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Your Observer

The hospital has a series of precautionary measures in place to limit the risk of spreading COVID-19 within the facility. Image courtesy Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 7, 2020
Sarasota Memorial Hospital resumes elective surgeries

Although precautionary measures remain in place to limit coronavirus spread, SMH wants the public to know it’s safe to come to the hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The City Commission held its first video conference meeting Monday to abide by social distancing requirements.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 7, 2020
City approves COVID-19 grant program for small businesses

The $2.3 million initiative will issue $5,000 grants to help businesses offset costs associated with the ongoing pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.7.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 6, 2020
Sarasota mothers adjust to life with newborns

As their first Mothers Day approaches, new moms adjust to life in quarantine.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney football coach Jared Clark said this spring should have been important for his team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 6, 2020
For Cardinal Mooney, the loss of spring football practice affected big plans

New coach Jared Clark was hoping to see his players on the field for the first time.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brandon Wilson enjoys playing piano because he can play chords and different octaves and can perform solos better than on saxophone. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2020
Lakewood Ranch musician works to inspire others

Brandon Wilson will release three more songs May 22.

  • East County
  • News
Monica Welde said she plans to give bears, like Bruno, full access to this lake and also to add more pools to their enclosures.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
Bearadise Ranch bears future in mind in Myakka

Bearadise Ranch struggles financially during COVID-19 pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
"Pacarette" is one of the feature films in the 2020 Sarasota Film Festival.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 6, 2020
Sarasota Film Festival rolls on an extra weekend

Event shifted to online format.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gene Witt Elementary School's addition and renovation project is being expedited while students are off campus. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2020
School projects ahead of schedule in east Bradenton

Several east Bradenton schools to undergo capital projects while students are unable to return to campus

  • East County
  • News
This home at 19428 Ganton Ave., in The Concession sold for $1.599 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 7,005 square feet of living area. Photo courtesy of listing agent Michael Burke.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 6, 2020
Concession homes tops sales at $1.6 million

Concession homes tops sales in Lakewood Ranch area at $1.6 million

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Prom on the Porch with Wendy Johnson.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 6, 2020
No prom? No problem for grad-to-be and friends

Family arranges a different kind of prom for Cardinal Mooney senior.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Loaded Cannon Distillery President and founder Steve Milligan says the same alcohol produced to make his rum and vodka is used to make hand sanitizer.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
Shot of kindness from Lakewood Ranch distillery

Lakewood Ranch distillery modifies operations during COVID-19 outbreak to produce free hand sanitizer.

  • East County
  • News
Ryan Rothhaar says his grandmother, Judy Robinson, hugs him so tightly he can hardly breath and she makes him feel loved. His sister, Allie Rothhaar agreed.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
Lessons in love from a Lakewood Ranch mom

Lakewood Ranch moms say their mothering skills have been passed down through the generations.

  • East County
  • News
A modern-day, distance-learning fourth grade student — headphones, no shirt, pajama pants and pizza. “His dream come true,” his mother says.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 6, 2020
Another unknown cost

Closing schools is having unseen costs on parents and children. Florida is squandering the need to experiment.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Jeff Wilson and Mark Wojcicki. Photo by Liz Ramos
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
East County physical education teachers connect with students through cycling

Lost cockatiel flies away from Lakewood Ranch home but returned after safe landing in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
MVP Sports and Social's Quarantine Cup is played via Zoom calls. Photo courtesy MVP Sports and Social.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 6, 2020
Lakewood Ranch rec sports get creative during quarantine

MVP Sports and Social has kept the fun going with its Quarantine Cup series of events.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bella Pasquale, a freshman at Braden River High School, edits the video her class created to inspire the school community. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2020
East County students create brave message

Braden River High School students work virtually to create video for school community

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's Cindy Appel and Lakewood Ranch's Lindsay Roth grab lunch at Fast N Fresh at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch May 4. It was Appel's first lunch out since the shelter-in-place mandate went into effect.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
Pivotal time for restaurants in greater Lakewood Ranch area

Sarasota restauranteurs must persevere as their customers decide whether it is safe to return.

  • East County
  • News
Amy Caron, a staff member with Nate's Honor Animal Rescue, loads a van with food to deliver. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2020
Giving Challenge accepted in Lakewood Ranch

Donors come through for Lakewood Ranch-area nonprofits during Giving Challenge

  • East County
  • News
Commercial real estate agents Michele Fuller and Stacy Rosenberg hope to attract users that will service the neighborhood and also compliment one another.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2020
Businesses flock to new plaza in Bradenton

School House Plaza is expected to open in summer off State Road 64 near Haile Middle School.

  • East County
  • News
Rendering of the future St. Regis Hotel and Residences
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 6, 2020
Celebrate with fireworks!

The Chuck Whittall-Andy Adams standoff is over.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Greta and her cygnet. Photo by Lou Newman.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 6, 2020
Longboat Key cygnet hatches

Out of five eggs, one cygnet emerged from its shell on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nancy Rozance's daughter created a collage for her mother.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 6, 2020
Longboat Key moms recall fond memories of Mother's Day

Even if Mother's Day isn't always perfect, moms agree that any day spent with their children feels like a special day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
April Glasco directs people picking up food.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 6, 2020
Longboat Key communities create a web of volunteers

Second Chance Last Opportunity is the Sarasota organization at the heart of the well-meaning web.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Parade organizer Keith Pandeloglou, the director of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, had to cancel the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 5, 2020
Virtual memorial replaces Lakewood Ranch parade

COVID-19 causes cancellation of Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Bob Rosinsky, the CEO and president of Goodwill Industries Manasota, had to furlough 600 workers.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 5, 2020
Goodwill's reopening a small dose of normalcy for Lakewood Ranch area

Treasure hunt in Lakewood Ranch begins again as Goodwill reopens.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County reports no issues at reopened beaches.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 5, 2020
No issues at reopened Manatee County beaches

No issues at reopened Manatee County beaches.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 5, 2020
Sarasota School board talks summer camps, reopening

At this point, the district is sticking to an online platform.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarasota Police are investigating a crash on Tamiami Trail just south of downtown.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2020
Lanes reopen after Sarasota traffic crash

Collision involving motorcycle prompted closure at Tamiami Trail and Bahia Vista Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 5, 2020
Longboat plans test of new alert system

Code Red system being replaced by Alert Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In 2019, Karen Kay Lyvers, a senior, took gold in the girls pole vault (3.76 meters; 12.36 feet) at the state track and field championships at the University of North Florida.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 5, 2020
Daily sports memories: May 5

More track and field accomplishments lead the day's history.

  • East County
  • Sports
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said state drive-up testing results show Florida's infection rate for COVID-19 to be below 3% currently.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 5, 2020
Governor lauds Florida's COVID-19 testing in Sarasota

Sarasota's new COVID-19 testing site gets visit from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

  • East County
  • News
The Giving Challenge results were presented virtually instead of during an in-person ceremony.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 5, 2020
2020 Giving Challenge raises $18 million for nonprofits

The fundraising challenge easily broke 2018's record of $11.7 millions

  • Sarasota
  • News
Aria and Andrew Mateos made signs for the parade.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 5, 2020
Birthday parade

Longboat Key first responders responded to a call for a birthday party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A majority of the commission wanted to see a sustained decline in the rate of COVID-19 cases locally before reopening Lido Beach, which has been closed since March 21.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 4, 2020
City to keep Lido Beach closed

In a split decision, the City Commission voted to keep the beach closed through mid-May as officials await more COVID-19 test results. Boat ramps will reopen Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Restaurants on Lakewood Main Street began to see customers come back on Monday. They will have more space for them beginning Friday.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2020
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch closes to traffic to give restaurants more seating capacity

Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch restaurants open May 4 at 25% capacity under state guidelines.

  • East County
  • News
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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
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Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
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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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