• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • 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
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Key Life

A green sea turtle hatchling makes its way to the Gulf.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 2, 2023
Sea turtle nesting season persisted despite high heat, hurricane

Overall, it was a good year for sea turtles, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium says.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kent Eschenbach and James Denner (right) pose with Larry Frankel (middle) on Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 2, 2023
Photobomber conducts daily raids on unsuspecting beachgoers

Larry Frankel, also known as the Siesta Key Photobomber, keeps the smiles coming on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
A brightly decorated boat drove through the Marina Jack Yacht Basin area during the 2022 Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 1, 2023
The best things to do on Siesta, Lido, Longboat keys in November, December, January

The don’t-miss events from around the keys in November, December and January.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Pop’s Sunset Grill is on the Intercoastal Waterway across from Casey Key.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 5, 2023
Pop’s Sunset Grill honors restaurant’s roots — and its shrimp Rangoon

Great team. Great food. Sensational views and location. The secret of Pop’s success is no secret at all.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Mangrove forests are one of the most threatened tropical ecosystems in the world. Florida’s estimated 600,000 acres of mangroves contribute to the overall health of the state’s coastal zone in addition to providing some of the best kayaking experiences.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 5, 2023
An exploration of Lido’s mangrove tunnels reveals heart of our coastal ecosystem

Key Life’s intrepid reporter encounters Florida’s unique ecosystem on a kayak tour through Lido Key’s magical mangrove tunnels.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
An aerial shot of The Bay shows its position alongside Sarasota’s iconic bayfront.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 5, 2023
The Bay Park begins to take shape — and it’s just getting started

A core group of business, civic and philanthropic leaders in Sarasota came together over the past decade for one common cause: to turn a parking lot into a world-class park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The original Revere Quality House now serves as a guest house and pool pavilion for a newer 4,755-square-foot “companion house” built in 2007. Similar design motifs unify the two structures to create a lavish Siesta Key estate.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • May 5, 2023
Siesta Key property shares tales of two homes — one of which is legendary

Every house has a story or two to tell. But this home on Siesta Key has so many that it’s hard to tell where to begin.

  • Siesta Key
  • Real Estate
Jake’s Ice Cream on Siesta Key
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • May 4, 2023
Key spots to satisfy your urge for ice cream on Siesta, Longboat

No need for screaming. There are plenty of places on the keys to satisfy your ice cream cravings.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
As much as SOS is an inviting place for people to behold birds — from pelicans to parakeets — the facility’s primary business is helping to revive ailing ones.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 3, 2023
Save Our Seabirds takes off on expansion plans for the nonprofit

Aaron Virgin, the new CEO of Save our Seabirds, has big plans for the avian sanctuary.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Irene Chang-Britt’s story is one of personal growth and reinvention.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 3, 2023
Former Pepperidge Farm CEO is living her dream life on Bird Key

Irene Chang-Britt, the former CEO of Pepperidge Farm, shares her tales of success — and why retiring on Bird Key is the sweetest part.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Michael Drake, the Longboat Key Historical Society’s president, stands in front of the cottage that now houses the organization’s extensive collection of artifacts.
  • By Patricia Horwell
  • May 3, 2023
Longboat Key Historical Society gives new life to the past

The organization’s new location at Longboat Key’s Town Center will serve as a museum showcasing archives, artifacts and historical objects.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton is spending the first months of his new job listening to staff and evaluating systems.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 2, 2023
Meet Longboat Key’s new town manager

Longboat Key’s new town manager, Howard Tipton, measures the success of his weeks by the number of sunsets he gets to see.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Troy Roberts and Scott Ruberg show off the new batch of limited-edition “Scooter of the Beach” rum.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 2, 2023
Siesta Key Rum dives into more success with its recent release

Siesta Key Rum recently released the second batch of a limited-edition label in recognition of the celebrated Siesta Key lifeguard "Scooter of the Beach."

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Amanda and John Horne will honor Café L’Europe’s favorite menu items, including the French onion soup served in an onion, but have revamped the interior and refreshed the menu.
    By
  • Abby Weingarten
  • February 6, 2023
Restaurateur brings his brand of hospitality to the iconic Café L'Europe

John Horne, one of the area’s most experienced restaurateurs, takes the helm of an iconic restaurant on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Residents and tourists, young and old, found something to enjoy at the Lido Casino.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • February 4, 2023
The legendary local hot spots of the past

Before the condos and traffic, Lido, Siesta and Longboat keys housed a whole host of haunts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 »
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

Sponsored Content
1
  • December 4, 2025
Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival
2
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
3
The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights
4
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall
5
Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author

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 © 2025 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.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now