• 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

This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 1158 Blue Shell Loop sold for $4.43 million. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,523 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 28, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 13-17 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Wild Blue at Waterside on Blue Shell Loop topped the week’s sales at $4.43 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Stings from stingrays are considered a defense mechanism.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 28, 2025
Stingray injuries on Longboat Key rise in October

Of the stingray wounds warranting Longboat Key Fire Rescue response this year, two-thirds happened in one month.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Town Commission meets at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 28, 2025
Two enter Longboat Town Commission race

Gary Coffin and Nick Gladding have submitted their names to be in running for Districts 1 and 3, respectively.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Zoe Gruber poses for a photo on Oct. 27 at Selby Aquatic Center during an afternoon practice with Sarasota Sharks. The junior racked up a team-high three gold medals at districts to guide the Thunder to a first-place finish.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 28, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Zoe Gruber

Winning four medals, the junior dominated for Out-of-Door Academy girls' swimming & diving on Oct. 25 at the FHSAA Class 1A District 8 championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Stephen Leatherman, aka “Dr. Beach,” who is director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, ranked Siesta the No. 1 beach in the country in 2011 and 2017.
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • October 28, 2025
Siesta Beach returns to the top of the rankings

We all know Siesta Beach is awesome. But here's what goes into those "best beach" rankings — and why they matter.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager didn’t start in law enforcement until he was 30 years old.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • October 28, 2025
Longboat welcomes its new chief

The new Longboat Key police chief takes pride in never accepting the status quo, seeking to always "make things at least a little bit better."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An extensive project to repair North Casey Key Road is expected to be completed by March 2027.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • October 28, 2025
Casey Key marches down the road to recovery and resilience

A once-quiet stretch on normally quiet Casey Key is bustling with the early stages of a $44 million road repair project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Bordering a sidewalk connecting a playground at Bayfront Park to Sarasota Bay is a narrow strip of landscaping that is incorporated into the town’s stormwater system called a bioswale.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 27, 2025
Bayfront Park naturally filters stormwater, prevents flooding

More effective than an average drainage ditch, Longboat Key's bioswales at Bayfront Park are an example of environmental stormwater management practices.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bob's barricades have found a temporary home outside Lakewood Ranch Town Hall as road crews move them on and off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as lane closures are required.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 27, 2025
Lakewood Ranch-area road projects continue to move forward

Work is wrapping up on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, but lane closures continue on State Road 70 and Upper Manatee River Road.

  • East County
  • News
Everett Whiten Jr. watches his chip shot approach the hole on Oct. 22 at The Concession Golf Club. The 24-year-old native of Chesapeake, Virginia, won the 2025 Billy Horschel Invitational.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 27, 2025
Billy Horschel Invitational shows why The Concession is ready for a greater future

The Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour event was held Oct. 20-22 at the Lakewood Ranch-based golf club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Valarie Evanko, Bob Mazurek and Iris White shared their hope that The Lord's Warehouse thrift shop will keep its normal operations running after a new Goodwill donation center opens on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 27, 2025
Lord's Warehouse prepares for incoming Goodwill

Organizers of the Longboat thrift shop hope they'll be able to maintain usual operations when the new Goodwill donation center opens.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jordan Sacks, Brooke Strickland, and Coast hang out at the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 27, 2025
Two Pride groups merge to create Gulfcoast Pride Festival

Held Oct. 26, the festival was Sarasota's largest Pride event and featured headlining musical act Zee Machine.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mushu and Emmett dressed as Kermit and Fozzie, while Teagan Nickols dressed as Miss Piggy, claiming eighth place.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 26, 2025
Dogs and humans get into costume at Dog-A-Ween

Costumers went all-out for the contest, held at the Sarasota Farmer's Market by the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Heather Kasten stands with incoming board chair Jennifer Rominkiecki.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 26, 2025
Chamber welcomes Selby Gardens president as board chair

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting welcomed board chair Jennifer Rominiecki, as well as keynote speaker Jim Knight, a Hard Rock International executive.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch 5-year-old Cora Forrester and her mom Cassie Campbell give some love to Banjo the goat from Blissful Goat Yoga during East Manatee Fire Rescue's Trunk or Treat Oct. 25.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 26, 2025
East Manatee Fire Rescue adds a spark to Halloween

The Trunk or Treat event at Station 1 in Lakewood Ranch drew hundreds.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Caragiulos opened in Mira Mar in 1989.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • October 26, 2025
Caragiulos closes until new downtown Sarasota spot opens in 2026

The Italian restaurant will be moving locations downtown from Palm Avenue to Ringling Boulevard.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
This year makes 22 years of the Boo Run, which has been referred to as the "day of Grayson." Grayson Tullio dresses as Russell from the Disney movie "Up" while his great friend Monika Oberer dresses as his Carl Fredricksen.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 25, 2025
Boo Run is not just another day for Gray

The Lakewood Ranch race has been an important fundraiser for Another Day for Gray, which supports those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
After a fun filled night at Boo Fest on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Bradenton's Lennox Craig, 3, is all smiles dressed as one of the 101 dalmations.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 25, 2025
Plenty of Boo for you in Lakewood Ranch

BooFest brings princesses, animals, minions and more to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gene Witt Elementary School pre-K student Daniel Gordon was joined by his mother Christina Gordon for the field trip to the Soar Lab on Oct. 21. The manatee sensory wall provides children an opportunity to feel different textures.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 25, 2025
Manatee County students can soar at new early-learning skills lab

The Soar Lab is geared for children in Pre-K to third grade and offers an abundance of learning activities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Flooding in the area of Celery Fields caused by Tropical Storm Debby in 2024.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 25, 2025
Housing development near Celery Fields returns to mediation

The Sarasota County Commission rejected a settlement that would have required a new look at slimmed-down proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jon Mongeau and Lita and John Brannan accept the award for Emerging Business of the Year on Oct. 23 at the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce 2025 membership awards banquet at Lido Beach Resort.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 24, 2025
Longboat chamber awards highlight business recovery

Business leaders celebrated their ability to rebound and recover from the 2024 hurricanes as the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce handed out 13 awards Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cutting care at home: A looming crisis in Florida
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • October 24, 2025
Cutting care at home: A looming crisis in Florida

Since 2019, over 173,000 patients have lost access to home health across the state of Florida, with 37% in the area losing care promised to them.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is rated sixth best in Florida by Newsweek's Best-in-State 2025 rankings.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2025
Sarasota Memorial Hospital ranked among best in Florida

SMH-Sarasota is ranked the No. 6 hospital in Florida among Newsweek's Best-in-State 2025 list.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carved Crafted Sandwiches, located at Waterside Place, will serve hot and cold sandwiches, salads, bowls, soups, beer and wine. They will also have grab and go items.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 24, 2025
Gourmet sandwich shop to open in Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch

Owned and operated by Mark and Carrie Botros, Carved Crafted Sandwiches makes its debut early in November.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Overhead utility lines behind commercial buildings on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 24, 2025
Sarasota advances plan to bury utility lines on St. Armands, Lido keys

With strong support demonstrated to bury utilities on the barrier islands and enhance lighting in a mainland neighborhood, the City Commission directs staff to proceed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Michael Saunders & Company
  • October 23, 2025
For Sale: 16416 Clearlake Ave, Lakewood Ranch

This custom Todd Johnston home is on a prime 0.67-acre lot with southern lake views from the lanai and Linear Park right outside your front door.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Ann Lord Weber (1938-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • October 23, 2025
Ann Lord Weber

Ann Lord Weber, (nee Lugg), from Bird Key Sarasota, Florida, passed peacefully from this world into the arms of her Savior, Jesus, on Monday, October 6, 2025 at her Sarasota Bay Club residence.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Commissioner Bob McCann has looked into the possibility of a hiring freeze in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 23, 2025
DOGE witch-hunt haunts Manatee County

Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia's press conference smacks of a political ploy.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 23, 2025
Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires

Jay Romine served 33 years in law enforcement and over 12 years as a director at MTC in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Schools
Constitutional open carry ruling brings confusion, extra security
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 23, 2025
Constitutional open carry ruling brings confusion, extra security

The presence of officers armed with long guns in Sarasota City Hall meetings is just one of the changes of the overturned Florida ban on open carry of guns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The first property at 1714 Irving St. was built in 2012 and has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,718 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 2012 and has one bedroom, one bath and 797 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 23, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 6-10 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A two-property sale on Irving Street tops the week's sales at $3.8 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Elijah Golden poses for a photo on Oct. 17 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. After seasons with King George (VA) and IMG Academy, he's found a home with Cardinal Mooney, and has helped the squad to the state's No. 1 overall ranking.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 23, 2025
4-star recruit buoys a power defense for Cardinal Mooney football

Senior defensive end Elijah Golden is bound for Notre Dame in the spring following his second season with the Cougars.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
MJ Price competed in the Face of Halloween contest, which involves fans of the holiday from across North America.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 23, 2025
Laurel Park resident places in national Halloween contest

MJ Price competed in the Face of Halloween contest, which involves fans of the holiday from across North America.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
There were pumpkins aplenty at the festival.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 23, 2025
Get ready to trick or treat on the Circle

St. Armands Circle will soon be making a haunting transformation into a family-friendly Halloween venue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The campus of the Hermitage Artist Retreat on Oct. 10, 2024, the day after Hurricane Milton made landfall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 23, 2025
Arts organization declines county's damage restoration ultimatum

Hermitage Artist Retreat opts to have Sarasota County repair the campus it leases rather than take a lump sum to make repairs and assume liability.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jim Stanard
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 23, 2025
Bird Key resident finds post-retirement success as folk musician

Trading in numbers for notes, Sarasota's Jim Stanard released his album "Magical" in January of this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 »
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
Colin Montgomery, a two-time winner of the Senior PGA Championship, is in the 135-player field committed to play April 16-19.
  • April 3, 2026
All-star field set for Senior PGA Championship
2
Corinne Arriaga (left) has been promoted to the city's chief transportation planner and Alvimarie Corales to capital projects manager.
  • April 3, 2026
City transportation team members promoted to new roles
Sponsored Content
3
  • April 2, 2026
Images of Dance
4
Did our Pig-Away story and photo fool you in our April Fools edition?
  • April 2, 2026
Is the Observer's April Fools edition foolish or just plain fun?
Sponsored Content
5
  • April 2, 2026
For Sale: 8134 Pavia Way, Bradenton

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