• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sports

The Lakewood Ranch Mustangs changed their name from the Manatee Admirals after 12 seasons and promptly won the Lightning High School Hockey League championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 11, 2026
LRHS claims third Lightning Cup ice hockey title in program history

However, this was the first Lightning Cup title since the team changed its name to Lakewood Ranch Mustangs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Noah Spenn, a three-sport athlete at Sarasota Christian, is busy playing football or volleyball when he's not hooping on the hardwood.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 10, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Noah Spenn

The junior forward powered Sarasota Christian boys basketball to a district title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Vito Bavaro underwent knee surgery in December 2025, but despite months of pain and physical limitations, has made his signature impact on the Mustangs' stellar season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 10, 2026
Knee replacement can't keep Lakewood Ranch High coach from his job

Vito Bavaro endures constant paint while his Mustangs boys soccer team make a run at a state championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Erika Garcia joined Braden River girls weightlifting as a freshman, and now in her fourth season, has been a part of four district championship-winning teams.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 9, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Erika Garcia

The Braden River High senior is headed to the state meet with her teammates.

  • East County
  • Sports
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.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 5, 2026
Sarasota couple stand side by side with BMX

Involved for nearly 50 years, Dave and Erma Miller have impacted the sport locally and beyond.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Davin Davidson reeled in 20 offers from NCAA Division I FBS programs from Jan. 20 through 31.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 4, 2026
Cardinal Mooney quarterback's recruitment takes off

The demand for Davin Davidson is overdue following a triumphant junior season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork

The Pirates recorded 20 wins in the regular season and hope to continue that success in the postseason.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sutton Odegard is the 2026 FHSAA Class 3A-Region 6 champion in Olympic style for the 119-pound weight class.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 3, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Sutton Odegard

For the first time, the senior for Riverview girls weightlifting is headed to states.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
There was a time when Megan Nugent played internationally for the Republic of Ireland. Now, she's taken to the high school sidelines as a girls soccer coach.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 3, 2026
New coach aims for lofty heights with ODA girls soccer

Dublin, Ireland native Megan Nugent has sustained success for the Thunder in her first year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brooke Decillis will represent Lakewood Ranch at the FHSAA Class 3A girls weightlifting state championship Feb. 11 at RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 2, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooke Decillis

On a big day at regionals, the senior brought home gold and bronze for Lakewood Ranch girls weightlifting.

  • East County
  • Sports
Urban Meyer started the 'Real Life Wednesdays' career-development program at Florida, carried it to Ohio State and has now translated it to Sarasota's high school football scene.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 29, 2026
Urban Meyer makes mentor move with The Urban Edge

The three-time college football national champion will expand the Sarasota-based program in its second year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
As Sarasota baseball seeks success under first-year coach Sterling Pell, it will have senior right-hander Cesar Garmendia back on the mound. He posted a sparkling 1.02 ERA in 2025 across 12 appearances.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 28, 2026
What to know about local prep baseball as season approaches

The FHSAA regular season begins Feb. 9, but preseason classic tournaments will be underway even sooner.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Concession Golf Club is hosting the Senior PGA Championship April 16-19.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 28, 2026
Manatee County tees up for Senior PGA Championship

The generated championship dollars are expected to include impressive dividends for the county.

  • East County
  • News
Gavin Henderson ranks No. 5 in the state for scoring, as of Jan. 23, while playing for a charter school basketball program that's only in its second season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 28, 2026
College hoops hopeful sticks it out at Lakewood Ranch Prep

Gavin Henderson, a junior guard, has powered the boys basketball program through its second season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Elizabeth Lawson of Sarasota was recently crowned the FHSAA Class 3A-District 11 champion for the 169-pound weight class in both styles.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 27, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Elizabeth Lawson

The senior for Sarasota girls weightlifting swept her weight class at districts.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
« 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 »
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
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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