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Your Observer

On the hotel's beach, the chairs are utilized only by wildlife.
  • By Nat Kaemmerer and Brendan Lavell
  • March 31, 2020
For Longboat Key snowbirds, the question looms: Stay or go?

Concerns about COVID-19, possible travel restrictions or stay-at-home orders fuel winter visitors' decisions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 31, 2020
Sarasota schools to remain closed through May 1

The district was originally set to learn online through April 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Superintendent Cynthia Saunders announced The School District of Manatee County will extend school closures through May 1.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 31, 2020
School District of Manatee County extends closures through May 1

Manatee County schools closed until May 1

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 31, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Night swimming . . . or not

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The beaches already were closed and now Manatee County has closed pickleball courts.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 30, 2020
Coronavirus brings down pickleball nets in Manatee County

Coronavirus brings down pickleball nets in Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
Messages of gratitude decorate the sidewalks outside of Country Club Shores.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 30, 2020
Volunteer task force will let neighbors help neighbors

Friends and neighbors continue to show up for each other on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The City Auditor and Clerk's office is currently accepting limited development applications by mail.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 30, 2020
City freezes development permit, application timelines

The city of Sarasota is extending permit expiration dates and deadlines for reviewing pending applications. The city is also closing the Van Wezel through April 26.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Grand Bay residents toast from a distance.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 30, 2020
Longboat Key communities come together while staying safe

Longboaters figure out ways to mix and mingle from afar.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 30, 2020
COVID-19 concerns prompt delay in Colony trial

Five-day proceeding was expected to begin April 6, now reset for May 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • March 30, 2020
Robert “Fred” Ruth Jr.

Robert “Fred” Ruth Jr., age 95, of Sarasota, Florida passed away on March 26, 2020.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Vacation rentals, such as one listed on Airbnb, will be closed for two weeks.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 30, 2020
Sarasota County closes vacation rentals, leaves boat ramps open

Following a statewide directive, the county closes its vacation rental properties for two weeks. Noncompliance could result in a 2nd degree misdemeanor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Publix has announced it will help its tenants that are struggling due to COVID-19 closures by suspending rent for two months.
    By
  • Grier Ferguson
  • March 30, 2020
Publix offers rent relief to its tenants, including those in Lakewood Ranch area

Lakewood Ranch area businesses benefit from Publix waiving rent for its tenants that are struggling due to COVID-19.

  • East County
  • News
The sun sets over the Gulf.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 30, 2020
Finding solitude on Longboat Key

Staying home is best, but you can get away from it all relatively quickly.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 30, 2020
Event cancellations, postponements due to coronavirus concerns

This list will be updated regularly.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital said COVID-19 is having a growing effect on the health system and the Sarasota community.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 29, 2020
Second COVID-19 patient dies at Sarasota Memorial Hospital

The hospital also announced four workers tested positive for the coronavirus disease. Twenty-four COVID-19 patients are hospitalized at the facility.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital has diagnosed 30 individuals with COVID-19 this month.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 28, 2020
Sarasota Memorial Hospital worker tests positive for COVID-19

The employee had no known exposure to a positive COVID-19 patient at the hospital. Sixteen COVID-19 patients are hospitalized at Sarasota Memorial.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bird Key Park
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 28, 2020
City to close boat ramps, Bird Key Park parking lot

The city of Sarasota is advocating for a regional safer-at-home order and asking the state to provide more detailed COVID-19 testing data.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 28, 2020
Sarasota County pauses drive-thru COVID-19 testing until Tuesday

Unable to fill all its appointment slots, the Sarasota County Department of Health said the pause will conserve resources.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 28, 2020
Chalk it up to cheer in Sarasota area

Chalk art festival inspires hope, neighborhood cheer in University Place.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 27, 2020
Sending positive messages to students in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch schools celebrate kickoff of e-learning with parades

  • East County
  • News
Goodwill stores in Sarasota and Manatee counties will lay off more than half their employees.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 27, 2020
Goodwill Manasota lays off more than half its workforce

Goodwill Manasota in Sarasota and Manatee counties lays off more than half its workforce

  • East County
  • News
Among the effects of the coronavirus pandemic: closed public facilities designed to limit social gatherings.
  • By Tom Harmer
  • March 27, 2020
Remember, we are still in an active stage of an emergency

Heed the guidelines from federal, state and local authorities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Sarasota County Fire Chief Mike Regnier speaks at a press conference today about COVID-19 alongside Assistant Chief Carson Sanders. Image courtesy Sarasota County.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 27, 2020
Sarasota firefighter tests positive for COVID-19

County Fire Chief Mike Regnier discussed the department’s safety protocols at a press conference today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center needs personal protection equipment for its health care professionals. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 27, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center accepting safety supplies, donations

N95 masks and other supplies will help protect workers against COVID-19.

  • East County
  • News
Suncoast Science Center employees are looking for volunteers to help make masks.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 27, 2020
Suncoast Science Center requests PPE needs, volunteers

The center hopes to make shields and masks to provide to non-primary healthcare facilities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key firefighter and paramedic David Oliger is dressed in protective gear to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 27, 2020
Longboat Key first responders take precautions amid coronavirus pandemic

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department is taking several precautionary measures to protect first responders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Walk-ups weren't allowed at the collection site, but motorcycles obviously were OK.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 26, 2020
Manatee County opens drive-thru COVID-19 sample collection

COVID-19 sample collection begins at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • News
Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch has asked to hold a special emergency meeting to discuss the city's ongoing COVID-19 response.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 26, 2020
City prohibits social gatherings with 10 or more people

The city has authorized the Sarasota Police Department to break up gatherings and issue citations to those who do not comply. The city's mayor is advocating for a statewide shelter-in-place order.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 26, 2020
Drive-thru COVID-19 testing begins Friday in Sarasota County

Visitors to the site must be referred by a physician to be tested.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pines of Sarasota Foundation is asking the community to send notes and drawings to its residents.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 26, 2020
Small acts of kindness

Pines of Sarasota Foundation is asking the community to send notes and drawings to its residents.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The main beach access on Siesta Key is blocked with signs and concrete barricades.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 26, 2020
Officers focus on education over enforcement during beach closures

As Sarasota County beaches remain closed, local law enforcement is upping its beach patrol.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 26, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: March 26

John Caviglia captured this image of an osprey in flight while kayaking at Buttonwood Cove on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 26, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: March 26

Chris Tarrant captured this sunset on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 26, 2020
East County weather page photo: March 26

Paula Hancock captured this sunset in Central Park in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Executive Director Michelle Kapreilian tells guests about the mission of Forty Carrots Family Center at the 2019 Firefly Gala.
  • By Brynn Mechem, Staff reporter and Harry Sayer, Black Tie Editor
  • March 26, 2020
COVID-19 fundraiser cancellations cause nonprofits to lose millions in donations

Fundraiser cancellations send organizations scrambling to help residents now while also plotting replacement events online or in the future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Reverend Christian Wood and Reverend Charleston Wilson from Church of the Redeemer.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 26, 2020
Sarasota churches, temples focus on virtual presence

Local churches and temples are holding online services amid the coronavirus pandemic

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
Helga Williams
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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