• 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

Lakewood Ranch writer Peter Moscovita found his passion for writing through a cancer diagnosis and encouragement from his wife.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 2, 2025
81-year-old writer combines history and fiction through his books

Lakewood Ranch's Peter Moscovita has published seven books and earned a Hollywood Book Review for his first book "The Following Storm."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A pair of Crested Caracaras become roommates at Save Our Seabirds during ongoing renovations and, as keepers noted, seem to become fast friends.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 2, 2025
Learn how to safely handle wild birds with Save Our Seabirds

Save Our Seabirds invites anyone with a passion for helping injured animals to learn the techniques for keeping both birds and handlers safe at an upcoming workshop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Newton, a 9-month-old lab, is being raised by Nick and Brenda Paradiso through the LWR Puppy Raisers club. Brenda Paradiso described him as "quite the character" who is a "love bucket."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 2, 2025
LWR Puppy Raisers help train dogs for important service careers

The volunteers say the program is rewarding, even if they shed some tears when sending the puppy to Dogs Inc.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
American Contract Bridge League-certified bridge player Patty Mayer checks out her hand while playing a round at the club's new meeting spot at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 2, 2025
Former Paradise Center bridge group moves to Bayfront Park

The certified bridge matches at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key have moved to the recreation center at Bayfront Park in hopes to increase capacity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Piper Dawson checks out was she dubbed her favorite tree decorated by Lo' Key Island Grille at the opening evening of Christmas in the Garden on Nov. 30 at Longboat Island Chapel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 1, 2025
Christmas comes early to Longboat's north end

Attendees packed the grounds of Longboat Island Chapel on Nov. 30 for the opening evening of Christmas in the Garden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Harris Pierce performs at The Peculiar Pub Oct. 7.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 1, 2025
Arriving at the punchline can be a difficult journey

Lakewood Ranch comedian Harris Pierce can laugh at the tough road to success in his business.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's David Farr picks up 21-month-old Henry Farr, who is dazzled by the giant ornaments on the tree on The Green during the Mall at UTC's ongoing holiday celebration.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 1, 2025
Families flock to UTC for the holidays

The entertainment and attractions are open through Jan. 4.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key Oyster Bar co-founder Geno Pedigo, and Zach Steffen, prepare to ride out.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 30, 2025
Kids and families find cheer at Siesta Key Holiday Parade

The parade, which welcomed Santa Claus to Siesta Key, was preceded by a meet-and-greet with the big guy himself.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mother-daughter team Lori and Chloe Harpsoe assist shoppers at Monkee's of Sarasota for Black Friday. The clothing boutique opened just in time for the annual shopping extravaganza last year after rebuilding from hurricane damage.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 29, 2025
St. Armands Black Friday seems less brisk this year

Some shop owners said they were surprised last year's Black Friday shopping seemed busier than this year's, despite hurricane challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artist Janet Peavy draws inspiration for her art from oceanic nature, often letting the shells she finds guide her work. She recently debuted her newest pieces at Three Island Monkeys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 28, 2025
Local artist draws on oceanic inspiration for shell art

Artist Janet Peavy recently held a meet-and-greet event at Three Island Monkeys after debuting her shell-based artwork at the shop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key's Owen Slater, 5, loves animals and couldn't leave the market without getting a homemade octopus from Stitch Fabels, which took 10 hours to make.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 28, 2025
Market at Nathan Benderson Park provides midweek shopping

The new Sarasota market began Oct. 21 and will run weekly on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Runners pack the starting area for the 2025 Florida Turkey Trot Nov. 27 at foggy Nathan Benderson Park. The race had a record 4,558 participants.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 27, 2025
Record 4,558 runners participate in 2025 Florida Turkey Trot

The Nathan Benderson Park event in Sarasota raises funds for the park conservancy and the Big Bill Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tim Norwood
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 27, 2025
Entrepreneur harvests sea salt from local barrier islands

Tim Norwood created his own company, Sea Salt Florida, using sea water off the islands of Siesta, Longboat and Lido Key, among others.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Despite their 30 year age difference, Marge DeSimone and Courtney Barr have become great friends and share a deep love for Nikki, Barr's 7-year-old Bordoodle. They compete in dock diving to keep all of the "Three Musketeers," as Barr said, active and engaged.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 26, 2025
Dock-diving dog helps two single women form a bond of friendship in Myakka

Marge DeSimone, 88, acts as a releaser for border collie-poodle mix Nikki, who has made a positive splash in her life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters and MacDill personnel take a photo together in 2019 before the COVID pandemic changed the operation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 26, 2025
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit feeds veterans for Thanksgiving

Operation Thanksgiving feeds active duty military personnel stationed out of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 »
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