• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • 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
  • LWR Life
  • 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
  • LWR Life
  • 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
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

Dick Vitale with his All-Courageous team. Photo by Niki Kottmann.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 15, 2019
Dick Vitale Gala continues 'awesome' streak

Dick Vitale Gala continues 'awesome' streak raising money for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

  • East County
  • Sports
Payne Park
  • By Joseph Bartel
  • May 15, 2019
My View: Reject the Sarasota Orchestra’s land grab in Payne Park

The group's argument that moving to the downtown-adjacent park is all about rising sea levels is absurd.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Past President Carol Erker, current President Susan McGuire, incoming President Nancy Rozance and past President Jack Rozance courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 15, 2019
Rotarians united

Rotary Club of Longboat Key members attended a rotary conference in Cape Coral last weekend to learn about local and national efforts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Addison Riesen said she makes slime every other day. It takes her just two minutes to make a basic slime.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 15, 2019
Longboat kid has slime of her life with unique hobby

Addison Riesen spends her free time creating slime, a big trend among others her age.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rosedale Golf and Country Club resident Linda Lestock is growing plants to sell at the Master Gardener Volunteer Program's annual plant sale.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 15, 2019
Lakewood Ranch area gardener loves life with weeds

Rosedale woman still loves gardening ... even after a lifetime of weeding.

  • East County
  • News
Emma Uihlein and Amelia Thomas at a 2018 Tidal Tykes camp at Mote.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 15, 2019
Stay cool with these local barrier island summer camps

From Lido Beach to City Island, there are plenty of spots that are offer camps all summer long.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Chargers U17 player Noah LaBelle, here putting a juke on a defender, performed well during the Sarasota Cup, in front of 46 college coaches, in 2018 at Premier Sports Campus. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 15, 2019
Manatee County flexes financial muscles

Manatee's financial strength soars back to pre-recession levels.

  • East County
  • News
East Manatee Fire Rescue District regularly helps Myakka City Fire Control District with brush fires and other incidents. Brush trucks like this one, at East Manatee, can move while spraying water.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 15, 2019
Fire districts talk merger in Lakewood Ranch area

East Manatee, Myakka fire districts explore options.

  • East County
  • News
Maddie Lindsley.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 15, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Maddie Lindsley

The Braden River pitcher talks her screwball and her biggest challenge.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 15, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Be vewwwwy quiet

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Resident filled chairs, lined the walls and stood in the aisles in order to attend the workshop.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 14, 2019
Residents fill county workshop on Celery fields, ask for less development

The workshop took place at the Church of Hope, located near to Interstate 75 at 1560 Wendell Kent Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marco Peters, the owner of the Sarasota Sea Lion Preserve in Myakka City, died May 10.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 14, 2019
Sarasota Sea Lion Preserve owner dies

Myakka City's Marco Peters built careers as a circus performer and a sea lion expert.

  • East County
  • News
Workers tend to the water system along St. Judes Drive on Sunday following the pipe break the night before.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 14, 2019
Longboat Key boil-water advisory lifted

Precautionary measure followed water pipe break on Saturday night.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Many Australian pines were planted in the early 1900s as ornamentals.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 14, 2019
With an accent on safety, Longboat ups the bounty on Australian pines

Reimbursement program is adjusted to account for prices of tree removal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Laposky was a market-research executive with Arbitron before coming to Longboat Key.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 14, 2019
Conversation with: David Lapovsky

Planning & Zoning Board's newly chosen member is no stranger to development issues on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The bridge project is expected to cost about $3.8 million.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 13, 2019
Longboat Pass bridge work begins in June

$3.8 million in renovations will extend its life while officials consider its long-term usefulness.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County posts notice signs in areas where Lyngbya algae gas been detected. They encourage residents to report algae sightings to the FDEP.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 13, 2019
New algal bloom in county waters sparks health concerns among residents

A foul-smelling bloom of algae has been located in Sarasota County's Intracoastal Waterway.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Town officials learned the budget passed last September is on track at the mid-year mark.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 13, 2019
Longboat's mid-year revenue and spending track with budget

As town prepares for a new budget season, leaders hear positive report on how current budget is faring.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 12, 2019
Euphemia Haye walks to end Type 1 Diabetes

On May 11, Ray and D'Arcy Arpke hosted the annual walk in honor of their daughter Kate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 11, 2019
Dragon Boat Festival gives residents a sense of community

Rowers from all over North America travel to the festival in Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 11, 2019
Local society offers rosy afternoon of flowers, family

Attendees had the opportunity to attend the free event at Phillippi Estate Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 11, 2019
Runners dash down Siesta Key beach for Mothers Day race

Great Mothers Day Race attracts about 350 athletes on Saturday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 10, 2019
Longboat Key Club members become tacky tourists

Members celebrated the end of the season in the Harbourside Ballroom.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 10, 2019
Mothers and sons dance the night away at the Sarasota Fairgrounds

Guests could dance, ride in a horse-drawn carriage and dine on a Chick-Fil-A buffet at the mother and son date night.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sea turtle nests are frequently taped off with bright signs. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • May 10, 2019
County encourages beach visitors to “keep light out of sight” of sea turtle nests

With over 200 nests per mile, Sarasota County hosts the largest nesting sea turtle population on Florida’s gulf coast.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 10, 2019
Charitable conversations in Palm Aire

Palm Aire Women's Club awards seven charities with grants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 10, 2019
Siesta Key home sells for $7.5 million

Sanderling Club property features waterfront views of the gulf and Herons Lagoon.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The demolition of the GWIZ building comes after a contentious fight over plans to knock down the 1976 structure.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 10, 2019
Demolition begins on GWIZ building

After a failed preservation campaign, crews have begun to knock down the structure as part of a bayfront redevelopment project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 10, 2019
School vouchers and choice for all

Think back to the GI Bill and how those college vouchers gave our veterans total school choice.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Pillar of Hope stands in the lobby of CPC’s Child Advocacy Center. After a child’s initial services, the child and a staff member drop a blue marble down the pillar to join other marbles, symbolizing they are not alone.
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • May 10, 2019
Prevention — proof it's protecting our children

As the Child Protection Center reaches its 40th year, new data showing the child abuse rate in Florida is declining prove that its services are working and must continue.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A lane of Mound Street is blocked this evening as officers conduct an investigation. Photo courtesy Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 9, 2019
Sarasota Police investigate dead body found downtown

The body was found in a canal near Mound Street and Osprey Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: May 9

Jeannie Sparks caught this moment of a mother wood duck and her little ones at Red Bug Slough Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2019
East County weather page photo: May 9

Gordon Silver captures wildflowers in bloom at Myakka River State Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 9

Tahniya Smith enjoys a bit of sunshine through the clouds on Longboat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota senior Robbie Peterson captured gold in the 4A boys triple jump.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 9, 2019
Sarasota High wins gold, silver and bronze at the state track meet

Sarasota High wins gold, silver and bronze at the state track meet at the University of North Florida's Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Alec Frank.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 9, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Alec Frank

Cardinal Mooney lacrosse senior Alec Frank talks Jacksonville University and his favorite dessert.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
« 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 »
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
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
2
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
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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 © 2025 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.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now