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Your Observer

Melanie Johnson hits a layup for the University of South Carolina. Photo courtesy South Carolina Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 13, 2017
New hand on the Ranch

Girls basketball coach hopes to sustain the Mustangs' success.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 12, 2017
Police asking for help locating missing boy

14-year-old Jabez Spann was last seen on Labor Day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Humane Society of Sarasota County is lowering adoption fees to $10 as of Wednesday in order to make room for rescues.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2017
Animal sanctuaries, shelters assess damage and offer relief

Staff from Cat Depot, Mote, Save Our Seabirds and the Humane Society weathered the storm with their pawed, finned and feathered friends.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire and Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi speaks at an emergency meeting of the town commission ahead of the storm.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • September 12, 2017
Longboat pleased with town's response to emergency

Officials plan to change re-entry procedure after long lines formed following announcement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Flooded roadways is just one of the concerns keeping county officials from issuing an "all-clear."
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 12, 2017
Sarasota County not ready to issue all-clear; residents urged to be cautious

The county is extending its state of emergency partly as a message to residents that conditions are not 100% normal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Scully, the mascot of the World Rowing Championships. File photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2017
World Rowing Championships still on schedule

Nathan Benderson Park sustained "minimal damage" from Hurricane Irma.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tables of supplies are lined up at Bayside Community Church's East Bradenton Campus where a "relief point" is operating for those in need of help after Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 12, 2017
Bayside Community Church in Bradenton offers hurricane relief

The church has a relief point at its Manatee County location, offering everything from food and water to baby diapers for those in need.

  • East County
  • News
FPL has a staging site at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, where workers can park their trucks and take a break.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 12, 2017
Thousands of Sarasota County residents still without power

FPL said residents on the west coast can expect power by Sept. 22, if there's no major damage in their area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 12, 2017
Longboat Key still under boil water notice, some power outages

Garbage collection will resume as normal on Thursday, Sept. 14

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Power outages after Hurricane Irma left almost all of the county's traffic lights not working. On Tuesday afternoon, just under half were still not fixed.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 12, 2017
Storm knocks out half of county’s traffic lights

As of late Thursday, all of the county's traffic lights were operable again.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Booker High School Principal Rachel Shelley and Assistant Principal in charge of Administration at Venice High School Melanie Ritter worked at the Booker High School shelter on Saturday, when it reached capacity.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 12, 2017
Sarasota schools closed until Monday

While no schools sustained "catastrophic" damage, 11 are still without power and the 14 schools that served as shelters must undergo a thorough sanitation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Some Lido Key residents got clever with their reaction to Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • Niki Kottmann
  • September 12, 2017
Barrier island residents, shopkeepers happy to see

Damage not as severe as expected across Lido, St. Armands and Bird keys

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kelly Carson
  • September 12, 2017
Sheriff warns of scammers

Unlicensed contractors, handymen could flood the area after Irma

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 12, 2017
Siesta Key residents relieved, surprised at lack of damage from storm

After the much-anticipated hurricane passed over the island, the only "devastation" was some downed trees, minor flooding and loss of power, much to residents's surprise.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
  • By Katie Johns & Niki Kottmann
  • September 12, 2017
Barrier islands emerge relatively unscathed after Irma

Longboat, Lido and St. Armands keys suffered only minor damages during Hurricane Irma.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High, which acted as a shelter during Hurricane Irma, will be open to students again on Sept. 18.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2017
Manatee County public schools off until Monday, Sept. 18

Schools, which acted as shelters, need to be cleaned, have storm debris removed.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2017
Sarasota residents breathe relief after Irma

With trees and power down, people in the Sarasota area start cleaning up and counting their blessings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County will release a date when it will pick up storm debris later this week. Only garage that fits in a can will be picked up in regular garbage service.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2017
Date to pick up storm debris in Manatee County not set yet

County schools will be closed on Tuesday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2017
Tracking Irma's aftermath

Downed trees, street signs litter area streets as residents begin to assess damage from the storm.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cars wait in line at a checkpoint to re-enter Longboat Key.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 11, 2017
Update: Longboat Key reopens to residents

There will continue to be access issues for residents as they return to the town post-Hurricane Irma.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Farmers Market is one of many events to cancel its plans for this weekend.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2017
Updates: Offices and organizations reopen after Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma caused many closures throughout Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hurricane Irma pounded Lakewood Ranch on Sunday night as a Category 2 hurricane.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2017
Curfew lifted in Manatee County

Sheriff's Office advises people stay off the roads as much as possible

  • East County
  • News
Authorities reported trees down around the area this morning.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2017
Sarasota, Manatee teams assess Irma damage

Officials urge residents to stay off the roads until all-clear given

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 10, 2017
Wind speeds drive Sarasota officers back to base

Wind hits sustained 45 mph in the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
With sustained winds from Hurricane Irma reaching 40 miles per hour, Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells pulled all his deputies off service calls as of 4 p.m. Sunday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2017
Manatee County Sheriff's Office pulls deputies from roads

Conditions from Hurricane Irma make it too dangerous to answer service calls.

  • East County
  • News
Longboaters left on the island could see heavy winds and storm surge up to 10 feet.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 10, 2017
Longboat Key expects damage, flooding

Town officials preparing for recovery, debris clearing after Hurricane Irma.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Karen and Brian Feeney board up their front window before evacuating Longboat Key on Sept. 8.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 10, 2017
Irma: What to expect in the next 24 hours

As Hurricane Irma approaches, here's what to expect during and after.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sheriff Rick Wells.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2017
Manatee County Sheriff — 'Looters won't be tolerated'

Sheriff Rick Wells tells public to stay off the roads until curfew ends at 3 p.m. Monday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2017
Manatee County still has shelter space; 3 p.m. curfew set

Evacuees still can find space as Hurricane Irma approaches.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County shelters were near capacity on Saturday afternoon.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 9, 2017
UPDATE: Shelter space in Manatee County dwindles

Those evacuating to shelters urged to find a spot by 8 p.m. Saturday.

  • East County
  • News
Hurricane Irma is scheduled to pass over Sarasota this weekend.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 9, 2017
Emergency officials say 'time is running out' to seek shelter

Hurricane Irma's affects could start hitting Sarasota County as early as 2 a.m. Sunday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Florida Highway Patrol has warned motorists it will close bridges when sustained wind speeds reach 40 miles per hour.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 9, 2017
Florida bridges set to close due to Hurricane Irma

Motorists need to check route if they expect to be on the road.

  • East County
  • News
Larissa Green reads the Wall Street Journal while her daughter Ann Green West talks on the phone at Booker High School on Saturday. The pair arrived with Howard Green on Friday night.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • September 9, 2017
Booker shelter braces for Hurricane Irma

Booker High School has never had to open its doors as a hurricane shelter before. It’s now home to more than 1,200 evacuees.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • September 9, 2017
UPDATE: Sarasota County opens additional shelters

More than 12,000 people are seeking shelter in Sarasota County, and five shelters have reached capacity so far.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sam Campbell helps prepare a Siesta Key business for the storm.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 9, 2017
Irma worries Siesta Key residents, visitors, business owners

Residents have until Saturday at 8 p.m. to evacuate the island ahead of Hurricane Irma, which is projected to cross directly over Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
East County's Nina, Toby (the dog), James and Noah Klepek gather their belongings before entering an emergency shelter at Carlos E. Haile Middle School.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 9, 2017
UPDATE: Manatee County opens 23 shelters, but some already full

Braden River High, Oneco both full as thousands seek refuge from Hurricane Irma.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

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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
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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
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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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