• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • 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
    • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

News

Eric Garwood started as managing editor of the Longboat Observer and Sarasota Observer in 2017.
  • By Observer staff
  • February 2, 2023
Observer managing editor leaves legacy of laughter, mentoring

After six years at the helm of the Longboat and Sarasota Observers, Garwood is moving on.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Inter-District Authority meets at the Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 2, 2023
Quest to privatize Lakewood Ranch CDD roads hits road block

The Community Development Districts of Lakewood Ranch likely will need new legislation to privatize roads.

  • East County
  • News
The Town Center Green is in phase two of construction, which includes a privately funded stage.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 2, 2023
Town lays out expectations of county library project

The county is funding the project and deems design, planning and operations as its responsibility.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Failure to secure the air rights over Quay Commons led to One Park developer Quay 1 and 9 to decline to close on the property resulting in mutual lawsuits with the master developer, Quay Venture.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 2, 2023
Contention remains in the air over One Park plan

As it awaits its scheduled court date, the City Commission lays out the plan for consideration of One Park in The Quay. Final approval rests on either amending or revising the original development agreement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Traffic on and off Longboat Key remains a top concern for residents who filled out the survey.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 31, 2023
FDOT resets schedule for roundabout work, lane closures

Work on U.S. 41 and on Gulfstream Avenue exiting the barrier islands will require overnight and daytime lane closures Sunday through Thursday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Howard Tipton's first day as town manager was Jan. 30.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 1, 2023
Tipton recounts his picture-perfect first day

A dream of coastal living has become reality for Longboat Key's new town manager.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The city of Sarasota is exploring future uses of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall once a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center is built.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 31, 2023
Engineering, preservation expertise sought for Van Wezel repurposing

City commissioners held an initial discussion about qualifications for a committee to study the renovation and repurposing of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Any property rented for less than six months will be subject to the new program, unless one of 30 properties excluded by the town.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 31, 2023
Short-term rental program could start this fall on Longboat

If passed, the program to register properties rented for under six months would kick-off Oct. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Members of the town's volunteer boards were recognized for their efforts by town staff Friday.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 31, 2023
Volunteers recognized as integral part of Longboat government

Members of the town's advisory boards were formally recognized for the first time in more than a decade.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
SPD investigates two Friday night hit-and-run fatalities
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 30, 2023
SPD investigates two Friday night hit-and-run fatalities

Two pedestrians were struck and killed within 20 minutes on Fruitville Road. SPD investigators do not suspect the two incidents are related.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Outgoing Chair Allison Imre hands over the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance gavel to new Board Chair Erik Hanson.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 30, 2023
Growing Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance names new board chair

Erik Hanson says that the growth of the LWRBA and affordable housing are two priorities for the board in 2023.

  • East County
  • Business
St. Armands Circle Association Marketing and Events Director Rachel Burns said she doesn't fault promoters of the Winter Spectacular for trying something different.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 30, 2023
St. Armands Circle Association leader seeks seat on BID

The merchants' organization at St. Armands Circle could be on the hunt for its third executive director in two years if Rachel Burns is appointed to the Business Improvement District.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A fire, the cause still unknown, destroyed the Sarasota Polo Club's clubhouse early Saturday morning.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 28, 2023
Fire destroys Sarasota Polo Club's clubhouse

The building was empty at 1 a.m. Saturday when the fire was reported. No cause for the fire has been determined.

  • East County
  • News
Tracy Jackson and Tim Hensey are cautiously confident that most Siesta Key residents seek independence from county government.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 27, 2023
Siesta Key fights for its independence

A determined group of Siesta Key residents seeks a new, more responsive form of localized government for the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Firefighters work at the scene of a reported fire at 1661 Main Street.
  • By Eric Garwood
  • January 27, 2023
No fire found at Main Street church

Sarasota fire-rescue and police temporarily block the thoroughfare during the Friday morning investigation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 »
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
Riverview High baseball player-mentors pose for a photo on Dec. 9 with their kindergarten mentees at Southside Elementary School. Danielle Sobolewski, a kindergarten teacher at Southside, asked for some silly faces.
  • December 25, 2025
Riverview High baseball mentors next generation
2
Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2 Learning Pavilion Interior rendering.
  • December 25, 2025
Selby Gardens' renovations add to appeal while keeping mission in mind
3
The Unit 111 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail was built in 2000 and has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,186 square feet of living area.
  • December 25, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 8-12 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
Sponsored Content
4
  • December 25, 2025
FINANCIAL FOCUS® Managing Risk at Different Stages of Life
5
Lakewood Ranch's Rich Vannucci still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago.
  • December 24, 2025
After five decades, this Lakewood Ranch Santa continues to spread joy and more

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 © 2025 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