• 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

Your Observer | All

Commissioner Jason Bearden sits in his office at the Manatee County Administration Building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 28, 2024
Jason Bearden says he is taking a stand against unsupported development

The Manatee County at-large commissioner says he wants roads built first.

  • East County
  • News
It's time to hit the reset button with the new year
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • December 28, 2024
It's time to hit the reset button with the new year

Health is more than being sick or not. It is about balance and can lead to a smoother lifestyle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
New year, new liver. Maybe it is time to take that holiday detox breather — and head to Siesta Key Oyster Bar to kick off that healthy 2025 mantra!
    By
  • Emma Burke Jolly
  • December 28, 2024
These mocktails won't leave you missing the buzz

Let's raise a glass of a booze-free beverage and toast to hangover-free mornings.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sarasota Military Academy is one of six schools in Sarasota that will have speed detection cameras in the school zone.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2024
School zone speed cameras activate Jan. 6

Speeds outside of six Sarasota schools will be monitored by speed detection devices resulting in $100 fines for offenders.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The KSA Architecture rendering of Saravela shows two towers of varying heights.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 27, 2024
Downtown mixed-use development will straddle zoning districts

Saravela is planned for 1.7 acres at North Tamiami Trail between Fourth and Fifth streets. At 11 and 18 stories it will be split by Downtown Bayfront and Downtown Core.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rachel Walmsley lines up a shot during shooting practice at Braden River High School on Thursday, Dec. 12.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 27, 2024
Braden River senior helps JROTC team have a shot at air rifle tournament

Rachel Walmsley is floating on air after winning her region's air rifle match.

  • East County
  • Schools
The sidewalks and shoulders of the Cortez Bridge will experience closures during Manatee County's utility relocation project.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 27, 2024
Utility relocation for Cortez Bridge project will continue through 2025

The work will likely close the shoulder areas of the Cortez Bridge area intermittently through the year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In 2024, Sarasota proved its strength in its resurgence
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • December 26, 2024
In 2024, Sarasota proved its strength in its resurgence

In a tough year with the hurricanes, Sarasota still had plenty of enjoyable fun and good times.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Friends Laura Salata and Melissa Monoki are preparing to open a brand-new BODYBAR Pilates studio in Lakewood Ranch on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 26, 2024
New Year's resolution leads to new Lakewood Ranch Pilates studio

Two friends mix community and exercise with new Bodybar Pilates location.

  • East County
  • Business
Despite 3 hurricanes, 2024 left Longboat Key smiling
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • December 25, 2024
Despite 3 hurricanes, 2024 left Longboat Key smiling

In 2024, we saved lives of turtles and birds and released them back into nature; we danced on St. Patty's Day and renewed love on Valentine's; and we found wonderful goodies, tastes and drinks only Longboat can dish out.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sara Esty performs in Asolo Rep's "Crazy For You," which wrapped Jan. 4.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 25, 2024
For Sarasota arts groups, 2024 was the year of fancy footwork

Cultural institutions showed agility as they dealt with everything from grants cuts to hurricanes.

  • Arts + Culture
A condominium in Epoch tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $11.35 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 5,328 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 25, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for 2024 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

Sarasota condominium sells for $11.35 million, Siesta Key home tops all sales at $15 million..

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Itzhak Perlman conducts the PMP Winter Residency Celebration Concert in January 2024.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 24, 2024
It's music as usual for the Perlman Music Program's winter residency

Storm damage in the area didn't hinder the program's 21st season.

  • Arts + Culture
The Elks' Faith Frost joins Prodigal Daughters' Denise Gattuso and Ruth Perez-Hernandez and the Elks' Darrin Simone in distributing toys to kids in need during the Elks Toy Drive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2024
Elks show their heart in Lakewood Ranch with toys for children in need

More than 7,500 toys were collected during the Elks Toy Drive with help from Walgreens.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The pineapple hangs above the crowd on New Year's Eve.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2024
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 26-Jan. 1

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
« 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 »
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
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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