• 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

School board leaders are considering a partnership that would move the training of its annual 450-member firefighter school to a new county site.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 6, 2021
School district, county consider fire training partnership

As the county prepares to build a regional fire training site, school leaders are considering switching from the district's current facility to a partnership at the new facility.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The fire department is considering improvements that include additional staffing and enhanced fire stations. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 6, 2021
County considers improvements to fire department

The county is considering expanding its Rapid Response Unit and improvement stations in south Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tim Williams' Tesla its charging port on the driver's side of the car.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 6, 2021
Power to the people: Longboat Key to consider adding more EV charging stations

Bayfront Park is the only public place in Longboat Key that offers an electric vehicle charger.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The rollover crash happened at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday near the Mobil gas station on Gulf of Mexico Drive. Photo courtesy of the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 6, 2021
Man taken to hospital after rollover crash on Gulf of Mexico Drive

Part of Gulf of Mexico Drive was closed early Thursday morning as first responders cleared the crash.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Firefighter/Paramedic Jamison Urch put out a building fire. Photo provided by the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 6, 2021
Town encouraged at budget year's halfway mark

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department had an average response time of 5.4 minutes during the current fiscal year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Landscape architect Phil Smith shared conceptual designs showcasing a plan for widening sidewalks and eliminating angled parking on Main Street. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 6, 2021
Main Street makeover gets preliminary design

City officials expressed excitement about a proposal to widen sidewalks and eliminate angled parking, though some questions — including cost estimates — remain unanswered.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After the orchestra reiterated its belief that land in Payne Park was essential for the group to remain in the city, Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown said he believed both parties should be willing to compromise. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 6, 2021
Orchestra, city engage in venue conversation

Although the orchestra initially pushed for action from the City Commission, both parties met last month for a private discussion about a music hall in Payne Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bradenton-based ET MacKenzie completed repair work after the town of Longboat Key's June's sewage break. Photo courtesy of the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 5, 2021
Town hires legal team for rights-of-way matters

The town of Longboat Key is considering whether to pursue several capital projects, which include improvements to its wastewater line.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An alligator rests at the edge of a pond in Heritage Harbour, where two residents started a Nextdoor group to advocate against the removal of alligators from ponds in East County communities. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • May 5, 2021
East County residents wrestle with alligator issues

Alligator removal sparks fierce debate in East County

  • East County
  • News
Vivian Quinones-Solano hopes to collect blood and platelet donations that might eventually help those going through cancer treatments, like her.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 5, 2021
SunCoast Blood Bank executive from Lakewood Ranch beats the odds

Cancer survivor challenges others to give blood in Mother's Day Challenge.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Mackenzie Loukota, who is 21 months old, and her mother, Vicki Loukota, play at the park together.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 5, 2021
Mom's love prevails in the Lakewood Ranch area

Lakewood Ranch area moms talk about what it takes to be a good mother in 2021.

  • East County
  • News
A worker paves a road that starts at the Mallaranny property's driveway and stretches toward the back of the property on April 29.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • May 5, 2021
Construction continues in Myakka City while Manatee County code officials under investigation

Sarasota Medieval Fair on Myakka property requires special permit, but construction continues

  • East County
  • News
Jackie Llamas, a parent of a Lakewood Ranch High School senior, is happy she's able to coordinate a prom for seniors like Nick Lenchinsky with his mother, Angie Lenchinsky Scarpa.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 5, 2021
Private prom excites Lakewood Ranch High students

Lakewood Ranch High School seniors ready to have prom memories.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy is expected to have about 740 students enrolled if the school opens in August 2022. Within five years, the school is projected to have an enrollment of 1,965 students. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 5, 2021
Traditional vs. charter: The differences

Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy will provide a new option for East County parents.

  • East County
  • News
Dawn Zielinski, president of the Village Idiots Cycling Club, and Tom Williams, outreach director for the club, donates bike helmets to Megan Podolan, a fifth grade teacher at Willis Elementary School, to give to students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 5, 2021
Safer rides in Lakewood Ranch

Village Idiots Cycling Club donates helmets to east Bradenton schools.

  • East County
  • News
« 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 »
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
The Denny's property at 3701 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota has sold.
  • August 9, 2026
'Good stuff' coming to site of Bee Ridge Denny's, developer says
2
Myracle Green, 13, her brother Prince Bell, 3, mother Chavon Williams and brother King Bell, 8, leave the tables with new backpacks.
  • August 8, 2026
Organizations team up to offer kids free backpacks ahead of school year
3
Mia Eylon, right, recently took the helm at the newly renamed St. Armands Jewelers. With input from Diane DelloRusso, manager of Jewelry by Cole, and other experts, the new shop hasn't skipped a beat in serving patrons on Boulevard of the Presidents.
  • August 8, 2026
New jeweler takes the helm on St. Armands Circle
Sponsored Content
4
  • August 7, 2026
Bat Boy: The Musical
5
Sandra Johnson, Connie DiMaggio and Linda Theuer put finishing touches on the lunch they and fellow Longboat Island Chapel volunteers provided to Longboat Island Police officers on Thursday. It is Longboat Key Fire Rescue's turn on Wednesday.
  • August 7, 2026
Community lunch recognizes Longboat's first responders

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