• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday 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
  • LWR 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
  • LWR 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
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Trending | Sarasota

Olivia Davis.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 17, 2020
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Olivia Davis

The Cardinal Mooney guard talks favorite memories and her biggest challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tonya Mckee, Jennifer Coker, Jocelyn Mansfield, Amanda Myers, Zacko Gerzeny, Theresa Eannetta, Dayna Sisk, Nicole Washburn, and Cheyenne Parker.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 17, 2020
DIY boat parade sets sail

The volunteer-organized boat parade was held Dec. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Planning Board voted 3-2 to recommend approval of Raffurty's major conditional use application at an October public hearing. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
Another public hearing for Raffurty’s liquor license

The City Commission agreed to give residents another chance to share their thoughts on a permit request from the Main Street bar.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of adjusting their meeting schedules on Nov. 16, ultimately directing staff to conduct some research before continuing the conversation. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
City commissioners consider shift to evening meetings

When should the City Commission hold its meetings? Some elected officials think the night time is the right time.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
Planning Board questions city meeting protocols

A majority of the volunteer advisory board is opposed to in-person meetings that exceed two hours, disrupting the city’s development review schedule.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Unit 301 of the Oceane Condominiums on Siesta Key was built in 2019 with four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 4,439 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 16, 2020
Oceane condo unit sells for $4.75 million

Residential real estate transactions for Nov. 30-Dec. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
LaunchPad4U is located in the Rosemary District at 1413 Boulevard of the Arts to be centrally located for students. Harry Sayer
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 16, 2020
Education Foundation launches student resource center downtown

LaunchPad4U, located in the Rosemary District, helps students prepare for life after high school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Administrators surprise Kari Johnson, a kindergarten teacher at Fruitville Elementary School. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 15, 2020
Finalists named for Sarasota Teacher of the Year

The finalists teach at Fruitville Elementary, Sarasota Military Academy Prep, Alta Vista Elementary and Booker High School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
First Step CEO Gwen MacKenzie discusses the Behavioral Health Response Team program during a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Kreisman Center Crisis Stabilization Unit.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 15, 2020
First Step, law enforcement launch crisis intervention program

The Behavioral Health Response Team is an initiative designed to produce better outcomes for individuals dealing with issues related to mental health and substance abuse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A memorial featuring a plaque, a portrait of Shackelford and his favorite painting hangs in the school's media center. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 15, 2020
Sarasota High remembers teacher with memorial, scholarship

Robert Shackelford was a teacher at Sarasota High School. He died after testing positive for COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Al Maio, left, will take over as chair of the Sarasota County Commission in 2021. Christian Ziegler, right, will serve as vice chair.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 11, 2020
Maio selected as new county commission chair

Maio previously served as chair in 2016 and as vice chair in 2015 and 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 10, 2020
Selby Gardens previews 2020 Lights in Bloom

Selby VIP guests received a look at the annual lights show ahead of its Dec. 12 opening.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Following a state directive that requires struggling remote learnings to return to brick-and-mortar, more students are expected to return to the classroom for second semester. Photo courtesy Sarasota Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 10, 2020
Changes coming to schools in new semester

Following a state directive, struggling remote students will be asked to return to in-person classes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: December 10

MaryAnn Parks captured this parakeet having a snack near her home in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Deputy Police Chief Pat Robinson will join interim City Manager Marlon Brown as the city transitions to a new top administrator following Tom Barwin's retirement. Image courtesy Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
Brown appoints deputy police chief as deputy city manager

Pat Robinson will move from the Sarasota Police Department to City Hall to join the city's administrative team on an interim basis.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 »
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 in Sarasota

1
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents
2
Bo O'Daniel poses for a photo on Dec. 15 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The senior had three touchdown catches for the Cougars in the Dec. 10 FHSAA Class 2A state championship.
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Bo O'Daniel
3
Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise
4
Plans are to replace the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Newtown with a new building and convert the current structure into outdoor play space.
  • December 16, 2025
After years of repairs, Boys & Girls Club plans to rebuild
5
Zac Boone, 6, showcases his crystals.
  • December 15, 2025
Children's Entrepreneur Market offers kids business experience

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 © 2025 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