• 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

Eight-year-old Olivia Trawick, of Parrish, travels to Lakewood Ranch Park each week for her tennis lessons. The tennis courts are the closest public courts to her home.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 14, 2016
Consultant hired to study Manatee County's parks

What level of service do Manatee County residents desire for parks and recreation?

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 13, 2016
CONA hosts holly jolly potluck

Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations gathered for their last meeting of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 13, 2016
SPARCC spreads holiday cheer at annual luncheon

Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center held its annual holiday luncheon at Michael’s On East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 13, 2016
Women's golf associations host a frosty frolic

The annual event collected unwrapped gifts for Toys for Tots.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 13, 2016
David Barkey speaks to Longboat democrats

Barkey spoke to the club during its monthly meeting on Dec. 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Police Detective Bob Bourque said these two men are suspects in three Monday home burglaries. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • December 13, 2016
2 suspects sought in 3 Longboat Key burglary cases

Longboat Key Police Detective Bob Bourque said two homes were actually broken into and one attempt failed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Florida Highway Patrol responded to the incident.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 13, 2016
Bradenton man dies in car accident

No one else was injured in the crash.

  • East County
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 13, 2016
Record-breaking turtle nesting season comes to an end

The final nest was excavated on Siesta Key on Dec. 12.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
President Larry Thompson of Ringling College of Art & Design, left, and Tom Aposporos of the Longboat Key Foundation, listen Monday as the deal to establish a $10 million art center on Longboat Key is extended into February. Terry O'Connor
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • December 13, 2016
Longboat Key Arts Center deal extended with Ringling College

“The town would be responsible for the site development and Ringling would be responsible for the building,” said assistant town manager Mike Hein.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Manatee County tanker truck crash closed both lanes of I-75 between S.R. 70 and University Parkway Tuesday.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2016
UPDATE: Manatee crash closes both lanes of I-75

All lanes of I-75 between S.R. 70 and University Parkway have reopened following a tanker truck crash late Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 12, 2016
Girl Scouts take over Gingerbread Festival

The 8th annual Gingerbread Festival was hosted by the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida for the first time.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 12, 2016
Temple Emanu-El puts on Hanukkah production

Temple Emanu-El seventh graders showed off their theatrical skills during Sunday’s Hanukkah performance.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Mote
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 12, 2016
Mote's Summerland Key facility nears finish line

The research facility will help expand programs focusing on studying and restoring coral reef.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force petition released Friday calls for prohibiting bridge openings for training, testing, and maintenance from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • December 12, 2016
Longboat Key Task Force wants faster traffic fixes from FDOT

Chairman Tom Freiwald released a petition Friday calling for immediate action to mitigate traffic congestion during the 2017 tourist season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Heritage Golf Group now owns the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, and its three courses, including Royal Lakes.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 12, 2016
US Kids Golf Tour Championship Results

The event was held at Lakewood Ranch Country Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Nolan Middle School girls team won the Manatee County District Championship 3-0 over Buffalo Creek on Dec. 9.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 12, 2016
East County Weekend Roundup: 12.12.16

A middle school soccer title and basketball tournament victories highlight the weekend in East County.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 11, 2016
Holiday spirit sails through Sarasota Bay

The floating parade featured an extended route and viewing areas.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 11, 2016
FirstSarasota church continues Christmas tradition

This year marked the 43rd annual showing of the singing tree.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 11, 2016
Competitors ace Observer Challenge

The 17th annual tournament brought 120 players to the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center over the weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 11, 2016
Animal lovers flock to Five Points for Jingle Paws Jubilee

Dogs, cats and even pigs came out for the event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Six proposals were opened Wednesday, Dec. 7, from companies interested in landing the multimillion-dollar job of placing all remaining overhead Longboat Key utilities underground. File
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • December 11, 2016
Six firms submit proposals to take Longboat utilities underground

The cost of this project will determine the final amount the town will assess Longboat Key residents for it.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unicorp President Chuck Whittall, the Orlando-based developer proposing a $1 billion reimaginement of the Colony Beach & Tennis Club property, said the political sign would be taken down Monday. Terry O'Connor
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • December 11, 2016
Colony political signage stirs Longboat Key questions

Unicorp President Chuck Whittall, the Orlando-based developer proposing a $1 billion reimaginement of the property, said the sign would be taken down Monday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 10, 2016
Longboat Harbour hosts holiday celebration

Residents gathered to ring in the holidays and donate to Toys for Tots.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 10, 2016
Christmas story comes to life

Night in Bethlehem event offers Night in Bethlehem celebrates Christmas story.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 10, 2016
Porsches drive crowd to St. Armands

The 12th annual Porsches in the Park was hosted by Suncoast Motorsports.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 10, 2016
Santa comes to town

Heritage Harbour event lets children feast on pancakes, Santa

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 10, 2016
SRQ Plein Art Painters sail through quick draws

Artists spent two-and-a-half hours painting scenes around the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Howard Rooks has owned the two-story Tommy Bahama building in St. Armands Circle since 2003.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 10, 2016
Rooks sells St. Armands Tommy Bahama

Howard Rooks sold the St. Armands Circle building housing Tommy Bahama for $6.8 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Violet Link, 1, Sarah Link, 35, and Maxwell Link, 5, snuggle together during a Tot Shabbat event in Myakka City.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • December 10, 2016
A return to faith for East Manatee County woman

Temple Emanu-El provides a second home for mom.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 10, 2016
Southside students and parents stroll through winter wonderland

Organizers of the Southside Village Holiday Stroll pulled off a Christmas Miracle — snow in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch boys basketball stayed undefeated with an 82-54 win over Braden River Friday night.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 9, 2016
Lakewood Ranch boys basketball sinks Braden River

Every Mustang scored in the victory.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 9, 2016
Burns Court puts a holiday twist on Second Friday

The Burns Court Neighborhood Association hosted its third annual Holiday Scavenger Hunt.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2016
Ranch theater students 'pop through the stages'

Lakewood Ranch High performance explores changes in pop culture through the decades.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jeramy Burkinshaw
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2016
Mall at University Town Center names new GM

Jeramy Burkinshaw brings 14 years experience to his new job.

  • East County
  • News
Planning consultant Bo Medred addresses attendees during a public meeting at St. Boniface Episcopal Church Wednesday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 9, 2016
Lack of details big hurdle for Siesta Key hotel

Siesta Key residents decried murky plans for a hotel on the barrier island during the first public meeting on the proposal.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 9, 2016
PINC Conference visits Sarasota

The Sarasota Opera House hosted the 3rd annual PINC Conference.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 771 772 773 774 775 776 777 778 779 780 »
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