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Your Observer

    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 1, 2020
Oceane condo sells for $4.25 million

Residential real estate transactions Feb. 17-21.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 1, 2020
Reel fun in Lakewood Ranch

Youth Fishing Tournament in Lakewood Ranch draws 75 kids.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 1, 2020
Bird Key Yacht Club members rock around the clock

Poodle skirts and candy cigarettes make a re-appearance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
An unidentified driver died in a one-car accident on I-75 in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 1, 2020
Single car accident on I-75 leads to death in Manatee County

Manatee County accident on I-75 leads to death of the driver.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 29, 2020
Paradise Center celebrates at its fifth gala

After moving into their permanent home, the Paradise Center took time to celebrate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 29, 2020
Lakewood Ranch revved up for exotic cars

The Ferrari Drivers Group of Sarasota hosted its annual Exotic Car Festival

  • East County
  • News
Sean Allison led the Manatee County YMCA for 15 years. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 28, 2020
Sean Allison resigns as Manatee County YMCA's CEO

The Manatee County YMCA has begun its process for finding his replacement.

  • East County
  • News
A Jeni's employee adds a scoop of dairy-free chocolate ice cream to a cone. Jeni's expects to open a location in Sarasota this summer. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 28, 2020
Ice cream shop comes to University Town Center in Sarasota

Artisan ice cream maker Jeni's should open this summer in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
Traffic cones that have blocked one of three turn lanes along Gulfstream Avenue are expected to be removed on Tuesday.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 28, 2020
Changes coming next week to traffic on Fruitville, Gulfstream and U.S. 41

Turn lane expected to reopen Tuesday as roundabout project enters new phase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 27, 2020
Braden River girls basketball's season ends in final four

The Pirates fell 80-58 to defending state champion Wekiva High.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jenny Aldrich plays Princess Jenny during the tour.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 27, 2020
'Discover Sarasota' through a child's mind

The tour will be offered on select Sundays through July.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Road closures in Sarasota and Longboat Key are expected be in effect for two hour-long periods Friday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 27, 2020
Road closures accompany Pence’s appearance on Longboat Key

As Vice President Mike Pence travels to and from a fundraiser appearance alongside U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, the Secret Service will close streets Friday afternoon and evening.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 27, 2020
Beachplace social evening brings Paris to Longboat Key

A concert for residents of the condominium association delighted everyone in the room.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 27, 2020
Longboat Island Chapel hosts Mardi Gras bash

Attendees ate, drank and were merry for Mardi.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jamese Johnson and Shay Haygood, founder of Women on the Way
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 27, 2020
Success with a dress: Nonprofit provides 100 free prom dresses for Sarasota teens

Women on the Way Inc. teamed up with Miami organization Be U Productions to provide girls with free prom dresses.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The new programs would help those with substance abuse or those who have mental illnesses. Photo courtesy Sarasota County Jail
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 27, 2020
County officials hope to lower recidivism rates with new initiatives

The Sarasota County Commission approved three new programs that aim to lower recidivism and overcrowding in Sarasota County Jail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although spring break used to bring a great influx in population, local business owners say the key has gotten more popular so population remains steady throughout the spring and into the summer.
  • By Brynn Mechem and David Conway, Observer staff
  • February 27, 2020
As Siesta notoriety grows, so does 'spring break season'

Business owners say there isn't as noticeable of a difference between spring break and summer population as there was 10 years ago.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: February 27

Patricia Muller captured this anhinga enjoying the morning light of the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Several homes on Treasure Boat Way are listed on Airbnb for about $100 a night.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 27, 2020
As county collects Airbnb tax, some question need for vacation rentals

The county collected $1.8 million from the vacation rental site, but some Siesta Key residents would like to see the end of the rentals in residential areas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • February 27, 2020
Dorothy Barichak, RN

On Thursday, February 20, 2020 the world said goodbye to one of its finest caregivers, Dorothy M. Barichak, RN.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: February 27

Stephen Jordan captured these amazing sunset colors over the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2020
East County weather page photo: February 27

Pamela Williams photographed this double-crested cormorant in a pond by Player’s Drive in Country Club East.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Fire units are on the scene of a reported fire at 5311 Gulf of Mexico Drive. (Town of Longboat Key photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 27, 2020
Morning fire on Longboat spreads into attic

First responders were called to 5311 Gulf of Mexico Drive around 9:30 a.m.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini signed items for fans before the Boston game.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 27, 2020
Prose and Kohn: "O," it's magic

The Orioles celebrate 10 years at Ed Smith Stadium.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Chris Goglia of the St. Armands Residents Association speaks during a panel on short-term rentals at a Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations meeting on Friday, Feb. 21.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 27, 2020
St. Armands remains focused on ‘hotel houses’

The city is still reviewing its options for regulating rental properties, an exercise that could soon be affected by new state laws.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Palm Avenue merchants paid to install seasonal tree lights on the street late last year, but the city must approve a plan to allow for permanent lighting on certain downtown streets.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 27, 2020
Palm Avenue merchants push for tree lights

On Monday, the city will consider allowing the installation of year-round tree lighting in portions of downtown and St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 2.27.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Perhaps the crux of the whole issue: The turn lanes onto Tamiami Trail from Gulfstream.
  • By Nat Kaemmerer and Eric Garwood
  • February 27, 2020
Tales of two Trails: We dive into Sarasota's seasonal traffic

Just how bad is it out there? We try to get to the airport through rush hour in two different directions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 27, 2020
Longboat residents learn more about town's beach efforts

Ballot issue for upcoming renourishment projects before voters on March 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 26, 2020
Longboat's golfing women team up to beat breast cancer

The golf associations held a tournament to raise money for Breast Health Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The new structure's first floor will be 12 feet above sea level. It will include two bedrooms and two bathrooms for the manager on the second level. The first level will offer offices, another bathroom, meeting space and a mailroom
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 26, 2020
Longboat board signs off on Aria addition

Condo association in litigation over condition of 1930s era villa.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A magnificent sunset over the Gulf one evening from Siesta Key | Stephen Jordan
    By
  • Emma Burke Jolly
  • February 26, 2020
2019: Weather Photo Contest Submissions

2019: Weather Photo Contest Submissions

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key residents attend the final class of the Citizens Academy of Government program at the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department on Feb. 19.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 26, 2020
Citizens Academy pulls back curtain on local government

The weekly seven-part course provided access to several departments of Longboat town government and the people who work for it.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jon Thaxton suggested the city could use a tiered incentive system to reward developers who provide the most beneficial housing projects for the community.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 26, 2020
City leaders offer differing housing perspectives

As city staff works to advance policy changes, commissioners shared their affordable housing priorities at a workshop Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Easter Island, Hanga Roa | Gérard Rivollier-Brahms
    By
  • Emma Burke Jolly
  • February 26, 2020
2019: It's Read Everywhere Submissions

2019: It's Read Everywhere Submissions

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Toby Jaffee is a sophomore at Booker High School.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 26, 2020
The power of flowers

Booker High School sophomore Toby Jaffee, 16, passed out 91 carnations on Valentine's Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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

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