• 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
    • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer | All

Rebecca Blitz, who became SMART’s executive director in April, says restricted funding is currently one of the nonprofit’s biggest challenges.
    By
  • Randi Donahue
  • August 20, 2020
Charity Snapshot: Bridling the Challenge

SMART’s new executive director took the reins with a clear plan for the organization. Then the pandemic hit.

  • LWR Life
Tommy Gregory
  • By Rep. Tommy Gregory
  • August 20, 2020
My View: Florida Democrats target black incumbents

Three Democrat lawmakers who dared to support school choice and limits on teen abortions are being labeled as no longer Democrats.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
MVP Sports and Social Co-Founder Chris McComas putts at Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch. The golf league is among MVP’s new offerings.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 20, 2020
Play On

After going virtual during the pandemic, MVP Sports seeks out new — and safe — opportunities to get people engaging in activities in-person again.

  • LWR Life
Elliot DeBear says he always liked art but didn’t pursue it until 2018, when he could no longer play golf after a leg amputation.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 20, 2020
Class Act: Artist of Note

Lakewood Ranch painter lets smooth blues and jazz inspire his abstract work.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 20, 2020
Sad kiss goodbye?

No. Say it won’t be so. Unconditional Surrender sets Sarasota apart. Keep it on the bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chris Tomasso was named First Watch CEO in early 2018 and has been an executive with the company since 2006.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 20, 2020
Better with Bacon

Breakfast and brunch is a tasty, and big, business. A national leader in the industry has called the region home for nearly 35 years — and now it’s growing at a rapid-fire rate.

  • LWR Life
Head coach Josh Smithers and the Riverview football team will start practice Aug. 24 and can play games as soon as Sept. 4 — if they can find an opponent.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 20, 2020
Sarasota County coaches cautiously excited for fall sports season

Practice begins Aug. 24 for all sports.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 8.20.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The town of Longboat Key has posted several of these "wear a mask" signs throughout the island.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 20, 2020
Longboat commissioners to vote Aug. 31 on extension of mandatory mask policy

The Longboat Key Town Commission is set to hold an emergency virtual meeting on Aug. 31.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Shaina and Kevin Swan are appearing in social media videos to answer questions about living with ALS.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2020
A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries videos to raise ALS awareness

A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries YouTube videos to raise ALS awareness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 19, 2020
Commission approves relief fund allocations, programs

County staff will now work to release applications by September and allocate funds by Dec. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The current owners of the Sarasota Kennel Club have been working to sell the land for redevelopment after greyhound racing came to an end in 2019.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 19, 2020
Developer plots residential project on Kennel Club site

A new prospective owner of the Sarasota Kennel Club property hopes to build apartments, but specific plans are still to be determined.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michael Cucci Jr. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Big shot on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Creekwood 2-year-old has first try at cornhole.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Beat goes on in East County

Braden River High School's Marching Band of Pirates resume practice.

  • East County
  • News
Deb Herbert stands in front of a oil painting she did at MJ Ranch in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2020
Former Sarasota County Schools fine arts teacher excels in equine themed art

Former Sarasota County Schools fine arts teacher excels in equine themed art.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 1198 1199 1200 1201 1202 1203 1204 1205 1206 1207 »
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
Reported kidnapping debunked by video evidence
  • April 22, 2026
Reported kidnapping debunked by video evidence
2
Nearly every member of the Sarasota Ballet will be on stage for “Checkmate” May 1-2 at the Sarasota Opera House.
  • April 22, 2026
Sarasota Ballet stages a dramatic death dance in 'Checkmate'
3
Lakewood Ranch's Mateo Orlandini and East Bradenton's Alex Molina both have a passion for soccer and love to play with new people at the Lakewood Ranch Residents Soccer Club.
  • April 22, 2026
Soccer club provides free space to grow and socialize
4
Terri Driver is a long-time volunteer with Longboat Key Turtle Watch, seen here caring for a nest in 2016.
  • April 22, 2026
Turtle patrol walks begin on Longboat Key
5
An aerial view of Coquina Beach.
  • April 22, 2026
Coquina Beach parking egress reintroduced as idea to fix congestion

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