• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day 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
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Neighbors

Temple Beth Israel named Suzan and Barry Friedman as this year's honorees for its 47th annual gala happening this month.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 3, 2026
Longboat Key temple celebrates multigenerational family

Temple Beth Israel named Barry and Suzan Friedman as this year's honorees of its 47th annual gala.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Officer Michael Skinner (representing honoree Ron Dixon) of the Sarasota Police Department; Rotary Club president Pam Akins; Lieutenant Bruce King of the Sarasota Police Department; and honoree Gabe Gadah of Sarasota County Fire Department gather together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 3, 2026
Rotary Club of Sarasota hosts first awards ceremony for first responders

The club honored two individuals from the Sarasota Police Department and one from the Sarasota County Fire Department for their service to the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Mary Glass and Zoe Lander have been chosen as the honorees for the “Leadership Spirit Award” and “Young Spirit Award” from the Manatee Community Foundation.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 3, 2026
Two Lakewood Ranch residents honored with Spirit of Manatee awards

Zoe Lander and Mary Glass will be honored at the Spirit of Manatee — The Celebration of Philanthropy event on March 25.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Susan Benjamin, The Education Center's biographical historian who is praised for her engaging presentations about the lives of some of the industry's most famous musicians, turns her attention to Billy Joel, Gene Kelly and Bob Fosse this season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 3, 2026
Education Center dives into the stories and music of Billy Joel

Biographical historian Susan Benjamin teams up with singer Jay O'Brien to celebrate the life and times of the Piano Man at their latest presentation with The Education Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Vivienne Pietrunti's porch is a dropoff location for The Lake Club Giving Circle's donation drive.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 3, 2026
Lakewood Ranch neighborhood recycles old items into community grants

The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle partnered with a nonprofit consignment store to fundraise.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ann-Marie Thompson and Cheryl Mulherin, attendees at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild new members luncheon on Jan. 29, applaud the soon-to-be-outgoing board members.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 2, 2026
New Women's Guild members share stories of togetherness

From planning for a Valentine's Day art fest to reviewing scholarship fundraising efforts, guild members prepped for the 2026 season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ethan Freeman, 14, Skate Segal, 14, Jett Segal, 12, Florey Miller and her husband TJ Miller were among those serving foods baked by members.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 1, 2026
Temple Sinai hosts Sarasota Jewish Food Festival

The festival, presented in partnership with The Original Wolfie's Restaurant, featured traditional Jewish baked goods and other offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ethan Kuhn of Suncoast United Pipes and Drums performs in the ceremony.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 31, 2026
Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Festival showcases a wee bit of Scotland

The event featured Highland games, lots of bagpipes, dancing, kilts and even a taste of the weather from across the pond.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dillon Desiderato and daughter Nora Desiderato share a smile during the Miles for the Miles Family Cozy Cocoa Dash fundraiser at All God's Children Preschool on Jan. 31.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 31, 2026
All God's Children Preschool raises $7,000 to support family after loss to cancer

The event was to support the family of Kelly Miles, a teacher at the school who lost her husband, Matt, in November to cancer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mary Baker, board president of the Longboat Library, says guests can plan a fun book date for Valentine's Day to shop the annual sale.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 30, 2026
Plan a book date for Valentine's Day on Longboat Key

Longboat Library is bringing back its annual book sale on Feb. 14, which organizers say is the perfect time for couples to make a book date.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key resident Sarah Frederick, pictured above in one of her favorite competitions, said she knew from the age of five that she loved working with horses. Little did she know then that she would go on to craft a 55-year career in racing, breeding and caring for them.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 28, 2026
Longboat Key resident jockeys for space on the track

Sarah Frederick recounted her 55-year career riding as a jockey, part of an early wave of women in the sport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Amanda Rigby, who is well versed in using artificial intelligence, is grateful to have a place to collaborate and learn more about it through A.I Creator's Collective.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 28, 2026
Finding new intelligence is an artificial ingredient for Lakewood Ranch club

AI Creator's Collective was founded by David Perkowski and Tony Fitzgerald to explore artificial intelligence.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jasmine Ramirez, 14, is now recovering from the amputation of her 174-pound leg that was performed at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg on Dec. 11.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 28, 2026
Amputation of her 174-pound left leg gives Manatee County teen a new life

Braden River Middle student Jasmine Ramirez suffered with an overgrowth syndrome that had impacted most of her young life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Muriel Klosterman of Longboat Island Chapel presents Carolyn Nielsen, Turning Points' volunteer and events coordinator, with a check for $3,000 at the church's Gather and Give charity drive on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 27, 2026
Chapel gifts $3K, supplies to Turning Points

Attendees at this month's Gather and Give filled Turning Points' guest speaker's car with donated cleaning supplies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Commander David Siesel; Assistant Administrative Officer, 1st Lt. Perry Page; Assistant Administrative Officer, 1st Lt. Lois McKenzie; Secretary, Lt. Commander Domini Wood; Executive Officer; Lt. Commander Samuel Doak; and District 22 Comander Ron Jones.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 27, 2026
Sarasota Power and Sail Squadron completes 74th Change of Watch

David Siesel replaced Barbara Warshaw as commander of the Sarasota Power and Sail Squadron as the organization held its annual Change of Watch ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
1 2 3 4 5 »
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
  • February 3, 2026
Alexander Calder - The Nature of Movement
2
Suspect caught after shooting near Palmer Ranch
  • February 3, 2026
Suspect caught after shooting near Palmer Ranch
3
A rendering of the new Sarasota Memorial Hospital-North Port.
  • February 3, 2026
Solid bond ratings fuel further health care system expansion
4
Temple Beth Israel named Suzan and Barry Friedman as this year's honorees for its 47th annual gala happening this month.
  • February 3, 2026
Longboat Key temple celebrates multigenerational family
5
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters
  • February 3, 2026
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters

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.

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