• 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
  • LWR Life
  • 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
  • LWR Life
  • 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

Myakka City's Olissio Zoppe brings his Cirque Ma'Ceo to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 28, 2019
Cirque Ma'Ceo comes to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota

Cirque Ma'Ceo comes to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota

  • East County
  • News
Enjoy our Letters to Santa
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 25, 2019
Letters to Santa bring children's Christmas wishes to life in Lakewood Ranch area

Letters to Santa bring children's Christmas wishes to life in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Avantika Mishra says individuals without gluten allergies or sensitivities should not avoid it.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 24, 2019
Debunking the gluten-free mantra: Is gluten-free better?

Debunking the gluten-free mantra: Is gluten-free better?

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 21, 2019
Longboaters tell about their greatest gifts

Longboaters share their memories of the best giving or receiving they've ever experienced.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City Hall and county administration buildings will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 20, 2019
Holiday closures scheduled for city, county services and facilities

The Christmas and New Year’s holidays will close government offices and affect trash collection, SCAT schedules and park and library operations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After project opponents and supporters packed City Hall for a series of public hearings on the initial master plan, Selby Gardens hopes a revised proposal will be significantly less contentious.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 20, 2019
Selby Gardens to scale down master plan

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is attempting to address concerns raised by critics of an initial proposal, but resident opponents remain skeptical.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Charles and Margery Barancik were married in 1960 and raised three children. They have three grandchildren.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2019
Baranciks leave a legacy of love in the Sarasota area

Philanthropic couple made a mark with their personalities and generosity.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota residents shared their favorite Christmas presents and ornaments with the Observer.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 20, 2019
Sarasota residents recall their greatest gifts

With a nod to nostalgia, Sarasota residents tell us the stories of their favorite gifts and holiday decorations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jennifer Santora, a third grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, helps Caley Ochoa with a math problem.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 20, 2019
Two Bradenton teachers named finalists for 'Educator of the Year' in Manatee County

Two East County teachers named finalists for Educator of the Year

  • East County
  • News
David Fazzone has beat the odds after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 20, 2019
Blessed with another Christmas in Bradenton

A Bradenton man has beaten pancreatic cancer to enjoy another Christmas.

  • East County
  • News
Margery and Charles Barancik
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 19, 2019
Longboat Key crash claims lives of philanthropists Charles and Margery Barancik

Sarasota philanthropists were involved in collision Wednesday night on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 19, 2019
Siesta Key condos sparkle

Siesta Key Condominium Council held its annual holiday lighting contest on Dec. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gillespie Park resident Derin Parks thinks a dormant improvement district can be used to empower the neighborhood to more directly address its goals and priorities.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 19, 2019
Gillespie Park residents attempt to revive improvement district

Members of the downtown-adjacent neighborhood want to capitalize on an unearthed 1988 policy city officials had forgotten about.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fireworks will start at 9 .m. Dec. 31. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2019
UTC rings in New Year with special celebration in Sarasota

Fireworks and other family-friendly festivities are planned for New Year's Eve.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 19

Michael Cohen captured a photo of this yellow crowned night heron on Lido Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
« 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 »
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
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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