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Your Observer

    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 4, 2020
Life on Longboat

Photos from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Town Commission met virtually for the second time on Monday, May 4.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 4, 2020
Longboat begins assessing COVID impact on budget

Town Manager Tom Harmer and town finance director Susan Smith presented their early analysis to the Town Commission on Monday afternoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 4, 2020
Lawsuit challenging county's redistricting plan denied in federal court

A lawsuit that claimed Sarasota County's new district lines were unlawful was denied in federal court.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Customers sit outside Pastry Art Bakery Cafe on Monday afternoon, the first day outdoor dining was allowed following a statewide stay-at-home order associated with COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 4, 2020
Reopening begins in Sarasota

The public can resume some activity that had been restricted to limit the spread of COVID-19, including outdoor dining and parking at county beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 4, 2020
Cops Corner: Good to go

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Veteran Herman Martinez participates in the 2019 Tribute to Heroes Parade. The 2020 event was cancelled Monday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 4, 2020
Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch cancelled

Lakewood Ranch community asked to participate in a virtual tribute on Memorial Day.

  • East County
  • News
Unicorp in March of 2018 gained town approval  to develop a St. Regis branded hotel and condo complex at the 18 acre site at 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive, a parcel that has been empty since the last building was demolished in 2019.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 4, 2020
Colony trial averted with deal for 75 units

Unicorp, Adams agree to terms after squabble over confidential settlement's missed original closing date.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's James Rivera.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 4, 2020
Daily sports memories: May 4

Track and field championships highlight this date for Sarasota and East County athletes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Some stores and restaurants will have modified hours at Sarasota's Mall at UTC.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2020
Sarasota's Mall at University Town Center to reopen Wednesday

Mall at UTC takes safety precautions as it reopens this week.

  • East County
  • News
The courts at the Longboat Key Tennis Center have been closed since March 22 aside from some maintenance work.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 4, 2020
Longboat Key Tennis Center to reopen with restrictions

The Tennis Center has been closed since March 22 because of concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 1, 2020
Longboat condo installs Mini Reefs underneath docks

The idea behind the Mini Reef is to improve the ecosystem for marine life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Workers began on routing electricity for the temporary trailer just north of the existing Station 92.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 1, 2020
Longboat Key firefighters prepare to use temporary south-side fire station

A rebuilt Station 92 is scheduled to open in April 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
"Pacarette" is one of the feature films in the 2020 Sarasota Film Festival.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 1, 2020
Sarasota Film Festival extended through May 10

The festival, presented online due to COVID-19, will be shown for an extra week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction crews are building a roundabout at the intersection near the Sarasota Quay site. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 1, 2020
Fruitville Road closure to continue near U.S. 41

Although eastbound lanes on Fruitville Road at U.S. 41 were scheduled to reopen today, construction will keep all lanes closed for a few more days.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 1, 2020
Christie, Dungy, Farrow headline RCLA's 2021 schedule

Pair of postponed events from 2020 will be presented in November.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • May 1, 2020
Evan and Alexander Rees

Twins Evan and Alexander Rees were surprised by Cardinal Mooney High School with signs brought to their home celebrating their graduation.

  • East County
  • Celebrations
Unit 501 at 1301 Main St. was built in 2016. It has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,912 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 1, 2020
Main Street condo sells for $2.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 20-24.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The home at 426 Meadow Lark Drive was built in 1970 with four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,415 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 1, 2020
Bird Key home sells for $1.335 million.

Residential real estate transactions for April 20-24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Free coronavirus testing will be available to Manatee County residents on Saturday at four sites.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 30, 2020
MCR Health offers free coronavirus testing for Manatee County residents.

Sarasota, Bradenton and Parrish will host free coronavirus collection sites.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 30

Cindy Leder captured this sunset at Beach Place on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: April 30

MaryAnn Parks captured this image of a gallunule at Celery Fields in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2020
East County weather page photo: April 30

Greenfield Plantation’s Marissa Veith captures this rabbit at Heritage Harbour Golf and Eatery.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The annual powerboat event draws large crowds to Lido Key and downtown Sarasota every summer. Photo courtesy Pete Boden.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix postponed

Organizers said they will attempt to reschedule the annual event, originally set to take place June 26-28, later in the year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota County to reopen beach parking, tennis courts

County leaders also are looking at plans to reopen basketball courts and dog parks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kimberly Cullen cheers on students at Sarasota High School as they pick up their caps and gowns.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 30, 2020
Teachers find ways to connect with seniors during final weeks

Teachers in the Sarasota County Schools district reflect on the final weeks with the 2020 senior class.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mitsi Corcoran
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota Schools leaders consider budget options

Sarasota leaders are looking at the Great Recession as a guide for its budget plans for the next five years.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Manatee County has announced meeting schedule changes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2020
Manatee County announces meeting schedule changes

Manatee County commissioners' summer schedules have been altered.

  • East County
  • News
Remy DeVictor. Photo courtesy of Susan DeVictor.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2020
Despite COVID-19, pandemic birthday party in Lakewood Ranch goes on

Despite COVID-19 pandemic birthday party in Lakewood Ranch goes on

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota residents returned to Siesta Key Beach on Monday after the county reopened the public properties. Lido Beach in the city of Sarasota remains closed. Photo by Harry Sayer.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 30, 2020
Sarasota officials prepare strategies for reopening

What does a reopened Sarasota look like while COVID-19 remains a threat? How do officials determine when it's OK lift restrictions?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although Siesta Key residents have expressed concerns about the potential for negative effects associated with the dredging, the project team has said it will monitor for and mitigate any issues that may arise. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 30, 2020
Big Pass dredge plans move forward

With a contractor selected, the city said work on a Lido Key renourishment project is poised to begin by July.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city has set up portable toilets and hand washing stations in the City Hall parking lot.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 30, 2020
Governments, agencies coordinate homelessness response

Although some stakeholders offered a positive assessment of ongoing outreach efforts, City Manager Tom Barwin is pushing for more action.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Restaurants, which have been forced to switch to carry-out and delivery service only while the stay-at-home order has been in effect, will be able to have dine-in service at a limited capacity beginning May 4.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 29, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces plans for first phase of reopening Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis announces plans for first phase of reopening Florida

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police Chief Pete Cumming (right) presented Detective Eric Smith with the Officer of the Year Award.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 29, 2020
Detective named Longboat's Officer of the Year

Eric Smith has worked in law enforcement for 36 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The School District of Manatee County equipped buses with Wi-Fi to send to at least 24 locations throughout the county to assist with e-learning. The Manatee Education Foundation started a relief fund to help with emergency costs.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Manatee Education Foundation starts COVID-19 relief fund

Manatee Education Foundation starts COVID-19 relief fund

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 29, 2020
County events canceled through May 17

Utility fees and service shutoffs are suspended through May 31.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dustin Dahlquist, principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, looks forward to celebrating the school's seniors' successes at the graduation ceremony July 29. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Bradenton area seniors can commence making plans

Bradenton area seniors grateful for new graduation dates

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

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Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
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2
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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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