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Your Observer

The Paradise Center held physically distant exercise classes until mid-March.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 14, 2020
Longboat Key Paradise Center to reopen in a modified capacity

Exercise classes and discussion groups of 10 or fewer will be held outdoors beginning May 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 14

Cindy Leder captured this colorful sunset from Beachplace on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: May 14

Stephen Jordan captured this photo just before sunset on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2020
East County weather page photo: May 14

Bill Turnbull captured these eagles on White Eagle Boulevard.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Scenic Production intern Justin Allan works on the floor of the Gompertz Theatre. Photo courtesy Sarah Haley.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 14, 2020
Relief bill allows local theaters to rehire employees

Florida Studio Theatre and Asolo Repertory Theatre were able to hire back nearly 100 local artists and theater employees.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The proposed 43-space public lot would be located on the old sheriff's office site. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 14, 2020
New public parking lot may be added to south Siesta Key

Sarasota County Planning Commissioners approved a plan to turn county-owned property into 43 public parking spaces.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Fifth grader Jackson Bitsoff recreates “Portrait of the Artist’s son Jorge Mandel Theotokopoulos” by El Greco. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 14, 2020
Out-of-Door students get creative for annual arts tradition

Out of Door Academy students participate in the Getty art challenge and virtual lessons for Arts Day.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2020
County truck hits, injures jogger on Bahia Vista

Jogger taken to Sarasota Memorial with critical injuries.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • May 14, 2020
Michael L. Gurchiek

Michael L. Gurchiek, 82, died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, May 8, at his home on Longboat Key, Fla.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
As restaurants like C’est La Vie rely on sidewalk cafes to generate business during the first phase of reopening, the city is debating the merits of expanding outdoor dining options.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 14, 2020
City considers street closures for outdoor dining, pedestrian space

The city could temporarily close streets to cars as a COVID-19 response measure, but it's unclear if and when changes may actually take place.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The commission declined to move forward with a maintenance proposal that would have eradicated the grass on portions of the Bobby Jones property, holding off on that step until renovation plans are finalized.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 14, 2020
Bobby Jones overhaul not yet final

Although the city continues to move towards renovating the municipal golf course next year, officials are leaving room to reconsider the plans.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Two of the top three transportation projects in city staff's proposed master plan involve trails, including connections to an extended Legacy Trail in Payne Park. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 14, 2020
Trails still top city transportation priorities

After gathering public input, staff is going to the commission for guidance on the Sarasota in Motion master plan.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.14.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
In another split decision, the City Commission affirmed its decision to keep Lido Beach closed until at least next week.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 13, 2020
City stands behind decision to keep Lido Beach closed

Despite appeals from St. Armands Circle businesses, city leaders won't reopen the beach until next week at the earliest.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tidewell Hospice Music Therapist Michael Russo plays outside a patient’s window at Brookdale of Punta Gorda. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 13, 2020
New challenges for end-of-life care in Sarasota, Manatee

Tidewell Hospice adapts with less hands-on support allowed during COVID-19 pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
The masks are free for city residents.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 13, 2020
Police have you covered with mask giveaway

Sarasota Police plan another event, while supplies last.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 13, 2020
Happy Moms Day, Ms. Manatee

Rescue of pregnant sea cow coincides with Mothers Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Beth Stager and Hope Carey work with more than 175 volunteers to make masks for healthcare workers.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2020
Volunteers have healthcare workers covered in Manatee and Sarasota counties

More than 31,000 masks have been distributed to hospitals, assisted living centers and others.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2020
Sign of appreciation in Lakewood Ranch

Families and students find new ways to show appreciation during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School's Jake Whiddon is a 2020 National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winner.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2020
Braden River High School senior named National Merit Scholarship winner

Jake Whiddon one of two School District of Manatee County seniors to be named a Merit Scholar.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Robert Wentzell announced May 4 that Bradenton Insurance has become Guided Insurance Solutions.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 13, 2020
Bradenton-based insurance company has new policy for doing business

Bradenton-based insurance company has new policy for doing business

  • East County
  • Business
Neil Jones and David McIntyre played 12 hours of golf to raise money for charity.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 13, 2020
Local golf directors play marathon match for charity

The match, held at TPC Prestancia, lasted 12 hours and nine rounds.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Naughty Monk Brewery co-owner Joe Eibler he worries what will happen if his business is not allowed to reopen soon.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 13, 2020
Bartenders' only tip: Hang tough in Lakewood Ranch

Manatee County bars, gyms wait while other businesses bring in revenue.

  • East County
  • News
James Miller said despite having bad luck with the weather and COVID-19 during the past two seasons, he will continue improvements at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 13, 2020
Virus cuts out chunk of season at the Sarasota Polo Club

Sarasota polo club members committed to improvements despite lost revenue from COVID-19.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • May 13, 2020
Will it be a V, U or ✓?

The optimistic and pessimistic economists both have legitimate arguments on whether the recovery will be quick or protracted. One factor influencing the recovery will be government spending policies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Manatee County 12th Judicial Circuit Judge Lon Arend hears from attorneys in the Lake Lincoln dispute Feb. 9, 2018.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 13, 2020
Manatee County faces another Tara lawsuit

Lake Lincoln attorney says lawsuit would cover damages related to land use restrictions.

  • East County
  • News
The opening of Station 7 on Covenant Way will make most homes in The Concession within 5 miles of a fire station.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 13, 2020
East Manatee Fire Rescue District Station 7 about to debut in Lakewood Ranch

East Manatee Fire Rescue District aims to improve response times with new stations.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 13, 2020
Longboat Key resident turns 99

Friends and neighbors came together to celebrate Larry Rivkin.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sebastian Villaseca, Rachel Faist and Michelle Waldron at the Lazy Lobster welcome you in for take-out.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 13, 2020
Hey Longboat Key residents, need a change-up in your quaran-routine?

Missing normal life? Try these replacements for your daily activities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A cyclist rides with the flow of traffic in the bike lane.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 13, 2020
Coronavirus pandemic leads to cycling uptick on Longboat Key

With more people out for exercise, rules of the road on the town's multi-use trail become top of mind.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Naomi Jones sent an inspiring message using an orange. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 12, 2020
ODA student delivers fruitful message in Lakewood Ranch

ODA student delivers message in Lakewood Ranch using an orange.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 12, 2020
Life on Longboat

Photos, by you, from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea tells commissioners the county is working through its reopening plan.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2020
Manatee County drops time limit on beach parking

No more time limit on Manatee County beach parking.

  • East County
  • News
The board of FCCI Insurance Group terminated CEO Craig Johnson May 12.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 12, 2020
Insurance firm reverses course, fires CEO for alleged battery on police officers

The termination of Craig Johnson, who has maintained he will be vindicated, comes one day after he was granted a leave of absence.

  • East County
  • News
Volleyball courts are one of the many facilities to remain closed through May 31.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 12, 2020
Events held at county facilities canceled through May 31

Following CDC guidelines, county staff has canceled many events until May 31.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Initial site work at Town Center Green started in April and is scheduled to finish in late summer.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 11, 2020
Longboat begins looking at what's next for Town Center Green

Initial site work at Town Center Green began in April and is scheduled to finish in late summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

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  • April 9, 2026
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  • April 9, 2026
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3
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
  • April 9, 2026
Restaurant collab supports Longboat Key Turtle Watch
4
Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
  • April 9, 2026
Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park
5
The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
  • April 9, 2026
Senior public housing expansion remains $4 million short

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