• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • 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
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

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
Barb Torrence, Longboat Library volunteer
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 21, 2023
Longboat Library has new releases for every taste

Punch a literary ticket for a road trip with giraffes, a historical shipwreck or cooking better through chemistry.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
31-year-old Eric Garoutte and Diveheart employee Tom Trinch.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 20, 2023
Nonprofit helps those with disabilities dive into scuba

Diveheart hosts free scuba experience sessions in Sarasota twice a year, serving children and adults with disabilities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 »
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
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Wendy Feinstein now divides her time between Longboat Key and Carbondale, Colorado.
  • May 8, 2026
American Jewish Committee names new regional president
2
Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch
3
Work will soon begin on replacing anbd raising 1,500 linear feet of seawall at the Bayfront Park marina.
  • May 7, 2026
Bayfront Park marina seawall to be rebuilt
4
Tammy King talks with fourth graders Dylan Amador-Guerra and Knox Smith about their journals.
  • May 7, 2026
Program helps elementary students explore who they want to be when they grow up
5
Ben Milliken is the all-time leading passer in program history for Sarasota Christian football. Now, he's the first Blazer headed to an NCAA Division I program.
  • May 7, 2026
Sarasota Christian quarterback caps legacy with history-making commitment

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