• 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Neighbors

Amanda Closser, the business manager of Steel Ring Academy, yells as she puts all her energy into going after Jason Callis, the owner and founder, with a viking sword and shield.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 12, 2024
Steel Ring Academy proves its point at Braden River Library

The Bradenton company demonstrates sword fighting during a special event at the library.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The interior of the Kreissle Forge
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 11, 2024
Kreissle Forge is a time capsule of a disappearing craft

The historic Kreissle blacksmith's forge, located near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, provided metalwork for many of the community's landmarks and still has more to offer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
LWRBA volunteers Patrick Larivaud, Cooper Hodgson, Ali Marks, Jenna Nelson, Duette Hart and Annemarie Graff work a shift at Meals on Wheels Plus on Oct. 7, 2022.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 10, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance gives back year-round

The nonprofit offers a variety of benefits to assist local businesses and nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Library offers more than just books, such as puzzles.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 10, 2024
Observer editor spends a day exploring the Lakewood Ranch Library

The new facility offers opportunities for people of all ages to gather and participate in a variety of activities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Owen Peacock, 9 and Ellie Rodgers, 9, make hot dog buns.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 10, 2024
Kids work together to create tasty dishes at Young Chefs Academy

The company focuses on teaching kids the "joy and value" of cooking.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mahjong at The Paradise Center
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 10, 2024
Mahjong at The Paradise Center improves cognitive skills, builds community

Carol Peschel mastered the art of mahjong and now breaks down the challenging game for Longboaters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
These five books have been named as the finalists for the 2025 One Book, One Community event hosted by the Sarasota County Libraries.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2024
Finalists announced for annual One Book, One Community selection

Sarasota County residents can join the debate over the Sarasota County Libraries' selections on social media.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Robert Romanski, Alexa Lowrey, Julia Piermont and Chris Westfall
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 7, 2024
Christ Church of Longboat Key honors America through worship music

The Rev. Julia Piermont curated a music program of American hymns for the Sunday service after July 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Scott Matthews pulls the lever for the cars to go while JJ Johnson races his potato car.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 7, 2024
Bird Key Yacht Club races potatoes for July 4

A decade-old tradition has club members building and racing potato cars while waiting for the fireworks show on Independence Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mike Ziebell and Bobbie Larsen
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 5, 2024
Sarasota residents clean up Siesta Beach after July 4 celebrations

Volunteers picked up firework remnants and other leftovers from the Fourth of July holiday.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Dogs Bisou and Tinkerbell got married at the Longboat Key Chamber's Freedom Fest
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 5, 2024
Longboat dogs 'married' at Freedom Fest

The annual Fourth of July event had a litter of firsts this year: new leadership, new children's games and a dog wedding.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The finale of the show arrives.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 5, 2024
Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular sets sky alight

The annual tradition once again brought a dazzling July 4 show to Sarasota's Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Merica Ange and Hunter Chrisman are neighbors in Summerfield who are enjoying Fireworks on the Lake.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 4, 2024
Rain can't dampen the fun at Fireworks on the Lake

The pre-July 4 celebration at Nathan Benderson Park drew thousands of spectators.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mary Beth McLeod
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 4, 2024
Community members bring to life Revolutionary War-era fashion

Sarasota Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution explain what it takes to re-create the costumes of 18th-century patriots.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Former NFL and Florida State running back Warrick Dunn poses with a family and Sarasota Habitat for Humanity volunteers. Dunn's charitable organization furnished two Habitat homes.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 3, 2024
Former Bucs running back Warrick Dunn gives helping hand to single moms

New Habitat for Humanity homeowners in Sarasota are surprised with a full house and pantry.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 »
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
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key Past President Michael Garey said he heard of the Miracle League of Manasota when his daughter, Amelia, volunteered as a buddy to the athletes. Garey suggested the 501(c)(3) as the club's new charitable partner, which board members recently accepted.
  • June 22, 2026
Accessible baseball league benefits from Kiwanis pancake breakfast funds
2
Kiki Bullas will be busy over the next few weeks competing in the USATF and AAU regional track and field junior olympics, hoping to reach the national competition in both.
  • June 22, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Kiki Bullas
3
A May 2024 rendering of the Sarasota County library on Longboat Key.
  • June 22, 2026
Property tax overhaul may put Longboat Key library in jeopardy
4
Manatee County staff and key stakeholders toss ceremonial dirt to kick off construction on a half-mile trail segment that will span from the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant to Rye Preserver.
  • June 22, 2026
Trail system breaks ground near Lake Manatee
5
Sienna Linn, a rising first grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, says she has no pets at home but has had a blast with her dog, Mia, at the Little Vet School camp.
  • June 20, 2026
Little Vet School teaches skills at The Out-of-Door Academy's summer camp

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