• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • 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
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Key Life

Lido Island Grill's lobster roll, filled with chilled Maine lobster and served with tortilla chips and lemon.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • February 5, 2026
Meet the island kitchens setting the standard for a seriously good lobster roll

Although it's not a local, lobster remains a much-loved treat — especially on a roll.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Front: Elliot Salenger, Larry Coleman, Dr. Lee Edstrom; Back: Steve Davidson, Bob Nusbaum, Paul Levenson
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 5, 2026
These tennis players unite for the love of the game — and ribbing each other

A love of tennis — mixed with razzing, rallying (if ever so slowly) and rounding out lives well-lived — keeps a resilient band of buddies on task at a longstanding tennis meetup.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Perfectly in sync, Ski-A-Rees skiers Natalie Brannon, Debbie Brannon, Ella Walker and Steph Ouellette skim across Sarasota Bay, blending athleticism and grace.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 5, 2026
From flips to ballet, Ski-A-Rees have done it all on the water since 1957

For nearly 70 years, Sarasota's iconic Ski-A-Rees has blended athleticism, showmanship and community spirit in a tradition that draws hundreds to their beloved Sunday performances.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Palm trees and a white sand beach provide a classic tropical setting.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • February 5, 2026
Natural forms inspired by the sea add drama to a Longboat Key showplace

This Longboat Key estate has classic charm, graceful style and spectacular vistas that elevate every room.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm

Homegrown CEO Sarah Firstenberger brings fresh ideas and steady leadership to the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mirabai Holland says “taking charge of your health doesn’t have to feel like getting your teeth drilled.”
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 4, 2026
Longboater knows just how to help others get on the path to wellness

Mirabai Holland's dynamic backstory has many twists and turns. It all leads to one central theme: Just keep moving.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hurricanes Milton and Helene caused some $4 million in damage to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron facilities.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • February 2, 2026
Sarasota Sailing Squadron continues its path of recovery

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron has come a long way since hurricanes Milton and Helene. More work remains.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A seaside table set with Siesta Summer's signature style — effortless elegance with a touch of coastal whimsy.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • October 30, 2025
Enjoy a quintessential Florida al fresco experience with tips from top planners

Creating the perfect picnic isn’t rocket science. But it is an art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rachel Ghormley says Euphemia Haye has been a family favorite on Longboat for decades.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 30, 2025
Beloved Longboat restaurant continues legacy with new owners

The new owners of longtime local landmark Euphemia Haye aim to maintain the newfound momentum since taking over earlier this year. "There is a lot of love we are putting into this," says one co-owner.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
From his Plymouth Harbor condo, Newman enjoys a sweeping view of Sarasota Bay — and a life rich in stories, family and photography.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • October 30, 2025
Photography has done more than keep Lou Newman busy. It's kept him young.

From polar bears in the Arctic to pelicans on Lido Beach, Lou Newman has spent the last two decades capturing the world through his lens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Lido Shores home was once the center of Sarasota's social scene — and scandal
  • By Robert Plunket
  • October 30, 2025
This Lido Shores home was once the center of Sarasota's social scene — and scandal

Once the stage for Sarasota's most dazzling dramas, this spectacular Lido Shores estate is back in the spotlight.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Lobster Dutchess features a whole Maine lobster stuffed with shrimp, scallops, crab and lobster meat, baked in buttery stuffing with Parmesan and a splash of sherry. Seafood Portugal combines lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp and sausage over pasta.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • October 30, 2025
Lobster Pot infuses New England tradition with Portuguese pizazz

The Medeiros family blends their Massachusetts past and Portuguese ancestry at the Siesta Key Village restaurant.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Wilma Davidson at home on Longboat Key, where she and her husband have lived full time for 20 years.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • October 29, 2025
Curiosity and a zest for life drive Longboat woman's storied career

Writer, educator, pilot and lifelong learner Wilma Davidson has built a career — and a life — defined by curiosity, achievement and purpose.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key Kiwanis Club members Shawna Smith, incoming president Mary-Lynn Desjarlais, Joy Horne Jones, Candace Anderson, Kimberley Amos and Steve Stonecipher (front). The club meets the first and third Wednesday of the month at Gecko's on Clark Road in Sarasota. (Photo taken at Hub Baja Grille on Siesta Key.)
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • October 29, 2025
'Mighty' Siesta Key Kiwanis Club helps children, one community at a time

Poverty can happen anywhere. The Siesta Key Kiwanis Club is working to insulate Sarasota kids from its effects.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Stephen Leatherman, aka “Dr. Beach,” who is director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, ranked Siesta the No. 1 beach in the country in 2011 and 2017.
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • October 28, 2025
Siesta Beach returns to the top of the rankings

We all know Siesta Beach is awesome. But here's what goes into those "best beach" rankings — and why they matter.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 »
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

Latest News

1
Charles Edward Githler
  • May 6, 2026
Charles Edward Githler
2
(Milton and Stephanie Kruk)
  • May 6, 2026
Milton and Stephanie Kruk 70th Wedding Anniversary
3
The Stickney Point Road property contains commercial condominiums, 700 feet of bay frontage and 390 feet of canal/boat basin access.
  • May 6, 2026
Nearly $21M Stickney Point project moves forward
4
Dick Vitale, even amid his battle with melanoma, kept the focus of his 21st annual gala in Sarasota on helping kids fight — and beat — cancer.
  • May 6, 2026
Dick Vitale reminds us, once more, pediatric cancer research matters
5
A single-family residence at 3515 Gulf of Mexico Drive has been under construction for years and is nearing completion.
  • May 6, 2026
Application tweaks aim to streamline permitting process

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

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