• 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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

Sports

Ava Proffitt is a sophomore who has Cardinal Mooney coaches buzzing with excitement for the future.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 13, 2025
Cardinal Mooney softball ready to return to championship ways

The Cougars have built back from a six-year absence with help from two former players.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sophomore Johnny Lackaff (No. 12) should be a key returner for the Sailors after leading the team in scoring this season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 12, 2025
Sarasota-area prep basketball teams look to the future

The Tornadoes and Sailors have what it takes to be back in the state tournament next year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch Adult Soccer Club's Over 50 team poses together with a trophy after winning its league championship 3-2 over Saint Petersburg FC Aztecs on March 9.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Adult Soccer Club embraces its differences

The club features 38 nationalities among its 145 members.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota softball player Sommer Speers is coming off a week in which she delivered six hits, five runs and seven RBIs to help the Sailors go 3-2.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 12, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Sommer Speers

The senior Sailors softball player is batting over .500 this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch junior centerfielder Carter Sprague leads the Mustangs in hits, runs, batting average and stolen bases this season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Carter Sprague

The Lakewood Ranch junior centerfielder leads the Mustangs in several offensive statistics.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jacob Fuentes, left, and Matthew Ireland were two of several Braden River wrestlers who helped each other stay sharp during after-school practice ahead of the state championships.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 10, 2025
Braden River HS sends program-record 8 wrestlers to state championships

Learn more about the wrestlers who had a record-breaking season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Riverview senior CJ McCutcheon won the 215-pound weight class at the 3A Region 2 meet this past weekend with a dominant performance.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 6, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: CJ McCutcheon

The Riverview senior wrestler dominated his region with a perfect tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Booker baseball team is building its baseball IQ from the ground up. The Tornadoes went through base-running fundamentals during a practice on Feb. 26.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 6, 2025
Booker baseball is turning the corner with new approach

The Tornadoes are using discipline and freshmen talent to overcome awful 2024 season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Cardinal Mooney girls basketball team cheers as its announced as the 3A state champion at RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 5, 2025
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball breaks through to win first state championship

The Cougars leaned on experience and fuel four straight runner-up finishes to beat Jacksonville Bolles 64-54.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Liam St. John had never picked up a javelin until last year. Now, he's nearing the school record and he wants to pursue the sport in college.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 5, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High sophomore eyes school javelin record

Liam St. John placed first at last year's district meet one month after he first picked up a javelin.

  • East County
  • Sports
Francesca Bisordi is the first girls wrestler from Lakewood Ranch to advance to the state championships.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 4, 2025
Mustangs sophomore shows sanctioning girls wrestling was overdue

Francesca Bisordi will be the first Lakewood Ranch High girl to wrestle at the state championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High senior Jonathan Leatt currently ranks ninth in the 800-meter run in 4A Region 3 after posting a 2:01.09 on Feb. 28.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 4, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Jonathan Leatt

Leatt helped the Mustangs win the Lakewood Ranch Invitational with three top-three finishes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Marayah Stuart helped Booker girls basketball win a regional championship with 31 points and 13 steals across two wins last week.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 27, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Marayah Stuart

Booker guard scored 31 points with 13 steals across two regional playoff wins.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Gabe Moberly hits a jump during an Aker Sunday Session in September before the new track was installed. The cattle are fenced off from the track.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2025
BMX track draws amateur and pro riders to Myakka City

Aker Brand Farms is a 15-acre BMX training facility and a dream come true for owners Jeremy Smith and Will Grant.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ellen Lehman took fifth place in the 119-pound weight class in the 2A Olympic category at the girls weightlifting state championships on Feb. 14.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 26, 2025
Braden River weightlifter becomes first freshman to medal in school history

Ellen Lehman wrapped up a record-breaking year with a fifth-place finish at states.

  • East County
  • Sports
« 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 »
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
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
2
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
3
The home at 3851 Tangier Terrace was built in 2024 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,379 square feet of living area.
  • February 5, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
4
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
5
Sarasota residents Erma and Dave Miller were drawn into the world of bicycle motocross because of their son, Doug Miller, and have spent decades in the sport.
  • February 5, 2026
Sarasota couple stand side by side with BMX

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