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Your Observer

General Harris Street by Christ Church of Longboat Key after Hurricane Debby at high tide around 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 5.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 5, 2024
Hurricane Debby brings flooding, travel disruptions to Longboat Key

After expecting a normal rainy weekend in Florida, residents were taken aback by the aftermath of the tropical storm-turned-hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County opens evacuation shelter Monday afternoon
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2024
Sarasota County opens evacuation shelter Monday afternoon

Many Sarasota County government services will resume Tuesday and Wednesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The osprey takes flight at Bayfront Park after a month of rehab at Save Our Seabirds.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 5, 2024
Save Our Seabirds releases rehabbed osprey at Bayfront Park

After about a month of rehabilitative care at Save Our Seabirds, an osprey was released at Bayfront Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Main Street in downtown Sarasota was nearly empty at 10 a.m. on Monday after Tropical Storm Debby dumped a foot of rain in some areas of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • August 5, 2024
Sarasota, St. Armands drying out after Debby's deluge

Most shops are slow to open after a weekend of heavy rain and wind.

  • Sarasota
  • News
See Hurricane Debby's impacts around Sarasota
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2024
See Hurricane Debby's impacts around Sarasota

Severe flooding conditions exist on roads in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A car drives through floodwaters on Longboat Key on Sunday.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2024
Hurricane Debby floods areas of Longboat Key

More rain is forecast for Monday and a storm surge of 2 to 4 feet.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The ponds are home to a few species of turtles including soft-shell turtles and alligator snapping turtles.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 5, 2024
Manatee County to preserve key Myakka property

The 105 acres will open to the public in about a year as the Triple Oak Preserve.

  • East County
  • News
City of Sarasota declares state of emergency
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2024
City of Sarasota declares state of emergency

The declaration provides the city with more flexibility regarding expenditures and resource allocations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High boys golfer Parker Severs finished second individually at the Class 3A state tournament in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 5, 2024
East County's nonfootball fall high school sports outlook

The area should have at least one state title-contending program.

  • East County
  • Sports
Suspect arrested for Saturday homicide at Ringling Causeway
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2024
Suspect arrested for Saturday homicide at Ringling Causeway

Richard Minor, 66, is being held without bond following a shooting death at Hart's Landing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Golf Society is not finished yet, but this photo offers an idea of what a suite will look like.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 5, 2024
Members-only golf lounge to open in Lakewood Ranch

The Golf Society is planning to open in August on Solutions Lane.

  • East County
  • Business
Petar Sibinkic remembers his love for the sport after kayaking for the first time in months.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 4, 2024
Former Olympian helps Longboaters reach peak fitness

Personal Trainer Petar Sibinkic was a two-time Olympian and explains how he uses his experience to better clients’ health.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Flooding near Banana Court and Gulfstream Avenue on Sunday
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2024
Tropical weather floods roads in Sarasota, Manatee counties

Sarasota County urges residents to stay off roads and remain inside due to Hurricane Debby.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2024
Manatee County portion of Longboat Key ‘encouraged’ to evacuate

Flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas can be expected due to storm's rainfall.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2024
Sarasota County now under tropical storm warning

Tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 36 hours.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jack Kushin, 7, Cason West, 7 and Kai Dodge, 6, came dressed as Spider-Man.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 3, 2024
City of Sarasota summer camp keeps kids active

The experience provided fun and games and included a major league trip and costume day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota rower Clark Dean (fourth from right) took bronze in the Men's Eight at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 3, 2024
Sarasota rower Clark Dean takes Olympic bronze with U.S. Men's Eight

It is Team USA's first medal in the event since 2008.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota County's beaches are among the area's main tourist attractions.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2024
Sarasota County tourism continues downward trend in June

Although there were fewer visitors, there were still 265,000 room nights sold in June of this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brad Marner and Michael Garey
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 2, 2024
Longboat Key Chamber networking event hits record numbers

Fifty-five people attended Networking at Noon at the Lazy Lobster.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The potential track of the storm according to the National Hurricane Center advisory at 11 a.m. on Aug. 2.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 2, 2024
Longboat Key officials work with Sarasota County to prep for storm

As town officials prepare, residents are asked to stay up to date with information and can utilize the self-serve sandbag operation and sign up for Alert Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tropical storm conditions could hit Sarasota and East County by Saturday night, forecasters say.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • August 2, 2024
Tropical storm watch issued for Sarasota, Manatee counties

Tropical storm conditions are possible in the area by Saturday or Saturday night, forecasters say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County officials warn that a predicted tropical storm could cause flooding in some areas on Sunday.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 2, 2024
Manatee County declares state of emergency ahead of tropical storm

Invest 97L is predicted to strengthen into a tropical storm that could impact the majority of Florida.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch resident Olivia Weldon, 6, is torn between pizzas No. 3 (Fresh Market) and No. 4 (Michelangelo's).
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 2, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Library hosts first Pizza Taste-off

Teens were invited to a blind taste test of pizza from four different Lakewood Ranch establishments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Omnilert Gun Detect system recognizes a rifle a man is holding as he approaches a building. The software can alert school personnel and police in a matter of seconds.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • August 2, 2024
Sarasota schools add high-tech security systems

New metal detectors and AI-driven video system are coming to middle and high schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Nicholas & Associates, which was a a jersey sponsor for the 2024 season, has purchased an interest in the Sarasota Paradise men's soccer team.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • August 2, 2024
Family with construction firm buys interest in Sarasota soccer team

The Papanicholas family created an entity to join the Sarasota Paradise ownership.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Zuri
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 1, 2024
Big Cat Habitat adopts first cheetah

Zuri will serve as an ambassador for cheetahs in the wild.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The inspector general's office is located at 1115 Manatee Avenue West.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 1, 2024
Inspector general protects Manatee County from fraud

From audits to investigations, the department focuses on preventing fraud and abuse.

  • East County
  • News
Teresa Mast and Alexandra Coe are running for the District 1 Sarasota County Commission seat.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2024
Mast, Coe square off for District 1 County Commission seat

The Aug. 20 primary election between the two GOP candidates appears likely to decide the race.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Julia Yesler at Longboat Key Pilates
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 1, 2024
Longboat Key retail center is all about making connections

The Centre Shops' tight-knit community of small businesses anchors the plaza, which has a handful of vacancies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gleaming condo towers along Sarasota's bayfront.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 1, 2024
Sarasota drops six spots on best cities to live list

Affordability appears to be a factor in the city being ranked 11th by U.S. News & World Report — but at least it beat Green Bay this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 8201 Midnight Pass Road was built in 2018 and has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 5,034 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 1, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for July 15-19 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Midnight Pass Road tops sales at $4.13 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Mark Vu, 13 and his brother Matthew Vu, 16, practice at SRQ Fencing Club.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 1, 2024
Train like an Olympian: Niche sports have home in Sarasota

Fencing and synchronized swimming clubs offer fun and high-level instruction.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Premier Sports Campus is one of many Manatee County amenities that the tourist development tax helps fund.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 1, 2024
Increased tourism tax in Manatee County now in the voters' hands

A referendum to increase the tourist development tax by 1% will be on the Nov. 5 ballot.

  • East County
  • News
The Wright Bush House
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 1, 2024
Newtown is largest Black historic district in state thanks to coalition effort

The preservation project helped Sarasota become only the second city to win the Stewards of Heritage Award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 1, 2024
School board adopts tentative budget and new millage rates

The board approved the $1.35 billion budget and the property tax rate of 6.131 mills.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Orchard, a baby ring-tailed lemur, stays with her mom, Dalia. Although she's becoming more independent, Orchard spends more of her time with her dad, Goose.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 31, 2024
Lemur Conservation Foundation welcomes four baby lemurs

The four baby lemurs and their families are adjusting to new dynamics as the babies grow not only in size but also in their personalities.

  • East County
  • News
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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

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