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

Neighbors

Sarasota PD grants 4-year-old's wish, swears in youngest officer
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 28, 2023
Sarasota PD grants 4-year-old's wish, swears in youngest officer

At age 4, cancer patient Andrew Pickart's beach trip wish was enhanced as he became an honorary officer of the Sarasota Police Department.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bridget Ipjian, a rising junior, laughs as a chicken rests on her back.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 27, 2023
Junior Ranchers program introduces campers to life in agriculture

Kids get a firsthand look at chickens, pigs and cows at the Lakewood Ranch High School camp.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alex Ortega started building a career for himself at Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay when he was 16 years old and new to the country.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 27, 2023
Alex Ortega built an American dream at Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay

Now 50 years old and the general manager, Ortega started working at the Siesta Key restaurant when he was only 16 and didn't speak English.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Stefan Campagna volunteers as a Teen Court of Sarasota County judge in addition to serving as a board member.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 27, 2023
Sarasota attorney gives back to court program that saved him

Stefan Campagna used his second chance to become an attorney and champion Teen Court of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harvest House CEO Erin Minor embraces a Freedom client after she receives her graduation certificate.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 27, 2023
Sarasota, Manatee nonprofits push their clients' lives forward

Support for clients comes in the form of financial assistance, education, creative outlets and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Myakka River State Park gives people an opportunity to see a variety of wildlife while exploring its trails, boating, fishing, birding, horseback riding, paddling and more.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 27, 2023
Seven places to take in Manatee County's natural beauty this summer

From parks to preserves to farms, East County has plenty of spots to enjoy the outdoors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Curtiss Schantz, a past commodore, shakes Steven Horton's hand after swearing him in as the commodore for 2023-24.
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 26, 2023
Bird Key Yacht Club installs new commodore, Board of Governors

The club looks to grow membership and improve facilities while maintaining a "personal touch."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Workforce Development & Innovation award with PGT Innovation staff Rob Moulds, Debbie LaPinska, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center chief operating officer Diego Perilla, and PGT Innovation staff Jeff Jackson, Don Vichitvongsa, and Stephanie Cz.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 25, 2023
2023 Small Business Awards reveal a caring community

The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's awards highlighted area businesses that are positioned for continued success and have provided opportunities for the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Laura Wallace, Walter Killings, Shirley Pearson, Karen Pashkow, Jurome Killings and Sandra Johnson
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 25, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel outreach event overflows with donations

More than a vanload of shoes, clothing, personal items and toiletries was donated to the Mt. Carmel Resource Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
While it was a cooking class, all the women who participated in "Cooking Queens" say they are cooks. It's just a great social event and a chance to try recipes.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 25, 2023
'Cooking queens' enjoy camaraderie while trying new recipes

Angela Massaro-Fain hosted a social gathering at her Lakewood Ranch home to teach recipes from her "Bacio Di Cucina" cookbook.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dan Mohl says horseback riding benefits him as much mentally as it does physically.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 25, 2023
Therapy in the saddle makes perfect horse sense at SMART

The Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy offers therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted learning programs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Hermitage presents "Songs from the Sand: A Hermitage Cabaret" on Friday night at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 24, 2023
Waterside Place hosts another sight to see in Lakewood Ranch

Hermitage Artist Retreat is latest to perform in the Sights and Sounds series.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Barry Gaines aims perfectly to dunk people in the dunk tank while other employees cheer around him.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 24, 2023
Longboat Key’s town staff gather for employee appreciation luncheon

The town hosted a BBQ honoring all town employees and showing appreciation through different bonding activities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Maria MacDonald and Angela Massaro-Fain of Sisterhood for Good get ready to give out $110,800 in grants at the nonprofit's annual grant presentation.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 23, 2023
Sisterhood for Good presents $110,800 in grants

The Lakewood Ranch nonprofit smashed its previous record of $76,850 set a year ago.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Joe Bruno Sr.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 22, 2023
Three generations of jazz: The Bruno family loves to perform

A love of music has been passed down in the family for generations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 »
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
Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
  • February 6, 2026
Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
2
Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
3
Work by Janet Echelman in “Radical Softness” at Sarasota Art Museum through April 26.
  • February 6, 2026
New creations, global voices, celebrations light up our cultural horizon
4
Chefs Justin Kurtz and Ismael Flores showcase some of Mar Vista’s signature dishes.
  • February 6, 2026
Innovative chef at Mar Vista honors tradition — and keeps reinventing it
5
Longboat Key Police Department Customer Service Specialist Ivan Zunz shakes hands with Police Chief Russ Mager at a Town Commission meeting Monday, Feb. 2. Zunz was recognized for 10 years with LKPD at the meeting.
  • February 5, 2026
Ivan Zunz recognized for a decade with LKPD

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