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Your Observer

    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 6, 2017
East County Athlete of the Week: Chase Sharp

The Lakewood Ranch linebacker talks his best piece of advice and his love of the game.

  • East County
  • Sports
Police Chief Pete Cumming congratulates newly promoted Lt. Robert Bourque at a ceremony on Sept. 5, 2017.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 6, 2017
Detective elevated to rank of lieutenant

Detective Sgt. Robert Bourque was promoted to lieutenant on Sept. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
With Hurricane Irma approaching, lines for gas were long in Manatee and Sarasota counties on Tuesday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 5, 2017
Manatee County clerk warns to protect important documents

Either store them in a safe place or take them with you when evacuating.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 5, 2017
After-school activities canceled Friday in Sarasota County

Schools are scheduled to remain open, but district officials will be making a decision the afternoon of Sept. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County emergency personnel transported Willie Shaw to the hospital after he suffered an apparent medical incident during a City Commission meeting.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 5, 2017
Commissioner Willie Shaw transported to hospital

Paramedics responded to a City Commission meeting after Willie Shaw suffered an apparent medical episode.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Local residents buy the necessary resources to stay safe during Hurricane Irma at BJ's Wholesale.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 5, 2017
Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton brace for Hurricane Irma

The county to give out sandbags in Lakewood Ranch in preparation for the potentially "catastrophic" Category 5 hurricane.

  • East County
  • News
There was a steady influx of traffic at the town's lone gas station.
  • By Ryan Butler & Katie Johns
  • September 5, 2017
Longboat Key gears up at stores, gas station, marina

Around the island, Longboaters made sure they were prepared in case Hurricane Irma strikes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County can expect to see the effects from Hurricane Irma as early as Friday evening.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 5, 2017
Sarasota County prepares as Hurricane Irma approaches

County staff are pooling resources and monitoring the storm to keep residents informed on what steps they should be taking. For now, the message is just to be prepared.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Thanks to Hurricane Irma's expected arrival this weekend, Riverview has moved its home football game against Palmetto to Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., as have Sarasota High and Booker High, who play each other at Booker.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 5, 2017
Sarasota schools move football games to Thursday

The dates were changed to avoid Hurricane Irma this weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Local governments, including officials from the city of Sarasota (pictured), Longboat Key and Sarasota and Manatee counties met today to review the region's emergency preparedness plans.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • September 5, 2017
Longboat prepares for Hurricane Irma

With a major storm looming, emergency personnel are instructing Longboat residents to begin their own preparations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Information about the approaching hurricane is at your fingertips, if you know where to look.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 5, 2017
How to stay informed as Hurricane Irma approaches

Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota have a lot of resources available to keep residents informed. Here's where to find them.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County has moved all football games up a day, to Thursday night, in order to avoid any rainfall from Hurricane Irma that may hit Florida on Friday. The start times of the games will not change.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 5, 2017
Manatee County football games moved to Thursday

The decision is based on Hurricane Irma.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • September 5, 2017
Sarasota Chamber pitches in with post-holiday cleanup

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, along with other local organizations, took to the shores on Sept. 5 to clean up Labor Day litter.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A Myakka City man was killed in a one-car accident on State Road 70 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 5, 2017
Myakka City man dies in accident

One-car accident in Lakewood Ranch leads to fatality

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 2, 2017
Labor Day Regatta sails Sarasota Bay

Despite a lack of wind, spirits were high on the first day of the 71st Annual Labor Day Regatta.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 2, 2017
Lakewood Ranch football survives late scare from Bayshore

The game was continued from Sept. 1.

  • East County
  • Sports
Trainer Bobby Wynarczuk gives the Music on Main crowd a hard-hitting demonstration of what you get at Sarasota's Title Boxing Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 2, 2017
Main attraction in Lakewood Ranch

Music on Main provides final celebration of summer in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 1, 2017
Braden River's game against Clearwater suspended because of lightning

The Pirates are winning 21-7 at halftime of the contest, which will be finished in October.

  • East County
  • Sports
Another Friday night, another lightning storm affecting area games.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 1, 2017
East County football roundup: 09.01.17

Lightning suspends two area games; Thunder rolls in the third.

  • East County
  • Sports
Another Friday night, another lightning storm affecting area games.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 1, 2017
Sarasota football roundup: 09.01.17

All four area teams had their games cut short by lightning. Three resulted in losses, the other a lopsided win.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
In addition to closing government offices, the city and county are adjusting the schedules of recreational facilities and other services.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 1, 2017
City, county offices to close for Labor Day

Waste collection, public transit and other government services will not operate Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Alaina Ray (seated) speaks with Unicorp President Chuck Whittall after a meeting reviewing his company's plans to redevelop the former Colony property.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • September 1, 2017
Longboat staff questions Colony redevelopment application timeline

Plans for a Oct. 17 presentation to the town's Planning and Zoning Board are in doubt after a Development Review Committee meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nathan Benderson Park hosts the IBCPC Dragon Boat Festival in October 2014. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 1, 2017
World class venue once was the pits

Nathan Benderson Park rises to become one of the world's top rowing facilities.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sandbags will be available today at Lakewood Ranch Park. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 1, 2017
Manatee County to distribute sandbags

Heavy rains are expected this weekend.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 1, 2017
Kiwanis Club enjoys happy hour

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key gathered on Aug. 31 for its first happy hour.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Funding for the Atlanta Braves training complex is almost secure — as soon as the local governing bodies vote on the agreement for $20 million with the state.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 1, 2017
State grants $20 million for Braves training complex

Construction expected to begin after final round of approvals.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch selected former Booker assistant Melanie Johnson as its new girls basketball head coach.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 1, 2017
Lakewood Ranch names new girls basketball coach

The former Booker High assistant played in college at the University of South Carolina.

  • East County
  • Sports
A 9,389-square-foot home on a two-acre beachfront lot sold for $9 million, the largest real estate transaction of the year.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 31, 2017
Siesta Key home sells for $9 million

The Sanderling Club house netted the largest residential sale of the year.

  • Siesta Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • August 31, 2017
Booker recognized among top arts schools nationwide

The ranking puts Booker High School among the top 80 schools for the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 31, 2017
Sarasota weather page photo: August 31

Roger Faust photographed these baby anhingas waiting for food in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 31, 2017
East County weather page photo: August 31

Marvin Crepea photographed this bobcat on Thornhill Court in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 31, 2017
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 31

Susann Veshoskyn captured this shot of double waterspouts over the Gulf of Mexico on Aug. 24 from Emerald Harbor Drive on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The annual event is free and open to the public.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2017
Premier Sports Campus set for Labor Day Soccer Tournament

The annual event is free and open to the public.

  • East County
  • Sports
Estelle Crawford, president of the Pines of Sarasota Foundation, is retiring Sept. 30.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • August 31, 2017
Pines of Sarasota Foundation says goodbye to its decade-long president

Estelle Crawford is retiring, effective Sept. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 31, 2017
The $102 million bike trail

Sarasota County property taxpayers will be asked in 2018 to fund another $65 million in bonds to extend the Legacy Trail. That’s one heck of a legacy. Like beach parking, users should pay a price.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Rams watch as Abby Quigley jumps for a spike attempt.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2017
Ewe-th movement: Riverview volleyball 'ready to dominate' again

The Rams reached the final four last season, but now have a new coach and younger roster.

  • 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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