• 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

Violinist and pianist Donna Smith performs with singer Johanna Davis at a special Christmas concert for attendees at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church on Dec. 6.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Angelic voices ring throughout All Angels for Christmas concert

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church invited musicians Johanna Davis and Donna Smith to perform holiday tunes for attendees.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The idea for Moo-Jitsu was a collaboration between 9-year-old Olivia Whitman and her father Brandon Whitman in October of last year. They launched the business in August.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 8, 2025
Love of cows adds spice to Lakewood Ranch business

Moo-Jitsu is a new spice company that brands itself through a love of cows and jiu jitsu.

  • East County
  • Business
Emily Burns and Jack Coleman of Poppo's Taqueria dish up their popular pork tacos at the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's Lawn Party on Dec. 6 at Ken Thompson Park.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Longboat's Lawn Party returns following hurricane hiatus

More than 30 restaurants participated after a year off as Kiwanis Club of Longboat raises money for the Children's Guardian Fund.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Francesca Bisordi poses for a photo on Dec. 4 during a Lakewood Ranch wrestling practice. Currently competing in the 155-pound weight class, she formerly wrestled at 170 in both 2024 and 2023.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Francesca Bisordi

The junior wrestler for Lakewood Ranch High is the program's first female to reach the state tourney.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lake Manatee EMS station is due for a replacement. EMS moved into the space in 1982.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 8, 2025
Site for a new Lake Manatee EMS station is under fire

Manatee County commissioners are not in favor of a site that borders Lake Manatee and Lake Manatee State Park.

  • East County
  • News
Susan Borden, Kelli Veit and Nancy Harris shared a bit about the goods and games available at Temple Beth Israel's Hanukkah open house on Dec. 7.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Temple Beth Israel hosts Hanukkah open house for third year

From dreidel games to holiday market stalls, visitors took in plenty of entertainment to kickstart the holiday early.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
St. Armands Circle was several feet underwater following hurricanes Helene and Milton.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 8, 2025
St. Armands stakeholders urged to advocate for resilience funding

The Sarasota County Commission will decide if $25 million in Resilient SRQ funds will be spent to help prevent flooding on St. Armands Key on Dec. 16.

  • Sarasota
  • News
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting

With an appearance from Santa Claus, music by the Sarasota Academy of Arts and festive treats, the Christmas kickoff delighted attendees of all ages.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Capacity of the new operation is up to 18 million gallons a day from 12 million, and the system reduced harmful nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus released into the reclaimed-water irrigation.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 7, 2025
Expanded, improved wastewater plant officially opens

Sarasota County cuts the ribbon on its $210 million Bee Ridge project, east of Interstate 75.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • December 7, 2025
Florida Center for Early Childhood hosts 2nd annual Wonder Gala

The evening raises funds to help provide prevention and early intervention services to young children facing possible academic, social and economic challenges.

  • Black Tie
St. Petersburg's Ella Brown and Sarasota's Mike Chambers take full advantage of the live music to show off their best dance moves at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 7, 2025
Lakewood Ranch music fans aren't crying the blues after festival

Seven blues bands entertained a crowd of about 800 at Waterside Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students from Sarasota High School's marching band walk in the parade.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 7, 2025
Sarasota's spirit goes on display in the holiday parade

Each year, the parade features many local organizations, businesses, schools and clubs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 7, 2025
Turtle watch contributes nearly $12K to Mote

The Longboat environmental group gifted Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium funds to support sea turtle conservation and education programs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points

Turnout was high for the event, which combined the Fresh Fridays block party with the lighting of the Christmas tree.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Devin Mignery (center) prepares to take the snap during the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinal between Cardinal Mooney and Cocoa. The senior quarterback was inserted for junior Davin Davidson and helped usher the Cougars into the state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 6, 2025
Cardinal Mooney football headed to state championship

In a feat of vengeance, the Cougars shut out the Tigers, continuing their hunt for a third state title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
« 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 »
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
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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

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