• 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
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2020
East County weather page photo: October 8

Charleen Race captured this red-shouldered hawk on Rivers Bluff Circle in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: October 8

Amy Ouderkirk captured this screech owl perched on a palm in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: October 8

Steve Trax captured this image of blue heron at Beachplace on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 8, 2020
Longboat Key ranked among top islands in the US

Condé Nast Traveler also named the Zota Beach Resort and the Resort at Longboat Key Club among Florida’s 30 best resorts.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tricolored Herons feed in the shallows, often shading the water using a technique called “canopy feeding."
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 8, 2020
Bird of the week: Tricolored heron

Disappearing wetland habitat is a threat to this wading bird.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jacqueline Putrino, here shooting onto the green at the Donald Ross Invitational, won the individual state girls golf title in 2019.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 8, 2020
Riverview girls golf believes it can take home a state title

The Rams finished third as a team last season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Allison Kukanza is the first female football player to score a point in Riverview High history.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 8, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Riverview High kicker makes history

Allison Kukanza is the first female football player to score a point for the Rams.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 8, 2020
Sarasota-Manatee planners map out long-term transportation vision

A regional transportation organization is preparing to adopt a plan unlike any it’s ever crafted before. How will it shape Sarasota’s roads?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Neighbors offered support for The Strand condo project, depicted in this rendering, subject to a series of conditions — one of which was the construction of an eight-foot buffer fence on the west side of the property.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 8, 2020
Neighbors, developer push city to mend fence issue

Neighborhood leaders, a developer and elected officials supported a proposed 8-foot wall for a North Trail condo project — so why did a city board deny the request?

  • Sarasota
  • News
One of the changes approved at Monday's commission meeting is designed to facilitate the construction of "cottage court" housing developments as shown in this drawing. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 8, 2020
City approves affordable housing policies

The city is moving to create opportunities for reduced parking requirements and increased density for projects featuring affordable housing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.8.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By The Child Protection Center
  • October 8, 2020
A Pandemic Doesn’t Stop Child Abuse But You Can

A Pandemic Doesn’t Stop Child Abuse But You Can

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Town Manager Tom Harmer has worked for the last several months with Town Finance Director Sue Smith on the budget for fiscal year 2021.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 7, 2020
Longboat Key sees reduced revenue from COVID-19 pandemic

The town of Longboat Key's 2021 fiscal year budget started Oct. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A saltwater lagoon is central to the property.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 7, 2020
Buyers claim more than half of St. Regis condos

Deposits taken on 39 of the planned 69 units at Longboat Key project, developer says.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Krista Francies and Joshua Bennett. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 7, 2020
Rockin' the hallways at Braden River Elementary

Teachers and staff at the Lakewood Ranch school dress as rockers for second annual Rock Your School Day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nearly 40% of responses to the city's survey favored placing Unconditional Surrender on the bayfront between Olearys and Marina Jack.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 7, 2020
Bayfront sites top Unconditional Surrender poll

The city received more than 10,000 responses to a survey about the future location of the artwork, with 56% encouraging officials to keep it close to where it sits today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 7, 2020
Heart of gold at McNeal

The Lakewood Ranch elementary school shows support of kids facing cancer during Go Gold Day.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 7, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance handles dream job

Alliance volunteers donate service to east Bradenton's Foundation for Dreams' landscaping.

  • East County
  • News
Katie Greene enjoys seeing the look on people's faces when they eat her homemade funnel cakes at fairs and festivals.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 7, 2020
Fair foods a tradition for Myakka resident

Myakka City woman follows family tradition by selling treats at the Pumpkin Festival.

  • East County
  • News
Tim Williamson said his mindset has improved since joining Lakewood Ranch's golf team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 7, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Transfers make impact at Lakewood Ranch High

These Mustangs have excelled in their fall sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ashleigh Angelo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 7, 2020
East County Athlete of the Week: Ashleigh Angelo

The Lakewood Ranch senior talks winning golf tournaments and her next steps.

  • East County
  • Sports
University Place's Claudia Pennington will continue riding until it's physically impossible for her to do so. “As long as I have two legs on my body and two hands, I’ll keep riding,” Pennington says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 7, 2020
East Bradenton residents have ride of their lives

East County seniors stay true to their passion of riding horses.

  • East County
  • News
Lang Wooddy, Bill Porter, MariAnne Wooddy, Paul Oakes, Sybil Porter, Terry Byce, Chuck Glazer, Jim Wingert, Laura Adcock and Fred Lopez represented the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch in an Oct 3 cleanup of Lorraine Road.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 7, 2020
No popping the Rotary Club's energy balloon in Lakewood Ranch

Observer columnist Jay Heater writes about the efforts of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School seniors Owen Catlett, Ella Grogan and Adam Vansant celebrate winning first, second and third place respectively in the essay contest with Dave Miner, a member of the School Board of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 7, 2020
Lakewood Ranch-area students honored for Constitution essays

Lakewood Ranch High School seniors take top three prizes in Constitution Day essay contest.

  • East County
  • News
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" returns to the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch Oct. 17.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 7, 2020
"Legend of Sleepy Hollow" returns to the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch

Players Centre for Performing Arts presents "Sleepy Hollow" with changes to ensure safety of crowd and actors at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • News
This Summerfield home at 6598 Meandering Way sold for $376,000. It has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,056 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 7, 2020
18th Avenue East home in East County tops east Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch area sales at $1.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for the Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton area Sept. 21-25

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lt. Robert Pereyra wears his summer uniform, which is cooler, lighter and more comfortable than the class B uniform.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 7, 2020
Six road deputies coming to Manatee County with two likely headed to Lakewood Ranch area

Manatee County commissioners approve more deputies so Sheriff's Office can keep up with growth, such as being experienced in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
The FreeFly Systems Alta X drone will be based out of the EMS station at 10311 Malachite Drive in Lakewood Ranch, pending approval from the Federal Aviation Association.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 7, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area may see drone added to its emergency response team

Drones will be used to deliver tourniquets, automatic external defibrillators and naloxone in Lakewood Ranch 911 situations.

  • East County
  • News
Director of operations George Wood said booming development in Lakewood Ranch was a large reason his family decided to build their next restaurant in UTC.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 7, 2020
New dining options coming to Sarasota's UTC starting this fall

New dining options coming to Sarasota's UTC starting this fall

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 7, 2020
Del Webb walk-a-thon raises nearly $20,000 to fight breast cancer

Participants at the first annual Del Webb Women's Club breast cancer walk-a-thon were mask-laden and socially distanced

  • East County
  • Neighbors
On Nov. 2, the town is planning to reopen the Bayfront Park Recreation Center at 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The classes sizes inside the facility will be limited.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 6, 2020
Bayfront Park Recreation Center set to reopen in November

The Recreation Center at Bayfront Park has been closed since March.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Donal O'Shea, pictured here at his inauguration ceremony in 2013, will have served nine years as New College of Florida’s president when he steps down next summer. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 6, 2020
New College President Donal O’Shea announces retirement

O’Shea will step down from his position on June 30, 2021, following the end of the college’s academic year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Following the reopening of the Sarasota Farmers Market this summer with social distancing guidelines in place, market officials are opposed to the prospect of another group operating on the same footprint downtown. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 6, 2020
Downtown group rejects mid-week farmers market proposal

Although the Downtown Improvement District declined to fund a start-up “micro-market,” board members encouraged the Sarasota Farmers Market to consider weekday events.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A public/private partnership will protect 33 acres bordering the Celery Fields in Sarasota County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 6, 2020
Conservation Foundation granted easements on parcels bordering the Celery Fields in Sarasota

Public-private partnership emerges between Sarasota County, the Sarasota Audubon Society and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast to protect land bordering the Celery Fields.

  • East County
  • News
Brenda Secky waited for days to win her eBay bid for her great-great grandfather's painting.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 6, 2020
Gillespie Park painter receives second painting from great-great grandfather

Brenda Secky has acquired another long-lost painting from AC Striffler.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Todd Hughes organizes the Lutz Buddy Up chapter in Sarasota.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 5, 2020
Brothers in Arms

Goodwill Manasota's Lutz Buddy Up program offers community for veterans.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 »
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