• 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

The Planning Board voted 3-2 to recommend approval of Raffurty's major conditional use application at an October public hearing. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
Another public hearing for Raffurty’s liquor license

The City Commission agreed to give residents another chance to share their thoughts on a permit request from the Main Street bar.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of adjusting their meeting schedules on Nov. 16, ultimately directing staff to conduct some research before continuing the conversation. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
City commissioners consider shift to evening meetings

When should the City Commission hold its meetings? Some elected officials think the night time is the right time.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
Planning Board questions city meeting protocols

A majority of the volunteer advisory board is opposed to in-person meetings that exceed two hours, disrupting the city’s development review schedule.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Wolff installs mini reefs underneath docks at MarVista Dockside. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 16, 2020
Siesta residents start project to clean canal

More than 20 homeowners have signed on to place mini reefs under their docks to filter water and support marine life.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh wants to see major changes to the way the county government is run.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 16, 2020
Manatee County commissioners clash as administrator keeps job

Manatee County commissioners clash, no longer considering firing county administrator

  • East County
  • News
Former Legacy Golf Club co-owners Jon Whittemore and Kevin Paschall sold it to the Heritage Golf Group on March 13, 2024. One local resident wishes there were more public golf courses in the area.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch's Legacy Golf Club development gets green light

Manatee County approves plans for new homes at Legacy Golf Club

  • East County
  • News
After months of tackling obstacles as a result of the pandemic, Greenbrook's Crystal Avery and Marty Satz become husband and wife during a ceremony on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch couple zigs and zags to marriage

Festive Main Street at Lakewood Ranch setting perfect for Greenbrook couple to say wedding vows.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 16, 2020
Mote releases rehabilitated sea turtle into Gulf of Mexico

Longboat Key's Public Works Department assisted in the release.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Patti Papiano says her husband, Ray Papiano, has become obsessed with adding decorations to their light display each year. They have more than 40 light-up fixtures and 50 strands of lights in their display. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch man's obsession shines bright

Lakewood Ranch couple's home lights up the street every holiday season.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 16, 2020
Eta's effects: 220 flooded homes, 275,000 cubic yards of missing sand

Even with Eta's effects on Longboat Key, wind damage was minimal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rob Oglesby, the development director for Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, says the pandemic has been perfect timing for the nonprofit to construct its new facilities.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
Purr-fect expansion schedule at Nate's

Lakewood Ranch animal rescue will see flurry of activity over the next three months.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Paul Sharff, the CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, talk about the new Mobile Learning Lab. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
School Board of Manatee County to determine superintendent's future

School Board of Manatee County to make decision on superintendent contract.

  • East County
  • News
District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh was selected by her fellow commissioners Tuesday to be the 2021 Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 15, 2020
Manatee County Commissioners select Vanessa Baugh as chairman

District 5 commissioner Vanessa Baugh will head Manatee County Commission in 2021.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County commissioners approved a motion Tuesday to designate the section of 44th Avenue from Bradenton's First Street West to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as the Honorable State Senate President Bill Galvano Parkway.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 15, 2020
Stretch of 44th Avenue in East County named for former Florida Senate President Bill Galvano

Manatee County road will honor former Florida Senate president Bill Galvano.

  • East County
  • News
Eileen Parker with the School District of Manatee County's Food and Nutrition Services hands out lunches during the summer food program. Students will be able to pick up meals for winter break on Dec. 21 and Dec. 28. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2020
Manatee County schools offer free meals during winter break

Manatee County families can pick up free meals at Haile Middle and Myakka Elementary in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
« 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 »
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
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
2
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
3
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
4
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
5
Chef Drew Adams recently took the helm as the new head chef at CW Prime, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort's signature steakhouse. He brings his experience working on the Sarasota food scene.
  • December 23, 2025
Sarasota chef celebrates local ingredients at CW Prime

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