• 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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

Instead of cutting a ribbon, community members hold the hose and drop it.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 27, 2023
Banyan Bay Club goes native with planting project

About 30 community members dropped a hose, instead of cutting a ribbon, on Feb. 27 to celebrate a native planting project at the Banyan Bay Club on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch sophomore Olivia Shephard rounds the bases after hitting her first varsity home run.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 27, 2023
Defending state champion Mustangs off to fast start

Despite heavy graduation losses, the Lakewood Ranch High girls softball team is going for their third consecutive softball state title.

  • East County
  • Sports
It's not uncommon for the three regulation courts and two temporary courts on one of the tennis courts to be in use simultaneously at Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 27, 2023
Longboat pickleball expansion contingent on parking

Town commissioners opted to move forward with adding a temporary pickleball court under the condition that additional parking spots are found at Bayfront Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Junior League of Sarasota Committee Chairs Caroleen Brej and Kari-Jo Koshes end the 46th Annual Tour of Homes with a celebratory happy hour at CinéBistro on Feb. 25.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 27, 2023
Junior League of Sarasota celebrates Tour of Homes

The nonprofit's 46th Annual Tour of Homes returned in-person and ended with happy hour at CinéBistro.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Daytona's Jo Stevens and Kathy Gately play along with Tyler Austenfeld at the first Aloha UkeFest on Feb. 25, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 27, 2023
Ukulele Festival in Lakewood Ranch brings together talent

Renowned musician Tyler “Ten Thumbs” Austenfeld highlighted the first Aloha UkeFest, held by the Lakewood Ranch Communities Activities Club Aloha Ukulele.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 27, 2023
Barry Lee Napiecek

Barry Lee Napiecek passed away February 1, 2023 following a brief illness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Andres Evans, Unicorps CEO Chuck Whittall, Bob Moss, Mike Ogorek and Josh Mutchler speak to attendees at Friday's topping-off.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 27, 2023
St. Regis celebrates completing the building's structure

After the topping-off ceremony, the condo project on Longboat Key is expected to take another 16 months to complete.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ariel Rischer sells her handmade bracelets at the Young Entrepreneur Market at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 26, 2023
Young CEOs set up shop at The Bazaar

The fourth annual Young Entrepreneur Market brings young CEOs to sell their creations at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artists from all over the country display their work at the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2023
Longboat Key art festival draws a crowd

The Longboat Key Festival of the Arts was held Feb. 25 and 26 at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Eleven-year-old Liam Pacheco (No. 12 on his shirt) roasts a marshmallow during the Community Campout.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2023
Lakewood Ranch's Community Campout fires up interest

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities had to expand from 50 to 80 campsites to accommodate families for the annual event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A glass-encased stairwell extending from the north elevation of the Sarasota County Administration Center will be the dominant architectural feature.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 26, 2023
New county administrative center emphasizes health, fitness

A glassed-in staircase and views of Celery Fields are intended to promote fitness and vitality among staff. The $75 million building is also planned to be more public-friendly.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mooney senior Olivia Davis goes one-on-one with Miami Country Day's Kristina Godfrey.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 25, 2023
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball falls in state championship game

The Cougars lost 54-38 to Miami Country Day School on Saturday in Lakeland.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee County is considering the purchase of Mixon Fruit Farms, which went on the market in February 2023 for $15.8 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 24, 2023
Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton goes on market for $15.8 million

Janet and Dean Mixon had announced their plan to sell their business in October.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 24, 2023
Beach University returns Thursdays in March

Sarasota County's free coastal education program is back for its 17th year with five one-hour sessions at Siesta Beach starting March 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 24, 2023
Agnes “Dionne” Reinert

Agnes “Dionne” Reinert of Longboat Key, Fl, passed away on February 18, 2023, at 89.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
County Commissioner Nancy Detert, who has supported the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County in the past, said this year could the last time she does unless tangible results are presented to the commission at budget time.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 24, 2023
EDC teeters on further county funding cuts

Sarasota County commissioners were not persuaded by the Economic Development Corp.'s annual report that it merits a sustained level of county funding.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jeffrey Nunes is commissioned as a pastor by Rev. Brock Patterson on Tuesday.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel commissions a new reverend

Jeffrey Nunes is not just Rev. Brock Patterson's right-hand man anymore. He's his right-hand reverend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County has been operating the Bishop Animal Shelter since March 2022.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 24, 2023
Manatee commissioners draw hard line on animal shelter spending

Presented with a $17 million plan, commissioners told county staff to come back with a more frugal $8 million plan for the Bishop Animal Shelter addition.

  • East County
  • News
Attendees listen to a presentation about electric vehicles and solar energy Wednesday.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 24, 2023
Longboat residents learn value of electric vehicles, solar energy

About 15 people attended Wednesday's workshop in partnership with Sarasota County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 23, 2023
Officer rescues Chihuahua from Sarasota Bay

A Chihuahua named Tinkerbell fell overboard Friday night near the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Third grader Jayla Fields shows off her project on Serena Williams. "It was fun learning she was the face of women's tennis," Fields says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 23, 2023
Bashaw Elementary hosts Black History Month celebration

Students shared their projects on prominent Black Americans.

  • East County
  • Schools
The condo at 340 South Palm Ave, Unit #75 was built in 1998. It has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,761 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 23, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 6-10 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Sarabande condo on South Palm Avenue tops this week's sales at $2.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Chef Swaran Singh (center) cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine. Owners Poonam Maini and Shubi Maini are on the left.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 23, 2023
Indian culture, kindness are key ingredients at Tandoor restaurant

Poonam Maini considers all the patrons at Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine in University Town Center to be her extended family.

  • East County
  • Opinion
A burglary is captured on a camera in Parrish.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 23, 2023
Manatee Sheriff’s Office reacts to rise in vehicle burglaries

Officers encourage residents to take simple steps, such as locking their cars, to protect their belongings.

  • East County
  • News
Steph Davis has advice for people thinking about getting into rock climbing: keep your overhead low.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 23, 2023
Record-setting rock climber shares advice on risk and reward

Steph Davis, who spoke Feb. 16 in Sarasota, was the first woman to free climb the Salathé Wall of El Capitan in Yosemite, California.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bricks Smoked Meats at 1528 State St. has been among the restaurants leading the charge to preserve parklet dining as a permanent fixture in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 23, 2023
Parklet dining gets six-month stay as city cooks up permanent policy

The permitted use of city street parking spaces for outdoor dining is extended through September as the Sarasota City Commission directs staff to develop an ordinance to consider.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Gulf Coast Lions' on their last day of training camp at Newtown Estates Gym.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 23, 2023
Athletes leap for their dreams with Newtown basketball team

The Gulf Coast Lions are in their fourth year operating and plan to keep giving basketball athletes a second chance to go professional.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 23, 2023
New eatery approved below downtown condos after debate

Whether it's a nightclub or a restaurant, Le Petite Brasserie wins approval by the Sarasota City Commission. The piano bar/eatery will occupy space at the base of The Mark condominiums.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Phipps Home Design
  • February 23, 2023
Your Home Should Reflect Who You Are and How You Want to Live

Designing a home that is right for you goes far beyond the number of bedrooms you need. Phipps Home Design, with exceptional home design since 1994, is here to help.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Cardinal Mooney girls basketball team is headed to the state title game for the third-straight season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 22, 2023
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball advances to state title game

The Cougars will play Miami Country Day School at 10 a.m. Saturday in Lakeland.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Downtown Sarasota Alliance Erin Silk and Justin Tobiasz
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 22, 2023
Downtown Sarasota Alliance doles out awards

The alliance hosted its third annual awards ceremony to recognize those making an impact in the downtown community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Crews work overnight Tuesday to repair and replace hydrants and valves in Sarasota County's water system on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2023
Water service restored to 1,600 Siesta Key customers

Sarasota County shut off water service overnight in two areas of Siesta Key to make repairs. A boil notice remained in effect Wednesday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Cougars girls basketball team is headed to states for the third consecutive year.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 22, 2023
Cardinal Mooney, Booker girls basketball teams advance to states

Both teams potentially have state title games this weekend in Lakeland — if they survive the semifinals.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
This nearly eight-acre site at 2211 Fruitville Road is proposed for Sarasota Station, a nearly 400-unit affordable rental community with at least 20% of the apartments priced at or below 80% of the city's average median income.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2023
Affordable housing project granted three-year construction extension

With setbacks including the death of Harvey Vengroff and COVID-19, the City Commission has granted One Stop Housing more time to begin building the Sarasota Station apartment complex in Park East.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Project executive Josh Mutchler leads the Residences at the St. Regis Longboat Key project.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 22, 2023
St. Regis project executive digs into details of its construction

Project executive Josh Mutchler leads over 500 people every day on the Residences at the St. Regis Longboat Key project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • February 22, 2023
Mind the mental health gap

Nearly two years after forming a mental health district, the Sarasota County Commission has yet to distribute $8 million in funding. Now Commissioner Mike Moran wants to restructure the process — and what services get funded.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
« 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 »
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

Sponsored Content
1
  • June 3, 2026
Keys & Courses: A High-Energy Dueling Piano Dinner Party
2
Selby Gardens’ Selenicereus cactus blooms for one night only.
  • June 3, 2026
Selby's 'Queen of the Night' blooms tonight only
3
University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
  • June 3, 2026
13 new retailers, eateries coming to University Town Center
4
Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service
5
Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
  • June 3, 2026
Panther Ridge mom hopes to make connections in District 5 school board seat

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.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free