• 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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

News

The new Gulf Island Ferry System utilizes two catamarans, providing residents with a new way to travel between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 1, 2023
Ferry service between Bradenton, Anna Maria Island to begin by end of 2023

Three initial stops for the Gulf Islands Water Ferry will allow travelers to enjoy the water going from downtown Bradenton to the barrier islands.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 1, 2023
East County Observer thrives at 25 in the Lakewood Ranch area

The local newspaper, which celebrates a quarter century on Nov. 3 at Music on Main, has grown up with its readers.

  • East County
  • News
Teri Hansen, president and CEO of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation addresses the Sarasota Chamber membership at its 103rd annual meeting on Oct. 27, 2023.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 1, 2023
Sarasota Chamber packs the house for 103rd annual meeting

About 600 attended the event as the gavel was passed to Teri Hansen of the Barancik Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Freshly caught stone crab claws wait to be bought at Walt's Fish Market.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 1, 2023
New regulations aim to protect Florida’s stone crab population

With 99% of stone crab landings coming from Florida, the fishery is critical to many local businesses.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Florida Power & Light's underground utilities project remains in progress, eyeing a finish line in early 2024.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 1, 2023
FPL still investigating Idalia outages with Longboat underground utilities

While the company still hasn't provided an answer, representatives look to maintain regular communication with the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Residents should see equipment mobilizing on Bogey Lane by early November, according to Public Works Director Isaac Brownman.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 31, 2023
Country Club Shores asbestos pipe replacement begins

The multiphase project on Longboat Key will start with Country Club Shores IV and V and will wrap up by early 2025 before proceeding to the final two phases.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The town of Longboat Key had to go back to the drawing board to redesign a potential roundabout at the intersection of Broadway Street and Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 31, 2023
FDOT keeps Longboat Key in mind with new five-year work plan

The Florida Department of Transportation's tentative plan includes three major infrastructure projects for Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The new youth softball complex at 17th Street Regional Park will feature 220-foot outfield fences, conforming to collegiate and professional softball standards.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 31, 2023
Adult softball, funding strategy approved for 17th Street Park

Sarasota County commissioners authorized an additional $8 million spend for the now $65 million first phase of the regional park project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
East County resident Nicole Knapp was appointed as the director of Development Services on Oct. 24 by the Board of County Commissioners.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 31, 2023
East County resident takes over as Manatee Development Services director

Nicole Knapp has worked for Manatee County for the past eight years.

  • East County
  • News
Willis Smith Construction CEO David Sessions receives the Rick Fawley Economic Development Award of Distinction on Oct. 27.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 31, 2023
Willis Smith CEO receives major economic award

David Sessions was honored with the Rick Fawley Economic Development Award of Distinction.

  • East County
  • News
Angelina Van Slyck learns the rules of the road at McNeal Elementary School on Oct. 28 during Manatee County's Mobility Week.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 31, 2023
Manatee County promotes safe transportation for Mobility Week

A special event at McNeal Elementary School presented information on various transportation topics.

  • East County
  • News
Florida elected officials pose on the Navy Steps of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House on Oct. 19.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 30, 2023
Florida League of Cities strike team takes on DC to lobby for local issues

Longboat Key Commissioner at-large BJ Bishop was one of about 50 Florida elected officials that participated in the lobbying trip to Washington, D.C.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
AG Lafley helped lead the formation of the Bay Park Conservancy and the opening of the first phase of The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 30, 2023
Founding CEO returns to helm of Bay Park Conservancy

AG Lafley replaces Stephanie Crockatt, who stepped down after five months on the job.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The YMCA brand in Sarasota dates back to 1945.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 30, 2023
Sarasota has a YMCA again, behind nonprofit merger announcement

A no-quit group of volunteers and deep-pocketed donors, paired with some like-minded nonprofit executives, rejoice over the news Sarasota is no longer a city without a Y.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brenda Spatt walked Sarasota's Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2022, in honor of her son, Leo Michael Puhaly.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 28, 2023
Veterans Day parade set for downtown Sarasota

The parade route will run along Main Street from Osprey Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 »
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
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Education Foundation as he is announced as the winner of the "Next Gen" award at University Park Country Club May 13.
  • May 16, 2026
Young Leaders Alliance presents its top award in Lakewood Ranch
2
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
3
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
4
Sarasota County this week activated the traffic light, the first of its kind in a roundabout in the area, the county said.
  • May 15, 2026
Traffic signal added to Apex Road roundabout
5
It’s time to remove our own regimes
  • May 15, 2026
It’s time to remove our own regimes

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