• 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

Young said her favorite advice of any tour is the aha moment.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 28, 2019
Sarasota Good Works: Art is a passion, even for tour guides

Leslie Young has volunteered 2,000 hours with Ringling.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Venice High teacher Mary Dembinski and her students work to plan a supply drive.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 28, 2019
Recruitment, retainment struggles in Sarasota County Schools reflect nationwide teacher shortage

Sarasota County offers warm weather, sunny beaches and the second-highest average salary for Florida teachers. Even so, the district — like many others — struggles with open positions, recruiting and retention efforts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rams senior Devin Shannon throws against North Port.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 28, 2019
Riverview High baseball hopes to keep momentum high

The Rams won their first Sarasota Baseball Classic since 1999 last week

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Braves mascot Blooper celebrates the grand opening of CoolToday Park.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 28, 2019
Next spring training will bring options for Sarasota baseball fans

Next spring training will bring options for Sarasota baseball fans, with both the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park and the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
BSwanky business owner Gretchen Bauer makes custom bags that transform from handbags to backpacks and crossbody bags.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 28, 2019
Charity in the bag in Sarasota

Sarasota's BSwanky business owner supports Sisterhood for Good's Spring Sensations event by donating one of her custom bags.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Teresa Mast, Anisley Mena and Vanessa Baugh showed up at Hot Havana Nights to support Meals on Wheels PLUS.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 28, 2019
Humanitarianism in Lakewood Ranch comes in many forms

Columnist jay heater says humanitarianism in Lakewood Ranch comes in many forms,

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 28, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: March 28

Carole Thoms captured this photo from her condo on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 28, 2019
East County weather page photo: March 28

Sharon Piotrowski captured this sunset from Lakewood Ranch’s Del Webb neighborhood.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 28, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: March 28

Pamela Williams photographed this tree while walking along Sarasota’s bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Billy Wilds.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 28, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Billy Wilds

The Riverview High second baseman talks the Sarasota Baseball Classic and going to the Keys.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Although just 17, Lakewood Ranch High junior Blaze McMichael has joined the Army Reserves.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 28, 2019
Attention! This Lakewood Ranch High 17-year-old joins Army

This Lakewood Ranch High 17-year-old joins Army Reserves as a junior.

  • East County
  • News
During the past two years, Steve Stancel and other city staff members have conducted outreach with stakeholders to explain the rationale behind the proposed narrowing of a segment of Fruitville Road.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 28, 2019
Controversial Fruitville Road plans resurface

Despite initial pushback, city staff is once again endorsing a proposal to eliminate lanes from a segment of the downtown street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although School Avenue is already blocked off during school days, the school district wants a permanent closure.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 28, 2019
Proposed School Avenue closure draws opposition

Residents and Planning Board members criticized a Sarasota County Schools plan to permanently close a road that cuts through Sarasota High.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 28, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 3.28.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 27, 2019
Temple Beth Israel goes from baroque to Broadway

The Third Annual Florence Katz Memorial Concert brought more than 200 people to the temple March 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Suzanne Jeffreys, Devin Epps and Lashelle Williams
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 27, 2019
Teen Court of Sarasota gives out annual scholarships

The scholarship award dinner took place on March 27.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
GMD and Bay Isles Parkway (41 feet)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 27, 2019
Longboat streetlight heights take center stage

Commissioners seek more data on streetlight height before making their final call.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 27, 2019
Mental health scan seeks to transform mental health care in Sarasota County

The scan found that there are over 10,000 untreated youth in the county, costing more than $86 million annually.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • March 27, 2019
Goats ... with Taste at Taste of Mixon's event

Anybody looking for a dose of cuteness needed to look no farther March 23 than the annual Taste of Mixon’s at Mixon Fruit Farms.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • March 27, 2019
Clydesdales deliver 'best day ever' at Sarasota Polo Club

Millie Sica stood bolt upright, a look of shock and bewilderment dancing across her face. Towering above her, a Budweiser Clydesdale sniffed her cap. She giggled while her mom, Melissa Sica, snapped a photo.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • March 27, 2019
Runners chug along at Beer Belly 5k on Lakewood Ranch Main Street

The race featured 4 pour stations where racers could choose water, spiked seltzer or — of course — beer.

  • East County
  • News
The section of 44th Avenue East heading east from Rosedale's back entrance has long been completed but Manatee County is in the design stage for the section going westward to cross Interstate 75.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 27, 2019
44th Avenue project advances in Manatee County

Construction set to begin on 6,900-foot long bridge over Manatee River.

  • East County
  • News
Participants at the 2018 Walk for Water carry their buckets.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • March 27, 2019
Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch cause will hold water at annual event

Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch holds Walk for Water event at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • News
William Thomas completed the firefighter's combat challenge in three minutes and 25 seconds.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • March 27, 2019
Future firefighters honored at Manatee Technical College

MTC honors six students during its Fire Academy graduation

  • East County
  • Schools
John Kurz, Stacey Mazza, Chris Stevens, Jessica Stevens, Cassie Wegeng, Sean Altice and Lexi Smith courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 27, 2019
Cleanup crew

On March 24, 20 volunteers spent their morning cleaning up the trash littering the north end of Longboat Key beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Steve Branham said Susan Phillips and Phyllis Black will be back as pancake creators this year.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 27, 2019
Kiwanis Club cooking up annual pancake breakfast

This year’s breakfast is from 7:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 30 and will benefit the club's scholarship fund.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Church members packed 1,000 kits for Lutheran World Relief Services. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 27, 2019
Sending care from afar

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church members packed 1,000 care kits for Lutheran World Relief.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 27, 2019
Longboat Island Chapel to host first-time fundraiser

A Charity Affair will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the chapel and will benefit Feeding Empty Little Tummies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 27, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Nothing to see here

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 26, 2019
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band musician sells home along the Manatee River

Former Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member John McEuen says it's time to part with his "Rambling River Retreat" in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
SCSPD Sgt. Steve Kim greets students at Bay Haven & School of Basics Plus. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 26, 2019
Sarasota County Schools Police Department officially announces plans for growth and expansion

Currently, the SCSPD has a total of 28 sworn officers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Victim Advocate Coordinator Autumn Roppolo, GAL Child Advocate Manager Lynne Higgins, Sheriff Tom Knight, GAL Director Toni Latortue, GAL Advocate Manager Keith Hammond, Community Affairs Director Kaitlyn Perez, Col. Kurt Hoffman
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 26, 2019
Sheriff Tom Knight named 2019 Community Advocate Of The Year

In 2018, the Sheriff's Office collected more than 1,300 gifts and more than $3,700 in gift cards for GAL in a holiday toy drive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Competitors prepare to launch their vessel into the bay.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 26, 2019
Sails raised in Sarasota Bay during Flying Scot Midwinters

More than 50 sailing teams turned out for the event.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • March 26, 2019
School Board to consider a district-wide resolution to not arm teachers

At the March 26 workshop, board members also discussed bringing in officials from other school districts in order to learn more about similar resolutions that have passed elsewhere in the state.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Bradenton Marauders have big plans for fans. File photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 26, 2019
Bradenton Marauders have big plans for fans

The Bradenton Marauders have big plans for its upcoming 10th season.

  • East County
  • Sports
The inaugural tournament will benefit the foundation's general fund.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 26, 2019
Longboat Key Foundation to host inaugural golf tournament

The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. on March 30.

  • 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
Shanty Mann, Kaitlyn Presha, 11, Tyanna Mann, 8 and Tyrone Mann attended the event to support its organizer and Tyrone Mann's cousin Gwendalyn Fleetwood.
  • June 23, 2026
Newtown celebrates Juneteenth holiday
2
Scarlett and Amelia Evancic express art through various mediums, including pencil, paint, photography, digital art, cardboard and more.
  • June 23, 2026
When it comes to art, these sisters know where to draw the line
3
Florida man arrested at Bayfront Park
  • June 23, 2026
Florida man arrested at Bayfront Park
4
Stephen Smagacz, Supervisor of Streetlights and Signalization for Sarasota County, checks on the proper operation of streetlights along 17th Street.
  • June 23, 2026
Sarasota County raises red flag over copper wiring thefts
5
Sydney McCullough takes mom, Belle, and 2-week-old foal, Nezuko, for a walk Wednesday at Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions in Myakka City.
  • June 23, 2026
New foal brings joy to Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions

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