• 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

Biden’s fantasia vs. Florida’s fiscal responsibleness
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 13, 2024
Biden’s fantasia vs. Florida’s fiscal responsibleness

What a contrast — the Biden proposed budget and the historical federal deficits versus the Florida budget for 2024-2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Authorities speak to guests outside the Zota Beach Resort on Aug. 4, 2017, after a double homicide took place at the resort.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 13, 2024
Charges reduced for suspect in Longboat murder case

On Jan. 12, detectives arrested Latoya Hanna in St. Lucie County following a six-year investigation for the 2017 Longboat murders at Zota Beach Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cardinal Mooney High softball freshman Olivia Lockhart.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 12, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Olivia Lockhart

The Cardinal Mooney High softball freshman is making a major impact at the plate.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Longboat Key ranked fifth top place to retire on Florida's Gulf Coast
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 12, 2024
Longboat Key ranked fifth top place to retire on Florida's Gulf Coast

Travel website and newsletter The Travel listed its top seven spots to retire on the Sunshine State's Gulf Coast.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Robin Zerola and Claudia Brown search through deals on women's clothes.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 12, 2024
Royal Rummage Sale draws crowd of bargain hunters

The annual event at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church sold 800 tickets for the early-bird sale.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Jessica Muroff, United Way Suncoast CEO
  • March 12, 2024
County Commission decision will bring end to 211 for Sarasota County residents

The commission's Sept. 11 decision will eliminate a service that hundreds of thousands of Sarasota residents have come to rely on for more than 40 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Manatee County, USF partnership helps paraprofessionals become teachers
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 12, 2024
Manatee County, USF partnership helps paraprofessionals become teachers

A federal grant will send 60 English for Speakers of Other Languages paraprofessionals to the University of South Florida to earn their teaching degrees.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Riverdale Revised home at 602 Regatta Way sold for $4.2 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,388 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 12, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 26 to March 1 in Lakewood Ranch

A Riverdale Revised home on Regatta Way tops the week's sales at $4.2 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
St. Armands Market provides all types of products from food, drinks, cleaning supplies, skin care and more.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 12, 2024
St. Armands Market offers accessible groceries and essentials

Residents and tourists can grab on-the-go meals and stock their pantries without fighting traffic to leave St. Armands Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Oats McGoats is adjusting to his new home at the Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary in Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 12, 2024
Stray goat finds home in Myakka City

A stray goat that was found wandering the streets of Jacksonville was taken in by the Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Man causing disturbance resists arrest and assaults officer
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 12, 2024
Man causing disturbance resists arrest and assaults officer

A Longboat Key officer responded to a disturbance, which escalated quickly. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Service dog and owner forge special friendship
    By
  • James Peter
  • March 12, 2024
Service dog and owner forge special friendship

Beth Usher endured brain surgery, befriended Mr. Rogers, spreads humor and now spends time on Siesta Key with her best friend and service dog, Gromit.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Brandin Gallaway takes a corner kick for Braden River Soccer Club during a practice at Premier Sports Campus in July 2023. Elliott Falcione said youth soccer will continue to be a cornerstone of the facility's schedule in the coming years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 12, 2024
Premier Sports Campus of Lakewood Ranch focuses on economic impact

Youth events are easier to land than professional ones and bring a sizable impact to the area, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Executive Director Bureau Elliott Falcione says.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rev. David Marshall blesses Spike the bearded dragon.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 12, 2024
Open house connects town staff, organizations and residents

The 2024 community open house was held on the Town Center Green, allowing it to be bigger than in previous years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
There are an estimated 700 vacation rental properties across the city of Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 12, 2024
New city department will enforce vacation rental regulations

The total new cost to register and enforce the citywide vacation rental ordinance expansion is about $150,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River High boys track and field senior Derek Anders.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 12, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Derek Anders

The Braden River High boys senior track and field athlete set a school record in the high jump on March 8.

  • East County
  • Sports
Church of the Redeemer
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 11, 2024
Wine auction nets $88,000 for Church of the Redeemer

Proceeds of the auction of a wine collection donated by parishioner Hugh Culverhouse Jr. will help build a church in the Dominican Republic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
ODA junior Makenna Larkin catches a pass against Bradenton Christian School on March 7. Larkin scored two goals against BCS.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 11, 2024
ODA girls lacrosse using attitude to its advantage

The Thunder is 5-2 as of March 8 after winning just four games in 2023.

  • East County
  • Sports
The location in Fort Myers provides an idea of what to expect in Lakewood Ranch if the project is approved.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 11, 2024
Proposal for dining, entertainment spot worries Lakewood Ranch residents

Residents fear plans for Backyard Social will threaten the hours and character of the Lakewood Ranch community.

  • East County
  • News
Cookbook by Longboat resident makes recipes easy to read
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 10, 2024
Cookbook by Longboat resident makes recipes easy to read

Kathleen Greig shares her love for diverse cuisines and recipes through her blog and debut cookbook, "Inspired Cuisine."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key survey: Give us your preference on a library
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 10, 2024
Longboat Key survey: Give us your preference on a library

The Observer straw poll asks Longboat residents their preferences for a library, community center and education center. Give us your feedback.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Liam Middleton, 6, does a backflip on the bungee trampoline.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 9, 2024
Irish Celtic Festival draws hundreds to Lakewood Ranch

The Irish Celtic Festival featured Irish food and music, along with games and a dog parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
17-year-old male dies in an east Bradenton shooting Friday
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 9, 2024
17-year-old male dies in an east Bradenton shooting Friday

A 17-year-old Parrish male is arrested on probable cause of manslaughter with a firearm.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2024
CareerEdge offers free CNA training program

The fast-track program for certified nursing assistants will begin April 30.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Proposed lane configurations for Longboat Pass Bridge design alternatives.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 9, 2024
Future of Longboat Pass Bridge up for discussion

Keeping the current bridge would mean "increasingly costly maintenance and repair projects causing continued disruption to traffic," FDOT says.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Heritage Golf Group has purchased Lakewood Ranch Country Club, the tennis center, the Lodge, and all three 18-hole golf courses.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 8, 2024
Heritage Golf Group buys Lakewood Ranch Country Club and its amenities

The new owner plans improvements to all three courses and will retain many of the club's staff members.

  • East County
  • News
Waiters Gordon Govalet, Tom Giannico and Steven Thomas
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 8, 2024
Fashion show raises money for Longboat Island Chapel

The chapel held its annual Lord's Warehouse fashion show with raffles, fascinator hats and secret models.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cellist Steve Kramer and violinist Levi Mitze-Circiumaru
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 8, 2024
Award-winning concert cellist plays at The Education Center

Cellist Steve Kramer and Levi Mitze-Circiumaru, renowned violinist, perform a classical music concert.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Mark Wandall Foundation offers an annual sleepaway camp in partnership with nonprofit Comfort Zone Camp.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 8, 2024
Mark Wandall Foundation supports, connects youth navigating grief

After the death of her husband, Melissa Wandall started The Mark Wandall Foundation to help children cope with the loss of a family member.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The building previously won the "Design Award of Excellence" from the Florida chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
    By
  • Louis Llovio, Mark Gordon
  • March 8, 2024
Sarasota County buys energy-efficient office building on Fruitville

Sarasota County has purchased the former CAN Community Health headquarters, a sleek glass office building on Fruitville Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota-Bradenton airport positioned for major growth
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 7, 2024
Sarasota-Bradenton airport positioned for major growth

SRQ keeps growing to meet current and expected demand. Here’s the math on what makes it go.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Panther sightings in Manatee have increased.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 7, 2024
Local expert to lead presentation on Florida panthers, increased sightings

Florida Panther Project founder Bill Samuels will talk about the past and future of the Florida Panther.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 1124 N. Lake Shore Drive
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 7, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

An Oyster Bay Estates home on Lake Shore Drive tops the week's sales at $6.25 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Ed Yong describes how his world experience differs from that of his dog, Typo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2024
One Book author Ed Yong shares how animals experience the world

The One Book speaker explained the different senses of animals and how this matters to humans.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Ray Turner emcees the celebration ceremony for the Crooked River Ranch on March 1.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 7, 2024
Are Manatee County commissioners really interested in the environment?

Crooked River Ranch acquisition is a step in the right direction for the county.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Cardinal Mooney High junior Kali Barrett shoots over Tampa Catholic's Zalani Carter. Barrett finished with 27 points in the game to help the Cougars reach the state tournament. The Cougars would eventually reach the title game for the fourth-straight season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 7, 2024
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball moves on from state championship defeat

The Cougars lost 75-51 to Miami Country Day School on March 1 in Lakeland.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
« 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 »
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
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo
2
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
3
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
4
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
5
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

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