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

Your Observer

Dick Vitale says he resonates with the cause of pediatric cancer because he loves children. "I was a school teacher," he says. "Kids brighten me up." Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 22, 2014
Vitale publishes new book

As legendary basketball coach and ESPN commentator sits in the shade of the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club's tennis facility, watching youth volley balls across the tennis court, he has one thing on his mind: impacting children affected by cancer.

  • East County
  • News
Three Things: Homes for the Holidays
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • December 22, 2014
Three Things: Homes for the Holidays

Homes are synonymous with the holidays, and even the most humble can be a cheery place as December rolls around. Here's a trio of Sarasota homes currently on the market that are perfect for reliving family traditions - and creating some new ones.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Top Stories - Siesta Key: February

Sarasota County Commissioners aim to keep the community informed with accurate information regarding the $21.5 million project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 22, 2014
Top Stories - Sarasota: February

Local entrepreneur Jesse Biter and his wife, Katie, appeared on 'The Tonight Show' with Jay Leno Monday, in a segment poking fun at their wedding announcement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Law enforcement authorities estimate more than 300 animals to be inside the raided facility.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Top Stories - East County: February

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is leading a multi-agency raid of Napier's Log Cabin and Animal Sanctuary.

  • East County
  • News
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K. Rodney May said he couldn’t justify approving a Colony Beach & Tennis Resort settlement and reorganization plan Wednesday in his Tampa courtroom.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2014
Top Stories - Longboat Key: February

A Colony Beach & Tennis Resort settlement and Chapter 11 reorganization plan was rejected in favor of converting the entire case to Chapter 7 liquidation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Fandango Cafe is open for lunch and dinner in Southside Village.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 21, 2014
Fandango Cafe reopens in Southside Village

The iconic Sarasota restaurant had previous locations in the same commercial district, and in the heart of Siesta Key Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Trash collection in the city and county will be pushed back a day following the Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 holidays.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 21, 2014
Closures scheduled for Christmas, New Year's

In Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota, a variety of closures are planned during the next 10 days in observance of the upcoming holidays.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The crash occurred Saturday near Bay Isles Parkway.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 21, 2014
Bicyclist sustains minor injuries in crash

The crash occurred Saturday near Bay Isles Parkway.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The shooting is connected to another incident reported by the Sarasota Police Department around the same time Sunday morning.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 21, 2014
Two dead in North Sarasota shooting

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies found three victims inside Kay's Lounge early Sunday morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2014
Top Stories - Siesta Key: January

Preliminary reports indicate that one person was killed Wednesday morning in a vehicle collision with a pedestrian at the southern end of Midnight Pass Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Carlos Reyes-Sanchez faces charges of first-degree murder in Rhode Island.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 21, 2014
Top Stories - Longboat Key: January

Carlos Manuel Reyes-Sanchez, 30, was arrested without incident this morning at the The Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Years after closing its Siesta Key location, Bob's Boathouse opened last fall on Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 21, 2014
Top Stories - Sarasota: January

Sarasota County staff denied the fourth request for an extension of the restaurant's temporary certificate of occupancy Thursday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After her mother's death, Ellen Gerth, with her husband, Dave, left, continues to run marathons and continues with her career, despite the fact that closure may never come.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2014
Top Stories - East County: January

Two years after Ina Gross was murdered, her daughter says she still believes the Manatee County Sheriff's Office will arrest the killer.

  • East County
  • News
Zoe Baglini, Bekka Larson, Harrison Chona and Adriana Fernandez
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 20, 2014
Debutante Ball

Debutante Ball

  • Black Tie
Ken Abt and Alfred Goldstein
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 19, 2014
La Fille mal Gardee Pre-Performance Holiday Dinner

La Fille mal Gardee Pre-Performance Holiday Dinner

  • Black Tie
Indigo Alexis, Flori Roberts and Charles Martin
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 19, 2014
Achievers Scholarship Partners Holiday Luncheon

Achievers Scholarship Partners Holiday Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Adam Caldwell tells the story of Judah Maccabee at Hanukkah Happening.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El Hanukkah Happening

Members of the community were invited to join in on the holiday celebration with the congregation at Temple Emanu-El for Hanukkah Happening Friday evening.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The trail currently extends from the Venice Train Depot to Palmer Ranch Parkway. File photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 18, 2014
Legacy Trail extension costs could exceed $15 million

The $72,541 goal to supplement the cost of the feasibility study for the Legacy Trail extension is complete.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
This week's FYI Friday features news about a lost ferret and a Christmas miracle, an update on downtown Sarasota's nightlife and more!
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2014
FYI Friday - Your weekly news roundup

Catch up on the week's most important and most interesting news stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County with FYI Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The playground, installed in December, was created for children ages two to 12.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 18, 2014
Joan M. Durante Park installs new playground

The playground is made from post-consumer recycled materials.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo, Nolan TSA students Naomi Burg and Amanda Boccarossa paint a little library to be installed at Greenbrook Park in Lakewood Ranch in January.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 18, 2014
Sarasota County installs Little Free Libraries in parks

The stand-alone lending libraries are a part of a national program that encourages communities to share literature.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The construction sector shed 400 jobs in November in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metro area, while the retail sector added roughly 1,600 positions for an increase of 4% from October.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 18, 2014
Local unemployment rate continues tumble

The North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metro area added more than 4,000 jobs in November, while Sarasota County's unemployment rate fell to 5.3% from 5.6% the previous month.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools earned “A” grades for the third consecutive year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
East County high schools excel in graduation rates, school grades

Two East County high schools received "A" grades and had high graduation rates in the 2013-2014 school year, a Florida Department of Education report shows.

  • East County
  • News
A garden of lights blooms down one of the walk ways at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Lights in Bloom display.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Lights in Bloom at Selby

Guests were invited to enjoy an early preview of Lights in Bloom Thursday, Dec. 18 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ajanique Jones and Chloe Corleto dance to the music.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle Snowcoming Dance

Sixth- through eighth-grade students put on their formal gowns and suits for the Snowcoming Dance, Dec. 18, in Braden River Middle School's cafeteria.

  • East County
  • News
Jan and Gene Albrycht show off their gingerbread house — a staple in the parade.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Horseshoe Cove Christmas Golf Cart Parade

Residents of Horseshoe Cove lined their golf carts with ornaments, lights and other holiday decorations for the 16th annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade Dec. 18. Participants drove their themed vehicles around the community for an excited audience who photographed the unique carts from the sidelines.

  • East County
  • News
Girl of the Year recipient Isabelle Crotsley, Girls Inc. Distinguished Board Chair Donna Ogilvie and National Girls Inc. Champions for Girls award recipient, Sherry Watts.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Girls Inc. Celebrates Girl of the Year

Today called for a celebration at Girls Incorporated Girl for the Girl of the Year award and the first ever National Girls Inc. 'Champions for Girls' award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club resident Ron Jarvis pointed out the community doesn’t have a clear cut policy in place to prevent gators from being trapped and killed.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 17, 2014
Gator policy still floats

Despite a legal opinion from legal counsel stating the Ranch shouldn't create a gator policy, Town Hall officials are working to create an educational presentation that help the reptiles stay put.

  • East County
  • News
First Friday festivities mean new musical acts for attendees of free Music on Main events.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Future Music on Main acts set

Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty announced its Music on Main series of acts performing through June.

  • East County
  • News
Ethan Frizzell, Ernie Withers and Sue Frizzell. Photos by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Sound of hope

The holiday season hasn't officially started until our favorite bell ringers return to their posts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John Brady and Carol Pettengill, right
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Holiday harmonies

Shoppers and residents were treated to some holiday harmonies by the Senior Friendship Centers' group, the Second Wind Harmonica Players, in Downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Our View | Learn from others' models

Michael Klauber, longtime Sarasota restaurant entrepreneur and now chairman of Visit Sarasota, probably knows firsthand now what it means 'to herd cats.'

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Rodger Dowdell
  • December 17, 2014
My View | Grand juries have lost their independence

Recent grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York have sparked national protests.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Christmas worship services

The Observer shares local Christmas worship services.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 1037 1038 1039 1040 1041 1042 1043 1044 1045 1046 »
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
Sarasota's Harlyn Voyles, 7, holds on for dear life during the mutton busting at Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash April 4.
  • April 5, 2026
Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash attracts 2,000 fans on Easter weekend
2
Jeremy Gandon kisses the LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy. He shot six under par in the final round to win the title at 22 under par overall, defeating Mitchell Meissner and Jay Card III by one stroke.
  • April 5, 2026
Jeremy Gandon wins 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
3
Sarasota deejay and beatbox artist Karim Manning
  • April 5, 2026
Arts groups get 'Squeezed' for the 2026 Giving Challenge
4
Under Southwest Florida Water Management District's Phase III restrictions, water fountains can only run four hours per day.
  • April 5, 2026
Manatee County among 14 Southwest Florida counties under water restrictions
5
Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

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