• 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

FPL has a staging site at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, where workers can park their trucks and take a break.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 12, 2017
Thousands of Sarasota County residents still without power

FPL said residents on the west coast can expect power by Sept. 22, if there's no major damage in their area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 12, 2017
Longboat Key still under boil water notice, some power outages

Garbage collection will resume as normal on Thursday, Sept. 14

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Power outages after Hurricane Irma left almost all of the county's traffic lights not working. On Tuesday afternoon, just under half were still not fixed.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 12, 2017
Storm knocks out half of county’s traffic lights

As of late Thursday, all of the county's traffic lights were operable again.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Booker High School Principal Rachel Shelley and Assistant Principal in charge of Administration at Venice High School Melanie Ritter worked at the Booker High School shelter on Saturday, when it reached capacity.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 12, 2017
Sarasota schools closed until Monday

While no schools sustained "catastrophic" damage, 11 are still without power and the 14 schools that served as shelters must undergo a thorough sanitation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Some Lido Key residents got clever with their reaction to Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • Niki Kottmann
  • September 12, 2017
Barrier island residents, shopkeepers happy to see

Damage not as severe as expected across Lido, St. Armands and Bird keys

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kelly Carson
  • September 12, 2017
Sheriff warns of scammers

Unlicensed contractors, handymen could flood the area after Irma

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 12, 2017
Siesta Key residents relieved, surprised at lack of damage from storm

After the much-anticipated hurricane passed over the island, the only "devastation" was some downed trees, minor flooding and loss of power, much to residents's surprise.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
  • By Katie Johns & Niki Kottmann
  • September 12, 2017
Barrier islands emerge relatively unscathed after Irma

Longboat, Lido and St. Armands keys suffered only minor damages during Hurricane Irma.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High, which acted as a shelter during Hurricane Irma, will be open to students again on Sept. 18.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2017
Manatee County public schools off until Monday, Sept. 18

Schools, which acted as shelters, need to be cleaned, have storm debris removed.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2017
Sarasota residents breathe relief after Irma

With trees and power down, people in the Sarasota area start cleaning up and counting their blessings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County will release a date when it will pick up storm debris later this week. Only garage that fits in a can will be picked up in regular garbage service.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2017
Date to pick up storm debris in Manatee County not set yet

County schools will be closed on Tuesday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2017
Tracking Irma's aftermath

Downed trees, street signs litter area streets as residents begin to assess damage from the storm.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cars wait in line at a checkpoint to re-enter Longboat Key.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 11, 2017
Update: Longboat Key reopens to residents

There will continue to be access issues for residents as they return to the town post-Hurricane Irma.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Farmers Market is one of many events to cancel its plans for this weekend.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2017
Updates: Offices and organizations reopen after Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma caused many closures throughout Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hurricane Irma pounded Lakewood Ranch on Sunday night as a Category 2 hurricane.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2017
Curfew lifted in Manatee County

Sheriff's Office advises people stay off the roads as much as possible

  • East County
  • News
« 746 747 748 749 750 751 752 753 754 755 »
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