• 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
  • Key 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
  • Key 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's Nicole Durbal signs freshman Sara Johnson's T-shirt.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 26, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Prep freshmen celebrate end of school year

The inaugural upper school class looks forward to moving onto the next school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • May 26, 2023
William A. Cook

Bill Cook passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 15th at his home on Longboat Key from complications of Lewy Body and Vascular Dementias.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Donations for the Pet Food Bank are growing at Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 26, 2023
Animal sanctuary's new food bank supports pets in low-income families

Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary in Myakka City hopes that by providing pet food and supplies, families will be able to keep their animals.

  • East County
  • News
Firefighter/paramedic Trey Bowlin shows what protective gear is worn when responding to a fire.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 26, 2023
Local firefighters learn about occupation's cancer risks

Firefighters have a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the United States' general population.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The conceptual drawing for The Bay master plan includes a site for a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center, shaded in purple.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 26, 2023
Architect finalists for new arts center come to town Wednesday

Three candidates to design the Sarasota Performing Arts Center will present in person to the task force and the public. The selection will be made the next day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
222nd Street resident Carla Tralick holds up an old newspaper article that featured her son Thomas Tralick and said today was his birthday. The proposed East River Ranch thoroughfare was originally planned through the Tralicks' backyard, where Thomas is buried.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 25, 2023
Rezoning for East River Ranch approved

Residents voiced concerns about traffic and a lowered quality of life at the recent Manatee County Commission land use meeting.

  • East County
  • News
Seaward Development has bought the Mira Mar building on Palm Avenue in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 25, 2023
Mira Mar building sold for $17M to developer

The historic downtown Sarasota building on Palm Avenue has sold to a local developer after safety concerns and an inability to get a demolition permit killed the previous deal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Myakka City Elementary School second grader Marshyll Scott has the chance to show her teacher, Jackie Blue, her rodeo skills.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 25, 2023
Myakka City Elementary students end the school year with a rodeo

More than 40 students show their skills in barrel-racing, goat-tying, pole-bending and bull-riding.

  • East County
  • Schools
Siesta Key's Benjamin Aguilar competed at the 2023 U.S Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 25, 2023
The top 10 moments of the Sarasota high school sports 2022-23 year

A strong list is filled with state titles, individual awards and breakthrough seasons.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
This home at 4034 Roberts Point Road, Siesta Key, tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Built in 1990, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,599 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 25, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for May 8-12 in Sarasota, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Roberts Point Road tops the week’s sales at $5.6 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Coach Bailey Brauch teaches a group of students.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 25, 2023
Lessons at Aqua-Tots Swim Schools promote water safety

Aqua-Tots' "Swim with Your Clothes On" lessons teach young children how to survive falling fully clothed into a pool.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Contractor Jon F. Swift of Sarasota is working on an Old Florida design for the Bobby Jones Golf Club clubhouse.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 25, 2023
Bobby Jones clubhouse may cost up to $9 million

City commissioners abandon the plan for a "bare-bones" $2.5 million facility in favor of a broader community asset and revenue generator.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Black skimmers gather on South Lido Key.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 25, 2023
A colony of shorebirds nests on South Lido Beach

Nesting shorebirds need room to thrive, so give them space, Audubon Florida reminds.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 25, 2023
SMH earns Level II trauma center recertification

Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Sarasota Campus trauma team meets or exceeds all national benchmarks for the seven-year designation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Medallion Financial Resources
  • May 25, 2023
Are You Ready for the High Cost of Aging?

The question is, what are my options and how do I move forward?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Best in the U.S.
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • May 24, 2023
Best in the U.S.

We know Sarasota is great. Don’t hate. Let’s celebrate.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Never too senior to have fun
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 24, 2023
Never too senior to have fun

Senior Friendship Centers hosted couples 50 and older for a prom night of dancing and dining.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Retired Col. Herman Bell of River Club served in the Army for 22 years with most of that time in Special Forces.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 24, 2023
Colonel's story worthy of Lakewood Ranch parade's tribute

Retired Col. Herman Bell says surviving Vietnam was a combined factor of being blessed and lucky.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tiffany Mautino is the new branch manager at the Lakewood Ranch Library opening this fall.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 24, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Library hires branch manager

The library won't be open until the fall, but Tiffany Mautino is going full-steam ahead.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River senior wrestler Jessey Colas captured the Class 2A title in the 182-pound division March 4 at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 24, 2023
The top 10 East County sports moments of the 2022-23 school year

Moments include a wrestling state title and a huge turnaround for ODA's football program.

  • East County
  • Sports
CASTO Managing Director of Southeast Development Michael Chadwick talks to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance about his company's many projects.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 24, 2023
More restaurant choices headed to East County

CASTO executive talks about his company's many development projects in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Built in 1994, units J-204 and K-205 have four bedrooms, two-and-two-half baths and 5,185 square feet of living area. (File photo)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 24, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for May 8-12 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A condominium in L'Ambiance on Longboat Key tops the week's sales at $3.2 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Joni and Ziggy von Schweinitz show off the gold flag they received from the America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association for completing the Great Loop.
    By
  • James Peter
  • May 24, 2023
Longboat couple completes the Great Loop

The 10-month journey covered more than 6,000 miles of eastern U.S. seas, lakes and waterways.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man promises to keep front yard yelling 'to a minimum'
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 24, 2023
Man promises to keep front yard yelling 'to a minimum'

After screaming obscenities for hours a man tells police he'll tone it down. This and other reports from the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Country Club Shores IV and V will be the first of the neighborhoods to get their water main replaced.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 24, 2023
Country Club Shores asbestos pipe replacement starts late summer

Replacing the entire pipe is expected to cost about $9.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The upper floors of Obsidian would offer bayfront views to the east and downtown views to the west.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 24, 2023
Downtown condo moves closer to final approval as neighbors object

Although the developer says the height-limiting ordinance does not apply, the Sarasota Design Review Committee still suggests reducing the scale of the condominium tower, Obsidian.

  • Sarasota
  • News
New patrol cars assigned to an officer will add years to the vehicle's lifetime.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 24, 2023
Longboat police seek additional patrol vehicles

The seven additional vehicles will each be assigned to an officer, increasing department morale and vehicle lifespan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation Leadership Development Institute class of 2023.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 23, 2023
Leadership Development Institute selects 29 for class of 2023

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation initiative prepares participants for leadership roles.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bradenton woman killed in I-75 accident
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 23, 2023
Bradenton woman killed in I-75 accident

The 25-year-old woman had left her disabled car and was struck by another vehicle just north of University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
This bench in front of Linger Lodge was made from a slab of oak from a tree that was uprooted during Hurricane Ian.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 23, 2023
Linger Lodge restaurant perseveres despite setbacks

Rita Lewis launches into her first full summer at the quirky Bradenton restaurant and says business never has been better.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Tara Preserve residents Peyton Phillips, Marian Murdoch and Darby Connor at the intersection of Tara Boulevard and Tara Preserve Lane. Residents have been rallying for a four-way stop here since 2017.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 23, 2023
Key Tara intersection becomes a four-way stop

Residents of Tara Preserve have been rallying for safety measures at the Tara Boulevard and Tara Preserve Lane intersection since 2017.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat police enforce rules to keep dogs off the beach
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 23, 2023
Longboat police enforce rules to keep dogs off the beach

After multiple warnings, an officer wrote the dog owner a citation for continued violation. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Will Luera of Florida Studio Theatre had everyone pick a pose or movement to go with their name.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 23, 2023
The Paradise Center hosts improv classes on Longboat Key

The workshops are designed to build creativity, self-confidence and, of course, a sense of humor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 16026 Topsail Terrace sold $3,075,000. It has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,387 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 23, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for May 8-12 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Topsail Terrace tops the week's sales at $3.08 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A rendering of exterior renovations at Payne Park Auditorium proposed by The Players Centre for Performing Arts.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 23, 2023
The Players finds a home at Payne Park Auditorium

Sarasota city commissioners authorize staff to craft a lease agreement with The Players Centre for Performing Arts, which hasn't had a permanent home for seven years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rendering of planned parking garage at St. Regis with landscaping.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 23, 2023
St. Regis multilevel parking proposal headed before Town Commission

Public hearings will be held June 5 and June 20 on the matter.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
« 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 »
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
Sarasota's Harlyn Voyles, 7, holds on for dear life during the mutton busting at Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash April 4.
  • April 5, 2026
Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash attracts 2,000 fans on Easter weekend
2
Jeremy Gandon kisses the LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy. He shot six under par in the final round to win the title at 22 under par overall, defeating Mitchell Meissner and Jay Card III by one stroke.
  • April 5, 2026
Jeremy Gandon wins 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
3
Sarasota deejay and beatbox artist Karim Manning
  • April 5, 2026
Arts groups get 'Squeezed' for the 2026 Giving Challenge
4
Under Southwest Florida Water Management District's Phase III restrictions, water fountains can only run four hours per day.
  • April 5, 2026
Manatee County among 14 Southwest Florida counties under water restrictions
5
Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

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.

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