• 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

Holly Wright and Ruth Brown spoke together at a luncheon in Venice. Photo courtesy of Candice McElyea.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 18, 2016
Lakewood Ranch business lights the way

Local marketing firm raises money for Payton Wright Foundation.

  • East County
  • News
Christina Hacker and Debbie Graves, neighbors in Braden Woods, say they love the low prices they saw at Aldi and plan to make the store part of their regular shopping excursions.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 18, 2016
Aldi opens East County location

Lockwood Ridge/SR 70 intersection now features three grocery stores.

  • East County
  • News
Assistant Branch Supervisor Judy Mullen, Friends of the Braden River Library President Martha Crabb, library Branch Supervisor Cathy Laird and Friends' Vice President Judy Harris show off the symbolic check.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 18, 2016
Library expansion may be overdue

Library volunteers hope a $20,000 donation to country will be a catalyst for improvements.

  • East County
  • News
The Heritage Harbour South CDD planted more than 10,000 plants in littoral zones of select lakes in 2012 to improve water quality. But, the program was cut the following year. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 18, 2016
Residents peeved about ponds

Heritage Harbour residents circulate petition in search of better smelling and looking ponds.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 18, 2016
Suspects deliver clue on thefts to Longboat police

A work schedule left behind in a vehicle burglary leads police to two suspects in a string of package thefts on Longboat Key

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 18, 2016
Longboat Key: Your Calendar

Check out upcoming events on Longboat Key and surrounding areas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 18, 2016
Positano condo sells for $3 million

The Unit 306 condominium at 4975 Gulf of Mexico Drive has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,343 square feet of living area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 18, 2016
Longboat Key: Obituaries

Joseph Ridley Avirett Jr. and Dirk Lami died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Aaron Cushman with his book, "Public Relations Impacts the World," which was published in March.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 18, 2016
Aaron Cushman pens new book on the PR industry

Aaron Cushman writes about the public relations industry and its influence in his new book, “Public Relations Impacts the World.”

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Andre Hersom, 5, at last year's Sarasota Youth Sailing Program summer camp.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 18, 2016
Gear up for summer camps

Learn about summer camps on Longboat Key and surrounding areas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River senior first baseman Bethaney Keen was named to the Florida High School Coaches Association 27th All-Star Softball Classic May 20-21.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 18, 2016
East County High 5 Moments: 05.19.16

East County High 5 Moments: 05.19.16

  • East County
  • Sports
Since forming in February, the Sure Shot Annie's women's sporting clays shooting group has grown to roughly 40 members.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 18, 2016
Women 'pull' together

Sure Shot Annie's members take their shot at a different kind of shell game.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA junior wide receiver Kendall Johnson will look to help the Thunder close out the spring season on a winning note when ODA plays host to Bishop McLaughlin May 20.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 18, 2016
That's the ticket ...

Check out this week's top East County sporting events.

  • East County
  • Sports
SANCA events and volunteer coordinator Sarah Kupiec and operations manager Bob Whitford use a detailed checklist when preparing for each of the nearly 50 events that will occur at Nathan Benderson Park during the 2016 fiscal year. (courtesy photo)
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 18, 2016
Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

Event action keeps rolling at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 18, 2016
Cops Corner 5.19.2016

Comical crime reports from around the area.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 17, 2016
It's all about the weather

Fun rains down at Freedom musical

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Laraine Batista, right, wipes away a few tears during her speech. Batista is bilingual; however district translator Michelle Gomez-Raney translated her speech into Spanish for the audience.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 17, 2016
Manatee County School District migrant education program graduates 25

An awards ceremony was held at Palmetto High School Tuesday.

  • East County
  • Schools
Community Haven President and CEO Brad Jones, photo courtesy of Community Haven.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 17, 2016
Community Haven’s operations vice president tapped for CEO

Brad Jones has been with the organization for five years.

  • East County
  • News
Members of the Guns n Hoses Pipes n Drums of Southwest Florida march through the Sarasota Memorial Hospital courtyard.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 17, 2016
Local law enforcement remembers fallen officers

Local policed departments and sheriff's offices mark National Police Week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sid Royce joins his son, Tara Elementary’s Principal Steve Royce, grill hot dogs together for Tara families to enjoy during a school luau last year. File photo
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 17, 2016
Tara to receive new principal

Freedom Elementary's Laura Campbell will lead Tara starting July 1.

  • East County
  • News
Code Enforcement Officer Chris Elbon spearheaded the town's efforts to strengthen its sea turtle ordinance.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 17, 2016
Commission moves turtle ordinance forward

After four hours of discussion over three meetings, the Longboat Key Town Commission has found consensus on stronger sea turtle protections.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Vengroff's plans call for a campus of multiple apartment buildings on the 7.9-acre property.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 16, 2016
City reverses course on affordable housing project

Just two weeks after Harvey Vengroff's apartment plans appeared to be in serious jeopardy, the City Commission unanimously approved a land use change necessary for the development to proceed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The meeting is at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2016
Manatee Commission talks housing

Affordability is the topic of choice.

  • East County
  • News
Carol Siegler
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2016
Open letter: Don't forget horrors of Castro regime

Americans, as well as Cubans, have suffered in the decades following the Cuban revolution.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 16, 2016
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office investigates business burglaries

At least two suspects broke into six businesses last week.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 16, 2016
Country Club Village home sells for $2.35 million

Residential real estate transactions May 2 to May 6

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Jack Miller, coxswain Lydia Bremer and Trey Whitten finished third in the Men's Lightweight 4+ to qualify for the national championships.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 15, 2016
Crew win SE Championships

The Sarasota Crew won the overall points trophy at the USRowing Southeast Youth Championships May 14-15.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 15, 2016
Braden River to hold hoops camp

Braden River will hold its annual basketball camp for three weeks in June.

  • East County
  • Sports
Dylan Mayes, Turtle Inc. founder Lexi Mariash, Mote Marine Laboratory Chief Development Officer Erin Knievel and Easter Seals Southwest Florida President and CEO Tom Waters.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 14, 2016
Turtle Inc. tees up for sea turtles

Tee Up for Sea Turtles collects $17,000 for Easter Seals Southwest Florida and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
LaRon Harris and Amy Saunders share a dance.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 14, 2016
Glitz, glamour for Sarasota High School Prom

Sarasota High School hosts prom with a theme inspired by "The Great Gatsby."

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ty Dauphas, Zachary Snyder and Mark Parsons of Freedom watch water drain from their creation during the timing challenge of the water tower competition.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 14, 2016
McNeal students tower over the competition

Annual Elementary Water Tower Competition hosted by Freedom Elementary.

  • East County
  • News
Cecily Schneider captured this shot of a sandhill crane family taking a walk on a golf course in south Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2016
Sarasota weather page photo: May 12

Cecily Schneider captured this shot of a sandhill crane family taking a walk on a golf course in south Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jeannie Sparks submitted this shot of a wood duck she photographed in the Braden River near Jiggs Landing.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2016
East County weather page photo: May 12

Jeannie Sparks submitted this shot of a wood duck she photographed in the Braden River near Jiggs Landing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tina Pinho captured this photo of a pelican diving for food in Sarasota Bay at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2016
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 12

Tina Pinho captured this photo of a pelican diving for food in Sarasota Bay at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Maddie Biggs, also a Bashaw alumna, reads her story "Jacob's First Day Jitters."
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 13, 2016
Lakewood Ranch High School students visit Bashaw

Students in advanced English read original stories to elementary students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Vengroff has said he will not proceed with his housing plans if the city requires annual inspections for the property.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 13, 2016
City to revisit Vengroff apartment plans

Two weeks ago, Harvey Vengroff said his affordable housing proposal wasn’t going to happen. Now, city staff hopes relaxed regulations will keep the project alive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 829 830 831 832 833 834 835 836 837 838 »
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
Traffic snarled in Sarasota, Longboat Key
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic snarled in Sarasota, Longboat Key
2
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
3
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
4
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables
5
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
  • December 18, 2025
New north Sarasota park draws major collegiate softball tournament

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