• 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

  • By Jim Tollerton
  • November 18, 2020
My view: Pilgrims learned socialism doesn't work

The first colonists at Plymouth, Mass., almost starved until they switched to private property and ownership.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 18, 2020
Scramble for SPARCC gets golfers swinging for support

SPARCC hosted its annual golf tournament at the Harbourside Golf Course.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 18, 2020
Soup-er fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee's first drive-thru Empty Bowls a success.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Vittorio Nastasti and Adrian Moore
  • November 18, 2020
Florida ballot measure results are a mixed bag

Florida passed three of the six amendments on the general election ballot.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Just like around the main building of Robert E. Willis Elementary School, Julie Santello, a second grade teacher, wants to add plants by the new addition to provide a scenic view as well as hands-on opportunities for students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 18, 2020
Grant leads to Willis Elementary's plants in Lakewood Ranch

Willis Elementary teacher receives Splash! grant to grow a garden by the school's new addition.

  • East County
  • News
O'Mariah Gordon and the Braden River Pirates cut down the nets and reached the Final Four last season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 18, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Braden River basketball star signs with Seminoles

She'll have Florida State fans saying 'OMG.'

  • East County
  • Sports
Matt Manning.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 18, 2020
East County Athlete of the Week: Matt Manning

The Braden River senior talks football memories and pizza toppings.

  • East County
  • Sports
James Archibald, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, gets ready to play Rocket League from home.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 18, 2020
Esports league rockets forward in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High School 's esports club sees success in its first year.

  • East County
  • News
Affinity Wellness 4 Life owner Dominic Louis Sorrentino (right) and office manager/marketing director Jamie Perea stand in the new 3,000 square-foot facility on Solutions Lane.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 18, 2020
EYE ON BUSINESS: Former bodybuilder's wellness experience carries weight at new Lakewood Ranch business

EYE ON BUSINESS: From weight loss to hair styling, company brings holistic wellness to Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Nikki Roenicke, the owner of barre3, Lindsay Wood, the owner of Blossom & Burn Co., and Kati Ramage, the owner of Abide Designs Interiors, are organizing the first Small Biz Holiday Market on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 18, 2020
Small business market debuts on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Business owners coordinate first Small Biz Holiday Market on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 18, 2020
Lakewood Ranch seniors salute veterans in parade at Sheridan

Lakewood Ranch veterans, loved ones honored in parade at Sheridan

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 18, 2020
Mindful Triathlon provides mental balance in Lakewood Ranch

Dozens of Lakewood Ranch residents return for second annual Mindful Triathlon.

  • East County
  • News
The Isles' Sydney Moncher, who is 14, writes a note to put inside the backpack she filled with food and toys. "I just like helping the community and helping people don't have as much," Moncher says about volunteering.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 18, 2020
Sweet chance to spread SUGAR in Manatee County

Lakewood Ranch nonprofit works to give stuffed backpacks to students who are homeless in the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
The project will be done in two segments, one from Beneva Road to Caribbean Drive and another from Caribbean Drive to Stickney Point Road. Photo courtesy of FDOT
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 17, 2020
Bike lanes, median upgrades coming to U.S. 41

Six-foot bike lanes and signal modifications will be added to ensure safer travel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The new development will feature 232 multifamily units with an age restriction of 55 years or older. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 17, 2020
Commission OKs residential project on Honore

The complex will have an age restriction for residents ages 55 and older.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rabbi Samantha Kahn, Temple Sinai's Director of Youth Education, Outreach and Engagement Bethany Leinweber and Gulf Gate teacher Michelle Portnow Rivas said the Daffodil Project is a way to remember those who died in the Holocaust
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 17, 2020
School, temple partner on Holocaust education

Gulf Gate fifth grade students will plant a Holocaust remembrance garden as part of the Daffodil Project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 17, 2020
School board OKs equity job

The new administrative role will focus on equity across the district and innovate teacher development techniques.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Despite an unusual end to the school year and a concurrent learning model, students are performing well on benchmark tests.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 17, 2020
Despite 'COVID-slide,' students testing well

Early benchmarks show that students are testing higher than school administrators anticipated.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Manatee County's new commissioners — James Satcher, Kevin Van Ostenbridge and George Kruse — are all Republicans.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 17, 2020
New Manatee County commissioners take their seats

Manatee County welcomes three new commissioners

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 17, 2020
Key Niners swing into a new season with a pandemic-era luncheon

The Longboat Key golfers dined outdoors at the Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jack Daly
    By
  • Guest Author
  • November 17, 2020
Letters to the editor: Town needs to focus on the future

Longboat Key residents sound off on issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The town resumed in-person meetings on Nov. 2. The town will utilize a hybrid format with four town commissioners meeting in-person and three using Zoom to participate for the remainder of 2020.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 17, 2020
Town's COVID expenses reimbursable

Staff installed plexiglass inside Town Hall to separate commissioners, a touch-less temperature scanner and hand sanitizer machines.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tom Knight has been sheriff in Sarasota County since 2008. Sheriff-elect Kurt Hoffmann will take office Jan. 5, Knight will assume his new role Jan. 25.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 17, 2020
Tom Knight hired as CEO of First Step Sarasota

The outgoing sheriff will begin work Jan. 25.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Business has dried up at the South Gate Community Center since the start of the pandemic.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 16, 2020
South Gate Community Center faces uncertain future

The longtime event venue is looking for a potential buyer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County will provide internet services to students in need for six months.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 16, 2020
County, Comcast partner to bring WiFi to students

The county will provide internet services for students for six months.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Voters in Manatee and Sarasota counties cast fewer write-in votes for president this year compared to 2016.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 16, 2020
Voters cast wide range of write-in votes for president

Even though it didn't count, Kermit the frog, Superman and Baby Yoda received votes during the 2020 election in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • November 16, 2020
Andrew David Babcock

Andrew David Babcock, born May 24, 1968, in Indianapolis, Indiana, beloved son, brother, and friend passed away on November 9, 2020 at his home in Sarasota, Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
City staff produced this concept image depicting Unconditional Surrender at its new location on the bayfront between Marina Jack and Oleary's. Commissioners said they picked this spot in part to accommodate photography.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 16, 2020
City selects new bayfront site for Unconditional Surrender

The City Commission agreed to keep the art near its current location, moving to a spot between Marina Jack and Oleary’s.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Historical Society accepted bids until Nov. 11 on the larger L-shaped cottage.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 16, 2020
Talks continue on second cottage

The bidding process ended earlier this month, but the winning bidder didn't have a place to put the larger historic cottage.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kurt Hennard
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 16, 2020
Fresh sparkling snow

The wintery mix in Florida is glitter and sunshine rather than rain and snow.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 16, 2020
Longboat Key Firefighters Association hosts fourth annual golf classic

The tournament raises money for the association's benevolent fund.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Guest Author
  • November 16, 2020
Letters to the editor: Readers question recent column on elections

Readers sound off

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 16, 2020
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church hosts second food drive

The church has begun doing outdoor food drives since the pandemic started.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 15809 Clearlake Ave., sold for $1.98 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,726 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 15, 2020
Lake Club home tops sales at $1.98 million for Lakewood Ranch area

Residential real estate transactions for the Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton area for Nov. 2-6.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The home at 7462 Cove Terrace was built in 2012 with five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,765 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 15, 2020
Coral Cove home sells for $3.8 million

Sarasota-area residential real estate transactions for Nov. 2-6

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 15, 2020
Hot Works Open Air Fine Art Show makes debut in Sarasota

The first Hot Works art show in Sarasota was held Nov. 14 and 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 »
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
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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