• 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

Ryan Waldschmidt runs the bases during a spring training game with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was selected No. 31 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Kentucky, and now ranks as the organization's No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 19, 2025
Braden River High graduate blazes a path toward MLB

Ryan Waldschmidt, a 23-year-old outfielder, was named the Arizona Diamondbacks' Minor League Player of the Year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kaden Knott challenges his players during a practice-opening hustle drill. The first-year coach is tasked with leading the Mustangs to their first winning season since 2021-22.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 18, 2025
Coach brings high energy and intensity to Lakewood Ranch boys basketball

The former Florida State graduate assistant looks the part of a program-changing leader.

  • East County
  • Sports
Madison Muller poses for a photo after a Nov. 17 practice at Riverview High School. The record-breaking sophomore will lead the Rams into the FHSAA Class 4A girls' cross country state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 18, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Madison Muller

The sophomore placed first for Riverview girls' cross country at the FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Broden Beorlegui poses for a photo before a Nov. 17 practice at Lakewood Ranch High School. He led the Mustangs in goals and assists during the 2024-25 season en route to an FHSAA Class 6A regional finals berth.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 17, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Broden Beorlegui

The senior forward/midfielder is off to a hot start with the Mustangs, contributing seven goals in four games.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Riverview boys/girls and Sarasota boys pose for a photo with their medals and trophies on Nov. 14 at Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training in Ocala. Both programs dominated at the FHSAA Class 4A state championships.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 17, 2025
Riverview girls, Sarasota boys win swimming state titles

The two high school programs both extended their respective reigns in FHSAA Class 4A.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A 200-feet marker and scoreboard are pictured at one of the fields in Twin Lakes Park, the home of Sarasota Little League.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 15, 2025
Little League treasurer charged with theft of more than $200,000

The Sarasota league president tells investigators that vendors first reported debts in July.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marcus Liberty poses for a photo on Nov. 10 at Edgewater Park in Lakewood Ranch. He featured as a forward for the King College Prep boys' basketball team which won the Illinois High School Association’s 1985-86 Class AA state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 13, 2025
Marcus Liberty adds jersey retirement to legacy of impact

The Sarasota resident and former NBA player, now committed to mentorship, sees his jersey raised to the rafters at his alma mater.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The T/S Motorsports / Marine Technology boat piloted by Taylor Scism of Missouri and Johnny Tomlinson of North Miami, Florida passes crowds of spectators on the beach.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 12, 2025
Uncertainty engulfs Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix for 2026

The P1 Offshore event celebrated its 40th anniversary here in 2024 but was canceled for 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Taryn Nguyen gets ready to tee off at Heritage Isles Golf and Country Club on Nov. 5 in the regional tournament. She tied for 12th, which qualified her for a fourth-straight state tournament berth.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 12, 2025
Braden River High senior golfer etches a legacy of consistency

Taryn Nguyen heads to the state tournament again after winning her fourth consecutive district title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Donovan Plakyda poses for a photo on Oct. 27 with the FHSAA Class 3A District 11 trophy. The junior has dropped 14 strokes in an 18-hole format since his freshman season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Donovan Plakyda

The junior for Lakewood Ranch boys' golf tied for fourth at the FHSAA Class 3A Region 3 championship on Nov. 4 as the Mustangs advanced to the state tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bogdan Zverev poses for a photo on Nov. 10 after a Sarasota Sharks practice at Selby Aquatic Center. The senior is headed to Alabama next fall, but first, he's playing a major role for Sarasota boys' swimming and diving in pursuit of a state title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 11, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Bogdan Zverev

The senior for Sarasota boys' swimming and diving brought home four golds at FHSAA regionals.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Premier Sports Campus has brought top soccer competitions to Lakewood Ranch over the years.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 10, 2025
US Soccer might be gone, but Lakewood Ranch remains a soccer destination

Premier Sports Campus once hosted the U-17 Men's National Team, but a national training facility in Georgia has changed the complex's focus.

  • East County
  • Sports
Joel Morris (center) prepares to receive the snap alongside senior running back/safety Jacobey Mobley (left). The senior quarterback threw for 23 touchdowns and 1,803 yards with no interceptions during the 2025 regular season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 6, 2025
Resurgent quarterback guides Booker football to dominance

Senior quarterback Joel Morris led the Tornadoes to a 9-1 regular season after suffering a season-ending leg injury in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A 200-feet marker and scoreboard are pictured at one of the fields in Twin Lakes Park, the home of Sarasota Little League.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 5, 2025
Sarasota Little League's moment of need is bigger than baseball

The league reported a disappearance of over $200,000 from its treasury on Oct. 29 and now needs help from the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kevin Gyurka poses for a photo on Oct. 31 at Out-of-Door Academy's Thunder Stadium. The senior long-distance runner has won two races in the 2025 cross country season, and boasts five top-10 finishes in seven meets.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 5, 2025
Prominent ODA runner approaches his career finish line

Senior Kevin Gyurka has put his stamp on three Out-of-Door Academy sports programs.

  • East County
  • Sports
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 »
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
Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points
2
Devin Mignery (center) prepares to take the snap during the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinal between Cardinal Mooney and Cocoa. The senior quarterback was inserted for junior Davin Davidson and helped usher the Cougars into the state championship.
  • December 6, 2025
Cardinal Mooney football headed to state championship
3
A rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.
  • December 6, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre receives anonymous $1 million gift
4
Sarasota Police on Monday recovered a sunken, capsized boat from Hudson Bayou that had been swamped for more than three years.
  • December 6, 2025
Long-abandoned boat removed by Sarasota Police
Sponsored Content
5
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota Concert Association presents the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

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