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Your Observer | All

Pepper and Buster came dressed as ice cream cones.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 28, 2024
Dogs and humans get into costume at Dog-A-Ween

Attendees got creative with their Halloween costumes at the annual event, which was held at the Sarasota Farmer's Market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Obsidian would be built on this site next to Bay Plaza. The single-story building with seven storefronts will be demolished.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 28, 2024
Obsidian OK'd, but final approval is far from achieved

Bay Plaza residents have appealed administrative approval of adjustments of the 342-foot residential tower to the Planning Board, setting into motion perhaps two years of possible legal battles.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River High School sophomore Alexa Helton performs as part of a quartet. She looks forward to seeing her skills as a clarinet player grow as she continues in high school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 28, 2024
Manatee schools face drastic cuts if 1-mill tax referendum isn't renewed

Manatee charter school funding; STEM, career and technical education; and visual and performing arts programs could be eliminated.

  • East County
  • News
Tom Lopes, Julie Swanger, Sharon Austin and Tony Berube unloaded supplies collected by Milton High School on Oct. 22.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 27, 2024
Georgia high school students collect hurricane relief supplies for Longboat

Hurricane relief supplies collected by students from Milton High School will be available for all Longboaters at Twin Shores Moblie Home Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jacob Gallego, 4, is getting ready to "waddle" through the kids race with support from his mom, Lakewood Ranch's Cassie Gallego.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 26, 2024
More than 500 runners elect to support Boo Run in Lakewood Ranch

The annual event supports the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch and Another Day for Gray.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The SeaSucker VW draws a crowd at BooFest on Oct. 25.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 26, 2024
BooFest sends shivers through Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

The annual Halloween celebration in Lakewood Ranch is a combination of scary and sweet.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Myakka City's 7-year-old Ryder Tripp and 1-year-old Rowan Tripp take a ride in the cow train.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 26, 2024
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival draws thousands to east Bradenton in final weekend

The pumpkin festival finishes another run of fun in East County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Midnight Pass on Thursday Oct. 17 looking from Little Sarasota Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricanes Helene and Milton opened up the Pass after it was closed in 1983.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • October 26, 2024
Milton did us a solid with Midnight Pass

The hurricane left its mark throughout the area, but one positive to take away is the reopening of Midnight Pass.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Ripped-up drywall in Carolyn Wedekind's house shows how high the water rose during Hurricane Helene's storm surge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 26, 2024
LBK condo federation informs residents about post-storm recovery

The federation hosted a virtual webinar that involved restoration experts, insurance adjusters and town personnel to share helpful tips to prepare for and recover from storms.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota High School student volunteers at last year's inaugural Sarasota Slam Pickleball Tournament.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 26, 2024
Pickleball tournament to benefit hurricane victims

Sarasota High School Tennis Foundation's second annual Sarasota Slam will donate a portion of its proceeds to All Faiths Food Bank.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pamela Leon, Atlas Leon, 2, Arlo Leon, 1 and Joseph Leon
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 25, 2024
Kids and adults celebrate Halloween at Boo! at The Bay

The event was an escape for the community from the recent troubles of storms, with trick-or-treating stations and costumes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kerkering Barberio Managing Shareholder Robert Lane, Observer Media Group President Emily Walsh and immediate past chair of Sarasota Chamber Teri Hansen
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 25, 2024
Sarasota Chamber celebrates awards and honors at annual meeting

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual meeting on Oct. 25, celebrating the community's businesses and the theme of resilience.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Mary Lou Ivaska serving Connie DiMaggio at the St. Mary Star of the Sea potluck.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 25, 2024
St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church feeds Longboaters after hurricanes

Parishioners and residents from other churches enjoyed free food and camaraderie after many lost their houses in Hurricane Helene and Milton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Columbia Restaurant is seen boarded up, bracing for Hurricane Milton, just two weeks after Hurricane Helene flooded it with storm surge. The St. Armands landmark is set to reopen Oct. 26.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2024
Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands to reopen Oct. 26

Cha Cha Coconuts is also back after nearly a month of work to repair damage from hurricanes.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Arrest made in Wednesday night fatal crash
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2024
Arrest made in Wednesday night fatal crash

Joshua Slieff of Sarasota County is charged with DUI manslaughter and two other charges in connection with a crash at Fruitville Road and Tuttle Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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

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