• 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

The Longboat Key Police Department accepted their accreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 28, 2024
Longboat Key Police Department receives state accreditation

The department received official accreditation status on Feb. 22 after a three-year process.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The master development plan for 2501 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 28, 2024
371 affordable housing units planned for site near Newtown

The Sarasota project is part of a nearly 1,500-unit multifamily development that will include a grocery store and pharmacy on 114 acres of county land at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Tuttle Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Cardinal Mooney High attacker MJ McMahon is a star at the University of Utah.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 28, 2024
Sarasota alumni set to dominate spring sports season

Sarasota athletes are primed to excel in the college and professional ranks this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Longboat Key USPS Post Office is located at 560 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 28, 2024
Construction interrupts mail service for Country Club Shores residents

Town staff is currently working with residents and the post office to find solutions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Green Orchid restaurant at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is restricted to Selby members or those who have paid the $26 admission fee.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 28, 2024
Selby opens garden-to-table restaurant The Green Orchid

The solar-powered eatery at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota aims to become the world's first net-positive-energy restaurant.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Booker High senior wrestler Samir Redden.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 28, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Samir Redden

The Booker High junior wrestler won the 120-pound weight class of the Tornadoes' regional tournament Feb. 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Start spreading the news
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • February 28, 2024
Start spreading the news

Out with the old, in the with the new. The Observer may be the only newspaper company in the country installing new news racks.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • February 27, 2024
Margaret “Pat” McGouran

Margaret “Pat” McGouran, resident of Bradenton, FL, passed away on February 17, 2024 at the age of 81.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
This Country Club home at 13711 Red Rock Place sold for $1,795,000. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,784 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 27, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 12-16 in Lakewood Ranch

A Riverdale home on Hawk Island Drive tops the week's sales at $2.98 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The 1997 Manatee East All-Stars receive a commemorative plaque, which will hang at Lakewood Ranch Little League's fields. The team reached the Little League World Series in Williamsport, getting eliminated in the semifinals.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 27, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Little League honors 1997 All-Star team

The group reached the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Suncoast Walk-a-thon has become Southeastern Guide Dogs' biggest walk-a-thon that also raises the most amount for the nonprofit.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 27, 2024
Southeastern Guide Dogs gears up for annual Suncoast Walkathon

Local puppy raisers play key role in preparing the dogs to help their future clients.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Resident starts dispute over private beach, turns out to be public
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 27, 2024
Resident starts dispute over private beach, turns out to be public

A civil dispute over what was assumed to be a private beach called for police intervention. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Cedar Mill is under construction off Lorraine Road. Future construction projects will face increased impact fees in Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 27, 2024
Manatee County impact fees will increase over the next 4 years

The move was delayed after the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association disputed the most recent study.

  • East County
  • News
Making An Impact resource guides make finding help easier for organizations and individuals.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 27, 2024
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit curates community resources

Making An Impact’s Community Connections Resource Guide contains information on more than 300 local organizations that provide assistance to residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
About 35 residents attend the Manatee County Neighborhood Summit at the Lakewood Ranch Library on Feb. 23.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 27, 2024
Manatee County staff and residents connect at Neighborhood Summit

The summit was held Feb. 23 to put residents and staff from different departments in one room together to provide easy access for residents.

  • East County
  • News
Rev. Julia Piermont, Jerry Fox, Stacy Efaw, Laurie Swink, Gabrielle Triplett, Kelly Bennett, Misty Laperriere and Sgt. Robert Morrison
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 27, 2024
LBK houses of worship raise awareness of sex trafficking

During the discussion at Christ Church, survivors shared their stories.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko holds his Climate Champion award.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 27, 2024
Estuary program director reflects on climate award and future challenges

Dave Tomasko, executive director for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, won a Climate Champion award from the Climate Adaptation Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota County Fire Department is offering free child safety seat checks beginning in March.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2024
County fire department offers free child safety seat inspections

Inspections will rotate to a different Sarasota County fire station each month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High junior boys runner Vicente Rivera.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 26, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Vicente Rivera

The Lakewood Ranch High boys junior won the 3,200-meter race (10:11.48) at the Lakewood Ranch Invitational.

  • East County
  • Sports
This is a rendering of Manatee County's proposed changes to Lorraine Road between 59th Avenue E. and State Road 64.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2024
Lorraine Road residents concerned over $66M improvement project

Manatee County is investing $66 million into road improvements between 59th Avenue East and State Road 64 and will need to acquire property on each side of Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • News
Susan Goldfarb, Sy Goldblatt, Corina Mintz, Rabbi Stephen Sniderman and Susan Landau
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 26, 2024
Temple Beth Israel member donates $500,000 for renovations

At 45th anniversary gala, TBI honored Harold Ronson for his years of dedication and donations to the congregation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man shot and killed by Sarasota Police on Monday identified
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 26, 2024
Man shot and killed by Sarasota Police on Monday identified

Officers had attempted to stop 54-year-old William Michael Pickett on a county warrant for bank robbery.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chabad of Bradenton to host first Kosher Food Festival
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 26, 2024
Chabad of Bradenton to host first Kosher Food Festival

The Kosher Food Festival will provide various offerings to educate people on kosher foods while meeting the needs of the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Andrew Libecki and his art
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 26, 2024
Longboat Key Festival of the Arts brings unique artists to the island

Browsers found art made from surfboards and vintage buttons at the annual fest at Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Police Chief Rex Troche and members of the Sarasota Police Department command staff present 2023 crime data to the Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 26, 2024
Serious crime drops in Sarasota, according to police report

There were no murders last year, and the Sarasota Police Department reports a 16.2% decline in the most serious crimes in 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • News
MVP Sports and Social members go all-out for the pirate costume contest. Photos of the members were posted on social media so members at home could vote for best costume.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 25, 2024
Lakewood Ranch's MVP Sports and Social hits the high seas

Local residents board a cruise with the area's sports and social organization.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jordan Bullard, 16, performs at the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 25, 2024
Reggae Block Party honors legacy of a music icon

The eighth annual Osfest honored Oswald Caines of Democracy Reggae Band amid the upbeat music.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Phil Thibodeau takes his wife, Nicole, 7-year-old son Lochlan, 5-year-old daughter Zolana and 4-year-old son Dexon camping at the Adventure Park.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 25, 2024
Lakewood Ranch campout becomes a neighborly adventure

Dozens of families pitched their tents at Adventure Park to introduce their children to camping.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"Josh" the Otter and administrative secretary Janet Shapiro promoted water safety at the 2023 community open house.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 25, 2024
Town looks to grow community open house this year

The town of Longboat Key is looking to make this year's community open house the biggest yet.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Beach University environmental classes return for 17th year
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 25, 2024
Beach University environmental classes return for 17th year

The monthlong education series is held each Thursday in March at Siesta Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Anwar Desvignes of Succulantes
    By
  • James Peter
  • February 24, 2024
Farmers Market fills downtown with artisanal goods and produce

Pepós Shoes brings handmade shoes from Colombia to Sarasota shoppers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Co-chairs of this year's fashion show are Ann King and Sherry Kenny.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2024
Palm Aire Women's Club struts for scholarships

The East County club held its annual fashion show to raise money for local students and charities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 24, 2024
Longboat faces rate hike for residential trash collection

Due to increases in labor costs and truck maintenance, Waste Management proposes a 28% residential rate increase.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The expansion of One Stop Housing's Oakridge Apartments on North Tamiami Trail would bring 36 new affordable housing apartments.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 24, 2024
Affordable housing projects take steps toward construction

Two affordable housing proposals would bring almost 200 units to north Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The latest version of One Park is planned for Block 1 of The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 23, 2024
Pared-down One Park condo plan proposed to city

A new plan for the 18-story building on Block 1 in The Quay includes 86 luxury condos. A plan for Block 9 will follow.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carlos Paez, the director of before- and after-school care at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, always wanted to teach his students kindness and hoped they would pay it forward.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 23, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Prep staff member remembered for his kindness

Carlos Paez, the director of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's before- and after-school care, died Feb. 14. Students and staff will miss his ability to make them smile and laugh every day.

  • East County
  • Schools
« 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 »
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