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Your Observer

Sandy Humenik is the Florida Center for Early Childhood's 2020 Volunteer Champion for Children.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 1, 2020
Lakewood Ranch resident earns volunteer award

Lakewood Ranch resident to be honored as Florida Center for Early Childhood's 2020 Volunteer Champion for Children.

  • East County
  • News
289 Cedar Park Circle was built in 1954. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 3,947 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 1, 2020
Cocoanut Bayou home sells for $2.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for March 16-20.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 1, 2020
More steps for the state

Economist Arthur Laffer says state and local governments should be cutting expenses now.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The home at 521 Harbor Point Road was built in 1979. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,631 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 1, 2020
Bay Isles home sells for $1.985 million

Residential real estate transactions for March 16-20.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch's Sandy Hughes loves eggs and has been happy eating scrambled eggs every day. She keeps her pan out and ready.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2020
Culinary incarceration creates fun in Lakewood Ranch

Self-quarantined families familiarize themselves with pots and pans.

  • East County
  • News
Forty patients have tested positive for COVID-19 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital this month.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 31, 2020
Third COVID-19 patient dies at Sarasota Memorial Hospital

A 28-year-old in Sarasota County is the youngest identified coronavirus death in Florida. Two additional hospital workers have also tested positive for the disease.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Judith Williams said she wanted to let Publix know how much she appreciates their assistance now that she had to close Fifi's Fine Resale temporarily.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 31, 2020
Lakewood Ranch business owner offers thanks to Publix for its rent assistance

Lakewood Ranch business owner praises Publix for waiving up to two months rent to help during COVID-19 crisis.

  • East County
  • News
Winn-Dixie will be moving into The Green at Lakewood Ranch in the former Earth Fare site.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 31, 2020
Winn-Dixie replaces Earth Fare at The Green in Lakewood Ranch

Winn-Dixie replaces Earth Fare at The Green in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
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
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Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
  • June 24, 2026
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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.
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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.
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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."
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