• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Results for:

East Manatee Fire Rescue Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal George Ellington, Deputy Chief of Administration Lee Whitehurst and Fire Rescue Chief Byron Teates try to pinpoint and manage East County's growth. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
  • By Kurt Schultheis |
  • January 13, 2015
Fire district grapples with growth

East Manatee Fire Rescue's biggest problem is making sure fire trucks fit in communities.

  • East County
  • News
Madeline Walker painting
  • By Petra Rivera |
  • February 5, 2024
Seaplace Condominium residents share their art with the community

The resident artists exhibited paintings, cards and clothing, along with a handful of authors selling their books.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh says she might run for the Florida House of Representatives in November. (File photo)
  • By Jay Heater |
  • January 7, 2022
Manatee Commissioner Vanessa Baugh considers run for Florida House

Vanessa Baugh considers resigning her commission post to run for the state House of Representatives.

  • East County
  • News
The YMCA brand in Sarasota dates back to 1945.
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • October 30, 2023
Sarasota has a YMCA again, behind nonprofit merger announcement

A no-quit group of volunteers and deep-pocketed donors, paired with some like-minded nonprofit executives, rejoice over the news Sarasota is no longer a city without a Y.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Part II: ‘Courage to Be Free’
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • March 23, 2023
Part II: ‘Courage to Be Free’

The more you read Gov. DeSantis book, the more convinced you become that it is his way of giving voters a quick-read of from where he came; his principles; and that he wants to be in the White House.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Scott Lockwood |
  • January 4, 2022
At-home COVID-19 testing kits available at Manatee County libraries

Manatee County will be distributing 7,500 at-home COVID-19 tests at all county libraries on Jan. 5.

  • East County
  • News
LaDazhia Williams is averaging 8.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for LSU.
  • By Ryan Kohn |
  • January 25, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High alumna thrives with LSU women's basketball

After two transfers, LaDazhia Williams is living up to her potential for the undefeated Tigers.

  • East County
  • Sports
A Winn-Dixie moved out of the space at 1325 S. Tamiami Trail earlier this year.
  • By David Conway |
  • June 15, 2018
Midtown Plaza owner seeks rezone

The owner of the Sarasota commercial center hopes to fill the space a Winn-Dixie recently vacated, but no major changes to the property are planned.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fr. Phillip Schweda, Fr. Robert Dziedziak, Linda Olsen and Bishop Frank Dewane
  • By Petra Rivera |
  • February 28, 2024
St. Mary, Star of the Sea celebrates 50th anniversary with gala

The 50th anniversary celebration showcases the history of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church and its excitement for the future.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chris Elbon joined the town as its code enforcement officer in September. Photo by Caleb Motsinger
  • By Caleb Motsinger |
  • October 1, 2014
Town hires new code enforcement officer

Chris Elbon, 28, is a nine-year Army veteran. He took on the new role in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ed Kolodzieski of Longboat Key company Ultra-Marine enjoyed showcasing what he said are the first Zodiac Nomads, a lightweight boat with an electric motor, in the United States.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • April 22, 2024
Boat enthusiasts gather at Suncoast Boat Show

Promoted as the Gulf Coast’s premier boat show, the event features a wide selection of boats both on land and in the water.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John Harkness takes the majority of his pictures from this dock behind his Longboat Harbour condominium. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • June 20, 2022
Longboat Harbour resident, retired firefighter shifts to up-and-coming photographer

John Harkness retired on Longboat Key in 2018 from a firefighter career and began photography with his iPhone two-and-a-half years ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lt. Josh Dillard, born and raised in Manatee County, won East Manatee Fire Rescue District's Firefighter of the Year award for his work before he was promoted from engineer.
  • By Brendan Lavell |
  • July 7, 2021
Born-and-raised local firefighter wins East Manatee award

Josh Dillard was awarded as East Manatee Fire Rescue District's Firefighter of the Year.

  • East County
  • News
Terri and Jeff Driver, left, are filmed volunteering for Longboat Key Turtle Watch. Troy Logan, Natasha Thornton and Patrick Alexander manage the filming.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • September 9, 2023
Ringling College partners with Longboat nonprofits to make documentaries

Three short films will be shot and produced with a focus on environmental education and outreach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Aloha Ukulele club of Lakewood Ranch donates eight ukuleles to the new Lakewood Ranch Library, represented by Tiffany Mautino (first row, center).
  • By Jay Heater |
  • September 11, 2023
8 ukuleles donated to the new Lakewood Ranch Library

Aloha Ukulele, a Lakewood Ranch Community Activities club, donated ukuleles to the coming library with the hope of having a presence there.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lisa Pring, the president of the Braden Woods Homeowners Association, Phases 1-4, thanks Elise Evans for bringing photographs that show there was no sign posted at the site for a proposed residential development on Linger Lodge Road.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • July 15, 2023
Two more development projects recommended for East County

Residents voiced objections to proposed townhomes on Linger Lodge Road and an expansion to the Hillwood community along Waterline Road.

  • East County
  • News
Lynne Byrd works with sea turtle and cetaceans. (Photo courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium)
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • September 9, 2022
Mote vet tech talks rescues, wild animal stress reduction

Rehabilitation and Medical Care Coordinator Lynne Byrd, who has worked for Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium for 21 years, will speak at "Meet the Women of Mote."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
 Work progresses on the St. Regis construction this week. This view looks southwest toward the hotel structure.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • April 12, 2022
St. Regis resort, condo construction is moving on up

Work goes vertical on Longboat Key site of resort and condominiums.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of a portion of Ride Entertainment's concept for Ken Thompson Park on City Island.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • February 17, 2024
Residents speak out against Ken Thompson Park proposal

Although the Ride Entertainment plan is not on its meeting agenda, several speakers implored the Parks Board to recommend against the proposal to activate the City Island park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark Ursini said he plans to bring his business to the center, too. (Courtesy rendering)
  • By Observer Staff |
  • August 20, 2022
Mid-Key commercial property plans await final approval

The commercial property and two residential homes from local homebuilder Brista Homes are planned to be completed by the end of 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
« 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free