• 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

Diane Rodriguez began in January as the Longboat Key Club's director of resort operations.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 29, 2021
Longboat Key Club hires new director of resort operations

Diane Rodriguez has two decades of experience in hospitality management.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
James Rieser, a city resident, said he wanted to continue to build strong relationships within the community while working to ensure officers are equipped to do their jobs. Image courtesy city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 29, 2021
City appoints James Rieser as chief of police

Rieser, a captain with nearly three decades of experience, will take the top job at the Sarasota Police Department following Bernadette DiPino’s resignation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Police Department marine officer Michael Skinner and Longboat Key marine patrol officer Joshua Connors helped rescue two people whose boat hit a sandbar on Jan. 23 near New Pass.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 28, 2021
Longboat Key officer assists in water rescue of two people

The rescue happened around 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 after the boat hit a sandbar near New Pass.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Officials say the site will allow the county to administer as many as 1,500 vaccines per day.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 28, 2021
Sarasota moves COVID-19 vaccination site

The new site will be located in the former Old Navy store at the Sarasota Square Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The waste collection event goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on the Gulf side of Coquina Beach.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 28, 2021
Manatee County to hold waste collection this weekend at Coquina Beach

The event is set from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 28, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: January 28

Elizabeth Walsh captured this photo of a great blue heron at Seaplace on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bernadette DiPino joined the Sarasota Police Department as chief of police in December 2012. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 28, 2021
DiPino resigns as Sarasota police chief

Bernadette DiPino will depart her position at the end of the week, and city administration has begun the process of selecting an interim chief.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 28, 2021
Neighborhood group celebrates 30th anniversary

The Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations has grown from an informal alliance to an institution the city leans on for insights into residential areas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Uptown ArtFair in Naples, held Jan. 23-24, included public health precautions such as mask requirements and attendance capacities. Image courtesy Jeffrey Langlois.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 28, 2021
Despite pandemic, special events make a return

The city will begin issuing permits for events next month. How will organizers manage large outdoor gatherings safely?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lido Key Vacations, which operates large vacation rentals such as this one on Lido Key, has communicated with the city a desire to avoid extensive rules for registering its properties. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 28, 2021
City considers new rules for vacation rentals

Residents on the barrier islands are encouraging officials to move forward with regulations aimed at large rental properties in their neighborhoods.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Planning Board is holding hybrid meetings where a majority attends in person, but two members participate remotely. The city said access to hybrid meetings is dependent on staff availability. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 28, 2021
Advisory boards lobby for virtual meetings

The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association is also asking the governor’s office to allow the city’s volunteer boards to meet remotely during the pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Nancy Detert was the lone commissioner in opposition, stating the amendments don't do enough to ensure new affordable units.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 27, 2021
County amends affordable housing incentives

The changes mean developers who build east of I-75 no longer have to include affordable units, but they can opt to.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 27, 2021
Commission approves out of cycle hotel proposals

The approval means staff can now allocate time for review of the proposals.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Commissioners hope medical marijuana dispensaries do not get turned into recreational dispensaries.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 27, 2021
County aims for home rule on marijuana

Commissioners remain opposed to personal-use laws, even if legalized by the state legislature.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The northern soccer fields at Premier Sports Campus could be used as an overflow section for the event lawn when not being used for sports, based on the county's first draft of a general development plan for Premier's expansion.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 27, 2021
Premier plan starts taking shape

Inside the planning of the Premier Sports Campus park expansion

  • East County
  • News
« 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 »
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

Sponsored Content
1
  • December 23, 2025
Program Four: Notes Unspoken
2
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe stars perform in the inaugural Weekend of Soul Dec. 27-28 at WBTT's Donelly Theatre.
  • December 23, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 25-31
3
Yvette Brown poses for a photo on Dec. 11 next to the trophy case by Booker's gym. Through the first six games of the Tornadoes' season, she led in points, rebounds and steals.
  • December 23, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Yvette Brown
4
Myakka City's Diane and Rich Bartoszek display a handmade ceramic nativity scene each year.
  • December 23, 2025
Decorating for Christmas with a personal touch in Lakewood Ranch
5
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025

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