• 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

Myakka City's Patricia McKeithen and her husband, Eddie McKeithen, and Christopher Moberly and his wife, Brittany Moberly, are opening McKeithen Growers for an Earth Day Native Plant Sale.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 10, 2024
Myakka City nursery to host Earth Day native plant sale

McKeithen Growers will open its doors to educate people on native plants while supporting a nonprofit.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Freddie Fowler, a Marine Service Technology instructor at Manatee Technical College, has been named American Boat and Yacht Council Foundation's Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 10, 2024
MTC instructor named US boating nonprofit's Educator of the Year

Freddie Fowler, a Marine Service Technology instructor at Manatee Technical College, uses his military experience to train students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jake Ilardi is a Street skater, meaning he specializes in skating rails, stairs, banks and other items you could find on a real city street.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 10, 2024
New documentary puts 'Spotlight' on Sarasota skateboarder

The film, which follows the life of Jake Ilardi, came largely from video filmed by his brother Nate Ilardi.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Not all Longboaters are on board with library
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 10, 2024
Not all Longboaters are on board with library

A reader reminds Longboat Key's mayor that the press is a watchdog on public servants.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 10, 2024
Trash, recycling collection rates will increase for Longboat residents

Waste Management’s three-year contract extension comes with a 28% residential rate increase due to increased labor and maintenance costs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Men told to stop 'jumpscaring' downtown pedestrians
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 10, 2024
Men told to stop 'jumpscaring' downtown pedestrians

Leaping from the shadows in the darkness of night, two men tell police they were only frightening passersby for fun. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota schools’ Rachael O’Dea, Mote’s Aly Busse, the associate vice president of education, and Manatee schools’ Amber Platowski, talk about possibilities while standing in front of what will be the three learning labs at Mote SEA.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 10, 2024
Mote aquarium hopes to lead students to marine science, biology careers

The Science Education Aquarium is working with Manatee and Sarasota school districts to provide access to every K-12 student.

  • East County
  • News
Colleen Collandra
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 10, 2024
Longbeach Cafe celebrates 10 years at Whitney Plaza

The restaurant keeps people coming back with delicious food, friendly service and consistent experiences.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The home at 55 Lighthouse Point Drive has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,159 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 10, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for March 25-29 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Lighthouse Point home tops the week's sales at $8.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Sarasota Police Department spent nearly $67,000 in personnel and other costs on the 2023 Powerboat Grand Prix, a city co-sponsored event.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 10, 2024
City considers reducing number of co-sponsored special events

Taxpayer costs for 15 events have increased 33.5% in two years, prompting Sarasota city commissioners to ponder the return on investment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A row of vertical oyster gardens that were recently installed at Mar Vista.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 10, 2024
Restaurant's oyster program helps diners become environmental stewards

Chiles Hospitality recently partnered with Gulf Shellfish Institute to bring vertical oyster gardens to Mar Vista and send some home with diners.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dead honey bee comb.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 10, 2024
Residents upset after utility crew eradicates honey bee colony

The colony had been a part of the community for at least 24 years, according to residents. Neighbors wish they'd had a say in the bees' fate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In a 2022 report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sea levels along U.S. coastlines are predicted to rise as much as 1 foot by 2050.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 10, 2024
Seawalls can now be up to 6 feet tall on Longboat Key

The change raises the maximum allowable height from 4.5 feet to 6 feet and aligns with the town's long-term sea-level rise and resilience plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
It’s a difference of opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 10, 2024
It’s a difference of opinion

We all want what is best for the taxpayers of Longboat Key. Longboat history shows two cases of how that was done.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Gary Hagen of Elegant Lady Cheesecake
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 9, 2024
Long-awaited cheesecake shop open in Whitney Plaza

Gary Hagen has brought Hollywood to Longboat Key through his new cheesecake shop, Elegant Lady Cheesecake.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Sugar Champagne Bar is expected to open by the end of the year.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 9, 2024
Champagne bar, piano lounge to open in downtown Sarasota

Local entrepreneur Ronnie Shugar is investing $15 million in downtown Sarasota entities and projects.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch High senior baseball player Ryan Kaitz.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 9, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Ryan Kaitz

The Lakewood Ranch High senior baseball player had a big week at the plate.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jim Keiner, Gene Tischer, Marge Slepica, Bob Keehn, Bob Smith and Diane Brune celebrate the 2024 donation to Stillpoint Mission.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 9, 2024
Lakewood Ranch golfers raise over $70,000 for Stillpoint Mission

Bob Smith started an email campaign 13 years ago that continues to grow.

  • East County
  • News
An aerial view of Quick Point Nature Preserve.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 9, 2024
Residents give Longboat Key high marks in citizen survey

Traffic was the primary concern for residents, but they were satisfied with town services and overall quality of life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Technical director Chris McVicker and director Jonathan Epstein
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 9, 2024
Elizabethan-era stage adds authentic touch to 'Romeo and Juliet'

FSU/Asolo Conservatory's production of the beloved Shakespeare play makes the audience part of the action with a set based on a historic stage.

  • Arts + Culture
    In Memoriam |
  • April 9, 2024
Jeffrey Michael Deane

Jeffrey Michael Deane, 77, of Annapolis, MD, and Sarasota, FL, passed away on April 4, 2024, at the Hospice of Chesapeake Rebecca Fortney Inpatient Care Center in Pasadena, MD, after a fierce three-year battle with metastatic prostate bone cancer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
This Concession home at 19424 Ganton Ave. sold for $2.5 million. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,346 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 9, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for March 25-29 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Ganton Avenue tops the week's sales at $2.5 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Decline in US economic freedom due to unregulated capitalism
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 9, 2024
Decline in US economic freedom due to unregulated capitalism

Capitalism without regulation is the cause of the decline in U.S. economic well-being, writes a reader in response to a recent editorial.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Policy shifts show Republicans favor big government
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 9, 2024
Policy shifts show Republicans favor big government

A reader attempts to set the record straight on President Joe Biden's policies.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The proposed site of a city-owned attainable housing development across First Street from City Hall. The red X marks the location of the city's credit union office, which will remain.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 9, 2024
City will consider building its own workforce housing

Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown will propose a plan to build 192 units in two towers across from City Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cash Register mixes the pancake batter at the 2017 Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 9, 2024
Cash Register's generosity touched many Longboaters' hearts

Loved ones celebrate Register's life and recount his kindness and dedication to community causes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A bench overlooks the Braden River at the end of a dirt trail. Amenities were intentionally kept minimal.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 9, 2024
Johnson Preserve raised bar for grassroots conservation efforts

Conserving the land at Braden River for public use was a joint effort between citizens, Manatee County and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast.

  • East County
  • News
Driver was too busy with marriage to renew his license
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 9, 2024
Driver was too busy with marriage to renew his license

A driver told LBKPD that he knew he needed to renew his license, but he was busy getting married. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota County will have two new solid waste collection contractors beginning in spring 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 9, 2024
Sarasota County to hold community meetings on waste collection changes

New haulers and higher rates are coming for residents of unincorporated areas of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The nine existing Verizon cell poles on Longboat Key are 25- or 35- feet tall poles. The new AT&T antennas will be placed on top of smart street poles being installed with the underground utility project.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 9, 2024
Installation of AT&T service upgrades permitted on Longboat

Town commissioners voted to change the wording in the zoning code to allow AT&T to install cellphone service upgrades.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Don't let crony capitalism run Siesta Key
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 8, 2024
Don't let crony capitalism run Siesta Key

A reader writes that Siesta Key doesn't need "mega" hotels.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A rendering of 1260 North Palm Avenue Residences, formerly Obsidian, overlooking Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 8, 2024
Downtown condo tower returns with modifications and a new name

Now branded 1260 North Palm Avenue Residences, the 18-story tower proposal shaved a little off the top and made progress toward street-level requirements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Youth Sailing hosted its 36th annual SailFest Regatta on April 6-7.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 8, 2024
Youth sailors test their skills at SailFest regatta

The 36th annual SailFest Regatta was held from April 6-7 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brody Scheckner, a fifth grader at Pine View School and Clara Tohumcu, a fourth grader at Pine View School, of the team Cool Kidz.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2024
RC Custom Car Open combines teamwork and carnival fun

The event empowered 175 students as they controlled vehicles around a carnival-themed race track.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioners Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard Ray Turner and George Kruse sit at the dais. Kruse is met with silence on March 12 when proposing call-in comments return.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2024
Manatee County and residents at odds over communication restrictions

Residents are not allowed to call in to commission meetings or comment on Manatee County's social media platforms.

  • East County
  • News
Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution members gather outside the Crocker Memorial Church.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2024
Daughters of the American Revolution chapter showcases history

The Sara De Soto Daughters of the American Revolution Centennial Open House Extravaganza featured a genealogy workshop, local authors, cemetery tours and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 »
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