• 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

Board member Bryan Boudreaux and board President David Finkare part of the team that facilitates the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund’s philanthropic giving. (Photos by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 17, 2022
Charity Snapshot: Two Decades of Giving

The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, founded by John Clarke in the community’s early days, enters a new chapter.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2022
Longboat Key weather page photo: February 17

Diane Suner captured this photograph of a great blue heron on North Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2022
East County weather page photo: February 17

Gordon Silver captured this photo of a sunset at County Club East in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: February 17

Diane Suner captured a photo of this group of sand dollars on Lido Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • February 17, 2022
Coming Right Up

Lakewood Ranch is expecting another year of tremendous housing growth.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 17, 2022
Christ Church of Longboat Key hosts Wednesday night dinner

About 150 members came for dinner and a show by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch resident Liz Cole has been immersed in arts and art education throughout her career. (Photo by Lori Sax )
    By
  • Guest Author
  • February 17, 2022
Class Act: Sharing the Joy of Learning in the Arts

A talented artist developed an early childhood program for the Toledo Museum of Art, which remains a cornerstone of the museum’s education division.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Su Byron
  • February 17, 2022
Digital Photography Club members capture the world frame by frame

The art of photography is still worth mastering. And the Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club can help you do just that.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 17, 2022
Prose and Kohn: Mustangs boys basketball seniors say goodbye after district loss

Plus, the Lakewood Ranch boys soccer team is on the verge of the state tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By One Park Sarasota
  • February 17, 2022
One Park is Set to Reshape the Downtown Sarasota Skyline

One Park is Set to Reshape the Downtown Sarasota Skyline

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, congratulates Kari Keech-Babcock, a guidance clerk at Lakewood Ranch High School, for winning the district's Support Employee of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 16, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High guidance clerk named School District of Manatee County's Support Employee of the Year

Lakewood Ranch High School's Kari Keech-Babcock named Support Employee of the Year for her positive attitude, hard work and dedication.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 16, 2022
Insurance shocks continue

Homeowners insurance will continue to skyrocket. Lawmakers don’t have the guts to get out of the way.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 16, 2022
You Observed: Beachplace celebrates Valentine's Day

Residents of the Longboat Key condo got together for a sweet dessert.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Hagen Brody
  • February 16, 2022
My View: United against hate

City commissioner and former mayor denounces recent antisemitic attack and announces Sunday unity rally.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Patti Smith read from "Just Kids" and "The Coral Sea" and also sang a few songs from her canon. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • February 16, 2022
Patti Smith fondly walks down memory lane

It's been decades since Patti Smith last spoke with her late friend Robert Mapplethorpe, but the memories of their time together remain as indelible as any image in her celebrated life.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • February 16, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Who owns the house plant?

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Chariot Johnson led Booker girls basketball with 19 points against Lakewood on Tuesday.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 16, 2022
Tornadoes girls basketball still spinning

Booker has reached the Elite Eight for the second time in program history

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney freshman Kali Barrett (21) led the team with 22 points against Evangelical Christian.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 16, 2022
Cougars girls basketball one win from Final Four berth

Cardinal Mooney hosts Carrollwood Day at 7 p.m. Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lauren Nielsen sings the national anthem at various veterans events. (File photo)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • February 16, 2022
Sarasota model and community service figure to receive city proclamation

Lauren Nielsen will have a ceremony in her name on Feb. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • February 15, 2022
Couples say 'I do' all over again at vow renewal ceremony

The loving ceremony returned to Siesta Key on Feb. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 15, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Paws in the laws

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Former home of Capt. Ralph Styles getting demolished last Monday. Photo courtesy of Mike Cosentino.
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • February 15, 2022
Former home of Captain Ralph Styles demolished on Siesta Key

One of the oldest homes on Siesta Key was demolished last Monday. The home used to house Navy Captain Ralph Styles, who played a significant role in Pearl Harbor and World War II.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Hugo Rodriguez of PlayTri says bike parts are hard to acquire during the supply chain shortages.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2022
Despite nationwide supply chain shortages, Lakewood Ranch area businesses move forward

Local businesses are searching for answers during supply chain shortages.

  • East County
  • Business
Verizon proposes to erect seven 35-foot poles in Longboat Key and two 25-foot poles.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 15, 2022
Longboat Planning Board recommends approval of Verizon cell-pole plan

The Town Commission will meet in two weeks for final vote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Clydesdales arrive at the Sarasota Polo Club on Valentine's Day evening.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2022
Budweiser Clydesdales pull into Lakewood Ranch to stir emotions

Clydesdales will make appearances in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota before Atlanta Braves fan experience in North Port.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 15, 2022
The Paradise Center hosts pickleball classes

About 25 attendees came to the second class taught by enthusiasts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 15, 2022
Longboat Key Garden Club celebrates Valentine's Day with a toast

A group of members gathered at Bayfront Park to toast to their loves.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Concession home at 8499 Lindrick Lane sold for $7.98 million. It has six bedrooms, eight-and-three-half baths, a pool and 15,077 square feet of living area. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 15, 2022
Concession home sale highest in Lakewood Ranch area history

Concession home tops sales at $7.98 million in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
  • By BayView Dental
  • February 15, 2022
Missing Teeth? You Have Options.

There are two great options to restore your smile.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Budweiser Clydesdales arrived at the Sarasota Polo Club late in the evening Feb. 14, 2022, after an 18-hour drive over two days from Houston.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2022
Budweiser Clydesdales show off in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota

Clydesdale shows set for Lakewood Ranch, the UTC mall in Sarasota, Thunder by the Bay in Sarasota and at the Atlanta Braves Fanfest at CoolToday Park in North Port.

  • East County
  • News
Kelsey Vogel.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 14, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Kelsey Vogel

The Lakewood Ranch second baseman and shortstop talks adrenaline and her future at North Florida.

  • East County
  • Sports
Commissioners discuss how to spend an estimated $191 in penny surtax revenue.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 14, 2022
Sarasota city leaders stick with surtax spending proposal

Suggested broader changes to proposed list of $191 million in projects fail to gain commission support.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sebastian Villaseca is just getting fired up at the Lazy Lobster.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 14, 2022
Lazy Lobster starts new chef, third in restaurant's history

Sebastian Villaseca is the Lazy Lobster's new executive chef, but he's not new to the Longboat Key staple.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2022
Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary of Myakka comes to the rescue

Dave and Lisa Burns of Myakka City provide love to dumped animals through their animal sanctuary.

  • East County
  • News
Ringling College student Zaine Lodhi visits one of his preferred hangouts in downtown Sarasoata, Project Coffee
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 14, 2022
Ringling College student describes his journey toward major illustrators award

According to Ringling College student Zaine Lodhi, the secret in his success is imagination, talent, and just plain hard work.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • February 13, 2022
Phillippi Estate Park hosts February fine arts festival

The Sarasota Fine Arts Show ran Feb. 12-13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 »
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
A rendering of the Mira Mar building set against the backdrop of Mira Mar Residences, the project that will provide revenue to fund the $25 million to $30 million restoration of the historic structure.
  • April 7, 2026
Construction permit issued for downtown Sarasota historic restoration project
2
From left to right, Maya Carpentiere, Amanda Gonzalez, Christiana Allison, Grayson Buchanan, Sheila Wallis and Ryan Duga star in Florida Studio Theatre's children's production, "The Pirate Ship and the Sea Monster and Other Winning Plays."
  • April 7, 2026
Three Sarasota theaters jump on the trolley
3
Florida Statute 1001.42(4)(f)2 will require high schools, including Braden River High (pictured) and Lakewood Ranch High, to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork and gets accepted to keep the current start times.
  • April 7, 2026
Manatee County School District might fight starting time mandate
4
The Broadway revival of Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall April 10-11.
  • April 7, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 9-15
5
The cast of Asolo Rep's "Fiddler on the Roof" poses with instruments.
  • April 7, 2026
Asolo Rep's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof' plays a timeless tune

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