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Your Observer

Riverview High junior Daevon LeBron said the key to "Madden" is using real football strategies in the game. Photo courtesy Daevon LeBron.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 16, 2020
Sarasota athletes get their competitive sides flowing with video games

Does getting virtual victories make up for a lack of real sports?

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Executive Director Anne Ross leads a community development district meeting from her home. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 16, 2020
Could future hold more remote government meetings in Lakewood Ranch area?

Social distancing forces government representatives to conduct business differently.

  • East County
  • News
At the beginning of the year, The Bay said it hoped to begin construction on the first phase of the park project this summer. Now, that timeline is in question.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 16, 2020
Coronavirus could delay major projects

Phase one of The Bay Sarasota and the Selby Gardens master plan are awaiting the review of city officials.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dave Bullock, interim CEO of the Economic Development Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, credited his staff with moving quickly to help provide resources for businesses in the community. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 16, 2020
County, EDC partner on business loan program

Officials are preparing to issue up to $4.3 million to support small businesses in hopes of supplementing larger state and federal initiatives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark Pritchett, president and CEO of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, said the organization has helped issue more than $1 million in grants over the past month in response to COVID-19. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 16, 2020
Foundations organize COVID-19 support strategies

Between struggling individuals and service providers preparing for increased demand, philanthropic groups are helping the community get through coronavirus challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 4.16.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Beachgoers keep their distance during a Longboat Key sunset.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 15, 2020
Beach visitors keep it few and far-between

Town Manager Tom Harmer said residents can walk the beach so long as they maintain appropriate social distancing and groups do not exceed 10 people.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nurses Noelle Clark and Shannon Zies take a break for pizza from Marco's Pizza. They say such donations from the community make them feel appreciated and help alleviate stress.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 15, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center gets front line support

Community steps up to support Lakewood Ranch Medical Center during COVID-19 crisis.

  • East County
  • News
Brooke Martin, a Girl Scout and senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has earned her Gold Award, which is the highest achievement for a Girl Scout.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Girl Scout's passion leads to gold

Lakewood Ranch Girl Scout's passion project leads to award

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Harry and Lynn Christensen
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 15, 2020
Harry's is here to serve

The corner store and deli are reopening.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marcie Hackman helps her Gene Witt pre-kindergartner, Brayden, with a vowel sound art project.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area parents take on new role as teachers

Lakewood Ranch area homeschool families provide tips for those adjusting to online learning.

  • East County
  • News
Anthony Bavaro and Mikey Bavaro and their parents, Giovanna and Louis, enjoy spending time together with their dog, Luna.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 15, 2020
Challenge looms for Lakewood Ranch teen

Parents say their son ready to take on spinal injury rehab.

  • East County
  • News
Some of the Meadow Sweet Circle mailboxes featured faces to go with an Easter bonnet. Photo courtesy Deb Holton-Smith.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 15, 2020
Osprey neighborhood hops for joy over Easter decorations

Bonnets, eggs and bunnies were just some of the things put on display.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brad Moyer and his niece Julia Devecchio, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, have a quarantine-style prom since Devecchio's actual prom was canceled. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area seniors miss final important high school moments

Lakewood Ranch area high school seniors share disappointment over school event cancellations.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High senior Zack Weston said his video game time has increased since social distancing began.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 15, 2020
East County high school athletes turn to esports while stuck at home.

Do video games come close to the thrill of real sports?

  • East County
  • Sports
Tara Preserve Golf Club offers 18 holes of golf.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 15, 2020
Tara Preserve Golf Club up for sale in Bradenton

Homeowners wonder if new owners will try to develop the land.

  • East County
  • News
The accelerated project is part of the overall $80.8 million plan to widen 6.75 miles of I-75 from north of University Parkway to south of S.R. 64 and reconstruct the S.R. 70/I-75 interchange. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 15, 2020
Florida governor expedites I-75/S.R. 70 project

Less traffic due to COVID-19 leads FDOT to speed up work on I-75/S.R. 70 interchange in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Scott Cooper will be the new principal at R. Dan Nolan Middle School starting July 1. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 14, 2020
Nolan Middle School to have new principal next year

East County schools to see some administrative changes in 2020-2021 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Director of Shelter Service Tanjee Lane is preparing herself and other staff for a possible influx of shelter residents after the quarantine.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 14, 2020
SPARCC prepares during quarantine

The abuse services nonprofit views the current shutdown as a calm before the coming storm.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Parents left a basket for children to find after the Easter Bunny made an at-a-distance appearance.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2020
Who's that out the window?

Party supplier sends Easter Bunny out to brighten kids' Easters.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key Rum created hand sanitizer to donate to first responders and physicians. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 14, 2020
Siesta Key Rum switches from alcohol to sanitizer

The distillery began making hand sanitizer to donate to first responders and physicians.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Double points

Police reports from around the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The land at 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive has been vacant since November 2018 when the last building of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort was torn down.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2020
Settlement deadline passes in Colony case

Unicorp claims COVID-19 concerns made meeting March 31 date impossible.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mort Skirboll became a supporter of Compeer Sarasota, the mental health organization where his wife, Bunny, was CEO.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 13, 2020
Mort Skirboll remembered for kindness, sense of humor

The mental health advocate and nonprofit patron was 82.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carol Erker delivers food to first responders. Photo courtesy of Carol Erker.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 13, 2020
Longboat Key organizations step up to help

First responders and food banks will be getting extra help from Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 13, 2020
Longboat's Linley Street boat ramp reopens

The town of Longboat Key decided to follow Manatee County's decision to open public boat ramps.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 13, 2020
Sarasota Film Festival to be offered online

The 22nd annual film festival will be offered online from April 27 through May 3 amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The organizer of the annual Memorial Day Parade is now focusing its attention on plans for Veterans Day.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 13, 2020
Sarasota Memorial Day Parade canceled

The Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee decided to cancel next month’s event because of public health concerns related to COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Loccisano's sunsets can be found on her Instagram page.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 13, 2020
Longboater puts sunsets front and center for digital audience.

One Longboat Key resident is bringing the sunset to people around the world who can't get to the beach right now.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
One-year-old Niko Rossi Sharma finds Easter eggs on the No. 3 hole of the King’s Dune Course in Lakewood Ranch. He is the grandson of Gloria Bracciano and Greg Van Natter.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 13, 2020
Everybody loves a bunny on Easter in the Lakewood Ranch area

Lakewood Ranch families submit their Easter Egg hunt photos.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key fire firefighter and paramedic David Oliger is dressed in protective gear to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 13, 2020
Longboat Key first responders return to work after quarantine

Four members of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department returned to work on April 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Resurfacing is being done on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard between Mallard Lane and River Club Boulevard.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 13, 2020
Manatee County resurfacing section of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard

Road construction in Lakewood Ranch should take about one week.

  • East County
  • News
The Easter bunny. Photo courtesy of Mary Del Pup.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 13, 2020
Even the Easter bunny wears a mask

The Easter bunny visited Seaplace residents while taking pandemic precautions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Publix store at 525 Bay Isles Parkway in Longboat Key implemented curbside pickup service on Saturday, April 11.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 13, 2020
Longboat Publix launches curbside delivery

Publix has taken several steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This fish at Lake Uihlein at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch is in big trouble. It becomes a cormorant snack.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 13, 2020
At home with nature

nature

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Donna Hefner and Greg Fiore place flowers on the cross at Longboat Island Chapel
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 12, 2020
Easter on Longboat Key retains touches of normalcy amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

Longboat Key's Christian community find new ways to celebrate Easter while making plans for what comes next.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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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