• 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

Sports

New Riverview High football Head Coach Mark Cristiani embraces Da'Marcus Abner (left) and Dont'a Aber on the sideline in 2022.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 5, 2025
Setting Riverview High on the right path

New Riverview football Head Coach Mark Cristiani looks to lead the Rams with respect.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
TOPSoccer player Warren Cannon receives advice from LECOM volunteer Hunter Salisbury. Every player in the TOPSoccer program is assigned a personal buddy.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 4, 2025
Braden River's TOPSoccer program is a sanctuary for participants all to enjoy

The recreational soccer program has been serving children with disabilities since 2007.

  • East County
  • Sports
Grant McCray #58 of the San Francisco Giants returns to the dugout during the Giants game at Oracle Park on August 14, 2024 in San Francisco, California.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 2, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High alum enters his biggest season with Giants

After making his MLB debut last August, Grant McCray looks to solidify his role with the San Francisco Giants this spring.

  • East County
  • Sports
Booker High junior J.P. Lattimore has emerged as a leader this season on the boys varsity basketball team.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 30, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: J.P. Lattimore

The junior forward is leading Booker High in scoring this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Payton Mangay-Ayam helped propel the Braden River High girls varsity weightlifting team to its third straight title with individual wins in the 154-pound weight class at the Class 2A District 12 meet on Jan. 23.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 29, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Payton Mangay-Ayam

Braden River junior helps weightlifting team win its third consecutive Class 3A District 12 title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bogdan Godlevskyi, a sophomore forward at Lakewood Ranch, drives to the basket against Braden River's Charlie Wilson on Jan. 21. Godlevskyi scored a season high 11 points in the game, which Lakewood Ranch lost 65-45.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 29, 2025
Playoffs look like tough prospect for high school basketball teams

The Braden River High Pirates' win over the Lakewood Ranch High Mustangs on Jan. 21 shows they are on an upward trajectory.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota High senior Aaron Clark (left) and junior Oliver Boyle work on defensive rotations during practice.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota teams get ready to tip-off in district tournaments

How will Sarasota's teams fare in the boys and girls district tournaments next week?

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Former Riverview High baseball coach and athletic director Larry Altier had a massive impact on the baseball community of Sarasota. His life will be celebrated with a Naval service on Feb. 7 at 2:30 p.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota area legend left his mark on the field

Longtime Riverview High baseball coach and athletic director Larry Altier leaves behind a legacy that will live on long beyond his passing.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Breast cancer survivor Nadia McConville of Washington state (back), steers the Water Warriors boat. McConville made the switch from paddling to steering after undergoing shoulder and hip replacement surgeries as a result of her cancer.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 28, 2025
Nathan Benderson Park hosts unique dragon boat festival

Hundreds of cancer survivors gathered at Nathan Benderson Park for Unleash the Dragons.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Sarasota Surge Rugby Club gather together during halftime of its home match against the Lakeland Lancers on Jan. 18. Sarasota won 17-7.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 23, 2025
Popularity growth of rugby has attracted strong local response

The Sarasota Rugby Club is back in 2025 with a new home in Ridge Wood Heights.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Senior Ava Kozicky led the Sarasota High girls lacrosse team in scoring last season with 77 goals.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 22, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ava Kozicky

The senior attacker is primed for another massive season for the Sarasota High girls lacrosse team.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Braden River sophomore Anquan Polynice had 13 points in the Pirates' victory over Lakewood Ranch on Jan. 21.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 22, 2025
Braden River boys basketball downs Lakewood Ranch 65-45

The Pirates avenged an early season loss to Lakewood Ranch with the victory.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River senior Matthew Ireland is all smiles before his match against George Jenkins High's Everett Smith Jan. 18. Ireland won the match by pin and went on to win the 122-pound title of the Ricky Gullet Invitational at Bayshore High.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 22, 2025
Wrestler reaches elite level by being a gym rat at Braden River High

Senior wrestler Matthew Ireland looks to be a medal contender at the 2A state tournament in Kissimmee.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota Crew Head Coach Casey Galvanek brings a gold-medal pedigree to his coaching at the youth level. Galvanek coached the U.S. men's four boat to gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 22, 2025
Casey Galvanek is more than just a high school coach

Sarasota Crew Head Coach Casey Galvanek overcame chemistry issues with his crew en route to coaching the U.S. men's four boat to a historic gold medal in the 2024 Olympic Games.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Francesca Bisordi is a sophomore wrestler on the Lakewood Ranch High girls wrestling team. Last season, wrestling in the 170-pound weight class, she was named the Girls 1A District 11 Champion when she pinned Bayshore High's Alexandra Lopez in the tournament last February.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 21, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Francesca Bisordi

The Lakewood Ranch sophomore wrestler is thriving in her second year in the sport.

  • East County
  • Sports
« 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 »
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
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting
2
Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
  • December 7, 2025
Florida Center for Early Childhood hosts 2nd annual Wonder Gala
3
St. Petersburg's Ella Brown and Sarasota's Mike Chambers take full advantage of the live music to show off their best dance moves at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival on Dec. 6.
  • December 7, 2025
Lakewood Ranch music fans aren't crying the blues after festival
4
Students from Sarasota High School's marching band walk in the parade.
  • December 7, 2025
Sarasota's spirit goes on display in the holiday parade
5
Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points

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