• 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

The city and the Downtown Improvement District hope to create a curbless, brick-paved streetscape along Lemon Avenue, but detailed plans on a potential project are still to come.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 12, 2018
City coordinates potential Lemon Avenue improvements

Downtown leaders hope to see an extension of the brick-paved Lemon Avenue mall, but the timing of the project may prove challenging.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ly Tran and Fatima Moon are the partners behind Moon & Co. Eyewear, the first tenant to move into the new retail space at 1500 State St.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 12, 2018
Mixed-use projects land commercial tenants

Throughout downtown, a new wave of residential developments also feature retail and restaurant businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2018
Cops Corner: Sarasota 4.12.18

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Zoning has changed for the new North River High School, set to open in August 2019. This is a rendering of the auditorium.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • April 11, 2018
New zoning approved for North River High School in Parrish

School board keeps three East County neighborhoods at Lakewood Ranch High.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 11, 2018
Longboat Island chapel says arrivederci to snowbirds

About 100 congregants gathered April 11 for a spaghetti dinner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder displays one of the many packets of seeds she is donating to Puerto Rico.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • April 11, 2018
Sarasota group brings seeds of hope to Puerto Rico’s farmers

Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Florida plans third trip to Puerto Rico in May to provide supplies to small farmers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commission chambers were full of Siesta Key business owners and residents invested in the discussion. Many residents wore signs urging commissioners to "vote no."
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • April 11, 2018
County approves Siesta setback amendment

Tall commercial buildings could potentially be built closer to the street near the south bridge to Siesta Key, if commissioners allow it during the special exceptions process.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 11, 2018
Sarasota deputies make arrest in viral video road rage incident

Text messages show the suspect was planning to destroy the vehicle to avoid criminal charges, deputies said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After recovering from a UTV Side-by-Side accident, 9-year-old Landon Marazon threw out the first pitch in the Marauders' home season opener.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 11, 2018
For Myakka City 9-year-old, it's game on!

Landon Marazon forges ahead after serious accident.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 580 Chipping Lane in Country Club Shores recently sold for $2 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 11, 2018
Chipping Lane home sells for $2 million

Residential real estate transactions for March 26-30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The home at 2410 57th St. E. recently sold for $1.17 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 11, 2018
Sale of 57th Street home for $1.17 million tops transactions

Residential real estate transactions for March26-30

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Sarasota County School Board, from left, includes Eric Robinson, Caroline Zucker, Shirley Brown, Vice Chair Jane Goodwin, Chair Bridget Ziegler and Superintendent Todd Bowden.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 11, 2018
To rebuild board trust

Sarasota School Board member Eric Robinson and Superintendent Todd Bowden unveiled their broiling distrust. The board’s effectiveness now hinges on its chair.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Sarah Farmer, Hannah Arduini and Allison Tibor, all juniors at Braden River, work together to plan the prom at Braden River High School.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • April 11, 2018
Prom is still a big night in Lakewood Ranch

High school proms remain important to students and their parents.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 11, 2018
Why we should worry about China

US can’t put a warplane in the air without Chinese chips.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Vanessa Baugh has pulled out of the race for a District 73 seat in the Florida House.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 11, 2018
Baugh drops from race for Florida House seat

The Manatee County commissioner will remain at her current post through the term.

  • East County
  • News
Nick Guy
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • April 11, 2018
Former teacher files to run for Sarasota School Board

Nick Guy will challenge Bridget Ziegler for the District 1 seat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wendy, the female swan's mother, walks with her cygnets in 2014.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 11, 2018
Medical staff say former Longboat Key swan killed by animal

The former Longboat Key female swan that was thought to be killed by gunfire was found to be killed by a wild animal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Desmond Lindsay smashes a ball up the middle against Bradenton.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 11, 2018
Former ODA player comes back to area with St. Lucie Mets

The Bradenton Marauders crowd was thunderstruck by the hometown hero.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brian Battie (6) is coming to Braden River High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 11, 2018
Braden River Pirates football adds another cannonball

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Dreyfus said he has always been interested in the arts and always liked finding treasures. This is a way to combine the two.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 11, 2018
Longboater shells out inspiration

Robert Dreyfus creates a fresh art installation each year on the beach of the Banyan Bay Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Owner Michele Knuese said some of Florida Vacation Connections clients have been with them for more than 20 years.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 11, 2018
To another 24 and more

Florida Vacation Connection has been a Longboat Key business for 24 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Interesting Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports for the Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton areas.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 11, 2018
Thief in East County likes to tailgate

Cops Corner for the Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton areas

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Mary Tamez, Liz Yerkes and Ellen Cross of Longboat Massage File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 11, 2018
Relaxation Station

The masseuses of Longboat Massage will be offering free massages to the bicyclists of Tour de Pink this Saturday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Monaca Onstad, SMR's director of community relations, visits with Gary Balch, the co-owner of Maggie's Seafood, at The Market.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 11, 2018
SMR exec produces with successful farmers market in Lakewood Ranch

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
  • By Bret Hauff and Katie Johns | Staff Writer and Community Editor
  • April 11, 2018
Another Longboat season in the books

With temperatures rising and snowbirds migrating, here’s a wrap-up of this year’s season in five different arenas.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Erosion at the north end of Longboat Key could require emergency sand nourishment.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 11, 2018
Longboat looks to combat north-end erosion

Town officials have noticed high erosion at the north end of Longboat Key, a situation officials have considered fixing with an emergency beach nourishment project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
George Fernandez
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 11, 2018
Longboat residents excited about gas station proposal

The hopeful developer of an abandoned gas station at the north end of Longboat Key was welcomed and encouraged about his project at a north end community meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Whitney Beach at the north end of Longboat Key
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 11, 2018
Longboat approves Whitney Beach historical marker

The Town Commission agreed with the Whitney Beach Condominium Association and the Longboat Key Historical Society that there should be a sign to commemorate the importance of Whitney Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Locals visited the Zota Beach Resort Friday, April 6, for an art and jewelry auction.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 11, 2018
Longboat auction sells collectible art, jewlery

An auction held at the Zota Beach Resort offered rare jewels, painting and sculptures for below market prices.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 11, 2018
Manatee to fund Greer Island policing

Longboat Key Police Department will receive $5,000 per month for the next six months as part of an interlocal agreement with Manatee County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mira Khazanchi shows off a Barkin Beanie hat modeled by her dog, Flossy. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 11, 2018
Hats off to Lakewood Ranch student entrepreneur

ODA student focuses business, crafting skills toward charity.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 11, 2018
Cops Corner: Remains to be seen

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 10, 2018
Land swap a go in Lakewood Ranch

School District, SMR move forward with deal.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jim Shirley, Dr. Mark Kauffman and Sam Alfstad cut the ribbon during the statue's dedication ceremony.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • April 10, 2018
Public art partnership brings Boaz Vaadia sculpture to Ringling Boulevard

The  statue, entitled Ba'al and Yizhaq, was dedicated on April 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Republican Club of Longboat Key President Joe McElmeel and Unicorp National Developments President Chuck Whittall
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 10, 2018
Colony developer visits Longboat Republican club

Chuck Whittall, who has plans to develop the site of the former Colony Beach and Tennis Resort, spoke to about 90 republicans.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Wendy and Stan swim with their cygnets born in 2013.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 10, 2018
UPDATE: Former Longboat Key swan found dead

The female swan was found dead with bullet hole-like shapes in her neck Monday morning across the street from Camelot Lakes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
« 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 »
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