• 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
  • Key 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
  • Key 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer | All

Manatee County, which has been providing its residents with sandbags, also will open the Fort Hamer Bridge before its scheduled opening to help with traffic caused by the emergency situation.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 6, 2017
Hurricane Irma threat will open Fort Hamer Bridge early

Manatee County announces bridge opening to help with heavy traffic that will be associated with Hurricane Irma.

  • East County
  • News
Cat Depot resident Hawthorne
  • By Anna Brugmann & Katie Johns
  • September 6, 2017
Sarasota animal sanctuaries prepare for Hurricane Irma

While Hurricane Irma approaches, Save Our Seabirds, Mote Marine and Cat Depot prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Co-Chairwoman Rebecca Dalton, Chairwoman Tina Darling and Melissa Watrobsky
    By
  • Niki Kottmann
  • September 6, 2017
WCR supporters strut their stuff at annual fashion show

Women’s Council of Realtors Sarasota hosted its 2017 Fashion Show: “The Pieces Make the Whole” on Sept. 6 at Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

  • Black Tie
City officials meet at Lido Beach on Wednesday to discuss the viability of placing large sandbags along the shore to mitigate the impact of storm surge. Photo courtesy city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 6, 2017
City prepares for Hurricane Irma

As the city monitors the advancing storm, officials are prioritizing the most vulnerable areas of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hundreds of people took advantage of free sand at Lakewood Ranch Community Park as locals wait to receive free sandbags.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 6, 2017
Hurricane Irma — Lakewood Ranch digs in

Hundreds fill sandbags at Lakewood Ranch Community Park.

  • East County
  • News
Cardinal Mooney has now canceled its game against Berkeley Prep.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 6, 2017
Cardinal Mooney football game against Berkeley Prep canceled

The game was originally moved to Thursday Night.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • September 6, 2017
JDub's Brewing Co. offers discounts in anticipation of Hurricane Irma

The Sarasota brewery is offering 'reverse price gouging' on its beers.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch High and Southeast High have decided to cancel their contest, originally scheduled for Friday night, according to Jason Montgomery, Manatee County's supervisor of athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 6, 2017
All East County football games canceled

The games were originally moved to Thursday night.

  • East County
  • Sports
East County residents fill their sand bags at Lakewood Ranch Community Park on Wednesday after the county declared a state of emergency.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 6, 2017
Manatee schools close Friday due to Hurricane Irma

Manatee County declares state of emergency as Irma approaches.

  • East County
  • News
After the ribbon was cut, the Lorraine Road extension was opened to traffic at 2 p.m. Sept. 6.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 6, 2017
Lorraine Road extension clears path to Sarasota County

After morning celebration, roadway opens to help expand Lakewood Ranch into Sarasota County.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 6, 2017
Sarasota County schools closed on Friday

Activities will continue as normal on Thursday, and officials will monitor the storm over the weekend to make a decision about school next week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 6, 2017
Post-storm can be worse

Be ready for two storms: when Irma hits and her aftermath. Recovery can be harder, longer than the storm.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
In the case of a Longboat Key evacuation, police would set up checkpoints on the north and south ends of the island, limiting initial re-entry access.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • September 6, 2017
Longboat leaders still wary of Irma's local effects

Decision still pending on possible evacuation, but officials want residents to know re-entry plans.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Director of Nursing Gloria Wright gives a hug to Marie Brandstatter.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • September 6, 2017
Group of Sarasota centenarians celebrated

The 12 women of the Pines of Sarasota's centenarian club were introduced to the nation on NBC's "Today Show".

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Benderson Development's Director of Florida Leasing Mark Chait says the tenant mix in UTC is impressive for the industry.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 6, 2017
More in store at UTC in Sarasota

Shoppers have more choices along University Parkway corridor

  • East County
  • News
« 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 »
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
DragonBoot Quartet performs the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Gamma” for string quartet for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota on April 12.
  • April 6, 2026
Pine View grad solves for 'Gamma' in his latest music composition
2
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
  • April 6, 2026
Benderson begins trek through rezoning of 1660 Ringling Boulevard
3
Emi Frydman checks out the basket of Easter eggs her family members found at the April 4 egg hunt at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. The Easter activities, open to the public, made their return for the first time since the early 2020s through the efforts of church members.
  • April 6, 2026
Back from pre-COVID hiatus, St. Armands hosts Easter bash
4
Lydia Lardner, 3, makes an impressive start filling up her Easter basket with Kelly Lardner and family at the April 3 Sand Cay Condominiums Beach Resort's Easter egg hunt, a beloved tradition at the resort for more than a decade.
  • April 6, 2026
Families return for Easter egg hunt tradition at Sand Cay
5
Sarasota's Harlyn Voyles, 7, holds on for dear life during the mutton busting at Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash April 4.
  • April 5, 2026
Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash attracts 2,000 fans on Easter weekend

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.

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