• 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

Ty and Stephanie Gremaux and neighbors Deborah and Jack Skelly love seeing their yards lit up for Christmas and having friends and neighbors to stop by to view them.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2019
Lakewood Ranch couples are shining stars of Christmas lights

At Christmas, these neighbors can't wait for the sun to go down.

  • East County
  • News
Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates event coordinator Megan O'Donnell and SANCA President and CEO Stephen Rodriguez were excited nearly 400 students were on site in November for a camp. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2019
Training results in boat-load of revenues at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota

Training results in boat-load of revenues at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota

  • East County
  • News
Bella Patterson.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 18, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Patterson

The Braden River girls basketball player talks learning to stop relying on height and her ability to box out opponents.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 17, 2019
Office, parking lot plan moves ahead on Longboat

Planning & Zoning Board approve 98-parking spots, 300-square foot office on GMD for employees, patrons.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hudson Conway, Caedance Day and Noah Saintcyr divvy out coins.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 17, 2019
Second graders branch out on holiday knowledge

Fruitville Elementary second graders spent Dec. 17 learning about Hanukkah traditions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Suzy Brenner and her organization's new sign on Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 17, 2019
Longboat's Paradise Center moves to new home

Office and most activities move up the block on Bay Isles Road for now, but more remodeling is still in store.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 17, 2019
Sarasota holiday cheer takes to the waters

The annual Sarasota Boat Parade took place on Dec. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cops Corner
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 16, 2019
Best of Cops Corner for 2019

Best Cops Corners of 2019 highlight strange Sheriff's Office reports.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 16, 2019
St. Mary Star of the Sea hosts Christmas party and concert

A soloist led the gathered members through a festive concert.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office cordoned off the courthouse building as authorities investigated the bomb threat this afternoon.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 16, 2019
Downtown Sarasota courthouse evacuated after bomb threat

The Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center was evacuated around 12:30 p.m. as authorities investigated the threat, but individuals are now returning to the building.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Renee´ Fletcher, her son Jack Fletcher and her husband, Wyatt Fletcher, are all musicians.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 15, 2019
Young drummer finds rich rewards in Sarasota

Young drummer finds rich rewards in Sarasota

  • East County
  • News
Guests could pet a variety of animals, including donkeys, goats and llamas.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2019
Lakewood Ranch church recreates 'Night in Bethlehem'

Families experience scenic night with crafts, music and food.

  • East County
  • News
Max LaForge hugs his mom, Cara Covert, after being called to the stage.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 14, 2019
Pine View student surprised with Make-A-Wish visit to New Orleans Saints

Pine View School sophomore Max LaForge, who has cystic fibrosis, learned at a fake assembly that he will meet players from his favorite NFL team this weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Santa Claus and Everleigh Zetts, 6 months
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 14, 2019
Southside Village hosts festive night

Southside Village Business Association held its annual Southside Village Holiday Stroll on Dec. 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 14, 2019
Preschoolers learn meaning of Hanukkah

Temple Emanu-el held its Tot Shabbat on Dec. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 14, 2019
Water Club celebrates new clubhouse

Residents gathered for the holiday season in the newly redecorated center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 13, 2019
Holidays Around the Ranch a jolly time for all

Lakewood Ranch's Holidays Around the Ranch a jolly time for all

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 13, 2019
Christ Church members buddy up with kids for Christmas

The Reading Buddies of Christ Church celebrated Christmas with their students.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kiyarah Martin, 5, picks out one of the toys.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 13, 2019
Boys & Girls Clubs celebrate the holidays

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota held its north Sarasota clubs holiday party on Dec. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
After retiring as fire chief from East Manatee Fire Rescue District, Henry Sheffield began working as Manatee Technical College's Fire Science Academy coordinator. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 13, 2019
Manatee County community mourns loss of firefighter, educator Henry Sheffield

Manatee County community mourns loss of firefighter, educator Henry Sheffield

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 13, 2019
Mary Ellen Criste (née Waite)

Mary Ellen Criste (née Waite) was born on March 25, 1934 in Pittsburg, PA and died December 8, 2019 in Baltimore, MD.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Several residents gathered in Phillippi Estate Park to protest the county's redistricting map.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 13, 2019
Residents protest Sarasota County commission redistricting

A lawsuit was filed in federal court stating county commissioners discriminated against black voters when they approved the redistricting map.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 13, 2019
Moran chosen as Sarasota Board of County Commissioners chair

Michael Moran, who holds the District 1 seat, was selected as the chair for 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 13, 2019
Physics Club gathers for annual Christmas party

The Longboat Key Physics Club enjoyed dinner and good conversation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 13, 2019
Frosty Frolic is a warm event for Longboat Key golfers

The women of Longboat Key golfed and frolicked in a festive way.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Guest Author
  • December 12, 2019
Starfish Initiative celebrates reading at book fair

Temple Emanu-el hosted a book fait at Barnes and Noble on Dec. 8 for kindergarten classes at Wilkinson Elementary School.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Guest Author
  • December 12, 2019
Temple Sinai installs Samantha Kahn as rabbi

Rabbi Samantha Kahn started with Temple Sinai in July.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 12, 2019
Garden Club celebrates the holidays with a surprise

Members mingled on the beachfront and looked forward to the new year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bob Gary, speaker Jay Rixse and club president Ken Marsh.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 12, 2019
Longboat Key Democratic Club holds December meeting

The club wrapped up the calendar year with a discussion from a former intelligence community official.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key's northern tip is popular with boaters.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 12, 2019
Manatee Commissioners signal general support of Longboat beach project

Board votes 7-0 to authorize County Administrator to further discuss town's request for $2.69 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 12, 2019
calendar

calendar

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 12, 2019
Chamber of Commerce jingles merrily into the holidays

Festive attire and chatting with friends was on the menu for Business After Hours.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Doug Engebretson at the St. Armands Key kettle.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 12, 2019
Ringing for a cause

The St. Armands kettle raises expectations

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 12, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: No skim scams here

Police reports around around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 12, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 12

Billie Dawson captured this image of a seagull that caught a fish at Quick Point Nature Preserve on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 12, 2019
East County weather page photo: December 12

Gordon Silver captured this bunny exploring a front yard in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 »
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
Drugs, cash and a rifle bullet were among the items found by Sarasota Police in a search of a 31st Way home, resulting in the arrest of Demarius R. Jones, of Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sarasota man on probation arrested on drug, other charges
2
Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District
3
Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
Helga Williams
4
Thomas H Wentz
  • April 9, 2026
Thomas H Wentz
5
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

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