• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • 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
  • LWR 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
  • LWR 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
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 26, 2021
Sarasota teacher finishes as runner-up for Florida Teacher of the Year

Fruitville Elementary School teacher Kari Johnson, the Sarasota Schools Teacher of the Year, was one of five finalists for the statewide honor.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 26, 2021
Bob Ruff, a tennis devotee who organized games on Longboat Key, dies at 93

Ruff organized a group of 40 men through thousands of tennis games throughout his life.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 26, 2021
Longboat Key undergrounding project: Crews begin removal of light poles

Crews have started removing light poles from the Country Club Shores neighborhood.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The house at 8155 Midnight Pass Road was built in 1986. It has six bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 6,273 square feet.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 26, 2021
Siesta Key house sells for $4.2 million

These are the top transactions in the Sarasota area from July 12-16.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Like many great horned owls hit by vehicles, Archimedes, one of over 100 residents at Save Our Seabirds' Wild Bird Learning Center, suffered severe wing injuries and can no longer sustain flight. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • July 26, 2021
Bird of the week: great horned owl

Distinctive top-of-head features are neither horns nor ears but help serve to break up the owl's profile, better camouflaging it from predators.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 26, 2021
St. Armands Circle Association hosts Family Day

Families on the Circle enjoyed a family and pet photoshoot area on July 25.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The house at 439 E. Royal Flamingo Drive has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,583 square feet. It previously sold for $3.35 million in 2020.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 26, 2021
Bird Key house sells for $5.05 million

The top real estate transactions for Longboat, Lido and Bird keys from July 12-16.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Country Club Shores resident Christopher Sachs was pleased the canal between Yardarm Lane and Bowsprit Lane was mostly clear by the time he returned home. Sachs is pictured here on July 22.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 25, 2021
Longboat Key residents cope with red tide effects

While the dead fish accumulation has subsided, residents hope red tide conditions aren't as severe as 2018.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Emma Weyant won a silver medal in the Women's 400-Meter IM at the Olympics on Saturday night. Photo courtesy Mike Lewis/USA Swimming.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 24, 2021
Sarasota's Emma Weyant takes silver medal in women's 400 IM at Olympics

Sarasota skateboarder Jake Ilardi failed to qualify for the Street finals at the games.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota's Mary Tucker finished sixth in the women's 10-meter air rifle event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Friday night.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 23, 2021
Sarasota's Mary Tucker finishes sixth in 10-meter Air Rifle at Olympics

Tucker, a Sarasota Military Academy graduate, still has two events left in Tokyo

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Joe Bertucci usually makes strawberry and peach jam.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 23, 2021
Longboat Key residents put in hard work for the sweet reward of jam

Two Longboat Key residents spread the love with homemade jams and preserves.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • July 23, 2021
Thomas (Tom) H. W. Jones, Jr.

Tom was born in Bryn Mawr, PA to the late Thomas and Louise Jones, and raised in Norristown, PA.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Mark, Elyse and Aaron Gordon on the first day of Kindergarten at Willis Elementary School in August, 2013
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 23, 2021
Bus(ted) the first day

The first day of school is full of joyous rituals and anxieties — for parents, of course.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dillman Wesley of Volusia County races across the sand.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 22, 2021
Florida lifeguards compete for top honors at Siesta Key beach competition

The event was held July 21 and 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Julie McGue. File photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 22, 2021
Longboat Key author Julie McGue wins nonfiction award

McGue's autobiography, 'Twice a Daughter,' is a Silver Winner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 22, 2021
A good start for Brown

Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown is off to a good start with this first budget. He is proposing the city lower its millage rate and wants to dissolve the city’s parks and recreation tax district.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 22, 2021
Governments as developers

The strategy is to build a venue for farmers markets, concerts and art festivals, with the hope donors and taxpayers eventually will support a cultural and community center. Hope is never a good strategy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 22, 2021
Sarasota Art museum hires new director

Shearer, the education director at Atlanta's High Museum of Art, will begin Aug. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 22, 2021
Why should voting be easy?

The easier it is to vote, the less it is valued.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Chuck Henry said 95% of the positive COVID-19 cases in Sarasota County are of people who are not vaccinated.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 22, 2021
Longboat Key COVID-19 vaccination rate near 100%

Leaders believe the town's high vaccination rate correlates to its low number of positive cases.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 22, 2021
Siesta Key estate lists for $5.8 million

Focal point of "Casa Flamingo" is a 45-foot long Roman bath.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: July 22

Alan Zegman captured this photo of a zebra longwing butterfly at Spanish Point in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 2

Niki Muller captured this view of Sister Keys from Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Melissa Leduc
  • July 22, 2021
East County weather page photo: July 22

Gordon Silver captured this photo of a colorful sunset at Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Officials pointed to events in other communities, such as Lakewood Ranch’s Music on Main block party and concert series, as evidence for the success of First Friday programs. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 22, 2021
City leaders back plans for First Friday events

As a downtown group explores options for pedestrian-only festivities in the heart of the city, commissioners expressed support for the idea at budget workshops.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Midnight Mama performs at a St. Patrick’s Day event outside Gator Club. Some residents have raised concerns about noise from special events, while downtown businesses say tougher noise rules threaten their livelihood. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 22, 2021
Divisions remain over city sound rules

As officials wade through the complexities of noise regulations, a downtown resident is gathering support for the creation of a citizen sound committee, hoping a mix of stakeholders can find common ground.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Badger Bob's Team
  • July 22, 2021
Refrigerant and Replacement

The R-22 Reason to Upgrade Your A/C

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2021
The Most Respected Builder in Longboat Key

Brings You the Newest Name in Real Estate

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Senior hospital technician Jonathan Hande, barred owl Nova and operations manager Jocelyn Shearer.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 21, 2021
Save Our Seabirds to reopen July 30

The bird hospital and research facility has been closed to the public for 16 months.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
It's this view to the south of the Sarasota skyline and Ringling Bridge that prompted Kathryn and Ron Lee to buy land on Halyard Lane.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 21, 2021
Longboat Key sees dozens of home rebuilds since January 2020

Demolishing and rebuilding is one way Longboaters can live in their idea of paradise.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 21, 2021
Bobby Jones nature trails reopen

Work completed on demolition of buildings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sharks are congregating in waters with more oxygen for them to breathe.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 21, 2021
Sharks take refuge from red tide in Sarasota Bay, Longboat canals

On Longboat Key, residents can see a few species of sharks looking for easier breathing far from the bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ron and Shannon Ciaravella
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 21, 2021
Ciaravella remembered for generosity and community impact

The aviation-services businessman was 73.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Amy Gorman, left, was named director of development and Julie Santiago has been promoted to director of student life.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 21, 2021
Cardinal Mooney adds two new administrators

Amy Gorman was named the Director of Development and Julie Santiago has been promoted to Director of Student Life.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • July 21, 2021
Ian Patrick Sharp

Ian Patrick Sharp, 89, died peacefully in Sarasota, on July 16th, a few months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The town of Longboat Key has posted this temporary closure sign at Bayfront Park's dog park.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 21, 2021
Bayfront Park's dog park temporarily closes for resodding

The town of Longboat KEy plans to reopen the dog park in early September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
« 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 »
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
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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 © 2025 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