• 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

Your Observer

    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 8, 2014
Fish fry aims to benefit the Historical Society

A $25 ticket gets you fish and other fried fare, two drinks, live music and a chance to help preserve the Key's history.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 8, 2014
Business Briefs

Chiles Group fights childhood hunger; Harry's to reopen after six-week summer break; Your Fitness Instructor opens gym to the public

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unit 903 at The Beach Residences has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,861 square feet of living area. It sold for $3,285,000. File photo
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 8, 2014
The Beach Residences condo sells for $3,285,000

A condominium in The Beach Residences tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Veronika Bajtaka submitted this photo, taken near Ken Thompson Parkway overlooking Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2014
Weather: Longboat Key

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh fields questions on how to ease traffic once The Mall at University Town Center opens Oct. 16. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 8, 2014
Ranch residents oppose seven-story proposal

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh can't speak about raising building heights to seven stories behind Lakewood Ranch Cinemas until she hears the matter in November.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2014
News Briefs

School district cancels security contract; MTI plants seeds for farmworker careers; Meals on Wheels PLUS finds home for new program

  • East County
  • News
The Mall at University Town Center's playground will combine a sea life theme with things children would see during a hospital visit. Courtesy rendering
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 8, 2014
Mall playground beckons families

A new 1,700-square-foot playground has an ocean sea-life theme that includes a water slide and parent seating.

  • East County
  • News
Dan Sidler, the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's new director of communications and marketing, was born and raised in Switzerland and now has dual citizenship. He is also fluent in German. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 8, 2014
Alliance hires marketing director

Dan Sidler will become the voice of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance as it works to become the 'go-to' place for businesses.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 8, 2014
Tampa Bay Rays send off junior announcer

Fourteen-year-old Levi Waxler couldn't be a bigger baseball fan, even if most of his experience with the game has been from the sidelines.

  • East County
  • News
Kim Hunsader immediately loved the idea her husband, David, discussed with her 23 years ago — a pumpkin festival. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 8, 2014
Pumpkin festival returns for 23rd year

Twenty-three years ago, when her husband, David, told her about an idea to launch a family-friendly, country celebration, Kim Hunsader was immediately on board.

  • East County
  • News
Bruce Colby tried other styles of dance besides tap as a youth but "nothing I wanted to stick with," he says. He most enjoys what is called the vaudeville style of tap, which is masculine in nature, with a heavy use of arms.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 8, 2014
Happy feet

At 66 years old, Bruce Colby isn't your typical tap dancer, given his age and gender.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kevin Hanley submitted this photo, taken overlooking Ward Lake in East County.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2014
Weather: East County

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This home at 22308 Deer Pointe Crossing has four bedrooms, three-and-half baths, a pool and 3,741 square feet of living area. It sold for $629,500. Photo by Alex Rostowsky
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 8, 2014
Preserve at Panther Ridge home sells for $629,500

A home in the Preserve at Panther Ridge tops all transactions from this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The buildings will be surrounded by trees and have stone accents.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2014
Construction begins on ParkCrest site

The new site plan for the property, which wraps around the southwest side of Bennett Park, includes more open space and more trees. The complex on 67 acres will have a nature-oriented theme and two clubhouses.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota City Commission is working toward developing a master plan for Bobby Jones Golf Club and intends to enlist the help of a citizen advisory committee.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 7, 2014
Commissioners hash out details of Bobby Jones committee

At a meeting Monday, the Sarasota City Commission continued its discussion regarding the future growth and management of the municipal golf course.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Town Manager informed the county of the increasing concern for home and road flooding on the island.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 7, 2014
County, town discuss Bayfront Park

Sarasota County commissioners met with Longboat Key town commissioners to discuss joint issues Monday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Amanda Paine serves Bill Schweitzer at Blue Dolphin Cafe. Schweitzer spends half his year in Germany and returned to Longboat Key last week.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 7, 2014
PHOTO OF THE DAY: returning resident visits local hangout

PHOTO OF THE DAY: returning resident visits local hangout

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team shot a combined 286 to win its fourth-consecutive Donald Ross Memorial Invitational title Oct. 6.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 7, 2014
Mustangs make history

The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team captured its fourth straight Donald Ross Memorial Invitational title Oct. 6, at Sara Bay Country Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
The board meets at the Manatee County Commission building.
  • By Alex Rostowsky
  • October 7, 2014
Manatee seeks historic board applicants

The board authorizes renovations for historical sites and structures within the county.

  • East County
  • News
Longbeach Village Association President Michael Drake speaks to the commission about proposed parking changes.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 7, 2014
Commission sides against two-way Linley parking

Commissioners added a new restriction banning parking on one side of Linley Street to a proposed Village parking ordinance.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • October 7, 2014
Mote aims to recruit new volunteers at Oct. 8 reception

Mote is looking for aquarium guides to speak with visitors about exhibits and animals, along with cashiers and greeters for the facilitiy's membership desk, with weekend help especially needed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The state has blamed an “aggressive coastal environment” for deteriorating the Stickney Point Bridge, and aims to fix the connected seawall, the control house and moveable spans of the bridge, among other repairs.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 7, 2014
UPDATE: FDOT pitches Stickney Point Bridge repairs

The Florida Department of Transportation plans to spend $4 million to add at least 10 years to the lifespan of the Stickney Point Bridge. Nightly lane closures are expected after Easter.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Kay Aidlin, Patty Kiegler and Lydia Landa
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 6, 2014
Meet Me at the Barre

Meet Me at the Barre

  • Black Tie
Downtown resident Terry Kees says she is excited about plans for the Sarasota Farmers Market to expand into Wednesday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 6, 2014
VIDEO: Sarasota Farmers Market eyes expansion

The Sarasota Farmers Market is planning to hold a mid-week event in Five Points Park, a proposal that has drawn both praise and concern.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • October 6, 2014
Florida Power and Light repairs poles and lights along GMD

A Florida Power and Light maintence project on State Road 789, including Gulf of Mexico Drive, will take place from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. through Oct. 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Carl Knutsson and Patricia Buskirk
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • October 6, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Team Tony 5th annual Cycle of Life

VillageBikes hosted a 'Welcome Home' party Sunday, Oct. 5, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street to welcome back the riders who participated in Team Tony's 5th annual Cycle of Life. The 75 riders cycled 220 miles across Florida during the two-day fundraising event.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Town Hall is located at 501 Bay Isles Road. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 6, 2014
Commission to discuss Village parking ordinance tonight

The proposed ordinance would restrict parking in certain areas of the Village.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Molly Ballow, William Fogel, Rabbi Michael Werbow, Dale Root, Joel Servetz an Ben Berman stand with the 170 bags of donated food.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 6, 2014
Temple Beth Sholom collects for local food banks

Temple Beth Sholom has collected 170 grocery bags worth of food to be donated to local food banks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A sign on Main Street discourages donations to panhandlers. As part of a new campaign, downtown merchants will offer donation boxes, with funds going to homelessness serves providers.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 6, 2014
Downtown merchants work to discourage panhandling

Led by the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association, businesses in the heart of the city are preparing a campaign to direct funds to homelessness service providers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
North Water Tower Park, located in the Bayou Oaks neighborhood, is a popular location for disc golf.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 6, 2014
County Commission to vote on park expansion

North Water Tower Park is owned by the City of Sarasota. The Sarasota County Commission could to expand the property by 6.2 acres.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Three surfers rescued Melody James after she became distressed Sunday of the coast of Casey Key, but her boyfriend Vincent Charles Daniels was pronounced dead at Venice Regional Bayfront Health.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 6, 2014
Man drowns off coast of Casey Key

Vincent Charles Daniels, 53, became distressed while swimming with his girlfriend near North Jetty Park Sunday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The supplies given to volunteers included garbage bags to collect monofilament, plastics and other trash as well as materials to reach and cut the fishing lines.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 6, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Bay Watch's annual fishing line cleanup

Sarasota Bay Watch hosted its sixth annual monofilament clean up.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
One Palm, a mixed-use project including 140 apartments and 139 hotel rooms, is one of at least three major construction projects in progress in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 6, 2014
Sarasota permit data show economic recovery

Sarasota County issued nearly 30,000 building permits in the previous fiscal year, while the city broke a record with more than 7,200 permits worth roughly $362 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
This aerial photo of the Siesta Key public beach improvements shows the east concessions building in the top left, with the new maintenance building and tennis courts on the right.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 5, 2014
Commission gets update on beach project

A major facelift for Siesta Key public beach is about a quarter complete, as the east concessions building takes shape.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Church of the Redeemer welcomed all sorts of pets and their humans for the Feast of St. Francis Blessing of the Animals.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Church of the Redeemer Pet Blessing

Church of the Redeemer hosted The Feast of St. Francis Blessing of the Animals Sunday afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Antique cars welcomed guests to Robarts Arena for the 40th Annual Pioneer Day Picnic.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: 40th Annual Pioneer Day Picnic

The Rotary Club of Sarasota hosted more than 600 for the 40th Annual Pioneer Day Picnic at Robarts Arena Sunday afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 1049 1050 1051 1052 1053 1054 1055 1056 1057 1058 »
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
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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