• 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

    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 17, 2021
Longboat Key kids get a visit from the Batmobile

The Nock family brought out their iconic vehicle for a bus stop pickup.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The FWC said the derelict boat became grounded on Aug. 10 outside of the Sands Point Condominium Association near the New Pass channel.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 16, 2021
Authorities working to remove sailboat grounded for a month on Longboat Key

The boat is stuck outside of the Sands Point Condominiums in New Pass.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Interim Police Chief George Turner is helping lead the police department through its accreditation process with the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, which is a sect of the FDLE.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 16, 2021
Barancik Foundation grant helps pay for Longboat police project

Interim chief leads police department push to gain state accreditation, with financial help from group founded by Longboat Key couple killed in 2019 collision with officer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 16, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: September 16

Patricia Muller captured a glistening bayfront from the shore of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 16, 2021
East County weather page photo: September 16

Gordon Silver took a photo of this sandhill crane teaching her young colt to search for grubs along University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 16, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: September 16

Richard Bottorff captured this image of an egret resting on one leg taking in the sunlight in Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Parker Severs.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 16, 2021
East County Athlete of the Week: Parker Severs

The Lakewood Ranch freshman boys golfer took medalist honors at the Riverview Invitational on Sept. 11.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tiffany McCoy, a junior, and Maya Lander, a senior, are careful while twirling batons that are on fire. Lander says she gets nervous at first, but it doesn't take longer for her to get used to the fire.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High baton twirlers keep tradition going

Lakewood Ranch High twirlers add a unique spin to their performance.

  • East County
  • Schools
The future of the county’s downtown office building is in question, but any changes could add to a residential-leaning redevelopment trend on Ringling Boulevard that dates back to 2014. Harry Sayer
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 16, 2021
County building sale adds to evolution of Ringling corridor

The potential redevelopment of the Sarasota County Administration Center is likely years away, but it could be a piece of a larger series of changes along Ringling Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city hopes to replicate the success of the Siesta Key Breeze and mitigate traffic congestion by launching a trolley travelling from downtown to Lido Key. The service is expected to cost $1.5 million annually. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 16, 2021
City leaders, downtown property owners at odds over trolley funding

The City Commission is set to overrule the Downtown Improvement District’s proposed budget for the first time ever, a source of alarm among the self-taxing group.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The removal of trees associated with development led to concerns from residents about enforcement of protection rules, while some landowners had concerns about whether city regulations were flexible enough. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 16, 2021
City holds off on changes to tree protection rules

A series of recommended revisions to the city’s tree regulations are years in the making, but officials are still not ready to adopt new rules.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The ten-member Charter Review Committee will make recommendations on potential revisions in March, at which point the City Commission will decide which items it wants to set for a voter referendum.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 16, 2021
Charter Review Committee takes first look at mayor options

The advisory board intends to hold a meeting this fall to have a thorough discussion about potential revisions to the city’s form of government.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Firefighter/Paramedic Chase Bullock. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 15, 2021
Longboat Key firefighters rescue sea turtle

The turtle has since been turned over to Mote for care.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 15, 2021
Turtle-safe toy box lands at Cabana Beach Club on Longboat Key

Caleb Jameson has built his sixth turtle toy box since 2018.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
William Skaggs, the CEO of the Players Centre for Performing Arts, stands in front of the theater's future home at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 15, 2021
The Players CEO says plans for theater complex at Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch now firmly in place

Groundbreaking for a $26.5 million complex at Waterside Place of Lakewood Ranch is targeted for spring 2023.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 15, 2021
Armenian musicians perform for Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch

The performance taught rotary members about Armenian culture and history.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Anna Kimbrell and Marti Sementelli will be in attendance at the All-American Women's Baseball Classic. Photo via American Girls Baseball.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 15, 2021
All-American Women's Baseball Classic coming to Sarasota

There will also be a free clinic for local players at Ed Smith Stadium

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 15, 2021
Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch businesses come together for East Meets West

Businesses met in the middle for an expo at the Robarts Arena.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A threatened species, mostly due to habitat loss, direct human-caused mortality, such as shootings and car collisions, are also be a factor in the decline of the crested caracara. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • September 15, 2021
Bird of the week: Crested caracara

Native to Florida, the caracara lives on the state's disappearing dry prairie land.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Vicki DiPaolo, the president of the University Park Women's Club, gives Josh Cramer, assistant police chief, and Melanie Bevan, the Bradenton Police chief, $5,400 worth of Publix gift cards for officers to give to people in need.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 15, 2021
University Park Women's Club donates gift cards to Bradenton Police

University Park Women's Club donates $5,400 in Publix gift cards for Bradenton Police to distribute.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River's John Thomas Wright, Thomas Adamson and Gabe French perform with the Marching Band of Pirates during halftime.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 15, 2021
Manatee School District adds visual and performing arts to millage allocations

If 1-mill ad valorem property tax is renewed, arts programs will be bolstered.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 14, 2021
Manatee County Commissioners approve $6 million for animal shelter, $14.9 million for Lakewood Ranch library

Manatee County Commissioners note they can change their mind down the road if the funding seems inappropriate.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Assistant Fire Chief John Curran filled out the application with Sarasota County EMS Grants.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 14, 2021
Grant provides Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department new carbon monoxide detectors

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department began using the devices in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Emory Conetta is particularly proud of the Robert Colescott gallery space.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 14, 2021
Sarasota native returns as museum curator

Sarasota native Emory Conetta has returned to her hometown to be Sarasota Art Museum's assistant curator.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Youth volunteers participate in a Manatee County Teen Court hearing.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 14, 2021
Manatee County Teen Court celebrates 30 years

Teen Court allows students to judge their peers.

  • East County
  • News
Rosie Breitwieser and Lt. Matthew Bertrand. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 14, 2021
Heroes welcome in Lakewood Ranch

Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living hosts First Responders Appreciation Breakfast.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key's Fiscal Year 2022 budget starts on Oct. 1.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 13, 2021
Final budget vote set for Sept. 27

The Fiscal Year 2022 budget starts on Oct. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer has filled his position since December 2017.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 13, 2021
Raises on the way for Longboat manager, attorney

Longboat Key town commissioners voted 7-0 to approve a 3% raise for Town Manager Tom Harmer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 13, 2021
Longboat Key Town Center stage planning begins to take shape

The town will pursue building a 50-foot downstage at the Town Center site between the Public Tennis Center and the Shoppes of Bay Isles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Winslow Place resident Jason Wilson took this photo of Buttonwood Drive flooding after the July 29 rainstorm.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 13, 2021
Buttonwood residents express concerns about drainage issues, possible developments

Drainage problems in Buttonwood Harbour prompt residents to ask for action, but new development nearby brings new concerns.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bramwell Tovey, new music director of Sarasota Orchestra
    By
  • Andréa Martone
  • September 13, 2021
Sarasota Orchestra's new music director is a maestro on a mission

Bramwell Tovey aims to explore new composers and works in his time here.

  • Arts + Culture
Leaders from the service organizations posed with bags of food.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 13, 2021
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church connects with service organizations

For God's Work, Our Hands, the church met with leaders of the local organizations they support.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 13, 2021
Longboat Key author nets honorable mention in Readers' Favorite

The psychological thriller won in the "Fiction Audiobook" category.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    A time to celebrate |
  • September 13, 2021
Brittany Bryant-Swift and Randy Connery Swift II

The 2021 wedding season kicked off this past Labor Day weekend with Sarasota residents Brittany Bryant-Swift and Randy Connery Swift II.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
Julie McGue snapped a photo of the campsite she and her family shared in Montana. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 13, 2021
Longboat Key residents' summer vacation photos tell stories

Longboaters like traveling off the island to see some new views every summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
United Airlines is one of 10 carriers with operations at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 13, 2021
SRQ breaks 12-month passenger record in eight months

Traffic through Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport surpasses a record set in 1990.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 »
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
  • April 7, 2026
Kentucky Derby Party
2
Ernie Els reads the green at The Concession during the 2023 World Champions Cup. He's No. 6 on the PGA Tour Champions money standings, as of April 6, and will be active at the Senior PGA Championship.
  • April 7, 2026
The PGA Tour Champions could use a jolt of charisma
3
The Tingley Library in Bradenton Beach, pictured in October 2025, is in need of repairs estimated at $230,000.
  • April 7, 2026
Tingley Library makes plea to community
4
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
5
Once again, what's the best bridge?
  • April 7, 2026
Once again, what's the best bridge?

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