• 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

Riverview running back Ali Boyce celebrates a touchdown.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2017
Making sense of the high school playoff system

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Jim Gabbert
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 31, 2017
Postscript: The other side of the Celery Fields recycling story

Local media — we, included — didn't devoted space or time to Gabbert and what commissioners said about him and his proposed recycling plant.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Bryce Williams.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2017
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 08.31.17

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 08.31.17

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Abby Quigley.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2017
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Abby Quigley

The Riverview volleyball junior talks the appeal of her sport and at which teammate she laughs the most.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Chase Sharp.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 31, 2017
East County Athlete of the Week: Chase Sharp

The Lakewood Ranch linebacker talks his best piece of advice and his love of the game.

  • East County
  • Sports
A Marina Tower condominium recently sold for $3.6 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 31, 2017
Marina Tower condominium sells for $3.6 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 14-18

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Residents have asked the city to improve its regulations for protecting trees during an increase in development, but builders have called the existing rules too onerous.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 31, 2017
Tree board makeup leaves commission splintered

The city’s still trying to refine its tree protection regulations, but officials are split on the role of the development community in drafting new rules.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Make Siesta Drive Safer co-chairs Dee Reams, Pat Wulf and Shirley Wulf are pleased with the progress they've made so far and hope community support will lead to more changes.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 31, 2017
Siesta Drive residents discuss safety measures

The Make Siesta Drive Safer campaign is focused on changes to the roadway, but some residents think impaired drivers are an equally pressing issue.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Downtown has remained open to special events, but city staff thinks a portion of Main Street needs new regulations before becoming a viable venue again.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 31, 2017
City reviews events policy — again

Can the city devise a system that allows events on Main Street without negatively affecting downtown businesses?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents in Gillespie Park and Tahiti Park want space for their dogs to run free.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 31, 2017
City unleashes dog park plans

Two dog areas at Whitaker Gateway Park and Gillespie Park could be the beginning of a more ambitious plan for the city’s parks department.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 31, 2017
Cops Corner: Sarasota 8.31.17

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Dr. Rene Salazar, USF Environmental and Occupational Health, addresses a parents meeting at Lakewood Ranch High.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 30, 2017
Mold closes building at Lakewood Ranch High

District tells concerned parents it will do a comprehensive assessment of all the school's buildings.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 30, 2017
Cops Corner 8.31

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Reopen Beach Road is has more than half of the signatures they need to get two charter amendments to vote.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • August 30, 2017
Organization seeks signatures for Beach Road ballot initiative

Reopen Beach Road gave a presentation at the Siesta Key Association meeting in August, in an effort to get more signatures on their attempts to amend the county charter.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
file photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 30, 2017
Larry Elgart remembered for his love of swing music

The composer and bandleader recorded "Bandstand Boogie," which was used as the theme song for "American Bandstand."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Julie and Phil Delaney
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • August 30, 2017
A happy anniversary and a dream gig

Milestones reached by your friends and neighbors.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A record number of dolphin calves have been born this season.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • August 30, 2017
Sarasota Bay sees record year for dolphin births

During the 2017 season, 19 dolphin calves were recorded in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Bird Key home located at 651 Mourning Dove Drive recently sold for $3 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 30, 2017
Mourning Dove Drive home sells for $3 million

Residential real estate for Aug. 14-18.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Though Jim Gabbert’s proposed recycling facility outside the Celery Fields was denied, he is hoping to find a location farther east.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • August 30, 2017
Developer looking farther east to build recycling facility

After rejection of his plan to build a recycling plant just outside the Celery Fields, its developer says he just has to move on.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Almost every major milestone in George Luzier's life has to do with boating, from the academy he chose to attend after high school to how he met his wife. Photo by Niki Kottmann
    By
  • Niki Kottmann
  • August 30, 2017
Made with Love: Sarasota man honored for eight decades of craftsmanship

George Luzier has been making high-quality wooden boats for 80 years, and this summer, his work was awarded national recognition.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtle named Patti works her way to the Gulf of Mexico off Lido Beach on Aug. 30, 2017.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 30, 2017
Mote sends Patti the sea turtle home

On Aug. 30, a rehabilitated subadult loggerhead sea turtle was released into the Gulf of Mexico off Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
LECOM Park has been garnering substantial attention to its namesake according to a school executive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 30, 2017
Lakewood Ranch's LECOM puts naming rights on stage

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
Cops Corner
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 30, 2017
Cops corner for Lakewood Ranch area

Interesting police reports from the Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton areas.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
A least tern juvenile rests near the colony. The colony was allegedly chased away by a cat at the end of June. Photo courtesy of Greg Taylor.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 30, 2017
Cat chases away Longboat least tern colony

On June 28, a cat showed up near the colony. The next day, the colony was down 25 nests.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Phillips wears many hats around Longboat Key. She said if more people joined nonprofit clubs, the island could do so much good.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 30, 2017
A conversation with Susan Phillips

The assistant to the town manager and president of the Longboat Key Garden Club shares her thoughts on involvement around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Volunteers don't need to have backgrounds in marine science. Mote gives their volunteers training before sending them out to their posts.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 30, 2017
Longboaters hooked on Mote

A plethora of Longboat Key residents have found a calling in volunteering at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brenda Russell, center, says development of the proposed park property, a projected called Myara, leaves little connectivity for wildlife even if built using a clustered style of development. Gary Hebert, left, and Phil St. John
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 30, 2017
Braden Woods group hopes to preserve options

Friends of Keep Woods wants to educate the public about potential park.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 30, 2017
Bring back my country

What’s happening to the country we knew and loved? The best way to bring it back is to continue doing and teaching our loved ones to do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 30, 2017
Maria Sharapova keeps track of Longboat

The famed tennis player has Longboat Key listed on her weather app.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 30, 2017
Longboat Key Obituaries: Aug. 31, 2017

Anna Ruth Tiller, Hilda Taylor Laurence and John H.Stephenson died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Scallop Search volunteers rescued the pelican from fishing line and brought it to Save our Seabirds. Photo courtesy of Tara Goldstein
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 30, 2017
Saving seabirds

Scallop Search volunteers rescued a pelican while out on Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 13404 Kildare Place in Lakewood Ranch sold recently for $750,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 30, 2017
Country Club Village home sells for $750,000

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 14-18

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Jordan Schmucker, Nikki Cain, Sasha Cain, Kelsie Roberts, Anna Shelby Dees and Ciarra Scarbrough walk off the court after a set.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 30, 2017
Lakewood Ranch volleyball hopes to rebound from 2016 season

The Mustangs coach believes this year's team is more committed to the sport.

  • East County
  • Sports
Troy Snyder is a three-time personal watercraft world champion.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 30, 2017
East County resident's mantra — Just Doo it

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Schroeder-Manatee Ranch Vice President of Planning Richard Bedford says the public is anxious for the extension of Lorraine Road to open.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 30, 2017
Lakewood Ranch road comes to fruition

Lorraine Road extension opens Ranch's move into Sarasota County.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 30, 2017
Cortez Bridge

Make it a fixed span

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
« 696 697 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 »
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