• 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

    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 18, 2018
Headless horseman rides in Lakewood Ranch

Players bring legend of Sleepy Hollow to life.

  • East County
  • News
Mote Vice President for Aquarium, Education and Outreach Dan Debak, Rick Piccolo and Mote President and CEO Michael Crosby
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 18, 2018
Mote shares aquarium plans with Manatee County leaders

The "Come SEA the future" event took place on Oct. 18 at Pier 22 Restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • October 18, 2018
Sarasota Jungle Gardens' oldest performer, Frosty Sr., retires

Frosty Sr. is ready for retirement after spending decades performing for thousands of people at Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Small Business Person of the Year (10 or less employees) third place winner Dennis Hassel, first place winner Shane Catts and second place winner John Smyth
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 18, 2018
Longboat Key Chamber celebrates small businesses

The Small Business Week awards luncheon was held Oct. 18 at Zota Beach Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Endodontist Dr. Craig Duerson bought two giant spider decorations for his practice, Lakewood Ranch Endodonics last year.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 18, 2018
4-foot spiders crawl toward Lakewood Ranch

Local endodontist celebrates Halloween with creepy-crawlies.

  • East County
  • News
The Cougars explode after the match's final point, which game them the win.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 18, 2018
Senior moment: Cougars volleyball delivers tears and a win on a special night

The Cardinal Mooney High Cougars volleyball delivers tears and a win on a special Senior Night, as they sent off Sophia Hebda, Kali Plattner and Dalton Judge.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Booker High freshman Cleve Benson made his first start for the Tornadoes last week, throwing for 196 yards and two touchdowns in a 19-6 win against DeSoto County High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 18, 2018
Freshman QB steps up for Booker High

Cleve Benson, a freshman at Booker High, got the start at QB for the Tornadoes.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 18, 2018
Longboat Key weather page photo: Oct. 18

Nicole Graziano photographed her three daughters running to the water to catch the day’s final minutes of sunlight on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 18, 2018
East County weather page photo: Oct. 18

Sharon Piotrowski photographed this cow near the corner of The Masters Avenue and Lorraine Road in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 18, 2018
Sarasota weather page photo: Oct. 18

Stephen Jordan captured this photograph of people on Siesta Key watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riah Walker.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 18, 2018
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Riah Walker

The Riverview junior talks playing libero and her favorite volleyball memory

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A condominium in Plaza at Five Points at 50 Central Ave. recently sold for $2.65 million. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, four baths and 4,095 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1.9 million in 2014.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 18, 2018
Plaza at Five Points condo sells for $2.65 million

Residential real estate transactions took place for Oct.1-5.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The city has already committed to installing parking meters and pay station at St. Armands Circle, but commissioners aren't comfortable bringing on-street paid parking downtown.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 18, 2018
Meter-mania: Commission divided on downtown paid parking

As a six-figure budget deficit continues to grow, Sarasota city officials are undecided on the best strategy for managing parking.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The proposed charter amendment would change county elections so all five commissioners are elected solely by residents within the districts they represent, rather than a countywide vote.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 18, 2018
Business, builder groups back campaign against single-member districts

Groups including the Argus Foundation and the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange have spent $85,000 supporting a political committee opposing a county referendum.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 18, 2018
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.16.18

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The town suspended beach cleanup operations on Oct. 12, following the offshore passage of Hurricane Michael.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • October 17, 2018
Red tide disappears from Longboat shores

People are returning to Longboat

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Judi Stanley learned to cook Italian food from her grandmother, Florence Pascone. Stanley decided to name her restaurant after her.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 17, 2018
Pascone's Ristorante opens at UTC

Italian restaurant livens University Parkway corridor dining scene.

  • East County
  • News
The Country Club Shome at 520 Putter Lane recently sold for $875,000. Built in 1967, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,529 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $920,000 in 2014.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 17, 2018
Country Club Shores home sells for $875,000

Longboat Key Country Club Shores home sells for $875,000

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch home at 6922 Lacantera Circle recently sold for $2,125,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 7,629 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 17, 2018
Country Club Village home tops sales at $2,125,000

Residential real estate transactions for Oct. 1-5

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 17, 2018
Local amendments

Our recommendations on local questions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Bus service between the mainland and Longboat Key is an issue that concerns both the town and Sarasota County.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • October 17, 2018
Moving to one county will be a topic of discussion

Mutual issues will be discussed

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Molly Neary got to hold some of the items that her team bargained for, including a blue bath bomb that she ended up getting for free.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • October 17, 2018
Red Barn lessons for Lakewood Ranch students

Braden River Elementary fourth-graders learn how to navigate a flea market.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 17, 2018
Longboat Observer celebrates 40 years with readers

Observer employees and Longboat Key residents mingled outside the Longboat Observer office Oct. 17 in honor of the paper's 40th anniversary.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Lynn and Brian Fitzpatrick are some of the founding members of the Celtic Heritage Society in Lakewood Ranch. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • October 17, 2018
Can't knock this block party in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch clubs, Tour of Homes will be showcased at annual event.

  • East County
  • News
Kirsten Sass and Amy Dixon finished second in the 2018 Sarasota-Bradenton Triathlon Festival's Paratriathlon Visually Impaired division.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 17, 2018
Blind triathlete provides inspiration

Amy Dixon, a paratriathlete who lost 98% of her vision, competed at the Sarasota-Bradenton Triathlon Festival at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
Senior cornerback Jean Lugo-DeJesus (13) returns an interception against Sarasota. It was his second INT of the year.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 17, 2018
Pirates defense riding the high seas

The Braden River High football team's defense has stepped up to the task of replacing last year's unit, which included two NCAA Division 1 players.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bre Brown.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 17, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Bre Brown

The ODA junior talks playing defense and learning to be easier on herself

  • East County
  • Sports
Harry, Lynn and Hal Christensen of Harry's Continental Kitchens
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 17, 2018
All in the family: Longboat Key family businesses share their stories

Longboat Key is home to multiple family businesses. We spoke with three of them to learn their history and why they chose Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Dr. Thomas Purcell works on patient Willie Tate, who might need a tooth extraction.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • October 17, 2018
Mobile health care returns to East County

Hundreds line up at MTC to take advantage of Remote Area Medical.

  • East County
  • News
Sandie and Larry Ivers have dealt with Larry Ivers' Parkinson's diagnosis since 2012. They say the Neuro Challenge Foundation has helped them by providing resources and support groups at no charge.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 17, 2018
Parkinson's kickoff event on schedule in Lakewood Ranch area

The Neuro Challenge Foundation is gearing up for its annual expo in April.

  • East County
  • News
Bryan and Julie Veith hope to raise money for cancer research so others don't experience the painful experience Julie has endured.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 17, 2018
Bradenton couple raises funds for Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Bradenton couple raises funds for Breast Cancer Research Foundation

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 17, 2018
Cops Corner: It's dark, time for headlights

Police reports from around the Key

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Rebecca and Dan Powers hold a picture of their son, Matthew, who died in a car crash Sept. 15 at Pope Road and State Road 64. They wish growth could slow until traffic conditions can be made safer.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 17, 2018
Can local roads handle growth in Manatee County?

Grieving parent asks commissioners to slow growth until roads are safe.

  • East County
  • News
Harmony's Casey Clough and Alison Clough at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer last year, say that American Cancer Society is a great organization because it helps all kinds of people. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • October 17, 2018
Fundraiser hits its stride at Nathan Benderson Park

Lakewood Ranch breast cancer survivors among those who will participate at Making Strides event.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 16, 2018
Small Business Week kicks off with Business After Hours

Following the first day of seminars, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members networked Oct. 16 at Zota Beach Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 16, 2018
Longboat Key Garden Club reunites for season

The club held its first meeting of the season Oct. 16.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
« 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 »
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