• 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

The Pirates take a water break during fall practice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 18, 2021
East County football preview: Braden River High

Braden River High football has inexperienced players at the skill positions.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 18, 2021
Goldfish Swim School hosts family swim and screen in Lakewood Ranch

Families enjoy a night of swimming and watching "Gabby's Dollhouse."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Digital health apps can help — if users can afford them. Photo via Shutterstock.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 18, 2021
Health apps can help — if users can afford them

Are subscription weight loss and wellness applications worth the sometimes-hefty cost?

  • Health
Sasha Pastujov, born in the Lakewood Ranch area, will attempt to become one of the rare Florida-born players to reach the NHL. Photo courtesy Rena Laverty / USA Hockey’s NTDP.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 18, 2021
Prose and Kohn: From the Lakewood Ranch area to the NHL?

Sasha Pastujov is attempting to become the 15th player from Florida to reach hockey's pinnacle.

  • East County
  • Sports
Superintendent Brennan Asplen discusses the effects of COVID-19 on Sarasota County School operations during a workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 17. Image via Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 17, 2021
Sarasota school board plans special meeting on mask mandate

After school officials discussed the strain COVID-19 has placed on operations, multiple board members expressed an interest in revisiting the district’s optional mask policy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The construction associated with the roundabout project led to backups over the Ringling Causeway this morning.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 17, 2021
U.S. 41 roundabout construction causes traffic delays near Ringling Causeway

The implementation of a traffic shift at Gulfstream Avenue has led to frustration for motorists, with authorities advising drivers to avoid the area if possible.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Riverview High two-sport star Vince Cherry, right, will be the next boys basketball coach at Cardinal Mooney High. Photo courtesy Suzanne Koscho.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 17, 2021
Prose and Kohn: New Cougars boys basketball coach can be the Cherry on top

Vince Cherry, 28, will take over a program in need of stability.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    In Memoriam |
  • August 17, 2021
Monique Oliel

Monique Oliel, 92 passed away July 29th at Venice Regional Hospital, Venice Florida. A long time resident of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Gina Messenger, a member of the School Board of Manatee County, says there isn't a difference between an optional mask policy and a mask mandate with an opt out option.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 16, 2021
School Board of Manatee County approves a mask mandate with opt out option

All students and employees will have the option to opt out of the School District of Manatee County's mask mandate.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Guest Author
  • August 16, 2021
Letters to the editor: Siesta Key hotel proposals

Siesta Key leaders sound off on recent opinion piece.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Neil McDonald and Mike Rusnak
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 16, 2021
Longboat Key UPS Store gets new owner

The McDonald siblings, who have owned the store for 15 years, are moving on.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A Myakka City man was killed in a two-car accident on C.R. 675 in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2021
Myakka City man dies in two-car accident on County Road 675

A 33-year-old Myakka City man was killed Monday when his SUV veered into the path of a truck on County Road 675.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge is being treated at Blake Medical Center for COVID-19.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2021
Manatee County commissioner hospitalized with COVID-19

Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge is listed in stable condition at Blake Medical Center in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 16, 2021
Town of Longboat Key celebrates "City Hall Selfie Day"

Nearly every department got in front of the camera to join the fun and meet the public.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 15, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: No walking back from this one

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Built in 2015, the home at 3970 Roberts Point Road has five bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,028 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 15, 2021
Siesta Key home sells for $6.2 million

Home at 3970 Roberts Point Road tops all sales in the Sarasota area for Aug. 2-6.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The Unit 4 condominium at En Provence was built in 2002. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,800 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 15, 2021
En Provence condo sells for $3.75 million

The home at 2151 Gulf of Mexico Drive tops all Longboat Key-area sales for Aug. 2-6.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 14, 2021
Unconditional Surrender statue celebrated at ceremony

The rededication ceremony was held Aug. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Waterside's Hank Berzins, 9, finishes second in his age group. He said he was going "really fast" and that he could feel the wind blow through his hair.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • August 14, 2021
Lakewood Ranch area kids enjoy final summer camp at Benderson Park in Sarasota

Nathan Benderson Park's water adventure camp, held Aug. 2-6, featured kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 13, 2021
Longboat home lists for $10.25 million

7,000-square foot home offers 151 feet of beachfront.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
File photo
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 13, 2021
Rededication ceremony planned for Unconditional Surrender statue

The ceremony will take place at Bayfront Park on Aug. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The mottled duck is a unique subspecies found only in peninsular Florida, where it resides in both brackish and freshwater marshes.Â
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 13, 2021
Bird of the week: Mottled duck

With habitat loss, the species often can be found in developed drainage ditches or retention ponds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 13, 2021
Sandbag stations open today in anticipation of Fred

Passage of tropical system near Manatee and Sarasota this weekend expected to bring heavy rains.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sue Ann and Mike Ciccone in front of the bar that Ciccone built for the house.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 12, 2021
Longboat Key couple Mike and Sue Ann Ciccone celebrate the island life

The couple recently moved to Longboat Key full time and spend their nights seeking happy memories.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 12, 2021
Longboat Key author shares her Brooklyn saga

Carolyn Angiolillo hosted a book signing for her new novel, "A Brooklyn Saga: Stories from the Stoop."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kristen Cunningham, an assistant principal at Braden River Middle School, checks Normalinda Faudoa's temperature. Temperature checks will be taken daily for employees and randomly for students. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2021
COVID-19 protocols increasing in Manatee schools

Manatee County schools will implement several protocols that were in place last year while masks remain optional.

  • East County
  • News
Award recipient Joe Hembree, Priya Acharya, Chamber president and CEO Heather Kasten, Laura Randall and Peter Klein
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 12, 2021
Local leaders recognized at Sarasota Chamber luncheon

The Outstanding Leaderships Awards were held Aug. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jill Eisenbeis, a library assistant as Braden River Library, puts books away. The Braden River Library will be closed until Aug. 23. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2021
Manatee County libraries close to prevent spread of COVID-19

All Manatee County libraries will be closed until Aug. 23.

  • East County
  • News
Aaron Virgin
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 12, 2021
Q&A: In conversation with new Save Our Seabirds CEO Aaron Virgin

Virgin comes to the organization from just across its parking lot as he previously worked at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2021
East County weather page photo: August 12

Richard Bottorff captured this photo of a woodpecker on a walk through Rye Preserve.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: August 12

Judith Horn captured this monarch butterfly while visiting Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 12

Niki Muller captured this sunrise over north Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
In May, Caitlyn Zaborowski moved from Danbury, Connecticut, to Longboat Key. On June 6, she began her new role with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 12, 2021
Chamber hires vice president of membership services

In June, Caitlyn Zaborowski began her new role with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Katilin Johnstone reads to children during an after school program at Alta Vista Elementary School. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 12, 2021
Sarasota teacher turns clothing sales into books for children

Kaitlin Johnstone, a former Alta Vista Elementary teacher, launched Kind Cotton to help promote child literacy.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
SCIP students begin planting the microforest at Nathan Benderson Park. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 12, 2021
Students spend summer building microforest

Students in the Faulhaber Fab Lab's summer program worked to design and install a microforest at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 12, 2021
Temple Beth Israel men's club hosts dinner in Sarasota

Men and women of the temple got together for dinner on a rainy evening.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
« 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 »
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