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Your Observer

A statue turned spooky on the Circle.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 1, 2019
Fright Night brings Halloween spooks to St. Armands Circle

Creepy creatures and sweet second selves wandered the streets.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 1, 2019
Father Dave Marshall installed as rector of All Angels

The installation service was held Wednesday, Oct. 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wheel Base owners Dennis Brozak and Hans Schmeits say their garage condos project is the first of its kind in the region.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 1, 2019
Garage condo idea comes to life in Sarasota

Wheel Base begins selling its garage condos in Sarasota

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 1, 2019
UBS opens office to trick-or-treaters

UBS Financial Services Inc. welcomed trick-or-treaters from after school programs on Oct. 31.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 1, 2019
Siesta Key estate sells for $10.5 million

Flamingo Drive property is the highest sale on the island this year and second highest overall.

  • Siesta Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 1, 2019
Sarasota Kiwanis Club's Veterans Day breakfast sends out a call to action

Retired Sergeant Major tells gathering communities must help veterans

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: October 31

Pamela Williams captured image of a deer while visiting Rothenbach Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: October 31

Patricia Muller caught this butterfly on some beach flowers on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2019
East County weather page photo: October 31

Pamela Williams caught this great blue heron catching a fish in the Hazeltine neighborhood of Lakewood Ranch’s Country Club East.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Residents of historic Cortez Village are worried that a 65-foot fixed span will destroy the ambiance of the fishing village — in part because of the land the state will require through eminent domain (outlined in red).
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 31, 2019
Cortez's 30-year war

Anna Maria die-hards are continuing their battle to stop a fixed-span bridge. From a practical, macro and economic standpoint, the fixed span makes sense. But then there’s that old commitment.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 31, 2019
Gators at Mote Marine enjoy spooky enrichment on Halloween

Pumpkins contained the animals' afternoon snacks

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 31, 2019
New 55-plus community now open in Lakewood Ranch

Kolter Homes opens 55-plus community, Cresswind, in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Affordable housing experts
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 31, 2019
Affordable Housing: Community concerns complicate push for new policies

Neighborhood activists say the dynamics of residential communities must be respected when considering new housing regulations, a potential challenge for officials and builders.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The moms posed for a photo with their babies before starting the baby parade at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 31, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center hosts annual Halloween Baby Parade.

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center hosts annual Halloween Baby Parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 31, 2019
Sarasota County schools resource officers aim to do more than protect

A few months in to the first fully-staffed department, Sarasota County school police officers hope to make bonds, be mentors to students.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Jim Martin with Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County members.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 31, 2019
Sarasota man receives $20,000 grant for Boys & Girls Clubs

Jim Martin has been a volunteer with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County for more than 15 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
More than 100 citizens packed the commission chambers, with some wearing shirts that say "Rigged" on them.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 31, 2019
Sarasota County Commission moves ahead with two redistricting maps

The maps drew controversy, with many Newtown residents saying they would be disenfranchised.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sailors coach Spencer Hodges believes the team is "120" degrees turned around, not "180," despite being in the playoff hunt.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 31, 2019
Sarasota football secures first winning season in 13 years

The Sailors now have a chance to make the postseason with a win against Riverview High.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Nanzy Rozance hugs Rich Kirschner,
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 31, 2019
Rotary Club of Longboat Key celebrates five years

The club gathered together to celebrate their successes and friendships.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The East Manatee Fire Rescue District now has two ladder trucks in its fleet. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 31, 2019
Lakewood Ranch area homeowners may see change in insurance rates

Improved East Manatee Fire Rescue District rating results in potential savings to homeowners in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
The Cougars celebrate a win over Bishop McLaughlin.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 31, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Crazy for the Cougars

The Cardinal Mooney community has embraced volleyball in 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
August Drews.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 31, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: August Drews

The Sailors senior talks his first touchdown and gives a shoutout to a teacher.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Hart's Landing has been hosting performances from local musicians for nearly two years, but the parking issue associated with the event didn't arise until this month.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 31, 2019
Parking problems surface for Hart’s Landing events

The operator of the city-owned property expressed optimism a solution could be reached regarding musical performances near the water.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Matthew Brockway discusses plans for the Fruitville Forum project at a community workshop at City Hall on Thursday, Oct. 24.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 31, 2019
Developer plots Beneva housing project

A workshop about a proposed apartment complex near Fruitville Road drew questions about infrastructure and trees.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 31, 2019
Beware of the vitriol

Don’t let the vitriolic hyperbole about Selby’s restaurant cloud the bigger picture. Every concession weakens Selby’s ability to achieve long-term sustainability.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.29.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
ODA senior running back Jarred Flahive flies in the air after a collision.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 30, 2019
Thunder football reflects on season

ODA coach wants team to hit the weight room in the offseason.

  • East County
  • Sports
Two projects in Sarasota and Manatee took different approaches to creating affordable housing.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2019
Affordable Housing: New projects seen as signs of progress

Affordable developments in Sarasota and Manatee are contributing to the regional housing supply.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Alice Gest with John Reuss. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 30, 2019
East County serves up soup with soul

East County serves up soup with soul

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2019
Part 1: Sarasota residents, officials grapple with affordable housing shortage

More than 40% of Sarasota County residents are facing an unaffordable housing situation. How severe is the issue, and how did it arise?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kathy Trost and Lexi, 2, dress as matching witches.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 30, 2019
Pups pack Arlington Park for Bark-O-Ween

Pups dressed up in Halloween costumes for Bark-O-Ween at Arlington Park on Oct. 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kathy Trost and her dog Lexi, 2, dress as witches for Arlington Park's Bark-O-Ween.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 30, 2019
Seeing double

This Halloween match your costume to your pet's!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Seventh graders Lily Irelan and Barbara Baeza-Soria-Galvarro look for microplastics under a microscope.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 30, 2019
Braden River Middle students wrap up plastics project

Braden River Middle School students see reality of microplastics environmental impact

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 30, 2019
Two Sarasota County libraries to close for renovations

The North Port Public Library and Selby Public Library will close throughout November and December.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rubber ducks are 10-inches so they can be easily identified by their respective owners.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 30, 2019
Jiggs Landing has its ducks in a row in Manatee County

Jiggs Landing in Bradenton holds rubber duck race.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Andy Guz joins Doctor's Hospital of Sarasota COO Peter Hemstead and Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System COO Lorrie Liang for a panel discussion on healthcare Oct. 23 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 30, 2019
Healthy competition in store for Lakewood Ranch area hospitals

Sarasota, Manatee county hospitals plan for growth in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
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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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