• 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

  • 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
Sapphire apartments on North Tamiami Trail will be similar in appearance to Solle Apartments on U.S. 41 at 24th Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 10, 2023
Expansion of Sapphire apartment plans on Tamiami proposed

The developer of Sapphire North and South has secured the parcel separating the two.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Frank Galati when he directed Asolo Rep’s 2011 season-opener “My Fair Lady.”
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • January 9, 2023
Sarasota theater community mourns loss of stage legend Frank Galati

The two-time Tony Award winner and Asolo Rep associate artist died Jan. 2. He was 79 years old.

  • Arts + Culture
Pat DeChiara, Philip Deming, John Kurgan, Laurel Phillips, Jeff Vaughn, Cyndi Seamon and Wendi Bundy
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 9, 2023
Rip current delays Ohana protest

A rip current made it unsafe for kayaks to traverse around the Ohana seawall Christmas morning, but protesters plan to try again.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cheryl Mendelson will step down as CEO of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation in March.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 9, 2023
SPAC Foundation CEO Cheryl Mendelson stepping down

The head of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation will leave Sarasota in March.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Students like seventh graders Jayden Lavalle and Kiley Nowaczyk have fun creating items and determining what to sell in the vending machine.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 9, 2023
New school supplies vending machine meets Haile Middle students' needs

The students stock some items in the machine and learn basic business lessons about cost of production and return.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • January 9, 2023
Upcoming public meetings on Longboat Key

A list of public meetings relevant to Longboat Key over the next 30 days.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
ODA's Zach Fox (11) and Oliver Giraud (22) double-team Sarasota Christian's Jayven Szewczyk in the post.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 9, 2023
Gritty defense key to more wins for ODA boys basketball

As the second half of the season begins, the Thunder has already matched its win total from a season ago.

  • East County
  • Sports
The practice range at the Bobby Jones Golf Course is surrounded by a stream that feeds water into the nature park adjacent to the golf course.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 9, 2023
Five Sarasota news stories to watch in 2023

From plans to incentivize affordable housing to the long-awaited reopening of the the Bobby Jones Golf Course, there is a lot of news in Sarasota on the way for 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rabbi Howard Simon, April Glasco and Rona Simon enjoy a bashert reunion at Shabbat service Friday night.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 8, 2023
Special guest surprises at TBI's Shabbat service

The founder and CEO of Second Chance Last Opportunity spoke and sang at Shabbat service Friday night.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel holds a panel discussion on Thursday called "Sex, Sexuality and Intimacy in the Senior Years."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 8, 2023
Education Center kicks off single-session series

The Thursday series begins with a range of topics from scams to senior sexuality.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Mike Minic is in the same playful mood as his dog, Chelsea.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 7, 2023
Main reason to dance at monthly event in Lakewood Ranch

Nonprofits continue to benefit from beer sales while boosting exposure.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rachel Sellers is named the School District of Manatee County's deputy superintendent of business services.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 7, 2023
Manatee School District introduces new deputy superintendent of business services

Rachel Sellers will start her new post Jan. 9 after previously working for the Florida auditor general.

  • East County
  • Schools
The single-story, 6,050-square-foot building on the property will be demolished to make room for new construction.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 7, 2023
Main Street parcel acquired for $4.29 million

An affordable housing option is driving up the value of property once considered for mixed-use development.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tara and Natalie Segedi take the Polar Bear Plunge while visiting from Minnesota.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 6, 2023
Seaplace plunges into a new year

The Polar Bear Plunge is an annual tradition at the Seaplace condominiums on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sen. Joe Gruters, Rep. Fiona McFarland and Rep. Michael Grant attended the Save Siesta Key town hall meeting.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado, Eric Garwood
  • January 6, 2023
Legislators will again vote on proposed Siesta Key incorporation

After a failed vote in January 2022, approval at the delegation's Jan. 12 meeting is crucial for advancement of the incorporation proposal.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Owen's Fish Camp is expected to open at Center Point in Lakewood Ranch in March.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 6, 2023
Owen’s Fish Camp plans March opening in Lakewood Ranch

Supply shortages have delayed the opening of the Old Florida seafood restaurant, which will be an anchor of the Center Point development.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Just getting started for the day
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 6, 2023
Just getting started for the day

A worker well-versed in the town's rules on noise and more in this week's edition of Longboat Key Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The planned Bath & Racquet redevelopment includes luxury apartments surrounding a private tennis, pickleball and swim club.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 6, 2023
Sarasota city leaders side with Bath & Racquet redeveloper in appeal

With a 4-1 vote, commissioners have decided that neighbors opposed to the project failed to reach "aggrieved" status.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 »
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