• 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

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
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 21, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High School mini cheerleaders show big spirit during camp

Campers learn new cheers, stunts and dance moves at Lakewood Ranch High School's Mini Cheer Camp.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ardene Chodosh and Murray Margolis. Photo by Brendan Lavell.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 21, 2021
The Family Jeweler reopens five years after burglary

The jewelry repair store is now located on Lockwood Ridge Road after years spent in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Myakka City Fire Department Chief Danny Cacchiotti, pictured in 2009, first joined the department as a volunteer in 1995. (Courtesy of Myakka City Fire Department)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 21, 2021
Myakka City Fire Control District chief reflects on 26 years of firefighting

Danny Cacchiotti compares his early days in the department with its position before merger with East Manatee Fire District.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Crew alumnus Clark Dean (right), here competing at the 2019 World Rowing Championships, will compete in the men's four at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo via USRowing.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 21, 2021
A Sarasota swimmer and rower will hit Olympic waters this week

Emma Weyant and Clark Dean will compete for the U.S. in Tokyo

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
In a behavior known as “caching”, blue jays store food supplies in a safe place, for later use. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • July 21, 2021
Bird of the week: blue jay

Year-round residents can mimic predators and us. Why? Maybe because they can.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gymnast Simone Biles will look to add to her four gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics. She's one of columnist Ryan Kohn's athletes to watch. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 21, 2021
Prose and Kohn: A guide to non-local Olympians

Here's what else our columnist is looking forward to watching unfold in Tokyo

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Development along Lorraine Road, including neighborhoods such as Esplanade, is occurring quicker than Manatee County anticipated, which has increased the urgency to improve Lorraine Road.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 20, 2021
Changes coming to Lakewood Ranch's Lorraine Road

Manatee County has several improvements planned to better accommodate development between S.R. 64 and 70.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 20, 2021
Braden River Soccer Club U18 girls fall in opening game of U.S. Youth Championships

The event is being held at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch this week

  • East County
  • Sports
Jason and Shelly Crouse
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2021
Bubble tea shop The Thirsty Snail has burst onto the Longboat Key scene

Bradenton couple Shelly and Jason Crouse own the mid-island tea and coffee shop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2021
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosts networking lunch at Bijou Garden Cafe

The July luncheon took mingling off Longboat Key and brought in new members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mayor Hagen Brody helped organize a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in March. A video about the event sparked the mayor’s outburst that led to prolonged conversations about his conduct. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 20, 2021
Commission declines to conduct investigation into mayor

Although officials and residents harbor concerns about Brody’s behavior, a majority of the City Commission saw no benefit in a formal investigation following a March outburst at City Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In August, Longboat Key will increase its monthly recycling rates.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 20, 2021
Longboat Key's recycling rates to increase in August

The increased rates are part of a three-year contract extension with Waste Management Inc.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
« 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 »
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