• 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

Mooney volleyball player Jordyn Byrd was named the Gatorade Florida Volleyball Player of the Year in January.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 13, 2023
Mooney's Jordyn Byrd repeats as Gatorade Florida Volleyball Player of the Year

Byrd, who also won the award in 2021-2022, is the No. 16 player nationally in the class of 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Arcadia man dies in east Manatee crash on CR 675
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2023
Arcadia man dies in east Manatee crash on CR 675

Two people were hospitalized in a serious condition after a head-on collision near Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
Allegiant is one of the top airlines at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 13, 2023
SRQ's 2022 passenger traffic breaks record again

In the past five years, passenger traffic has tripled at the airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Heritage Harbour Golf Club held a special event Jan. 7 to meet its course architect Nick Campanelli.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2023
Heritage Harbour Golf Club celebrates architect's design

The Bradenton golf club held a special event to celebrate architect Nick Campanelli's redesign of the course.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
In the aftermath of the powerful storm, access during the count was hampered by storm-fallen trees and unseasonably high water levels.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • January 13, 2023
Myakka park reopens after Ian with encouraging bird count

The post-hurricane tally suggests that birds weathered impacts to the park's natural systems.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 13, 2023
Sarasota area ranked third in top retirement destinations

In a study of the nation's top 100 retirement destinations, the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro is third and is one of five Florida metro areas in the top 20.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tightening the rock groin protects sand placed on the barrier island's beaches for a longer period of time.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 13, 2023
Longboat still waiting on New Pass groin permits

The project to keep sand from slipping through the rocky structure is the final portion of town's latest beach renourishment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Stephanie Peabody, who is the founder of the Brian Health Initiative, and Lakewood Ranch's Heather Lyon have fun during the yoga class. Lyon says the class was excellent and rejuvenating.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 12, 2023
Sirius Day Spa of Lakewood Ranch rings in the year with fundraiser

Patrons attend the New Year, New You event to raise money for Sisterhood for Good of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Residents of Siesta Key cheer after Sarasota County's legislative delegation approved their request to place a bill paving the way for a vote on incorporation on this year's legislative agenda in Tallahassee.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 12, 2023
Sarasota legislators agree to take bill on Siesta incorporation vote to Tallahassee

By a 3-1 vote, the Sarasota County state legislators endorsed a plan by Siesta Key residents to place an incorporation referendum on the November 2024 ballot. Now it's up to the Florida Legislature to approve.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The home at 2163 Datura St. has three bedrooms, two full baths, one half bath and more than 3,000 square feet of living space.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 12, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 26-30 for Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis, Osprey

A Sarasota property on Datura Street tops the week's sales at $1.95 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The wondrous Cleo is a bearded dragon who teaches seventh grade students the responsibilities of caring for a reptile while incorporating the science of aquaculture.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 12, 2023
Classroom pets play key role in school’s success story

Sarasota School of the Arts and Sciences' animals bring a sense of calm to the classroom alongside a unique learning opportunity.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Booker's Annette Castro dives for a loose ball against Lake Placid High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 12, 2023
Booker girls basketball wants a repeat performance

The Tornadoes have a different look in 2022-2023, but a return to the Final Four is the goal.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, will retire June 30. The School Board of Manatee County is in the beginning stages of the search for a new superintendent.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 12, 2023
Manatee School Board clashes on preference for new superintendent

Some board members say they would prefer a Florida resident while others say they are open to all candidates.

  • East County
  • Schools
Rick Boyce has made it a personal mission to make Siesta Key Beach a safer and healthier place to watch the waves.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 12, 2023
Siesta man is on a daily mission for a cleaner, safer beach

Rick Boyce has dedicated the past three years and eight months to cleaning up Siesta Key Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House is on its way to Waterside Place in 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 12, 2023
Seeking clarity on major Manatee County issues in 2023

The fate of a county administrator, a major development and Premier Park are among the Manatee County items that will draw attention this year.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Groundwater seepage and occasional flooding from Sarasota Bay are among the reasons the city is pursuing a replacement for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 12, 2023
Van Wezel preservation talks elicit polarizing viewpoints

As commissioners start talks of a committee to explore the future of the Van Wezel, citizens draw battle lines between refurbishing and repurposing it as a replacement is planned.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tim Tremblay, 61, said he loves baseball because of the people the sport attracts.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 11, 2023
40-and-up baseball finds a home in Manatee County

The league, which also includes players from Sarasota County, prepares for its inaugural season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Booker senior Sariah Bradley.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 11, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Sariah Bradley

The Tornadoes girls basketball player led the team to a 58-12 win over Lake Placid Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
  • By Adrian Moore, Geoffrey Lawrence
  • January 11, 2023
Nikki Fried is right to sue for medical marijuana patients’ gun rights

Although federal law prohibits marijuana use, it doesn’t give it grounds to discriminate against marijuana users.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Motorists will encounter lane closures on approach to the Gulfstream Avenue/U.S. 41 roundabout Wednesday through Friday.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 11, 2023
Surprise roundabout lane closure outrages Sarasota, Longboat

Sarasota city officials say FDOT will alert them in advance to similar work in the future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Maya Schultz and Maeva Ginsberg-Klemmt let some some screams after winning the A Final of the Women's U17 2x (7:36.96) at the 2022 USRowing Youth National Championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 11, 2023
Look forward to these events, storylines from Sarasota sports in 2023

A rundown of what our columnist is looking forward to covering over the next 12 months.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Views across New Pass to the south end of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 11, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 26-30 on Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Lido Shores home on John Ringling Parkway tops the week's sales at $6.6 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Dominated by luxury condominiums, the City of Sarasota seeks to implement zoning text amendments to stimulate attainable housing in the downtown zoning districts.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 11, 2023
Sarasota schedules town hall workshops on attainable housing

Residents will have opportunities to speak and learn about proposals in the works for four city zones.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A spray-painted Ukrainian flag defies the Russian terror and destruction.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 11, 2023
Longboat human rights photographer recounts travels to Ukraine

Beach Fitness owner Allan Mestel has traveled to Ukraine twice since the Russian invasion began last year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The condominium will be the tallest building on the north end of the island once completed.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 11, 2023
Town approves condo plan for land once owned by Mote Foundation

The building, which will be located at 5630 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will be the tallest building on the north end of the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Golf carts vandalized at county fairgrounds
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 11, 2023
Golf carts vandalized at county fairgrounds

Security cameras captured video of three youth breaking into Sarasota County Fairgrounds and racing golf carts around inside the barn. This and other reports from the Sarasota Police Department in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Two volunteers pedal the surrey and gives a forty-five minute guided tour.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 10, 2023
Cruising down Legacy Trail in a Surrey

The Surrey Program kicked off on Jan. 10 and will run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through April 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High senior Diego Freyre.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 10, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Diego Freyre

The senior boys soccer player scored the lone goal in the Mustangs' 1-0 win over top-ranked Jesuit on Jan. 6.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mitchell Teitelbaum is introduced at the commission meeting on Nov. 29.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 10, 2023
County rescinds administrator's confirmation after harassment allegation

The majority of commissioners agreed that Mitchell Teitelbaum's employment with the county would not be pursued and called for improvements to the handling of complaints.

  • East County
  • News
The placement of the courts following relocation.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 10, 2023
Key Club pickleball plans passed

The site plans to replace existing parking for four new courts were passed unanimously on second reading.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Victoria Short, right, has been a teacher at William H. Bashaw Elementary School for 33 years. No matter the changes in education, she still loves teaching her students and building relationships with them.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 10, 2023
Veteran teachers talk about changes in education over three decades

From technology expectations to school culture, teachers have had to adjust the way they teach.

  • East County
  • Schools
About 25 Ukrainian refugee children are hosted at the Longboat Island Chapel for a Christmas party.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 10, 2023
Ukrainians welcomed on Longboat for a merry Christmas

Several Longboat Key residents helped raise money and host Ukrainian refugees over the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 10, 2023
You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here

A loud party on a boat involved a lot of uninvited guests. This and more police reports in this week's edition of Longboat Key Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Manatee County workers evaluate a leaking major water pipe on Jan. 4.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 10, 2023
Manatee workers evaluate how to deal with major waterline break

The county still has 12 miles of similar aging waterlines that need to be replaced.

  • East County
  • News
This Harbour Walk home at 579 Fore Drive sold for $1.65 million. It has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,218 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 10, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 26-30 in Lakewood Ranch

A Harbour Walk home on Fore Drive topped the week's sales at $1.65 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Seven of the nine poles are on Gulf of Mexico Drive. The remaining two are in residential neighborhoods.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 10, 2023
Longboat's north-end cell signal upgrade completed

Verizon's project to add nine poles wraps up with activation and better service.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
« 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 »
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