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Your Observer

Michael Levitan, 71, said he plays golf at University Park Country Club three times a week, sometimes four, and it has kept him from going nuts.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 22, 2020
Golf offers 'safe haven' for East County athletes

Golfers say the sport keeps them mentally and physically healthy during COVID-19.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • April 22, 2020
We did it again: spent, spent, spent

We wasted a 10-year economic boom and didn’t save. Now we are really going to pay.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 22, 2020
Media make it far worse

The daily death scores in the media and politicians’ decrees fueled people’s fears. How do we bring back trust and sanity?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Food Bank of Manatee Director Cindy Sloan weighs bags pallets of rice ready for distribution. Wheels on Meals Plus of Manatee is seeing an increase in needs due to COVID-19. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 22, 2020
Can't mask the spirit of giving in Lakewood Ranch

Can't mask the spirit of giving in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 22, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: This dog has his own set of wheels

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota Cycle owner David Holm leads a team repairing bicycles.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 22, 2020
Back to the Bike

Local bike shops report an uptick in sales during pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo Courtesy Samantha Ponzillo Media
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 21, 2020
Change of Plans

Amy and Scott Carrington were married under some unusual circumstances.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 21, 2020
Commissioners agree to delay vote on mental health care special district

Amid COVID-19 concerns, commissioners said it "wasn't the right time" for the referendum.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee Memorial Hospital
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 21, 2020
Manatee Memorial Hospital joins government COVID-19 clinical trial

Manatee Memorial Hospital joins government COVID-19 clinical trial.

  • East County
  • News
Renee Di Pilato, libraries and historical resources director,  said the librarians are looking for ways to bring programming to residents while they're at home.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 21, 2020
Sarasota libraries expand online alternatives

During library closures due to COVID-19, the library is offering a digital library card and online programming.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County staff installed a WaterGoat in Whitaker Bayou.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 21, 2020
County installs WaterGoats to collect trash in waterways

The floating devices will help keep trash from entering Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 839 Siesta Key Circle  was built in 1972. It has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 5,233 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 21, 2020
Siesta Key Circle home sells for $2.44 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 6-10.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh and her fellow commissioners voted to lift the 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 21, 2020
Manatee County commissioners lift 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew

Manatee County commissioners lift 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew

  • East County
  • News
Connie Schindewolf walks an empty beach for turtle patrol. Turtle watch volunteers must obtain permission from the town.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 21, 2020
Turtle season approaches on Longboat Key

The Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteers are taking to the beaches to track sea turtles with new precautions and documentation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Only two commissioners, Jen Ahearn-Koch and Hagen Brody, attended today's City Commission meeting in-person. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 20, 2020
City Commission talks reopening plans, business assistance

During a truncated meeting Monday, city officials discussed spending priorities during a public health emergency and the need for more COVID-19 testing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said the town will work with surrounding jurisdictions when it comes time to consider reopening some local amenities.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 20, 2020
Longboat chief outlines how town could slowly reopen

It's unclear how long several of Longboat Key's closures will last.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 20, 2020
A time to give

Paradise Center looks forward to Giving Challenge.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 20, 2020
Through a lens: Sarasota during the pandemic

Photographer Cliff Roles captures the new abnormal from a safe distance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 20, 2020
Sarasota Schools closed for remainder of the year

Schools will not open until the 2020-21 school year, which parents can register their children for now.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 20, 2020
Provisional date set for Siesta Promenade hearing

The case, which first began in 2018, will be heard in the 2nd District Court of Appeals on June 23.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The FHSAA has officially cancelled the spring sports season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 20, 2020
FHSAA officially cancels spring sports season

Athletes affected will not receive an additional year of eligibility.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sara and Brian Milgate wave to residents who clapped at them.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 20, 2020
Vizcaya property managers put on a show for residents

The musically inclined managers put on a concert in the age of social distancing.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Commission meetings are held in the Patricia M. Glass County Commission Chambers, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 20, 2020
Manatee County commission goes virtual

Manatee County board holds first regular meeting under coronavirus precautions.

  • East County
  • News
The watch is in effect until 3 p.m.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 20, 2020
Storm watch in effect until 3 p.m.

Seventeen counties in Florida under weather advisory until afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 19, 2020
Template Test

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  • Sarasota
  • News
Sponsored Content
This Mill Creek home at 14905 17th Ave. E., sold for $520,000 and has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,095 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 18, 2020
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS APRIL 6-10

Lakewood Ranch's home sales topped by a $2.35 million Lake Club home.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Publix store in Longboat Key launched its curbside pickup service on April 11.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 17, 2020
Harmer: 'Community has responded well to restrictions' from COVID-19

Town Manager Tom Harmer said the “projected peak” for coronavirus cases would be in late April or early May for Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota took down dozens of Australian pines along Ringling Causeway in late 2019.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 17, 2020
$60,000 refills fund for Australian pine removals

The removal program awards residents up to $1,800 per tree.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 17, 2020
Sarasota County first responders honor physicians

First responders gathered at nine hospitals in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies were among those to participate in the salute to healthcare workers.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 17, 2020
First responders salute healthcare workers in Lakewood Ranch

First responders salute healthcare workers in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Jennifer Rominiecki said the acquisition of the Historic Spanish Point campus would allow Selby Gardens to do more work focused on natural Florida plants. Photo courtesy Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 17, 2020
Selby Gardens acquires Historic Spanish Point

Facing financial challenges, Historic Spanish Point will become a part of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens organization effective May 1.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 17, 2020
Meals on wheels

The Bird Key Yacht Club is bringing comfort meals to medical workers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Guest Author
  • April 17, 2020
You Observed: Tangerine Bay Club neighbors come together

Residents took to their balconies to show appreciation for essential and medical workers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 17, 2020
Longboat Key urges residents to fill out census forms

Longboat Key's self-response rate of 30.6% ranks 347th out of 409 cities and towns in Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Temple Emanu-El Associate Rabbi Michael Shefrin and his son Jacob donned protective masks decorated with frogs – a reminder of the plague of frogs visited on Egypt during the Passover story.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • April 17, 2020
You Observed: Passover at Temple Emanu-el

Temple prepares for traditional celebration with smaller, safer gatherings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Adèle Haenel in "Portrait of a Lady on Fire." Photo source: NEON.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 17, 2020
Binge Blog: Not the lover's choice, but the poet's

"Portrait of a Lady on Fire" and "Sharp Objects" are this week's picks.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
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Latest News

1
Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
  • June 24, 2026
Dry weather cuts into Manatee reclaimed-water system's pressure
2
Roadway cameras help identify park-damaging suspect
  • June 24, 2026
Roadway cameras help identify park-damaging suspect
3
This house in Plantation Oaks is advertised on several booking platforms as sleeping up to 32 guests.
  • June 24, 2026
Manatee County commissioners consider regulating vacation rentals
4
Mia Busser's recruitment opened June 15 following the USA Gymnastics Women's Development Program National Championships. There, she placed fourth in the all-around, second on floor and fourth on vault.
  • June 24, 2026
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A visitor to Sarasota Art Museum takes a photo of David Hockney's "Inside It Opens Up As Well," which collector Stanton Storer loaned to the museum for "Something Borrowed, Something New."
  • June 24, 2026
Collectors lend their treasures to Sarasota Art Museum for blockbuster exhibition

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