• 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

Lyndon Usher speaks with Pastor Carl Jenks of Radiance Church of Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2025
Community comes together to serve homeless during Thanksgiving

Numerous organizations were involved in helping to serve those in need at the Thanksgiving Wednesday Community Luncheon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch writer Peter Moscovita found his passion for writing through a cancer diagnosis and encouragement from his wife.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 2, 2025
81-year-old writer combines history and fiction through his books

Lakewood Ranch's Peter Moscovita has published seven books and earned a Hollywood Book Review for his first book "The Following Storm."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A pair of Crested Caracaras become roommates at Save Our Seabirds during ongoing renovations and, as keepers noted, seem to become fast friends.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 2, 2025
Learn how to safely handle wild birds with Save Our Seabirds

Save Our Seabirds invites anyone with a passion for helping injured animals to learn the techniques for keeping both birds and handlers safe at an upcoming workshop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Over the past 25 years at Braden River Middle School, Kathleen Brown has taught sixth and seventh grade math, U.S. History, and Civics. Her principal, Kimberlain Zenon, described her as a lifelong learner who is solution driven, tenacious, knowledgeable and collaborative.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 2, 2025
3 east Manatee school employees are finalists for excellence awards

Braden River Middle's Kathleen Brown, Braden River High's Clifford Dawson and Lakewood Ranch High's Kristen Martin are finalists for Manatee County's Excellence in Education Awards.

  • East County
  • Schools
Newton, a 9-month-old lab, is being raised by Nick and Brenda Paradiso through the LWR Puppy Raisers club. Brenda Paradiso described him as "quite the character" who is a "love bucket."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 2, 2025
LWR Puppy Raisers help train dogs for important service careers

The volunteers say the program is rewarding, even if they shed some tears when sending the puppy to Dogs Inc.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
American Contract Bridge League-certified bridge player Patty Mayer checks out her hand while playing a round at the club's new meeting spot at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 2, 2025
Former Paradise Center bridge group moves to Bayfront Park

The certified bridge matches at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key have moved to the recreation center at Bayfront Park in hopes to increase capacity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Country Club Shores turn lane project on Gulf of Mexico Drive nears completion Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, with landscaping and some striping remaining.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 2, 2025
Few steps remain for Country Club Shores turn lane improvements

“Thermoplastic” striping and vegetation are still being installed on the southern section of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
'Blade'-wielding man has cops called on him
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 2, 2025
'Blade'-wielding man has cops called on him

A man with a blade and investigators discovered a powdery substance at a resort. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A Wild Blue at Waterside home at 564 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3,136,600. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,452 square feet of living area.​
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 2, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 17-21 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Wild Blue at Waterside on Blue Shell Loop topped the week’s sales at $3.1 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The home at 1310 South Lake Shore Drive is built in the style of a Renaissance mansion.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 1, 2025
$26.4 million Sarasota home evokes Renaissance styling

A Bayfront property in Oyster Bay Estates is listed at the highest asking price for a piece of residential real estate in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Milan Vlaisavljevich Adrian (1945-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • December 1, 2025
Milan Vlaisavljevich Adrian

Beloved father of Amanda Adrian and devoted husband to Linda Adrian, passed away on 11/25 in his adopted hometown of Longboat Key, Florida, at the age of 80.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Piper Dawson checks out was she dubbed her favorite tree decorated by Lo' Key Island Grille at the opening evening of Christmas in the Garden on Nov. 30 at Longboat Island Chapel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 1, 2025
Christmas comes early to Longboat's north end

Attendees packed the grounds of Longboat Island Chapel on Nov. 30 for the opening evening of Christmas in the Garden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Harris Pierce performs at The Peculiar Pub Oct. 7.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 1, 2025
Arriving at the punchline can be a difficult journey

Lakewood Ranch comedian Harris Pierce can laugh at the tough road to success in his business.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mica Sarraco (white) battles with Olivia Uchiritz (blue) during a polo match at Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 1, 2025
Sarasota Polo Club gallops forward with new women's league

Introduced for the 2026 season, the 6-8 goal league will run Fridays from Jan. 9 through Feb. 20.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota's David Farr picks up 21-month-old Henry Farr, who is dazzled by the giant ornaments on the tree on The Green during the Mall at UTC's ongoing holiday celebration.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 1, 2025
Families flock to UTC for the holidays

The entertainment and attractions are open through Jan. 4.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Publix anchors The Shoppes at Bay Isles. To the left, Longboat Key Fitness is expanding and Reed Medical Group is moving into the corner unit.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 1, 2025
Reed Medical Group finds a new Longboat Key home

Dr. James Reed and his team of physicians move from temporary home at the Tidewell Building to the Shops of Bay Isles complex.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Siesta Key Oyster Bar co-founder Geno Pedigo, and Zach Steffen, prepare to ride out.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 30, 2025
Kids and families find cheer at Siesta Key Holiday Parade

The parade, which welcomed Santa Claus to Siesta Key, was preceded by a meet-and-greet with the big guy himself.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Inside the current overcrowded storage facility for the Sarasota County Clerk of Court and County Comptroller office.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 30, 2025
New county court records storage facility is on the way

The Sarasota County Commission approves a lease-to-purchase plan for a new, legal documents storage building closer to the downtown court complex.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mother-daughter team Lori and Chloe Harpsoe assist shoppers at Monkee's of Sarasota for Black Friday. The clothing boutique opened just in time for the annual shopping extravaganza last year after rebuilding from hurricane damage.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 29, 2025
St. Armands Black Friday seems less brisk this year

Some shop owners said they were surprised last year's Black Friday shopping seemed busier than this year's, despite hurricane challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artist Janet Peavy draws inspiration for her art from oceanic nature, often letting the shells she finds guide her work. She recently debuted her newest pieces at Three Island Monkeys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 28, 2025
Local artist draws on oceanic inspiration for shell art

Artist Janet Peavy recently held a meet-and-greet event at Three Island Monkeys after debuting her shell-based artwork at the shop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key's Owen Slater, 5, loves animals and couldn't leave the market without getting a homemade octopus from Stitch Fabels, which took 10 hours to make.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 28, 2025
Market at Nathan Benderson Park provides midweek shopping

The new Sarasota market began Oct. 21 and will run weekly on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Petar Sibinkic is the owner and a trainer at Longboat Key Fitness, which is expanding to the unit next door, with the new space focused on stretching and massaging.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 28, 2025
Longboat Key Fitness expanding, stretching

The gym is expanding to the unit next door with the new space to focus on stretching and massaging.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Runners pack the starting area for the 2025 Florida Turkey Trot Nov. 27 at foggy Nathan Benderson Park. The race had a record 4,558 participants.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 27, 2025
Record 4,558 runners participate in 2025 Florida Turkey Trot

The Nathan Benderson Park event in Sarasota raises funds for the park conservancy and the Big Bill Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sheltair has opened its newest fixed-base operator facility at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 27, 2025
Private aviation operator opens new facility at SRQ

Fixed-base operator Sheltair Aviation has marked the grand opening of its 16th facility at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Mable Ringling Memorial Fountain opened on Arbor Day 1936 at Lukewood Park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 27, 2025
Historic preservation group identifies six structures to save for 2025

Five of the six properties on the the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation's Six to Save 2025 list are in or near downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County has allocated $10 million in Resilient SRQ funds to remove 118,000 cubic yards of sediment from Whitaker Bayou in Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 27, 2025
Requests to fund and dredge bayous approved by Sarasota County

Sarasota County approves nearly $24 million in Resilient SRQ funds for Whitaker Bayou and Hudson Bayou, which will improve stormwater drainage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Miles Przekwas stands at midfield between plays during Riverview's matchup with Sumner on Nov. 21 in the FHSAA Class 7A-Region 2 semifinals. He finished his junior season as the team leader in sacks and tackles for loss.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 27, 2025
Not one for noise, Rams defensive/tight end speaks with his game

On a Riverview High football team full of offensive weapons, soft-spoken junior Miles Przekwas was a defensive standout.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 3935 Shell Road was built in 2006 and has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,532 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 27, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 10-14 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Shell Road tops the week's sales at $6.6 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Tim Norwood
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 27, 2025
Entrepreneur harvests sea salt from local barrier islands

Tim Norwood created his own company, Sea Salt Florida, using sea water off the islands of Siesta, Longboat and Lido Key, among others.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By JL Bainbridge
  • November 27, 2025
Market Mayhem: Can You Still Retire Comfortably?

Why a Second Opinion Could Be Time Well Spent

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
  • November 27, 2025
FINANCIAL FOCUS® Generosity Meets Strategy with Tax-Savvy Donations

Understanding the tax benefits of a charitable donation can help make your money go farther.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 27, 2025
How Safe Children Coalition Helps Families Reimagine The Future

On Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025, and every day of the year, you can help SCC continue reimagining the future for children and families right here at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The beach parallel to Gulfside Road south of the Ohana seawall recently underwent a $2.8 million interim beach renourishment project which wrapped up in February.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 26, 2025
Longboat has plan to renourish sand stolen by hurricanes

The hunt is on for where to find 800,000 cubic yards of sand for beach renourishment, and not just any sand will do.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Despite their 30 year age difference, Marge DeSimone and Courtney Barr have become great friends and share a deep love for Nikki, Barr's 7-year-old Bordoodle. They compete in dock diving to keep all of the "Three Musketeers," as Barr said, active and engaged.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 26, 2025
Dock-diving dog helps two single women form a bond of friendship in Myakka

Marge DeSimone, 88, acts as a releaser for border collie-poodle mix Nikki, who has made a positive splash in her life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters and MacDill personnel take a photo together in 2019 before the COVID pandemic changed the operation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 26, 2025
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit feeds veterans for Thanksgiving

Operation Thanksgiving feeds active duty military personnel stationed out of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building Director Allen Parsons gave a demonstration of an artificial intelligence phone answering system to Town Commission Monday, Nov. 3.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 26, 2025
AI assistant begins answering phone calls for LBK planning department

If you call the Planning, Zoning and Building Department, you will get an answering machine — kind of.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 »
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
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
Sponsored Content
3
  • December 12, 2025
ANNIE
Sponsored Content
4
  • December 12, 2025
“Catskills After Dark”
5
Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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