• 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

Longboat Library president Mary Baker (standing, wearing pink) speaks to members of the Rotary Club of Longboat Key during a social event Tuesday evening at Longboat Library.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 5, 2020
Rotary Club members explore Longboat Library — some for first time

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key held a social event at Longboat Library on Tuesday evening.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 5, 2020
Reusable fashion is all the rage at annual fashion show

The Longboat Island Chapel hosted its Lord's Warehouse Fashion Show on March 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 5, 2020
You Observed: All Angels Episcopal Church hosts Mardi Gras

The party had jazz, great food and plenty of green and purple feathers ands sequins.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former Sailor star Alexis Johns is hitting .400 for Florida Atlantic as of March 2. Photo courtesy FIU Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 5, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Going big, not home

Local alumni are tearing up the collegiate sports scene.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cougars senior Molly Donaghy is the team's leading scorer. She had seven goals against Saint Stephen's on March 3.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 5, 2020
Cougars girls lacrosse on pace to smash 2019 record

Cardinal Mooney is in the first year under head coach Brooke Eisenacher.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Gail Gilvey, Heidi Berry, Janice Doherty and Mary Drugan. Photo courtesy of Gail Gilvey.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 5, 2020
You Observed: Longboat Harbour residents get on their dancing shoes for Motown party

The themed party was a success among residents as they swung to the music.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    A time to celebrate |
  • March 5, 2020
Schmitt - Moore ENGAGEMENT

Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt of Lakewood Ranch and Ms. Moore of Bradenton would like to announce the engagement of Derek Schmitt & Stephanie Moore.

  • East County
  • Celebrations
The newsstand near Mattison’s City Grille on Main Street has generated concern from some downtown business owners, but the publications in the stand want it to remain.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 5, 2020
Downtown merchants take aim at newsstands

A group of business owners wants to remove a newsstand from Main Street and Lemon Avenue, but the city is still considering alternative options.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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
« 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 »
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