• 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
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • 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
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

News

Woman, two children identified in Lakewood Ranch death investigation
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2026
Woman, two children identified in Lakewood Ranch death investigation

Manatee County deputies were called to a residence on Friday night.

  • East County
  • News
Whitaker Gateway Park is among the restoration projects paused during the partial federal government shutdown.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 28, 2026
Federal shutdown forces pause in park recovery projects

Sarasota city staff suspends work to restore hurricane-damaged waterfront parks in order to remain eligible for federal reimbursement in the wake of the partial shutdown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
From left, Karie Friling speaks with Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch and Argus Foundation CEO Christine Robinson during a Feb. 23 open house event to meet the city manager finalists.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 27, 2026
Sarasota selects next city manager

The Sarasota City Commission voted unanimously to hire Karie Friling of the Chicago area as the city's first female city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The pig on the loose was found by Sarasota Police officers around 1:30 a.m. Friday around Central and Lemon avenues.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 27, 2026
Swine discovery has Sarasota officers seeking pig's owner

A 100-pound porker was taken to Sarasota County Animal Services.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Paradise owner Marcus Walfridson says he expects his team to be competitive immediately in USL League One because "we don't do this to lose games."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 27, 2026
Will pro soccer find paradise in Lakewood Ranch?

Owner Marcus Walfridson says a pro soccer team is just what the region needs to bring everyone together.

  • East County
  • News
Insomnia Cookies is now open at 2264 Gulf Gate Drive.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2026
Late-night cookie chain opens its first store in Sarasota

Insomnia Cookies is now open at 2264 Gulf Gate Drive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents and community members listen to opening remarks by the finalist candidates for Sarasota city manager.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 26, 2026
Sarasota wraps up two-day city manager interview process

Five finalists for the job of Sarasota city manager undertook an intense 48 hours of education and scrutiny as the City Commission hones in on hiring its next chief executive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Real estate agents peer over a balcony on the 15th floor during a tour of the One Park condominium tower.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 26, 2026
One Park tower nears topping off in The Quay

Vertical construction of the 18-story One Park Sarasota condo building is expected to be completed in weeks as the project continues toward early 2027 occupancy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Pass drawbridge opens anywhere from 100 to 300 times per month, according to an FDOT engineering study.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 25, 2026
FDOT prefers fixed-span design for Longboat Pass Bridge replacement

The 78-foot clearance design sparked controversy when it was first introduced as one of three options two years ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County Day is celebrated in Tallahassee Feb. 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 25, 2026
Local legislators and businesses come together on Manatee County Day

The inaugural event welcomed over 80 attendees and 24 businesses and nonprofits.

  • East County
  • News
Conceptual rendering by Renzo Piano Building Workshop of the north elevation of a new performing arts center as viewed across the 10th Street boat basin.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 25, 2026
Performing Arts Center 'Concept 2.0' set for public debut

The Sarasota City Commission will receive the reimagined vision for a new performing arts center at its March 2 meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier holds Harriett (left) and Lizzie while posing for a picture in his Sabal Cove home Thursday, Feb. 19. After six years as mayor and eight on the Town Commission, Schneier has reached his term limit and will step down from the dais in March.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 25, 2026
Longboat's mayor reflects on big decisions, gives advice to commission

With term limits changing just before he began on the Longboat Key Town Commission, Ken Schneier leaves as the longest-serving mayor in the town’s history.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst says future chief Paul Wren has proven his leadership through his years of service with the department.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 25, 2026
East Manatee Board of Fire Commissioners approves new chief

Commissioners select in-house, choosing Deputy Chief Paul Wren to replace Lee Whitehurst in January 2027.

  • East County
  • News
Myakka City's Carol Felts gets emotional as she's sworn in as the District 1 commissioner on Nov. 19.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2026
Manatee County Commissioner Carol Felts dies at 68

The commissioner was found at her Myakka City home Tuesday afternoon by her aide.

  • East County
  • News
SPD Chief Rex Troche (left) and Deputy Chief Scott Mayforth (right) with (from left) Lt. Andrew Combs, Officer Nate Lynn, Officer Nick Bruno, Officer Ridge Collins, Officer Brenton Bieker, Det. Laura Bobitz and Officer Tim Dederick. They and others were involved in stopping a suicide threat on the Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 24, 2026
Sarasota police officers receive Life Saver Awards

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche has honored several officers for their actions in two lifesaving incidents that occurred in 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 »
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 Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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