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Your Observer | All

Stephen Leatherman, aka “Dr. Beach,” who is director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, ranked Siesta the No. 1 beach in the country in 2011 and 2017.
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • October 28, 2025
Siesta Beach returns to the top of the rankings

We all know Siesta Beach is awesome. But here's what goes into those "best beach" rankings — and why they matter.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager didn’t start in law enforcement until he was 30 years old.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • October 28, 2025
Longboat welcomes its new chief

The new Longboat Key police chief takes pride in never accepting the status quo, seeking to always "make things at least a little bit better."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An extensive project to repair North Casey Key Road is expected to be completed by March 2027.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • October 28, 2025
Casey Key marches down the road to recovery and resilience

A once-quiet stretch on normally quiet Casey Key is bustling with the early stages of a $44 million road repair project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Bordering a sidewalk connecting a playground at Bayfront Park to Sarasota Bay is a narrow strip of landscaping that is incorporated into the town’s stormwater system called a bioswale.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 27, 2025
Bayfront Park naturally filters stormwater, prevents flooding

More effective than an average drainage ditch, Longboat Key's bioswales at Bayfront Park are an example of environmental stormwater management practices.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bob's barricades have found a temporary home outside Lakewood Ranch Town Hall as road crews move them on and off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as lane closures are required.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 27, 2025
Lakewood Ranch-area road projects continue to move forward

Work is wrapping up on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, but lane closures continue on State Road 70 and Upper Manatee River Road.

  • East County
  • News
Everett Whiten Jr. watches his chip shot approach the hole on Oct. 22 at The Concession Golf Club. The 24-year-old native of Chesapeake, Virginia, won the 2025 Billy Horschel Invitational.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 27, 2025
Billy Horschel Invitational shows why The Concession is ready for a greater future

The Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour event was held Oct. 20-22 at the Lakewood Ranch-based golf club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Valarie Evanko, Bob Mazurek and Iris White shared their hope that The Lord's Warehouse thrift shop will keep its normal operations running after a new Goodwill donation center opens on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 27, 2025
Lord's Warehouse prepares for incoming Goodwill

Organizers of the Longboat thrift shop hope they'll be able to maintain usual operations when the new Goodwill donation center opens.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jordan Sacks, Brooke Strickland, and Coast hang out at the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 27, 2025
Two Pride groups merge to create Gulfcoast Pride Festival

Held Oct. 26, the festival was Sarasota's largest Pride event and featured headlining musical act Zee Machine.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mushu and Emmett dressed as Kermit and Fozzie, while Teagan Nickols dressed as Miss Piggy, claiming eighth place.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 26, 2025
Dogs and humans get into costume at Dog-A-Ween

Costumers went all-out for the contest, held at the Sarasota Farmer's Market by the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Heather Kasten stands with incoming board chair Jennifer Rominkiecki.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 26, 2025
Chamber welcomes Selby Gardens president as board chair

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting welcomed board chair Jennifer Rominiecki, as well as keynote speaker Jim Knight, a Hard Rock International executive.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mote SEA lures guests to its new location for Oceanic Evening
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • October 26, 2025
Mote SEA lures guests to its new location for Oceanic Evening

The annual event served as the new aquarium's grand opening gala as well, giving many patrons their first look at the new center.

  • Black Tie
All Faiths Food Bank raises money to bring fresh produce to the table
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • October 26, 2025
All Faiths Food Bank raises money to bring fresh produce to the table

The Autumn Harvest Dinner treats guests to a farm-to-table meal while raising funds to stock its warehouse with fresh produce.

  • Black Tie
Lakewood Ranch 5-year-old Cora Forrester and her mom Cassie Campbell give some love to Banjo the goat from Blissful Goat Yoga during East Manatee Fire Rescue's Trunk or Treat Oct. 25.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 26, 2025
East Manatee Fire Rescue adds a spark to Halloween

The Trunk or Treat event at Station 1 in Lakewood Ranch drew hundreds.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Caragiulos opened in Mira Mar in 1989.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • October 26, 2025
Caragiulos closes until new downtown Sarasota spot opens in 2026

The Italian restaurant will be moving locations downtown from Palm Avenue to Ringling Boulevard.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
This year makes 22 years of the Boo Run, which has been referred to as the "day of Grayson." Grayson Tullio dresses as Russell from the Disney movie "Up" while his great friend Monika Oberer dresses as his Carl Fredricksen.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 25, 2025
Boo Run is not just another day for Gray

The Lakewood Ranch race has been an important fundraiser for Another Day for Gray, which supports those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
A Goodwill bookstore and donation center will occupy the new outparcel building at 3160 Gulf of Mexico Drive by the end of the year.
  • December 16, 2025
Goodwill to open Dec. 18 on Longboat Key
2
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents
3
Bo O'Daniel poses for a photo on Dec. 15 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The senior had three touchdown catches for the Cougars in the Dec. 10 FHSAA Class 2A state championship.
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Bo O'Daniel
4
Richard Thomas stars in "Mark Twain Tonight!" at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Dec. 19-20.
  • December 16, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 18-24
5
Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise

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