Reports state the patient was Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally, the first reported Sarasota County death linked to the coronavirus.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The event will be held outside the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 24, 2020
Coronavirus testing site to open in Manatee County

Patients will need a prescription to participate.

  • East County
  • News
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium hopes to open its new aquarium facility in Nathan Benderson Park by 2023.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 24, 2020
County, Mote to execute lease agreement for aquarium site

The County Commission voted unanimously to advance a land-use deal with Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium for property in Nathan Benderson Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Commission Chairwoman Betsy Benac and her fellow Manatee County commissioners extended the county's "state of local emergency."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 24, 2020
Manatee County expected to get 'drive-thru' COVID-19 testing this week

Manatee County commissioners extend 'state of local emergency' due to coronavirus.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Michael Saunders & Company
  • March 24, 2020
Beach bound anyone?

Beach bound anyone?

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 23, 2020
Longboat Key organizations pull together volunteers to help during pandemic

Several of the town's organizations are calling on volunteers to help with daily life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cyndi Seamon can still watch the sunset. Photo courtesy of Cyndi Seamon.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 23, 2020
On Longboat Key, your neighbors get creative with quarantine

From getting outside to returning to old projects, there are many ways to stay busy even at home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
About 20 or so people attended the Longboat Key statutory meeting on Monday, March 23, 2020. Town staff did its best to space out the chairs to practice appropriate social distancing amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 23, 2020
Longboat's new commission OKs emergency resolution

The Longboat Key Town Commission is planning to meet electronically on April 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A restoration project at Five Points Park is scheduled to begin later this week.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 23, 2020
City to close Five Points Park for repairs

The city announced the closure of the downtown park as a measure designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 via pedestrian activity.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Matt Walsh and Joel Schleicher
  • March 22, 2020
Gov. DeSantis: We need economic hope

This is now a two-front war. Unless there is decisive action, Florida’s economy is facing an epic catastrophe.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Temple Beth Israel on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 22, 2020
Member of Temple Beth Israel tests positive for COVID-19

The member has been admitted to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 21, 2020
Longboat closes Public Tennis Center over COVID-19 concerns

Recreational facilities of Bayfront Park also closed, town says

  • Longboat Key
  • News
1500 Harbor Drive was built in 1948. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 4,131 square feet of living area. It sold for $978,000 in 1999.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 21, 2020
Harbor Acres home sells for $2.9 million

Residential real estate transactions for March 9-13.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Built in 2008, 353 S. Washington Drive has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,489 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 21, 2020
Ringling Estates home sells for $2.7 million

Residential real estate transactions for March 9-13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sarasota Memorial Hospital said the patients still being treated there are being kept in isolation and cared for by staff members trained in infection control methods.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 21, 2020
Three patients, physician test positive for COVID-19 at Sarasota Memorial

Ten individuals have tested positive at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and five remain hospitalized. Three hospital workers in close contact with the physician are self-isolating.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The City Commission has empowered City Manager Tom Barwin to take action in response to the coronavirus.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 20, 2020
City encourages nonessential businesses to cease in-person operations

In an emergency order, Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin strongly urged most businesses to switch to remote or by-appointment work to whatever extent possible.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 20, 2020
Small town charm

Two Longboat residents will lead an initiative to recognize civic volunteers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • March 20, 2020
Eddie Arnold Odom

Eddie Arnold Odom, 77, passed away peacefully Monday, March 16 at Tidewell Hospice in Lakewood Ranch, FL.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 20, 2020
Longboat Key Tennis Center men's 50s team wins season championship

In the Suncoast League, the team won its second consecutive championship.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
After initially ordering restaurants to operate at half-capacity, the governor is now requiring the closure of all dine-in service.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 20, 2020
State orders closure of dine-in at restaurants

The new COVID-19 regulation goes into effect immediately. Takeout and delivery will still be allowed. The state is also ordering gyms to close.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
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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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