• 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

Hunter at his birthday party. Photo courtesy of Tina Adams.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 18, 2022
Longboat Key wellness and support dog turns 9

Hunter, who belongs to the deputy fire chief, has served the town for several years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 18, 2022
Tennis star Tommy Haas drops in for Longboat Key tennis clinic

Former No. 2 in the world good-naturedly puts players through their paces at Cedars Tennis Resort and Club for charity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
City Manager Marlon Brown spoke to Observer Media Group's Newsies on Thursday on the Observer's newsroom.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 17, 2022
Sarasota city manager drops in on the Newsies

Marlon Brown shares an insider's view of how local government operates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jim and Jackie Sleter stand in front of their newly installed roof. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 17, 2022
Veteran in River Isles gifted a free roof

East County veteran receives support from local business and the VFW to get a new roof.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This rendering showed what is now taking place at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 17, 2022
Agave Bandido to open at Waterside Place of Lakewood Ranch

Waterside Place of Lakewood Ranch announces Agave Bandido will join its lineup.

  • East County
  • News
A model of what the new restroom pavilion at Nora Patterson Park will look like once completed. (Photo courtesy of Sarasota County)
    By
  • Blake Fussell
  • February 17, 2022
Improvements on the way to Siesta Key's Nora Patterson Park

The Nora Patterson Park Improvement Project began on Wednesday. A new observation deck and restroom facility are expected to be completed by the fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jeanne Guertin-Potoff with "Milford."
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 17, 2022
Longboat Key artist wins Art Center Sarasota show

Jeanne Guertin-Potoff won first for her mixed media piece "Milford."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 17, 2022
St. Mary's Men's Club hosts annual golf tournament

The Longboat Key church hosted 160 golfers at the Harbourside Golf Course.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 17, 2022
Joyce Lee Tankersley

Joyce Lee Tankersley, passed away in Sarasota FL on February 6, 2022 with her loving husband Art by her side.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 17, 2022
A tight leaderboard after round one of the LECOM Suncoast Classic

Thomas Walsh leads at eight under par, but 15 golfers are within two strokes of him.

  • East County
  • Sports
East County's Meghan Rumbaugh participates in a group exercise class in May 2020.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 17, 2022
Working It Out

The struggling Manatee Family YMCA is now under the umbrella of the larger YMCA of Southwest Florida.

  • LWR Life
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
« 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 »
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 giant American flag has flown above Sarasota Ford since the 1970s.
  • June 4, 2026
American flag will fly high again over Sarasota Ford
2
Mike and Jenny Schenk have closed their Pineapple Kitchen location on Lena Road and are now marketing their products on Amazon.
  • June 4, 2026
Pineapple Kitchen owners close store, move to Amazon
3
An aerial rendering of Premier Park's upcoming racket and aquatic center.
  • June 4, 2026
Residents receive little warning about Premier plan detours
4
Owen Ayers played his first two seasons of minor-league baseball exclusively with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of Single-A. So far in 2026, he's spent time with the South Bend Cubs of High-A and Knoxville Smokies of Double-A.
  • June 4, 2026
Sarasota High baseball alumnus turns the corner with consistency
5
Dangers to children lurk within smartphones and other electronic devices.
  • June 4, 2026
Sexual abuse case with a minor offers a lesson in prevention

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