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Your Observer

Local agencies worked to keep residents and visitors informed through Hurricane Irma by sending information straight to them, through social media.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 27, 2017
For local agencies during Irma, social media was crucial

City and county leaders found Twitter, Facebook a direct connection to a population that needed hurricane updates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lilly Kaighin, Carolyn Johnson, Nolia Stephan, Marti Page and Sue Renfrew, all former Luffing Lassies, at the 1978 Adams Cup.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 27, 2017
Luffing Lassies sail into 45th year

In 1972, Lilly Kaighin called five women to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. The rest, as they say, is history.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wood-Grilled Filet Mignon with mashed potatoes and broccolini will be served at Seasons 52 as a dinner and lunch entree for the Taste of UTC promotional.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 27, 2017
Burst of flavor returns to Mall at University Town Center

The Mall at University Town Center returns for its third annual Taste of UTC.

  • East County
  • Business
FISA President Jean-Christophe Rolland held a round-table discussion with media Sept. 27.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 27, 2017
World Rowing Championships: Day Four

FISA president says Sarasota venue 'amazing' so far.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • September 27, 2017
Software business considers Longboat

An out-of-state software company may relocate to the island as part of the state's Qualified Target Industry program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Scott Toedman and Braden River Elementary School kindergartener Olivia Matthews sit down to enjoy breakfast.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 27, 2017
Braden River Elementary celebrates dads

Special guests enjoyed a free breakfast in the 'VIP' lounge at Braden River Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst pulls out plans for Station 2 at the future site for Station 7. The fire district will have to select and architect and engineer for the project, but the facilities could be similar.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 27, 2017
East County fire district ready for growth

East Manatee Fire Rescue budgets for design of new fire station.

  • East County
  • News
Lynn Larson, Riana Rawson and Christine Olsen sold tickets for the “Edith Barr Dunn Memorial 50/50 Raffle" at last year's Lawn Party.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 27, 2017
Save the Date: Kiwanis Club Gourmet Lawn Party

This year's annual lawn party will take place on Dec. 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club Commodore Charlie Wilson and Chief Development Officer of All Faiths Food Bank Denise Cotler Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 27, 2017
Bird Key Yacht Club makes big donation

Club members donated more than $14,000 to All Faiths Food Bank.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The playground shade structure, pictured behind, was slashed by vandals. Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 4 supervisors hope forthcoming policies will reduce vandalism.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 27, 2017
Lakewood Ranch supervisors focus on security

Lakewood Ranch CDD 4 may add a gate, change parking policies at Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • News
Maye Lavinson
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 27, 2017
Longboat Key Obituaries: Sept. 28, 2017

Virginia Spicer Biddle, Maye E. Lavinson, Patricia Ann Cave, William F. Good, Russell Dale McPeak. Ligia T. “Lee” Yousri died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Green Business of the Year nominee David Miller and chamber President Gail Loefgren file photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 27, 2017
Chamber revamps Small Business Week

After a four year hiatus, the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce is bringing the week-long event back.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 27, 2017
Lend a helping hand

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church is accepting gift cards, food and monetary donations for Hurricane Irma victims.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bryan Gagg throws against Clearwater High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 27, 2017
Pirates quarterback forces opponents to shiver their timbers

The Braden River junior has the offense churning and scouts turning their heads.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA senior Dakota Dickerson (3) bursts through the BCS defense.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 27, 2017
Random quarter of ODA football turns into never-seen-before event

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Country Meadows' Stacy Nale, 51, said she appreciates it more now she is a student again.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 27, 2017
Go back to school with class at MTC in Lakewood Ranch

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
East County resident and Survivors in Sync dragon boat racer Pat Van Stedum and World Rowing Championship Manager of Programming and Special Events Stephanie Manzano are eager to put international attention on breast cancer.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 27, 2017
Rowing championship adds breast cancer focus

Last day of 2017 World Rowing Championships will have a health and wellness theme.

  • East County
  • News
Mason Fischer.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 27, 2017
East County High 5 Moments: 09.27.17

East County High 5 Moments: 09.27.17

  • East County
  • Sports
Johnny Reid.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 27, 2017
East County Athlete of the Week: Johnny Reid

The Lakewood Ranch High runner talks cross country vs. track and his favorite quote.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 26, 2017
Chamber mingles at Dry Dock

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly Business After Hours on Sept. 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mayor Terry Gans (second from left) speaks with Town Manager Dave Bullock (far left) and other members of the Town Commission during a recent meeting.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • September 26, 2017
Town approves general fund budget

Millage rate, revenues and expenditures all remain similar to last year's levels.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • September 26, 2017
Commission proposes bond for fire station upgrades

Bond would pay for renovation of the town's north station and a rebuild of the south station.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bicyclists travel down a roadway. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 26, 2017
Hidden River Trail to open to cyclists

Manatee County will not limit Lakewood Ranch roadway to vehicular traffic any longer.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Emergency Services Director Rich Collins said workers want to go further south to make more money, so Sarasota is having trouble finding subcontractors to help remove storm debris.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 26, 2017
County struggles to remove storm debris

It pays more to remove debris down south, so the county is struggling to find contractors to do the work in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 26, 2017
Sarasota extends local state of emergency again

Officials are continuing to work to get life back to normal in Sarasota County, but the process is ongoing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The downtown welcome event for the World Rowing Championships is scheduled for 3-8 p.m.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 26, 2017
Downtown Sarasota welcomes rowing visitors

Today’s “Float Your Boat” event will showcase downtown businesses to World Rowing Championships participants and spectators.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The U.S. portrait, created by fifth-graders at Garden Elementary School, is one of dozens of portraits on display for the 2017 World Rowing Championship.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 26, 2017
World Rowing Championships: Day Three

Fifth grade artists talk about their experience creating the U.S. art piece on display at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • News
These tubes near the north end of Longboat Key will contain the town's electric cables, helping to protect them from wind or storm damage.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • September 26, 2017
Irma reinforces commitment to underground utilities

Putting the town's power cables underground gains support after power losses following the hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Terry Gans
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • September 26, 2017
Conversation with Mayor Terry Gans

A lot has happened in the mayor's term.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Erica Enmeier and Run Badal
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • September 26, 2017
All Faiths holds annual Hunger Summit

All Faiths Food Bank hosted a panel discussion on the issues associated with child hunger at Michael's On East on Sept. 26.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cyclists ride Hidden River Trail. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 25, 2017
Lakewood Ranch road on agenda for Manatee County Commission

Whether bicyclists are allowed on Hidden River Trail remains to be determined.

  • East County
  • News
Kasey MacTavish and Mindy McLeod of Oasis Outsourcing at last year's expo.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 25, 2017
East Meets West Expo rescheduled for November

The 9th annual business expo will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Michael Clougher rows back to shore after winning his men's single scull (1x) repechage.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 25, 2017
World Rowing Championships: Day Two

Palm Aire volunteer keeps event attendees in the correct areas.

  • East County
  • Sports
The U.S. women's four (4-) of Emily Huelskamp, Kara Kohler, Maureen McAuliffe and Elizabeth Sonshine went stroke-for-stroke with Poland.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 24, 2017
World Rowing Championships: Day One

Hidden Creek sales manager advertises to event attendees.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 24, 2017
Cops Corner: Neighbor suspected to have smashed window, handicapped parking sign

A round up of this week's most interesting police reports from Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Steve Martin, Sarasota Bay Watch President Larry Stults and Elizabeth Anderson
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 24, 2017
Sarasota Bay Watch hosts 'clamtastic' evening

The 8th annual “Scallopalooza, It’s Clamtastic!” benefited Sarasota Bay Watch's scallop and clam restoration efforts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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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