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Your Observer

Chamber president Gail Loefgren
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 18, 2020
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce closed to walk-in visitors

Beginning March 18, the Chamber will not accept walk-in visitors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Seniors Sabrina Herrera, Benjamin French, Justin Feroze, Tess Zambella, Nicolas Wiggington, Marina Herrera and Marribel Contreras enjoy their final JROTC regional championship. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2020
Pirates build on winning legacy

Braden River High's JROTC drill team wins fourth consecutive regional championship

  • East County
  • News
Braden River Elementary School nurse Nicole Wells and her daughter Penny, a kindergartner, sing a hand washing song to the tune of "Wheels on the Bus" while washing their hands. The Wells will not return to school until April 15.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area will get education in the online world due to the coronavirus

Coronavirus sends schools, businesses, social events to the online world.

  • East County
  • News
William H. Bashaw Elementary School third graders Evan Michel, Tyson Kelsey and Margaret Westlake pet Dorothy the heifer.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2020
FFA members butter up students in East County

Bashaw Elementary students receive agriculture lessons from Braden River High's FFA

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High softball senior Avery Goelz said she does not believe there is enough contact in softball to make it a COVID-19 risk.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 18, 2020
Area athletes hope coronavirus doesn't wipe out their seasons

Seniors may have played their last high school game.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 18, 2020
Longboat voters dig plan to finance beach projects

Gulfside and Bayside voters in both counties approve borrowing plan to launch renourishment, groins and more.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Girl Scouts Reese Gurski, Talia Giangrante, Riley Duncan, Kylee Francies and Alice Barr worked with others in their troop on a beautification project at Braden River Elementary School to earn their Bronze Award.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2020
Girl Scout project brightens school in Lakewood Ranch

Girl Scout Troop 701 to earn Bronze Award for beautification project at Braden River Elementary

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 18, 2020
Support local businesses

Great advice: ‘Calm breeds calm.’ But one of the best ways we can help beat COVID-19 is to do what Americans always do — fight back. Do what you can to keep our local economy healthy.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Alyssa Otterness and Allison Rothhaar of Girl Scout Troop 524 and Lauren Otterness of Troop 504 are selling their last batch of cookies. Booth sales were canceled due to the coronavirus causing them to be creative in their sales.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2020
Fight disease's impact with Girl Scout cookies

East County Girl Scouts get creative to sell last cookies

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department deputy chief Sandi Drake walks ashore after rescuing a man and his teenage son from a rip current March 6 near Longboat Key Club. (Photo courtesy of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 18, 2020
Water rescue highlights need for rip current awareness

Longboat deputy fire chief Sandi Drake rescued a man and his teenage son from a rip current earlier this month.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota's Brian Levasseur enjoys a drink at Linksters Tap Room before the Governor's closer of bars hit at 5 p.m. Tuesday. In the background is the hand sanitizer he brought with him.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 17, 2020
Coronavirus updates for Lakewood Ranch and East County

Bar closures in Florida top list of coronavirus events effecting Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
During spring break, Mike Clark, a custodian at Ida M. Stewart Elementary School, helps clean the school. Students won't return to school until April 15.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 17, 2020
School District of Manatee County to close until April 15

School District of Manatee County to close until April 15

  • East County
  • News
The directive to close schools came from the Florida Department of Education. Sarasota County schools are currently on spring break.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 17, 2020
Sarasota, Manatee schools to close through April 15

The state of Florida is ordering schools to close until at least the middle of next month. Statewide K-12 testing has been canceled.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall and Town Hall North will be closed to the public until March 31.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 17, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall and Town Hall North to close

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall and Town Hall North to close

  • East County
  • News
Bars such as Shamrock Pub had already canceled St. Patrick’s Day events, but a state order will now force their closure for the next 30 days.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 17, 2020
Governor orders closure of bars statewide

At a press conference today, Gov. Ron DeSantis also said the state is taking steps to limit crowds at restaurants and on beaches in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Libraries will be closed through April 12 as the county responds to the spread of COVID-19.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 17, 2020
Sarasota County libraries to close through April 12

As COVID-19 continues to spread, the county's library system will switch to digital-based services only.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • March 17, 2020
Robert Gray

Robert Gray, 82, of Weems, Virginia, formerly of Longboat Key, Florida, passed away March 15, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The April 6 City Commission is canceled because of concerns related to COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 16, 2020
City to close recreational facilities

The City Commission agreed to close the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, Bobby Jones Golf Club and more as part of a coronavirus response effort. Action on bars and restaurants could be forthcoming.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Four confirmed coronavirus cases are undergoing treatment at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 16, 2020
Longboat resident tests positive for COVID-19, undergoing treatment at SMH

A man who lives at the Privateer condo building in Longboat Key has tested positive for coronavirus, according to an email sent to condo owners and guests.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 16, 2020
Longboat Key Town Hall showcases local artists

For many years, the town of Longboat Key has provided a space for local artists to shine.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Memorial Hospital facilities remain open, but visiting policies have been adjusted after for patients there have tested positive for COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 16, 2020
Two more Sarasota Memorial patients test positive for COVID-19

An 87-year-old man and an 80-year-old man are hospitalized and isolated after testing positive for the coronavirus March 13 and 14.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ed Chiles and Barron Schimberg are teaming up with artisan Dale Rieke of Wood Street Studios to create furniture from cut down Australian pines.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 16, 2020
Chiles and partners aim to make furniture from Australian pines

Invasive trees on parking lot land will be milled, dried and turned into custom tables and benches.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • March 16, 2020
John Oliver Summers

John Oliver Summers, 81, of Longboat Key, peacefully passed away Saturday, February 29th at his residence surrounded by his family.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 16, 2020
Longboat Key Club takes precautions after possible virus exposure to staffer

All Longboat Key Club activities, meetings and lessons are suspended for at least two weeks after a person working at the club's outdoor golf facility may be have been exposed to coronavirus.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 15, 2020
Baywood Colony Westport home sells for $2.35 million

Residential real estate transactions for March 2-6.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • March 14, 2020
Bird Key Yacht Club hosts St. Patrick's Day Party

The party was held March 14.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 14, 2020
Steady flow at Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch Spring Art Show and Sale

Steady flow at Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch Spring Art Show and Sale

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 14, 2020
A professional touch on Lakewood Ranch Winter Fine Art Show

A professional touch on Lakewood Ranch Winter Fine Art Show

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Guest Author
  • March 14, 2020
Letter to the editor: Doctors Hospital releases first COVID-19 patient

The Sarasota hospital has discharged the first Florida patient with COVID-19 and has cleared all involved physicians and employees to return to work.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Following the second positive test, Sarasota Memorial Hospital is working to evaluate the exposure risk for workers and other individuals at the facility.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 13, 2020
Second Sarasota Memorial Hospital patient tests positive for COVID-19

A 67-year-old-Manatee County woman is the third Sarasota-linked coronavirus case announced in the past two days.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The announcement of new polling places in Sarasota comes four days before Florida’s presidential primary election.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 13, 2020
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections announces polling place changes

Sixteen polling places are being relocated for Tuesday’s primary election as an emergency measure because of concerns about COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Students at Sarasota County Schools will not attend class from March 16-27.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 13, 2020
Sarasota County Schools to close the week after spring break

The school district said the directive to cancel classes the week of March 23 came from the state as Florida officials respond to coronavirus concerns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota and Manatee County schools have both suspended athletics and other extracurricular activities.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 13, 2020
Sarasota County Schools suspends athletics until further notice

The announcement comes alongside news of all Florida schools closing through March 30.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
As the School District of Manatee County closes schools to students until March 30, Malea Sauer, a custodian at Ida M. Stewart Elementary School, conducts a deep clean throughout the school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 13, 2020
School District of Manatee County and Out-of-Door Academy closed to students

School District of Manatee County closed to students until end of March

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 13, 2020
Longboat shuts down plans for large gatherings

Restriction set to last 30 days.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Randy Clair poses for a photo on Friday, March 13, 2020, at Longboat Key Town Hall.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 13, 2020
Longboat Key commissioner Randy Clair reflects on his tenure

Realtor and retired lawyer Sherry Dominick will succeed Randy Clair on March 23.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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