• 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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

The town of Longboat Key has posted several of these "wear a mask" signs throughout the island. Photo courtesy of Nat Kaemmerer.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 11, 2020
Longboat could renew mask order in late August

The town of Longboat Key's mandatory mask policy runs through the end of August.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Almeter loves his old cars. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 11, 2020
History at work near Braden River

Car enthusiast sells beloved Model T.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Plastics from our environment end up in osprey nests and in their food supply. (Photo by Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • August 11, 2020
Bird of the week: Osprey

A year-round resident of Florida, the osprey is one of the few raptors to feed almost entirely on fish.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 16346 Daysailor Trail sold for $1,925,000. It has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,301 square feet of living area. Photo courtesy of listing agent Barbara Najmy.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 10, 2020
Lake Club home tops sales at $1.925 million

Home sales strong for week of July 27-31 in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Brennan Asplen is sworn in as the new Sarasota County Schools superintendent while his wife Mari Ellen Asplen looks on.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 10, 2020
Asplen sworn in as Sarasota County Schools superintendent

Brennan Asplen said he's ready to begin work to ensure a safe reopening of schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The town's public beach parking has remained closed since the end of June.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 10, 2020
Longboat Key's public beach parking remains closed for at least two more weeks

Public beach parking, town facilities and many amenities will remain closed because of concerns about COVID-19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Built in 1999, the home at 1364 Harbor Drive has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,240 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 10, 2020
Harbor Acres property sells for $6.1 million

Residential real estate transactions for July 27-31.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Built in 1968, the Bird Key home at 402 Meadow Lark Drive has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,934 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 10, 2020
Bird Key home sells for just under $2 million

Residential real estate transactions for July 27-31.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 9, 2020
Longboat Key resident celebrates 95th birthday

Jimmy Loftis was presented with a parade of friends and well-wishers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Beach trash is pictured near the public beach access point at 100 Broadway Street.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 7, 2020
Longboat citizen group raises beach concerns

The Longboat Key Beach Task Force hopes to increase the parking citation free from $30.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Elaine Wheaton has a "go bag" for bay walks, including bug spray, clipboards for kids and adults to mark what they see and a grabber for picking up trash.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 7, 2020
At Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, pick an adventure, any adventure

Revamped Mote tours cater to individual families with a peak behind the scene.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tonya Atchison, Small Business Person (11 or more) winner Michael Garey and Emily Walsh
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 7, 2020
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce plans for Small Business Week

The Chamber is determined to honor its members, no matter what form the celebration takes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Limousine recently drove a customer to Ohio.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 7, 2020
Car service replaces airplanes for a few Longboaters

Longboat Limousine places few limits on serving customers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Supervisor of Elections office in the Terrace Building, 2001 Adams Lane is one of five early-voting locations.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 7, 2020
Early voting kicks off Saturday in Sarasota County

Five locations open through Aug. 16.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rosedale Golf and Country Club's Fred Booth spoke against the proposal.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 6, 2020
Manatee County approves Cemex plant

Lena Road site prepped for ready-mix concrete plant.

  • East County
  • News
Kelly Strickland, shown front left with a portion of the city's finance department in 2017, was the subject of a city investigation after Lorrie Simmons, back and second from left, filed a complaint. Photo via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 6, 2020
City finance director subject of discrimination complaint

An internal investigation determined a city employee made racially insensitive remarks to her staff but disputed allegations of discriminatory hiring practices.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 6, 2020
East County weather page photo: August 6

Jeannie Sparks captured this sandhill crane with its mother in Tara Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 6, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: August 6

Gordon Silver captured these green parrots at Sarasota Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 6, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 6

Peter Murray captured this sunset at the Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Staff and parents will be able to fill out symptoms for their household members daily.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 6, 2020
Sarasota Military Academy will launch COVID-19 tracing program

The school used its Operation Outbreak program to help prepare for its newest program which will allow real-time tracking of symptoms for students and staff..

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Residents hope county leaders will make improvements along major corridors first.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 6, 2020
County leaders consider bicycle, pedestrian improvements

County begins considering how to improve cycling and pedestrian connectivity with an eye toward fewer crashes for all.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 15 Lighthouse Point Drive is known as The White House.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 6, 2020
Estate in Longboat Key's Lighthouse Point sells for $7.9 million

The home at 15 Lighthouse Point Drive features waterfront views and is close to the Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Karen and Mike Gardiner, Duane and Karen Compton, Phyllis Moore and Kit Torchia
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 6, 2020
Celebrations packed in

At Christ Church of Longboat Key, a philanthropy group took time to celebrate themselves.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ross Toussaint is pictured near the bioswale between his property and Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 6, 2020
Longboat Key drainage dispute lasts decade

Ross Toussaint claims Christ Church of Longboat Key has caused damage to his property through stormwater runoff from a bioswale that provides insufficient drainage.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Eric "The Voice" Steiner moved to Sarasota in December. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 6, 2020
A Sarasotan is an ESPN commentator for niche sporting events

He's helped call stone skipping and cherry pit-spitting competition, among other things.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
City staff has spent months reviewing the specifics of a site plan for the first phase of The Bay Sarasota’s park project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 6, 2020
The Bay seeks changes to city code

The group planning a public park project on city-owned waterfront land is requesting regulatory changes to accommodate its vision.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After launching a bike rental program at St. Armands Circle earlier this year, the city added a second station in the Palm Avenue parking garage. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 6, 2020
City happy with early bike rental results

Officials believe a bike share program could become a valuable part of the city's transportation infrastructure.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Some St. Armands stakeholders hope an increase in promotional spending will draw more people out to the Circle.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 6, 2020
St. Armands leaders discuss business priorities

Businesses and property owners on St. Armands Circle hope increased advertising and enhanced holiday lighting can help offset the financial effects of the ongoing pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 6, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 8.6.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
  • By Don Patterson
  • August 6, 2020
Dear Sarasota Citizens

Dear Sarasota Citizens

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Scott Hopes, a School District of Manatee County board member, shows one of the masks that will be distributed as part of the Mask Up Manatee Coalition campaign to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2020
Mask up Manatee effort begins with announcement at Braden River High

Manatee County government, schools, businesses and nonprofits partner to create Mask Up Manatee Coalition.

  • East County
  • News
Michelle Lingle. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2020
Back-to-school supplies needed in East County

Donate supplies at Woodland Community Church's food pantry until Aug. 13.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Helene Levin, Sallie Feldman, Bobbi Blackman and Suzanne Weitz play mahjong at the Grove.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2020
Game on in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch residents gather for mahjong while supporting each other and local businesses.

  • East County
  • News
The Longboat Key Police Department is working with other law enforcement agencies to investigate a string of car burglaries.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 5, 2020
Longboat Key police urge residents to lock their cars

Florida's Gulf Coast has seen dozens of car thefts during the past few months, according to Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Grosvenor Gardens home at 8315 Grosvenor Court sold for $850,000. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,533 square feet of living area. Photo courtesy of listing agents Nancy Phillips and Beth Ann Boyer.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 5, 2020
Lake Club home tops weekly sales at $1.1 million

Lake Club home tops sales at $1.1 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Manatee County Financial Director Jan Brewer said the county will receive better-than-expected funding from the state. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 5, 2020
Manatee County gets better than expected boost from state

An additional $3.56 million is headed to Manatee County through Florida's gas and revenue-sharing programs.

  • East County
  • News
« 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 »
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
Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
  • June 24, 2026
Dry weather cuts into Manatee reclaimed-water system's pressure
2
Roadway cameras help identify park-damaging suspect
  • June 24, 2026
Roadway cameras help identify park-damaging suspect
3
This house in Plantation Oaks is advertised on several booking platforms as sleeping up to 32 guests.
  • June 24, 2026
Manatee County commissioners consider regulating vacation rentals
4
Mia Busser's recruitment opened June 15 following the USA Gymnastics Women's Development Program National Championships. There, she placed fourth in the all-around, second on floor and fourth on vault.
  • June 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch gymnast soars to career-best success
5
A visitor to Sarasota Art Museum takes a photo of David Hockney's "Inside It Opens Up As Well," which collector Stanton Storer loaned to the museum for "Something Borrowed, Something New."
  • June 24, 2026
Collectors lend their treasures to Sarasota Art Museum for blockbuster exhibition

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.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free