• 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
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • 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
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • 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

    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2026
Are you smarter than a fifth grader?

Here are some questions from the Florida Standards science and math sample exams to test your knowledge.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Booker High School's Visual and Performing Arts program gives students hands-on experience in their field of choice, from theater to dance and beyond.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 16, 2026
Booker High's bar-setting arts program draws talent near and far

Visual and Performing Arts Program Director and Booker High School alumna Courtney Smith says the program's innovative approach keeps it on the cutting edge of magnet programs.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarasota's first micromobility hub was installed on Ringling Boulevard near the Legacy Trail entrance.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 16, 2026
City installs hubs for bike, scooter users

Locations for bike and scooter parking and maintenance are being installed throughout downtown as part of a micromobility hub program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paths through the Bobby Jones Nature Park are a combination of new crushed shell surface and former golf cart paths.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 16, 2026
A good walk unspoiled: Bobby Jones Nature Park marks completion of Phase 1

Sarasota city officials cut the ribbon to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the Bobby Jones Nature Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Benderson Development wants to redevelop the former site of the Sarasota County Administration Center at 1660 Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 16, 2026
1660 Ringling plan is all business for now

Benderson Development is seeking to expand the footprint and height of the former Sarasota County Administration Center and spruce up the parking lot for Class A office space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Lions, playing by FIBA rules in the Sunbelt Basketball Association, offer competitive opportunities to players like Willie Jackson (right).
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 16, 2026
Sarasota Lions hit the hardwood

The minor professional basketball team encompasses a group of hoopers hoping to jumpstart or continue their respective careers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
About 120 people attended an evening sea turtle nest excavation on Longboat Key conducted by permitted experts.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 16, 2026
Experts invite public to turtle nest dig

Despite predation, 40 baby turtles hatched from an excavated sea turtle nest.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ginger Kreithen works on "The Legacy," amid other artists at the wall.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2026
Local artists create mural in contest by Sarasota business

The wall of Epic Rockworks became a canvas for four local artists, who each produced a piece of art featuring rocks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
White sand beaches, boating and preserved nature are a few of the draws the barrier island of Longboat Key has to offer visitors.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 16, 2026
Longboat Key named No. 9 island in U.S.

Travel + Leisure included Longboat Key on its annual World’s Best Awards list.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Unit 17PHC condominium at 50 Central Ave. was built in 2005 and has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 4,174 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 16, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for June 29-July 3 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Plaza at Five Points Residences condominium on Central Avenue tops the week’s sales at $2.65 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Photo Credit: John Revisky
  • By Adnan Dedic
  • July 16, 2026
Adnan Dedic: Sarasota’s Go-To Power Real Estate Advisor for Luxury Real Estate

In Sarasota’s hyper-competitive market, Adnan Dedic doesn’t just participate—he leads.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Palm Avenue is one of only two downtown streets that require paid parking. The other is Main Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 15, 2026
Downtown business owners rail against revised paid parking rules

Only five days after it was implemented, two downtown Sarasota business owners prompt City Commission to reexamine overhauled paid parking program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kristen Little plays with Jubilee.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 15, 2026
Sarasota County Animal Services seeks adoptions as it nears capacity

The shelter had a total of 145 animals, with an overflow space in use for dogs, on Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Logan Shaw, Wolfe Shaw, Michael Garey and Calvin Shaw, the team behind the new M & W Sweet Spot frozen treat shop on Longboat Key, showcase a variety of their offerings, including frozen custard sandwiches and drinks.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 15, 2026
From frozen custard to soft serve, Longboat's treats help locals stay cool

Those seeking to satisfy their sweet tooth have plenty of options with shops including the newly opened M & W Sweet Spot on Longboat Key's north end.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Utility lines are strung along rear yards on some streets on Lido Key.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 15, 2026
Burying power lines on barrier islands tops City Commission agenda

The Monday, July 20 meeting of the Sarasota City Commission includes approving a bid to assess the feasibility of putting utilities underground on St. Armands and Lido keys.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 »
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
Tom Bleakley's "The Preacher" follows a young Detroit lawyer who takes on the defense of a woman charged with the killing of her husband. It is co-authored by Marcia Krajewski, another Lakewood Ranch resident.
  • July 21, 2026
Lakewood Ranch author uses 50-year law career to write fiction novels
2
Natalia Lesniewska raked in a meet-high 11 medals — 10 gold, one bronze — among all girls at the Florida Summer Age Group Championships.
  • July 21, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Natalia Lesniewska
3
The playground is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
  • July 21, 2026
Manatee County moves forward with Mixon Farms makeover
4
Shirtless, shoeless teenager walking in bike lane visited by police
  • July 21, 2026
Shirtless, shoeless teenager walking in bike lane visited by police
5
Linda R. McKee, retired chief librarian of The Ringling, and Deborah W. Walk, retired chief circus curator, have written a book about a mysterious painting known as the "Greta Garbo Vermeer."
  • July 20, 2026
Two sleuths track the mystery of the 'Greta Garbo Vermeer'

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