• 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

Cindy Ritchell, Ann Quackenbush, Brenda Korthauer, Beverly Sutton and Kit Torchia all lend a helping hand in packing seeds to send internationally to farmers who need them. Quackenbush is a driving force behind Hope Seeds, a charitable ministry through Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 22, 2025
Longboat's Hope Seeds nears 10 years of giving back

Volunteers with the group credit organizer Ann Quackenbush with knowing how to get the job done.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo

The senior midfielder/forward is the leading scorer for The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer through nine games.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County

Manatee commissioners voted to reduce speeds due to safety concerns.

  • East County
  • News
The library will be constructed on the light green area depicted on this map within Longboat Key's Town Center Green. The entire library would be around 11,230 square feet with the possible enhancements.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 22, 2025
Buchanan's $1 million donation formally accepted for library

Longboat Key's planned facility will be named for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and his wife, Sandra.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 22, 2025
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

Students at three of Sarasota's schools share their Christmas wishes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love

From Barbies and dogs to roller skates and cyber trucks, elementary students in the Lakewood Ranch area make sure Santa knows what they want.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family

Sue Wertman, among her numerous other contributions to the community, has been ringing the bell for the Salvation Army on Longboat for 12 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial

Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute at Sarasota Memorial Hospital is seeking candidates diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer for global clinical trial.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids

River Club's Guy Vilt has fun bringing technology into his Christmas display.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

Pastor Phil Derstine and his fellow carolers bring hugs and music to taverns on Christmas Eve.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust

Demond L. Smith, 33, is charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor, including trafficking in cocaine.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening

Shoppers explore offerings from the 13,000 books at the retail location, which also includes beach towels, decorative pieces and games.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

Sarasota and Longboat Key both experienced traffic tie-ups during the lunch hour.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Artist JC Wayne hangs the ninth and final piece in her series "Atomic Universe," the latest installation at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. The display will be up throughout the holiday season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 19, 2025
Artist delves into ideas of existence at Longboat exhibition

JC Wayne, All Angels' latest featured gallery artist, merges themes of spirituality, science and art in her series of paintings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade

This year's Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade was the original organizers' "swan song," who hope new blood will take on the parade and keep the Christmas spirit alive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 »
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
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
2
St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
3
The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes
4
Mitchell Meissner lines up his putt on the third green of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. He carded six under par in the second round, pulling into a 10-way tie for 10th place.
  • April 3, 2026
Front runner emerges on second day of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
Sponsored Content
5
  • April 3, 2026
Lighting the Path Health Care Luncheon

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