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Your Observer

Rancher Jim Strickland shows off one of two solar powered wells he uses to provide drinking water to cattle. Two more wells are planned.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 2, 2019
Myakka City rancher honored by Audubon, Manatee County

Myakka's Jim Strickland named Sustainable Rancher of the Year by Audubon Florida.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 2, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: When the prime suspect is the wind

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Fourth-grade teachers Lee Anne Durkee, Sarah Body and Danielle Herrmann join Chompy, the mascot,. Body was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2018.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 1, 2019
Gullett Gators take up the fight in Lakewood Ranch

B.D. Gullett Elementary School in Lakewood Ranch has pink out to support teacher fighting breast cancer

  • East County
  • News
Carlton Irvis will run the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 1, 2019
Man runs for charity

Carlton Irvis hopes to donate $1,300 to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls before he runs the Chicago Marathon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brian Roberts, who played for the Orioles and Yankees, will be the guest speaker Oct. 8 at Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet at the Church of Hope in Sarasota. The banquet is free to attend.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 1, 2019
Fellowship of Christian Athletes hopes to grow in Lakewood Ranch area schools.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes hopes to grow in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
East County's Katie McCoy plays with her guide dog, Bristol.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 1, 2019
Let Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto take you on a tour of the dark

Side or Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • Opinion
Murf Klauber died at age 91 in November 2018.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 1, 2019
Longboat Kiwanis' Lawn Party returns with tribute to Klauber

Annual kick-off of island's social season has new site, new beneficiary.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus students played at the park Tuesday morning after the city cut the ribbon on the new playground.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 1, 2019
City unveils new Pioneer Park playground

After the previous playground was destroyed in a fire, the city has replaced the equipment at the park near Cocoanut Avenue and 12th Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sandy Shahinian, Lakewood Ranch's director of community relations, stands in front of a kiosk in the new information center on Lakewood Main Street.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 30, 2019
New information center opens in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Main Street information center opens while two existing information centers on Rangeland and University parkways both will close.

  • East County
  • News
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee President and CEO Maribeth Phillips said in 2018 The Food Bank of Manatee would operate as usual and she hoped the community would donate to help replace food provided by Feeding Tampa Bay.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 30, 2019
Manatee food bank changes distribution model

Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee to focus on providing emergency supplies due to food supply changes.

  • East County
  • News
Lee Vickman and Carol Camiener, who came down from Michigan to join celebrations here.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 30, 2019
Rosh Hashanah luncheon brings friends together to celebrate holidays

One of the Jewish High Holidays continued through Monday, Sept. 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • September 30, 2019
Dorothy Beals Hixon

Dorothy Beals Hixon passed Sept. 26th 2019 at Plymouth Harbor Sarasota, FL after a lengthy battle with Memory Loss/Alzheimer’s.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 30, 2019
Exotic Car Festival revs up St. Armands Circle

The inner park of the circle was crowded with cars.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 30, 2019
Longboat firefighters assist in four-alarm Sarasota fire

Ladder truck, crew and even the fire chief reported for duty in a mainland station as more than 80 firefighters tried to save a house.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bear Mancinni has always had an interest in local government and has attended school board meetings from a young age.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 30, 2019
Sarasota student wants to lower the school board voting age

Bear Mancinni has always had an interest in government. His newest venture is getting the voting age for Sarasota School Board elections lowered to 16.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jared Gracia-David performs wire walking with the Sailor Circus. Photo by Cliff Roles
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 30, 2019
Pine View, Sailor Circus graduate competes in global competition

Jared Gracia-David drew on his wire walking experience to create a video for the Breakthrough Junior Challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 30, 2019
Church of the Redeemer extends blessing to pets

The church held its annual Blessing of the Animals on Sept. 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 30, 2019
High time for a good time at Business After Hours

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Circus Arts Conservatory for the event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 27, 2019
Thunder football's perfect record snapped by Saint Stephen's

ODA fell 48-7 thanks to tackling issues and struggles with the Falcons' physicality.

  • East County
  • Sports
East County football roundup: 09.27.19
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 27, 2019
East County football roundup: 09.27.19

East County football roundup: 09.27.19

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 27, 2019
Southside goes gold for childhood cancer awareness

Southside Elementary School raised money for the Benjamin Gilkey Fund for Innovation Pediatric Research.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 27, 2019
Students walk miles for education in Lakewood Ranch

Willis Elementary in Lakewood Ranch hosts its annual walk-a-thon.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 27, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: September 26

Lois Kastner photographed this heron overlooking Clower Creek in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 27, 2019
East County weather page photo: September 26

Gordon Silver captured this hummingbird clearwing moth feeding on nectar in Del Webb Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 27, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: September 26

Ron Horn captured this manatee sipping rain water from a downspout on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 27, 2019
Katherine Harris welcomes new USF system president to Sarasota

Steven Currall became the University of South Florida system president in July.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Of the 31 semifinalists, 27 students were from Pine View School.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 27, 2019
Sarasota Schools recognizes 31 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

The National Merit Scholarship began in 1955.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Shalaine McLaughlin jumps in front of “Ballet” by Truman Adams.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • September 27, 2019
Strike a pose interactively

If you snap a photo in front the murals tag @rosemarysquaresrq and hashtag #RMSQart #ARTUPsrq.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The eatery is expected to open in early 2020 in the 2,000-square-foot space adjacent to Acropolis Greek Taverna along Cattlemen Road. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 26, 2019
Georgie's Garden Cafe to open at University Town Center in Sarasota

Georgie's Garden Cafe to open at University Town Center in Sarasota

  • East County
  • News
While the concession is closed, the city will be evaluating prospective vendors to run the food and drink operations at the beach.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 26, 2019
Lido Beach concession to close for upgrades

Construction on the pavilion renovations will begin Sept. 30 and are expected keep the concession closed through December.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A three-dimensional model of the proposed Selby Gardens renovations sat in the commission chambers at City Hall during a public hearing Wednesday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 26, 2019
No decision on Selby Gardens proposal

A Planning Board hearing drew an outpouring of input from opponents and supporters of the proposed campus renovations — but a final recommendation won’t be coming until next month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee Technical College custodian Claudia Estrada Carmona works on cleaning a women's bathroom during her night shift. During the day, she freelances as a web developer.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 26, 2019
MTC graduate pursues her passion

Manatee Technical College graduate was a full-time student to pursue her passion while working as a custodian

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota resident Denisse Florian, right, and her 4-month-old daughter Camila Zorrilla smile as they play with a scarf during newborn family music class at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 26, 2019
Minding their music at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

New music classes at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center provide benefits for families through songs

  • East County
  • News
Robert Willis Elementary School fifth-grader and Safety Patrol member Jordyn Milburn goes to open a car door to assist a student as they exit the car to go to school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 26, 2019
A simple 'Hello' may save the day in Lakewood Ranch schools

Sandy Hook Promise, other initiatives help students feel more included at Lakewood Ranch schools

  • East County
  • News
Artie Henry is making an impact at Marshall at wide receiver. Photo courtesy Marshall Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 26, 2019
Prose and Kohn: The next level

At places like Marshall, Indiana and Mississippi State, area athletes are shining.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney coach Chad Sutton said the loss to Riverview will be a good thing for his team down the line.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 26, 2019
Loss may help Cardinal Mooney volleyball later

Getting beat by rival Riverview isn't fun, but for the Cougars, this loss may be educational.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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