• 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

Paintings by Carolann Garafola on display include "Lobster Pots on Cortez Island."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2023
Palm Aire’s annual Art Show unveils hidden talent

Carolann Garafola's painting skills were on display for the first time.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Possible parking violator takes revenge on parking meter
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 15, 2023
Possible parking violator takes revenge on parking meter

Motor vehicle-related vandalism is the overarching theme to reports from the files of the Sarasota Police Department in this week’s Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
408 Jackson Drive
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 15, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 30 to Feb. 3 for Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key.

A St. Armands home in John Ringling Estates tops the week's sales at $2.8 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Nate’s Development and Fundraising Director Rob Oglesby with Rory.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 15, 2023
Nate’s Animal Honor Rescue puts final touches on expansion

The $12 million project will transform a pet rescue center into a world-class haven for dogs and cats.

  • East County
  • Business
Booker High girls basketball senior Leah DuBose.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 15, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Leah DuBose

The Booker High girls basketball senior is averaging 8.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 15, 2023
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer falls in regional finals

The Mustangs lost 2-1 to Palm Harbor University High in a game that went to penalty kicks.

  • East County
  • Sports
A peacock makes a pit stop on a porch on Fox Street.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 15, 2023
Peacock spotted back on Longboat Key

Peacocks might be looking for another five minutes of fame after raccoons step into the spotlight.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lee Washington has taken the role of interim Manatee County administrator.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2023
Has calm come to Manatee County government with new interim administrator?

The choice of former U.S. Marine Lee Washington should provide a respite from the madness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
No longer inexpensive
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 15, 2023
No longer inexpensive

Housing costs (and government) have made Florida expensive. A great reason to fix policies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Workers put the finishing touches on Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar that opens March 6 at UTC.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2023
Rocco's Tacos to open March 6 at UTC

Rocco Mangel hopes his travels through Mexico and California have led to an exceptional dining experience as he opens Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar at UTC.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Bradenton-based ET MacKenzie completed repair work after the town of Longboat Key's June 2020 sewage break.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 15, 2023
Longboat enters settlement with engineers following sewer main break

Consultant Greeley and Hansen have agreed to pay the town $425,000 for damages incurred in 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 15, 2023
Sarasota revisits street dining options

More than a dozen restaurants in the city still offer outside dining in parking spaces. Now they seek making the pandemic-era policy a permanent option.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Serge Gauthier, host and director of the show Mariloup Wolfe and Sonia Gauthier
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 15, 2023
Canadians make 'The Big Move' to St. Armands

A French Canadian television show filmed at the Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa on Sunday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Commissioners forwarded the proposed Town Center site development plan with 81 parking spaces to second reading.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 15, 2023
Longboat seeks solutions to Town Center parking problems

Commissioners discussed the need for more parking to accommodate events for the development.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brian and Valerie McCarthy foresaw pickleball’s boom about five years ago.
  • By Eric Snider
  • February 15, 2023
New pickleball center gains a following

The new state-of-the-art Pickleball Club is the first indoor, pickleball-only club in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

  • East County
  • Sports
The annual Say 'I Do' Again vow renewal ceremony returns to Siesta Key on Valentine's Day.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 14, 2023
Married couples profess their love all over again on Siesta Key

Siesta Key's annual vow renewal ceremony gathers married couples to say "I Do" again.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 14, 2023
East River Ranch development project advances

Carlos Beruff project gets the Planning Commission’s blessing on the new community while opponents protest possible road extensions.

  • East County
  • News
(Photo via Breeze Airways)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 14, 2023
Breeze Airways adds new nonstop route from SRQ

Upstart low-fare Breeze Airways will offer a third nonstop route from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, adding Providence, Rhode Island, starting July 13.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Concession Golf Club's director of instruction, Joe Ostrowski, was named one of Golf Digest's 160 Best Young Teachers in America for 2023-2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 14, 2023
Concession director named a Best Young Teacher in America by Golf Digest

Joe Ostrowski previously received the honor from 2018-2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
Emma Chapman said she feels confident in her abilities despite being new to the varsity team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 14, 2023
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer team puts faith in young goalie

Emma Chapman has impressed Mustangs coaches with her poise and shot-blocking.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High softball senior Addyson Bruneman.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 14, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Addyson Bruneman

The Lakewood Ranch High softball senior hit .400 with 11 extra-base hits in 2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Country Club East home at 7619 Cavendish Cove sold for $1,265,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 14, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 30 to Feb. 3 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Cavendish Cove tops the week's sales at $1.27 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Dynasty Stars Samantha Allspach and Georges Assif
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 14, 2023
Dancing with the Dynasty Stars at St. Mary's

The dance troupe for children, teens and adults with special needs entertained at the church's Galentine's party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The St. Armands Business Improvement District will expire later this year unless it is renewed by Aug. 7
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 14, 2023
St. Armands property owners to make second bid to renew business district

Falling just short of a 10-year renewal of the St. Armands Business Improvement District, its board will begin the process for a second ballot for property owners on the Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Doesn't matter if Dad said yes
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 14, 2023
Doesn't matter if Dad said yes

A father was issued a citation for his juvenile operating a personal watercraft. This and other police reports on Longboat Key in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
An updated view of the 50 vertical oyster gardens hung under the observation deck at Joan Durante Park. Even from a distance, the growth is easily visible.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 14, 2023
Vertical oyster gardens grow habitats and communities

Vertical oyster gardens are being deployed across Longboat Key to improve the water quality in Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The resort-style pool will be one of the main amenities at Wild Blue at Waterside.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2023
Wild Blue adds luxury homes to Waterside at Lakewood Ranch

Stock Development emphasizes the natural setting as sales begin this spring in the 500-home village.

  • East County
  • Business
Isha Pramudyasworo picks up her book from the Sarasota Ballet booth.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 13, 2023
Storybook Street brings literacy to life

Early Learning Coalition give families and their children books to grow their libraries.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pat Watral shows Pam Toft how to hold her arm while performing CPR. Toft's husband, Graham, watches.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 13, 2023
Longboat residents learn basics of CPR

The course covers the basics of hands-only CPR and the use of an AED.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 13, 2023
Public invited to comment in SPD accreditation program

The Sarasota Police Department will undergo examination by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of operations, congratulate Kelly Smith-Williams (center), a Lakewood Ranch High School teacher, on being a finalist for Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High instructor earns Manatee's top teacher award

Kelly Smith-Williams, an anatomy and physiology teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, is named the School District of Manatee County's Teacher of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • February 13, 2023
Abdul Gaffar, PhD

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Abdul Gaffar, PhD; a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and inventor, in Lakewood Ranch FL, on February 2, 2023.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy sixth grader Ely Chappell conducts observational data collection with Stephanie Peabody, the founder of the Brain Health Initiative, and sixth grader Cadence Clay.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Brain Health Initiative develops program with Lakewood Ranch Prep

The new program Schools for Brain Health teaches students the importance of brain health and the impacts of a brain healthy lifestyle.

  • East County
  • Schools
Suzy Brenner, Amy Steinhauser, Irina LaRose, Carol Peschel, Sandi Love and Janet Milliken
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 13, 2023
The Paradise Center dances through the decades

The Paradise Center held its annual fundraiser on Feb. 12 to raise money for all the programs it provides Longboat residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
One northbound lane on U.S. 41 near the roundabout at Gulfstream Avenue will be closed 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday for drainage construction.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 13, 2023
Daytime lane closure in effect Monday, Tuesday at Gulfstream roundabout

Ongoing construction at the new roundabout at Gulfstream Avenue will close a northbound lane on U.S. 41.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Greenbrook 13-year-old Drake Cohen settles into the campsite with his father, Tom Cohen, during Lakewood Ranch Community Activities' Community Campout.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Community Activities to host its Community Campout

The Community Campout has become a tradition for Lakewood Ranch families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 »
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