• 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

Sarasota High School cheerleaders assist senior care facility residents find their seats at a special showing of the Singing Tree.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 19, 2017
Sarasota volunteers top Santa's nice list

When it comes to spreading goodwill, Sarasota’s nonprofits top the nice list.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
School Choice sessions start Jan. 8.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2017
Manatee schools announce open enrollment requirements

The first wave of open choice enrollment starts Jan. 8.

  • East County
  • Schools
Roger Pettingell had another record sales year. (File photo).
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • December 19, 2017
Realtor sets sales volume record for Sarasota County

Roger Pettingell becomes the first area agent to sell $100 million in a year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rothenbach Park, on Bee Ridge Road, was one of three parks used as a debris holding site. It's still closed as the debris is moved to the landfill.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • December 19, 2017
County completes Irma debris removal

Although storm debris from Hurricane Irma is out of residents' yards and streets, one park remains closed as the debris makes the last leg of its journey to the landfill.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High School is one of 100 schools selected to participate in the new initiative.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • December 18, 2017
Riverview High selected for inclusion and diversity program

The program is meant to promote the inclusion and success of under-represented students in the International Baccalaureate program.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Application for developing the site of the former Colony Beach and Tennis Resort one of the three scheduled applications to be heard.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • December 18, 2017
Public comment welcome at Longboat P&Z hearing

Planning and Zoning Board members are scheduled to hear from three applicants who hope to reshape the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 18, 2017
The Buccaneer to open at former Pattigeorge's property

Columbia Restaurant Group is paying homage to The Buccaneer Inn, which closed in 2001.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The show's first ten episodes ended in October, but it's back on air starting Jan. 15 with eight more to finish the first season.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • December 18, 2017
'Siesta Key' reality show returns in January

The next eight episodes continue to follow seven young adults as they navigate relationships, drama and parties on and around Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Eric Garwood rang the bell at Longboat Key's Publix for the first time this season.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 16, 2017
Ringing in the holiday spirit

A stint for the Kiwanis Club at the Salvation Army kettle puts a jingle in the season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort has been closed for almost a decade.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • December 15, 2017
Longboat seeks delay in portion of Colony's Planning and Zoning discussion

Unicorp National Development Inc.'s application for redeveloping the former site of the Colony could not be heard at all.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 14, 2017
Physics Club rings in the season

Club members enjoyed a holiday party on Dec. 14 at Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 14, 2017
Christ Church celebrates reading buddies

Santa Claus made a special appearance to hand out early presents Dec. 14.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Karen Holbrook
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 14, 2017
USFSM names Karen Holbrook regional chancellor

Holbrook will begin her new role on Jan. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Police say this is the man who stole three rings from a UTC jewelry store.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 14, 2017
UTC thief runs off with three diamond rings

Investigators say man was looking at rings inside the store when he grabbed them and dashed away.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • December 14, 2017
Third graders ask Santa for tech, toys and happiness

Students at ODA on Siesta Key weren't shy about asking Santa for the gifts of their dreams this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 14, 2017
Cops Corner: Poor parkers pay the price

A look at the most interesting police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Now the overlay district will go before the County Commission in January.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • December 14, 2017
Planning Commission advances Pinecraft Overlay District

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the County Commission approve the new district.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ina Gross was found dead in the garage of her Lakewood Ranch home in January 2012. (File photo.)
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 14, 2017
Suspect arrested for 2012 Lakewood Ranch homicide

Ina Gross' alleged killer will be extradited to the United States to face murder charges.

  • East County
  • News
Braden Woods resident Susan Darovec refills seed in one of her bird feeders. The upside-down can below it is to keep squirrels from climbing up to eat the seeds.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 14, 2017
Bird-lovers feed their hobby through laws of attraction

East County residents share tips for attracting wildlife.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristine Nickel
  • December 14, 2017
Don't stress — declutter

Is your ‘stuff’ weighing you down? Follow these practical steps to lighten your load.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Kelly Brown blows by a Lakewood Ranch High defender.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 14, 2017
Sarasota High junior has flourished through toughness

Sarasota High junior has flourished through her toughness.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Stan Edelson won the 800 meter race at the Florida Senior Games (3:29.89).
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 14, 2017
Sarasotan takes home 800 meter medal at Florida Senior Games

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Johnnie Williams IV.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 14, 2017
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Johnnie Williams IV

The Booker High junior talks dunking and dancing on video.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Jamar Johnson.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 14, 2017
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 12.14.17

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 12.14.17

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 730 Sarabay Road recently sold for $3.1 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 14, 2017
Sarabay Acres home sells for $3.1 million

Residential real estate transactions for Nov. 27-Dec. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The private land is tied to a planned roundabout at U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 14, 2017
Downtown developer seeks land-use changes

A proposed comprehensive plan amendment could allow for a large high-rise project at U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This drawing from the city shows the before-and-after concepts for redesigning Second and Fourth streets to better serve cyclists.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 14, 2017
Downtown bike plans roll forward

The city is refining a plan to create downtown streets targeted at cyclists — and still considering a vision for a narrower Fruitville Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kimley Horn planners Shawn Dressler and Bill Waddill present a concept for redeveloping the Bath & Racquet Club to a room of residents at City Hall.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 14, 2017
Bath & Racquet plans rile up neighbors

As the Bath & Racquet Club plots a residential expansion, people in the area are concerned about the project’s potential height and density.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Supporters of the resident activist group STOP appeared at a Nov. 30 meeting to encourage the city to concentrate on specific issues as it reviews the form-based code.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 14, 2017
City prepares to vet form-based zoning code

A series of high-profile issues could make or break the city's new land use regulations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 14, 2017
Cops Corner: Man reports shots fired into his home

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 13, 2017
Bayside Community Church hosts first Night of Wonder

More than 4,000 people turned out to the 'streets of Bethlehem.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • December 13, 2017
School Board will pay superintendent's legal fees in discrimination investigation

An investigation will soon be underway, and when it does Bowden is entitled to an attorney paid for by the School Board, according to its interpretation of his contract.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 13, 2017
Alta Vista travels down reading Street

Students read outside during the annual event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 13, 2017
SPARCC celebrates the holidays

SPARCC hosted a Cookies, Cakes and Carolers luncheon Dec. 13 at Michael's On East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Teacher of the Year Es Swihart with Todd Bowden.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 13, 2017
Riverview teacher named Teacher of the Year

The announcement came during the Ignite Education awards ceremony on Dec. 13 at The Westin, Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The home at 660 Neptune Ave. recently sold for $1,565,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 13, 2017
Neptune Avenue home sells for $1,565,000

Residential real estate transactions for Nov. 27 and Dec. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
« 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 673 »
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
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
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
5
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

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