• 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

Longboat Key Fire Rescue has earned new recognition in operationality.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • August 4, 2017
Longboat Fire Rescue earns second highest rating with ISO

The department is one of 1,324 in the nation with a Class 2 rating.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This photo shows the Myara project looking west from the western end of Clubhouse Drive. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2017
Manatee County may scrap roadway connection

The fate of Myara property is still in limbo, but the state now will weigh in whether a road should run through it.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2017
Sarasota weather page photo: August 3

Tom McGee captured these black skimmers in flight over Siesta Key Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2017
East County weather page photo: August 3

Richard Bottorff captured storm clouds rolling in recently as he walked on the Bradenton Riverwalk.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2017
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 3

Nicole Graziano photographed her children on the beach at sunset on the north end of Longboat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The suspects took the cash drawer from the register and fled the area, the police said.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 3, 2017
Police seek help identifying North Trail robbery suspects

The Sarasota Police Department is searching for two suspects in conjunction with a Wednesday night armed robbery at a Tamiami Trail Walgreens.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Now that county staff has asked to see more information, the earliest that Benderson Development could bring their application to the County Commission would be January.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • August 3, 2017
County staff says Siesta Promenade plans are 'incomplete'

It's back to the drawing board for Benderson Development. Now, the earliest the County Commission could vote to increase the property's density would be in December.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 3, 2017
Kiwanis Club honors local students

The club held its annual scholarship breakfast on Aug. 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The new fees will go into effect Nov. 13, 2017.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2017
Manatee County school impact fees set to increase

The new figure actually is less than what would have gone into effect automatically in April 2018.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Police Department detective Ross Revill and civilian investigator Melody Shimmell speak at a news conference Aug. 2 after Tiffani Donovan was charged with stealing from the Southside Elementary School PTO.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • August 3, 2017
Southside Elementary PTO volunteer charged with stealing checks

Tiffani Donovan is charged with 11 counts of uttering a forged check taken from the PTO.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Isaac Brownman worked for Sarasota County for 17 years, most recently as public works director and county engineer.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • August 3, 2017
New Longboat public works director will start next week

Town Manager Dave Bullock hired Isaac Brownman for the job in May.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County Attorney Mickey Palmer reads a prepared statement.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2017
Manatee County addresses shark-dragging incident

County attorney says board has 'no jurisdiction.'

  • East County
  • News
Bob Smith, the county's director of public safety, takes the main podium in the Emergency Operations Center. "If I'm in here, it's really bad," he says.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 3, 2017
Storm plan vital even in safest spots of Lakewood Ranch

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • August 3, 2017
Charter schools: Friend or foe?

To equate SSIS’s recent decline with its charter status would be unfair

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Josh Smithers talks to his team after practice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 3, 2017
New Riverview coach makes most of quick turnaround

Smithers took over for Todd Johnson in June.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sydney Edwards coxes for the Women's 8+ team at the 2016 World Rowing Junior Championships. Photo courtesy USRowing.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 3, 2017
Sarasota coxswain makes history at World Rowing Junior Championships

Sydney Edwards became the first U.S. woman to cox for a men's crew in FISA competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Zachary Kurnov runs through the garden at Hershorin Schiff Community Day School.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • August 3, 2017
Summer sprouts await students return

While the students are away, school gardens wait for their day in the sun.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Evan Mendoza while at NC State University. Photo courtesy NC State Athletics Communications.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 3, 2017
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 08.03.17

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 08.03.17

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Chasen Dubs. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 3, 2017
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: 08.03.17

Sarasota Athlete of the Week: 08.03.17

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 825 Tropical Circle recently sold for $3,925,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 3, 2017
Tropical Circle home sells for $3,925,000

Residential real estate transactions for July 17-21.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Downtown merchants believe an amplified music system would help attract shoppers.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 3, 2017
Downtown merchants make play for music

Businesses in downtown Sarasota want to add amplified music throughout the district to enhance visitors' experience.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Workers at the 624 Palm construction site look on as emergency crews rescue a suspended man following a scaffolding failure.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 3, 2017
Construction firms grapple with labor shortage

As high-profile downtown construction accidents draw attention, a lack of available workers is making building in Sarasota more challenging.

  • Sarasota
  • News
It’s not just tropical storms that cause flooding around U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue. City and state officials are searching for ways to improve the drainage in the area.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 3, 2017
Officials target U.S. 41 flooding issues

Cleaning up dirt from a downtown development site is just one way the city hopes to improve drainage near U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2017
Cops Corner: Sarasota 8.3.17

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Cops Corner
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 2, 2017
Cops corner

Interesting Sheriff's Office reports for Lakewood Ranch and eastern Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 2, 2017
Campers explore marine careers

On Aug. 2, campers learned more about being an aquarium biologist.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gocio Elementary will be home to a pilot program this year aimed at getting kids started in school earlier.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • August 2, 2017
Pilot preschool program starts at Gocio Elementary

The program, thought up by philanthropists Mary Kay and Joe Henson, will focus on preparing students below the poverty line to start reading on grade level.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Colony Resort stands in tatters.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 2, 2017
A much better plan

Orlando developer Chuck Whittall learned a costly lesson about Longboat Key: Learn about it before you leap. With his newest development plans, Whittall clearly listened. It make sense.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 2, 2017
Aqua Kids meet Mote turtles

The campers learned about various types of turtles on Aug. 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A condo at the Ritz Carlton Residence recently sold for $4.3 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 2, 2017
Ritz Carlton Residences condo sells for $4.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for July 17-21.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
This home at 8325 Lindrick Lane recently sold for $1.2 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 2, 2017
Concession home tops local sales at $1.2 million

Residential real estate transactions for July 17-21.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 2, 2017
Good summer news

Tax rates same, down

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
All five board members agreed that getting involved in the legal suit would not be the best allocation of time and resources for Sarasota County.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • August 2, 2017
School Board votes not to join in lawsuit against the state

Several Florida school districts are suing the state over a bill that was passed this summer, but Sarasota board members agree — it's not the best use of the county's time and money.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Land-use attorney Charlie Bailey is working to clarify the Siesta Key Overlay District to allow his client, Gary Kompothecras, to potentially build closer to the street on the Key than is currently allowed.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • August 2, 2017
Siesta Key hotel hits roadblock

Kompothecras seeks a legislative solution with the county to proceed with plans for project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 2, 2017
Give taxpayers their money back

Hundreds of millions of dollars are sitting in reserve account.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Cross College Alliance includes four institutions on the North Trail in Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 2, 2017
College collaboration rebrands as Cross College Alliance

Formerly known as the Consortium of Colleges on the Creative Coast, the group hopes a new brand will help identify and promote its work.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 »
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