• 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

A building proposed at 1312 N. Tamiami Trail includes eight residential units on the top floor and one level of commercial space.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 23, 2024
Plans for 181 affordable residences seek city approval

The four projects that went before the Sarasota Development Review Committee would add a total of 197 residences to the city's housing stock.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Resident considers legal action over Battie's racism accusations
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 22, 2024
Resident considers legal action over Battie's racism accusations

Sarasota Commissioner Kyle Battie held up an alleged Facebook post as basis for allegations against a private citizen, whose attorney says litigation against Battie will be pursued.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paella cooking at the Seafood Market food truck at St. Armands Food Truck Rally and Music Festival.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 22, 2024
St. Armands Food Truck fest brings cuisine from around the country

The weekend-long festival drew a restaurant-turned-food truck featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jessie Ochsendorf, a 7th grader at Pine View School and winner of Best In Show Quotation, and artist Michael White
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 22, 2024
Sarasota welcomes Embracing Our Differences art exhibit

There were more than 16,000 submissions this year. Judges' selections are on display through April 14 at Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sylvia Abdelsalom, the vice president of the Lakewood Ranch Garden Club, pours soil into the hole as Anita Machlin, the president of the club, holds the Gumbo Limbo tree.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 22, 2024
Lakewood Ranch YMCA gets a native tree for Florida Arbor Day

Members learned tips and tricks while planting a tree for the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gosia and Joe Pilch
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 22, 2024
Tennis players serve up success at 2024 Observer Challenge

A chilly weekend doesn't deter area tennis players from taking part in the popular Longboat Key tournament.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
First affordable housing project approved in East County
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 22, 2024
First affordable housing project approved in East County

The proposed apartment complex between Interstate 75 and Lena Road, Amara, will offer 25% of its units at an affordable rate.

  • East County
  • News
When Lakewood Ranch 7-year-old Tatum Schaper struggled during a sleeping bag sack race during halftime at the Sarasota Polo Club, her dad, Shawn Schaper, rushed forward to give her a hand. The result — a lot of fun.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 21, 2024
Polo back in action on a windy day in Lakewood Ranch

Poor weather canceled the past two Sundays of polo, but the fans were back Jan. 21.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Spanish Main Yacht Club hosts their third annual Soup and Chili dinner.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 21, 2024
Spanish Main Yacht Club cozies up with chili smorgasbord

Residents made their favorite soup or chili dish to share with the Spanish Main community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
ODA junior Tiernan George rockets the ball up the field against Seffner Christian.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 21, 2024
ODA girls soccer players complete undefeated regular season

The Thunder players are 12-0-1 after an 8-0 home win over Seffner Christian on Jan. 18.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rylen Gibbs, Dylan Luper and Owen Nystrand help spread mulch around the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 21, 2024
Garden Club, Oak Park School plant 'tourist tree' on Florida Arbor Day

Students from the school, which serves children with disabilities, helped carry out the project.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Commons, on Beneva and Fruitville roads, is a shopping center anchored by Bravo Supermarkets and USPS.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 21, 2024
One dead after Friday shooting at Beneva shopping center

One victim was pronounced dead at Sarasota Memorial Hospital after a midday shooting at Sarasota Commons Shopping Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Samantha, Josh and Layla Goldman attend Temple Emanu-El's Strawberry Fields Shabbat at Hunsader Farms on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 20, 2024
Special Shabbat celebrates the trees in east Bradenton

Temple Emanu-El hosted Shabbat at Hunsader Farms to celebrate the birthday of the trees.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Plans for Banditos Tacos & Tequila include a rooftop lounge with the bar service area beneath an enclosable structure. Under the city's new definitions, it will be considered an indoor bar.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 20, 2024
In defining bars and clubs, city asks: Do restaurants need kitchens?

The city of Sarasota's proposed zoning definitions of downtown restaurants, bars and nightclubs would impact those establishments' operations, hours and outdoor seating.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Co-owner Adam Myara serves up a smashburger to the wait staff in the Ed's Tavern kitchen. The new Ed's Tavern had a soft opening for its second Lakewood Ranch location on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 19, 2024
Ed's Tavern opens its second Lakewood Ranch restaurant

The new building on Upper Manatee River Road hosted a soft opening on Friday before it opened to the public on Saturday.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Christian Ziegler speaks at the 17th Street Park expansion groundbreaking Nov. 4 2022.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 19, 2024
SPD concludes criminal investigation of Ziegler, turns case over to state

The investigation found that an October sexual encounter appears to have been consensual. Evidence of video voyeurism in nonconsensual recording was turned over to the State Attorney's Office.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Author and rabbit discuss war in Israel at LBK Republican Club
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 19, 2024
Author and rabbit discuss war in Israel at LBK Republican Club

Rabbi Stephen Sniderman and author Loren Spivack brief GOP club on the war in Israel and importance of being informed about the opposite party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Erik Arroyo files for reelection for Sarasota City Commission
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 19, 2024
Erik Arroyo files for reelection for Sarasota City Commission

The former mayor was first elected as a commissioner in 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Team USA's Jerry Kelly hits a shot on the No. 1 hole at The Concession Golf Club on day one of the World Champions Cup. Kelly and teammate Justin Leonard earned a total of 20 points, 10 in each session, for Team USA on day one.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 18, 2024
World Champions Cup books The Concession for 2024, 2025 and 2028

Team USA won the inaugural event, held at The Concession in December in the Lakewood Ranch area, in dramatic fashion.

  • East County
  • Sports
David Sessions, the CEO of Willis Smith Construction, which combined with Fawley Bryant Architecture to build and design the new library, said it's a great balance of being functional and attractive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 18, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Library's design based on what's inside the box

Fawley Bryant Architecture and Willis Smith Construction delivered a simple, and yet beautiful, modern library.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Junior Kyrsten Montas and freshman Ava Nono embrace Riverview High girls basketball's "Defensive energy brings offense" philosophy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 18, 2024
Riverview High girls basketball eyes the postseason

The Rams are 15-2 as of Jan. 16, but Head Coach Gerald Perry wants his team to keep improving.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Suncoast Waterkeeper monitors bacteria levels at 11 sites throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 18, 2024
Is it safe to swim? What water quality results mean for recreation

Suncoast Waterkeeper's executive director explains how weekly monitoring helps inform swimmers about potential health hazards.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Clayton Rosaire greets a black jaguar April 21, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 18, 2024
Big Cat Habitat operator bonds with exotic animals through trust and love

Clayton Rosaire specializes in big cats and has spent a large portion of his life working with them on an everyday basis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unconditional Surrender statue is cleaned.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 18, 2024
Meet the 'invisible' team cleaning Sarasota's sidewalks and statues

Gorilla Kleen staff describe the thankless task of cleaning landmark locations while the city sleeps.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A home at 2326 McClellan Parkway sold for $1.9 million. Built in 1935, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,443 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 18, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 1-5 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Ogden Street tops the week’s sales at $6.1 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Board members Tim Enos and Robyn Marinelli listen to a presentation by Rachael O'Dea, the deputy superintendent and chief academic officer, on "Literacy for All."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 18, 2024
Sarasota School Board brings focus to operational excellence

The Sarasota County School Board discussed an organizational excellence overview, a framework for school performance and a literacy plan.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Dan Sidler is the Greater Sarasota Chamber’s vice president of CareerEdge and economic development.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 18, 2024
Career training program receives $71,000 grant from Truist Foundation

CareerEdge offers fast-track training to prep local residents to enter the workforce.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jodi Sobol, owner of Miss Jodi's School of Dance, gets children energized to dance.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 17, 2024
Cold temperature keeps children moving at Kids Club at UTC

Children were moving and grooving with a dance class on the Green at UTC.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney High girls basketball freshman Madi Mignery.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 17, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Madi Mignery

The Cardinal Mooney High freshman had 12 points and 14 rebounds in a Jan. 15 win against Booker High.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bridget Ziegler listens to a public comment during the meeting.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 17, 2024
Calls persist for Bridget Ziegler's resignation from Sarasota School Board

Embattled Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler shows no signs of resigning, despite mounting pressure from students and the public.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Former SMA rifle shooter Mary Tucker, now at West Virginia University, won the individual smallbore national title and was named the Most Outstanding Performer at the 2024 NCAA Division I Rifle National Championship.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 17, 2024
Sarasota sports news you might have missed this month

Two area alumni are onto big things, while a Sailor hits a milestone and a Blazer reigns from deep.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Apparent hoax sparks racism allegations at Sarasota commission meeting
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 17, 2024
Apparent hoax sparks racism allegations at Sarasota commission meeting

A purported social media post prompted a city commissioner's accusations against a local government watchdog.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Barbara Mishkin with her book,“TIP's Magical Journey: The Ride of Discovery and Inspiration”.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 17, 2024
Longboat author's first children's book garners widespread acclaim

The children's book "TIP's Magical Journey" by Longboat resident Barbara Mishkin has won several awards for its message of diversity and inspiration for children and adults.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former Braden River High running back Deshaun Fenwick signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent April 27.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 17, 2024
Former Braden River High football players have a shot at the NFL

Deshaun Fenwick and Taylor Upshaw played in the Hula Bowl all-star game Jan. 13 in Orlando.

  • East County
  • Sports
Man threatens store clerk after being asked for ID
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 17, 2024
Man threatens store clerk after being asked for ID

A customer attempting to buy cigars at a convenience store threatened to return later and beat up the clerk. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Volunteer Lisa Kleeberg feeds one of the goats. The goat is on a leash because she's in training for the outreach program.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 17, 2024
Animal rescue seeks volunteers for expanding services

The Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary in Myakka City has a variety of tasks that volunteers can fill.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 »
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