• 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

Your Observer

Daisy Franko says her favorite thing about husband, John, is that he’s intelligent.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Say I Do Again

Couples took to Siesta Beach to affirm their love at the 2014 Say I Do Again Friday, Feb. 14. The ceremony took place at sunset and was led by Magistrate Ed Wilson. Before the ceremony, couples strolled through the village.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Janet Ginn, Bunny Skirboll, Roxie Jerde and Betty Schoenbaum
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Lion of Judah and Pomegranate Luncheon

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee hosted the Lion of Judah & Pomegranate Luncheon on Friday at the Longboat Key Club's Harbourside Dining Room.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Shelia Marie Martin and Townsend Morey
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Republican Club of Longboat Key Luncheon

On Friday, the Republican Club of Longboat Key hosted a their monthly luncheon at the Islandside Dining Room. Armando Linde, former Deputy Secretary of the International Monetary Fund, spoke of his career in Washington to attendees.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Police Department provided this image of the Selby Library following a stabbing that took place on the building's second floor today.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 14, 2014
UPDATE: Stabbing occurs at Selby Library

According to the Sarasota Police Department, a man stabbed another man after getting into an argument about the library's computers this morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Spencer Dunford, general manager of Hidden Harbor Marina.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 14, 2014
Hidden Harbor Marina reopens

After being shut down for more than six years, the south U.S. 41 marina is once again officially open for business.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The fun runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16, along the Sarasota Bay shoreline in the historic fishing village of Cortez.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 14, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: 32nd Annual Cortez Fishing Festival

Come celebrate Florida's commercial fishing and maritime history at the 32nd Annual Cortez Fishing Festival! Drawing crowds for over 30 years, this event has grown into a two-day festival filled with live music, marine life talks, artist vendors, and a wide variety of seafood choices.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Festival-goers are invited to interact with the artists at this free event. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 14, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts

This weekend, Main Street will become home to hundreds of artists from around the country. The event also showcases the best local and regional artists of the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 14, 2014
Longboat Library to hold open house

The Longboat Library invites residents and visitors to stop by the library from 2 to 4 p.m. today.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Haile Middle VEX Robotic Team: Lincoln Benedicto, Brantley Deines, Michael Kisada and Patrick Downing.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 14, 2014
Haile robotics team earns admission to state competition

Haile Middle School's VEX Robotic Team won the 'Tampa Prep Throwdown' this month, qualifying the squad for the Florida VEX Robotics State Championship.

  • East County
  • News
The severity of the north end’s erosion problem will not be fixed for more than a year.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 14, 2014
Groin permit approval has one more hurdle

A representative from Congressman Vern Buchanan's office informed a town official yesterday that a federal permit for groins needs one more bureaucratic stamp of approval.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The site plan calls for 77 single-family homes south of Whitfield Avenue.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 14, 2014
Planning commission supports Woodbrook II community

The Manatee County Planning Commission recommended approval of a site plan for a East County subdivision proposed by Pat Neal.

  • East County
  • News
Terri Antonelli and Debbie Amato
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 13, 2014
SPARCCle on the Runway Fashion Show and Luncheon

SPARCCle on the Runway Fashion Show and Luncheon

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 13, 2014
Sarasota County property sales match pre-recession levels

Total property sales in Sarasota County in 2013 were the second highest ever recorded.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Pierre is located at 455 Longboat Club Road. (Town of Longboat Key)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 13, 2014
ZBA approves Pierre tennis court expansion

The Longboat Key condominium plans to expand two courts by five feet in May.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Samantha Bisceglia submitted this sunrise photo, taken on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2014
Submit your weather photos!

We want your best weather photos - sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, etc!

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Heather Kasten and Kevin Cooper from the Chamber
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 13, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Greater Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce Kick-Off Breakfast

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce held its annual kick-off breakfast Thursday, Feb. 13 at the Polo Grill and Bar. Members enjoyed breakfast while learning about the chamber's upcoming projects and events such as the 2050 plan. Keynote Speaker Michael Burcham, president and CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center talked about the importance of creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The lot at 20 N. Washington Blvd., currently used as a parking lot for the county services across the street, is the planned site of a 9-to-10 story hotel.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 13, 2014
Commissioners approve Main Street hotel proposal

The Sarasota County Commission approved a land-swap deal that will allow for the development of a 150-room Kimpton Hotel at Main Street and U.S. 301.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 13, 2014
ODA tennis teams top Tampa Catholic

The Out-of-Door Academy boys and girls tennis teams both beat Tampa Catholic Feb. 12.

  • East County
  • Sports
Seventeen-year-old Sam Woolf, a senior at Braden River High, made it to the live showings of "American Idol."
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 13, 2014
UPDATE: Sam Woolf moves to top 30 on 'American Idol'

Braden River High senior Sam Woolf, 17, will progress to the top 30 on "American Idol."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Officer Linda Senior, with the Crime Prevention Unit, and Tom Berry, founder of the Blue Alert Foundation
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2014
Cops of joe

Sarasota police officers spent the morning catching up with Sarasota residents over coffee Wednesday, Feb. 5 during 'Coffee with a Cop.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Members of the Bay Island-Siesta Neighborhood Association with the new sign
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2014
Sign me up

If you went over the north bridge to Siesta Key Saturday morning, chances are you saw the Bay Island Siesta Neighborhood Association put up its new sign.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2014
Tax talk

Members of the Women's Republican Club met to discuss school referendum and the tax levy Wednesday at Michael's On East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 13, 2014
Medical marijuana the hot topic at Tiger Bay

A debate between Sarasota's sheriff and a prominent Florida attorney highlighted stark differences of opinion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2014
News Briefs

Harmer officially takes county administrator job; Efforts to remove Chalk Fest art from streets continue; Downtown circulator test drive sees improved results

  • Sarasota
  • News
File photo This property on Boulevard of the Arts is the targeted site of a high-density apartment project in the Rosemary District, but an expansion of a proposed overlay district could cause delays in the development process.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 13, 2014
Properties seek inclusion in Rosemary overlay

As a housing developer pushes to create an overlay for the Rosemary District, surrounding property owners want the ability to build with greater density, too.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 13, 2014
Residents raise concern about city mobility plan

Some citizens wonder how development changes outlined in a city study might affect neighborhoods.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2014
Our view: The truth hurts

The truth especially hurts - or in this instance, 'annoys' - when you disagree with it. So the expected human response is to discredit. Vigorously discredit the messenger; make the messenger the focal point; and deflect, deny and ignore the truth.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 13, 2014
County dispels beach construction rumors

To keep the community informed with accurate information regarding the $21.5 million Siesta Beach renovations, Sarasota County recently launched a website dedicated to the project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 13, 2014
CONA discusses proposed U.S. 41 roundabouts

Roundabouts at busy intersections along the U.S. 41 corridor could alleviate traffic and promote better safety and walkability, proponents say, and for some they can't come soon enough.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Conway The revamped fountain area has been in use for two weekends.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 13, 2014
Farmers Market offers children's activities

The Sarasota Farmers Market now offers a variety of activities for families after expanding its boundaries to Pineapple Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
CELEBRATORY COUPLE. Sarasota residents Dr. Greg and Jeri Lynn Towsley brought their Sarasota Observer along on their recent anniversary trip to Bali, Indonesia.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com and click on the 'Contests' tab in the upper-right hand corner to submit your entries. We can't wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photos by Harriet Sokmensuer
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 13, 2014
Farmers Market Roundup

Sarasota's farmers markets offer local produce, entertainment and fun. Take advantage of the Florida weather at these neighborhood markets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nick Bernier
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 13, 2014
College commitment

Athletes from Riverview, Cardinal Mooney and Booker high schools made their college choices official during National Signing Day Feb. 5.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Christian boys basketball team defeated Southwest Florida Christian 63-56 to win the Class 2A-District 9 championship Feb. 7.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 13, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball team
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 13, 2014
Sidelines

Cardinal Mooney High Boys Basketball; GSJGA golfers tee off for WTS; Riverview names new girls basketball head coach; Sarasota Military Eagles advance two to state meet; SCSC honored for its outstanding service

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 1196 1197 1198 1199 1200 1201 1202 1203 1204 1205 »
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
Lakewood Ranch's Cole Mule and Bodie Hogan, both 3 years old, explore the bee-themed magnet activity.
  • May 31, 2026
Literacy lessons a hot summer topic at Lakewood Ranch Library
2
A Longboat Key police officer measures the speed of vehicles traveling on Gulf of Mexico Drive. Traffic enforcement in gated communities require a memorandum of understanding with the Homeowners Association, said Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager.
  • May 31, 2026
Speeding enforcement in gated communities requires HOA permission
3
A car carrier operator unloads a Corvette on Bay Isles Road, the town of Longboat Key’s designated dropoff and pickup area for car carriers.
  • May 30, 2026
With fines locked in, Longboat leans on education for car-carrier scofflaws
4
For the final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season, Randy Bordon and Bri Rivera of the Bri Rivera Band perform for the crowd.
  • May 30, 2026
Crowd jams final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season
5
Rabbi Michael Shefrin meets Colby.
  • May 30, 2026
Temple Emanu-El celebrates the joy of pets with Blessing of the Animals

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