• 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

For 21 years, Dr. Stephen Leatherman, coastal expert and director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, has ranked America’s finest beaches in his annual Top 10 Beach List.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 25, 2012
Year in review: April 2012, 'Nathan Benderson: 'The aftereffect of No. 1'

For more than two decades, Dr. Stephen Leatherman has ranked America's top beaches. After the initial tourism boost, how do these top destination spots fare?

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Nathan Benderson, founder of Benderson Development, an East County-based developer, died April 7. He was 94. File photos.
  • By Pam Eubanks and Mark Gordon
  • December 25, 2012
Year in review: April 2012, 'Nathan Benderson: 'One of a Kind''

Nathan Benderson, who grew up in the Great Depression, turned a hardscrabble childhood into a lifetime of business success and unbridled philanthropy. He died April 7.

  • East County
  • News
The benches were pulled out of the park last summer after residents and business owners complained.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 25, 2012
Year in review: April 2012, 'Five Points benches remain removed'

The Sarasota City Commission voted unanimously Monday to keep benches out of Selby Five Points Park, citing as their main reason for doing so the recommendations of the Sarasota Police Department and two organizations that are champions of the homeless community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 25, 2012
Year in review: April 2012, 'Arts Center withdraws site plan'

Ringling College of Art and Design will table plans to amend and extend the Longboat Key Center for the Arts' existing site plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Lisa Nisenson
  • December 24, 2012
Less Scrooge, More Hallelujah -- celebrating our city

Less Scrooge, More Hallelujah -- celebrating our city

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
  • By Emarie and Petr Marcan
  • December 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: End of the World Party at the Cock & Bull Pub

PHOTO GALLERY: End of the World Party at the Cock & Bull Pub

  • Arts + Culture
  • By Joe Hendricks
  • December 24, 2012
Citizens request appeal of Wal-Mart site plan approval

Citizens request appeal of Wal-Mart site plan approval

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The day after 53-year-old Donna Chen was killed in a traffic incident on Midnight Pass Road, residents left flowers and a cross as a memorial to her. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 24, 2012
Year in Review: March 2012, 'Sarasota County Commission hears more pleas for alcohol ban'

Commissioners agreed to seek more roadway safety measures.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
On March 3, members and officials of the YMCA celebrated the opening of the facility’s new $2.1 million, 13,000-square-foot addition, which has been under construction since September.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 24, 2012
Year in review: March 2012, 'Ranch YMCA unveils expansion'

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA opened its new fitness center to the public March 3.

  • East County
  • News
Some Laurel Park residents are concerned with large development that can be built on lots just outside the community's boundaries on Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 24, 2012
Year in review: March 2012, 'Laurel Park residents divided'

The downtown historic Laurel Park neighborhood is in the midst of an ongoing dispute over future development just outside its boundaries.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vice Mayor David Brenner celebrated his District 3 commission seat win Tuesday night with campaign supporters at the Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 24, 2012
Year in review: March 2012, 'Brenner: 'We won''

Less than 100 votes separated incumbent Vice Mayor David Brenner and challenger Ray Rajewski.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
SMART Volunteer Executive Director Gail Clifton and SMART rider Jessica Stort were eager to show off one of the new barns. SMART moved to its new 23-acre home March 1. Published March 1, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2012
March Year in Pictures: East County

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of March 2012.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vice Mayor David Brenner celebrated his re-election to the District 3 Longboat Key Town Commission seat March 20, at the Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2012
March Year in Pictures: Longboat Key

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of March 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Allie Purcell, 13, loved riding in a wagon full of plants and flowers at the Plant and Garden Festival at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2012
March Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of March 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, tells a national TV audience about his selection of Siesta Public Beach. He visited St. Boniface Episcopal Church March 10.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2012
March Year in Pictures: Pelican Press

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of March 2012.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
« 3899 3900 3901 3902 3903 3904 3905 3906 3907 3908 »
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
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
2
Under Southwest Florida Water Management District's Phase III restrictions, water fountains can only run four hours per day.
  • April 5, 2026
Manatee County among 14 Southwest Florida counties under water restrictions
3
Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
4
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding welcomes guest speaker Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager to update members about his approach to leadership since he assumed the role last autumn at the April 2 meeting.
  • April 4, 2026
Longboat police chief talks digital security with Kiwanians
5
Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
  • April 4, 2026
Dancers show off their moves at Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch

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