• 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
    • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan appears alongside Sarasota Memorial Hospital officials to discuss the local response to COVID-19 at a press conference Tuesday, March 3.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 5, 2020
Officials mobilize local response to coronavirus

As a confirmed case of COVID-19 is being treated at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, medical and governmental leaders are coordinating their efforts to deal with the disease.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Feb. 24 Community Transforum event was held to update the public on the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization’s long-range transportation planning effort.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 5, 2020
Planners present long-term vision for regional transportation

The Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is working with residents and officials to produce community-backed goals for the future of the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 5, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 3.5.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 4, 2020
Sarasota County School Board sets superintendent timeline

The board plans to have a new superintendent hired by June 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • March 4, 2020
Donna L. Schlorf

Donna L. Schlorf (Anderson) passed away Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at home with her husband of 59 years at her side at the age of 86.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Carmen Valenti, Jack Hanley, Richard Duda, Bob Teiken and Mike Gilbert all were Air Force veterans who tracked nuclear bomb tests during the Vietnam War era.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 4, 2020
Sarasota veterans enjoy life after their nuclear bomb tracking days.

Veterans reunion in Sarasota rekindles memories of their Air Force days tracking nuclear bomb tests.

  • East County
  • News
Matt Talaska, a captain for East Manatee Fire Rescue, keeps a close eye on his team during a drill Feb. 29.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 4, 2020
A rung higher on the ladder in Lakewood Ranch

Top firefighters honored by East Manatee Fire Rescue

  • East County
  • News
Second graders Hayden Laning, Charlotte Eldridge and Jullian Riley play different characters in their group's readers' theater about presidents.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 4, 2020
Students play historic roles in Lakewood Ranch

McNeal Elementary teacher uses readers' theater to teach students about historic figures.

  • East County
  • News
Brooke and Hayley Obando show off their national championship jackets and medals.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 4, 2020
Lakewood Ranch cheerleaders stick landing at national championship

New Lakewood Ranch cheerleading team sticks landing at national championship

  • East County
  • News
Some commissioners suggested using the current Longboat Library site as the location for a new county-run library. File Photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 4, 2020
Sarasota County library could be added on Longboat

Longboat and Sarasota County commissioners discussed the possibility of adding a permanent Sarasota County Library on the key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Demolition of Pattigeorge's took place in June 2018.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 4, 2020
Town moves ahead on new rules for restaurant parking

Buccaneer owners submit plans for 8,600 square foot bayfront spot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The new maps were issued Dec. 31, 2019, updating flood zones throughout the area.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 4, 2020
Flood map open house is March 5

Residents can view new FEMA maps, ask questions and make comments at event set for Suncoast Technical College.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A unit in the Water Club, built in 1996, sold for $1,465,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 4, 2020
Water Club condo sells for $1.5 million

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 17-21.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Maribeth Phillips, Frank Shea and Terry Sharak volunteered together on the board for Lakewood Ranch Community Activities. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 4, 2020
Life of Frank Shea celebrated at Lakewood Ranch festival

Irish Celtic Festival will honor its founder with a brew.

  • East County
  • News
University Park residents Nancy Fairchild Deborah Van Brunt and Lori Salzman are working to make this year's Art in the Park the best its been in its 20 years.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 4, 2020
Art community grows in University Park

Artistic community grows in University Park

  • East County
  • News
Senior first baseman Avery Goelz is signed with Florida.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 4, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Expectations challenge Mustang softball juggernaut

Lakewood Ranch is ranked No. 1 in the country.

  • East County
  • Sports
All American Pest Services owner Ron Freedman, with Sgt. Snitch, says his termite-hunting beagle is full of energy and eager to work for his food.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 4, 2020
His nose knows termites in Sarasota and Manatee counties

Termite-sniffing dog is ready to hunt for problems in East County.

  • East County
  • News
Punctato bufferflyfish and hermit crabs are some of the sea life available for viewing at the current Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium facility. Photo courtesy of Conor Goulding/Mote Marine Laboratory.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 4, 2020
Mote Marine receives $5 million commitment from Manatee County

Tourism taxes from Manatee County will support Mote Marine Laboratory's efforts for marketing.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 4, 2020
RCLA speaker delivers stark view of opiate abuse

Sam Quinones, Los Angeles-based freelance journalist and former L.A. Times reporter, was the fourth speaker in the RCLA series.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Historian and Historic Spanish Point Executive Director John McCarthy says inventions created in Manatee and Sarasota counties, like the Webb palmetto plow, changed business and development in Florida.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 4, 2020
History lessons lead to business success in Lakewood Ranch

Historian says region's networking, innovation history could lead to better business in the future in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Suncoast Academy is one of 12 charter schools in Sarasota County.
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • March 4, 2020
If charter schools are 'not as good as advertised,' why are families flocking to them?

Charter schools provide greater benefits than a report appears to show.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lynita Chupps, a fourth grader, works with her sister, Lisa Chupp, a second grader, on their stop-motion movie. The pair are working on the storyline as they go.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 4, 2020
Lights, Lego, action in East County

Tara Elementary Students make their own stop-motion Lego movie

  • East County
  • News
Josh Thomas.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 4, 2020
East County Athlete of the Week: Josh Thomas

The junior talks developing speed and his goals for the track and field season.

  • East County
  • Sports
The new zoning regulations will affect the Midtown Plaza property, which formerly housed a Winn-Dixie, and all other Commercial General properties larger than one acre.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 3, 2020
City OKs mixed-use zoning for commercial sites

Despite disagreement about an affordable housing provision, the city approved regulations it hopes will spur redevelopment of older commercial centers such as Midtown Plaza.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Donna Schlorf died at 86 years old on Feb. 26.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 3, 2020
Donna Schlorf was a matriarch of Longboat Key Tennis

Longtime resident was instrumental in securing the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center. She died at age 86 on Feb. 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
James Fiorica, Sarasota Memorial Hospital's chief medical officer, discusses the hospital's COVID-19 response at a press conference Tuesday, March 3.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 3, 2020
Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Buchanan discuss coronavirus response

Hospital officials hope state and national protocols will be adjusted to allow for more COVID-19 testing, a cause U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan says he will support.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Traffic barrels restricting turns off Gulfstream Avenue at U.S. 41 have been removed.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 3, 2020
FDOT pledges to wait until after 2021 season to redirect traffic

Roundabout work at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream won't start until after 10th, 14th, and Fruitville projects are finished, official says.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 3, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Trying to stay gold

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A rendering of the future Binghamton University baseball complex designed by Fawley Bryant.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 3, 2020
Sports designs extend the reach of Lakewood Ranch's Fawley Bryant Architecture

The reach of Lakewood Ranch architecture firm Fawley Bryant expands nationally with designs such as the Binghamton University baseball complex.

  • East County
  • Business
Manatee County Public Safety Director Jake Saur says the threat of coronavirus in Manatee County is still low. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 3, 2020
Manatee County public safety director: 'No need to panic' about coronavirus

Manatee County Public Safety Director Jake Saur says threat remains low and county is ready to assist the Florida Department of Health.

  • East County
  • News
The bow-bearer knob-lizard was discovered in 1911 and is a contender for largest mosasaur ever found.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 2, 2020
Mote travels back in time with new exhibit

Savage Ancient Seas will be open through May 31.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ringling students Kitt Kippenverger, Charlotte Yiu and Chloe Piedmont
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 2, 2020
Downtown Sarasota gets eclectic at Le Marche Bohemian

The open-air market took place on Feb. 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 2, 2020
Couple hosts disco night to raise money for Australia Red Cross

A portion of the $500 raised from the event will be donated to Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota CEO Robert Meade and Congressman Vern Buchanan met today to discuss how the hospital is handling a "presumptive positive" case for the COVID-19 virus. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 2, 2020
Manatee County mobilizes against coronavirus threat after resident tests positive

Manatee County officials say threat remains 'low' for coronavirus spread.

  • East County
  • News
The Florida Department of Health is coordinating emergency response to coronavirus statewide.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 2, 2020
Coronavirus patient being treated at Doctors Hospital

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in response to two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Manatee County and Hillsborough County residents. One case is being treated in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 2, 2020
Fairies and gnomes transform Historic Spanish Point

Historic Spanish Point held its 7th annual Fairy and Gnome Festival on Feb. 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 »
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
Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
Helga Williams
2
Thomas H Wentz
  • April 9, 2026
Thomas H Wentz
3
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
  • April 9, 2026
Restaurant collab supports Longboat Key Turtle Watch
4
Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
  • April 9, 2026
Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park
5
The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
  • April 9, 2026
Senior public housing expansion remains $4 million short

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