• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
  • Key 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
  • Key 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

Frescura, fresh off the plane from a Chicago winter, enjoying the sun in the heart of the village.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • January 7, 2016
People to watch: Ann Frescura

The incoming Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce executive director brings a unique perspective.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Guitarist and vocalists Joey Bravo performs for the band Lazy Bonez.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 7, 2016
Sarasota calendar 1.7.16

Sarasota and Siesta Key events for the week of Jan. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. Jane the otter.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 7, 2016
New Mote residents: Otterly adorable

Meet Huck, Pippi and Jane the resident otters for the "Otters & Their Waters" exhibit.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Volunteer Roxanne Williamson holds up a 10-pound bag of shells found on the grounds of Phillippi Estate Park.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2016
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Consortium of Colleges, City land swap

WEEK OF JAN. 7 2016

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jack Short
  • January 7, 2016
People to watch: Rick Piccolo

What does Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport CEO Rick Piccolo see for growth in 2016 and beyond? The sky’s the limit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
As CEO of Jebco Ventures, Bridges is spearheading two hotel projects and three residential developments, among other efforts.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2016
People to Watch: Bridges builds up development resume

Jebco Ventures CEO Jim Bridges has a full docket of ongoing projects throughout Sarasota, and he's embracing every challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Entrepreneur David Chessler said he wants the future of the Main Plaza complex to reflect the desires of Sarasota residents.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2016
People to Watch: Main Plaza developer strives to reflect community vision

David Chessler, one-third of the entrepreneurial team overseeing the redevelopment of Main Plaza, wants the project to represent the desires and needs of Sarasota residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Urban Design Studio Director Karin Murphy is working intently with staff on assembling resident input and synthesizing it into a final product for the new form-based zoning code.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2016
People to Watch: Murphy readies new zoning code

Urban Design Studio Director Karin Murphy will finish her work on a new form-based code for the city of Sarasota — but not before it gets a thorough vetting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Doug Logan, the city's homelessness director, plans to unveil a new organization focused on housing homeless individuals in early 2016.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2016
People to Watch: Logan crafts strategy for addressing homelessness

City homelessness director Doug Logan believes Sarasota can make significant strides toward addressing a long-standing issue in 2016 — as long as politics don’t get in the way.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The first major project when Marie Selby Botanical Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki arrived was to repair the mangrove walkway. The new Steinwachs Family Foundation Mangrove Walkway opened in November.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 7, 2016
People to Watch: Jennifer Rominiecki

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki sees the opportunity to grow both the gardens and its revenue sources.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 7, 2016
Harbor Acres home sells for $4.2 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between Dec. 14 and Dec. 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2016
Cops Corner: Sarasota 01.07.16

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Currently, Lakewood Ranch Boulevard dead ends in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park. Schroeder-Manatee Ranch officials say its extension south to Fruitville Road will be open in late 2017.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2016
Affordable housing key to expansion

The Villages project creates affordable housing and a new road network joining Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • East County
  • News
Life Enrichment Coordinator Sonja Carpenter brought in some of her finished king cakes.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
Windsor residents learn the art of king cake

The assisted living residence held a demonstration on the colorful culinary tradition.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Developer Pat Neal (right), and his son, John (left)
    By
  • Jack Short
  • January 6, 2016
Neal carves out a small chunk of Palmer Ranch

The developer submitted a pre-application proposal to build up to 50 homes where five stand.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County School Board members hope to reinstate impact fees at 50%, 75% and 100% of the maximum recommended amount.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2016
Manatee County Commissioners to decide on school district impact fees

After the district in November approved reinstating impact fees, commissioners will put the final seal on bringing back the builder fees.

  • East County
  • News
The Retter Wing at Sarasota Memorial Hospital comes down to make room for a 44-bed Rehabilitation Pavilion.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 6, 2016
Sarasota Memorial makes room for rehabilitation pavilion

Demolition of the former Retter wing starts on the site for the new rehabilitation pavilion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Town Commission meeting Monday started with overflow capacity — 36 residents seated in the Town Hall foyer.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 6, 2016
Fair and equitable

How to pay for underground utility lines in Longboat’s neighborhoods is a perplexing dilemma. But commissioners were right deciding to let the voters decide.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's Sam Hester goes up for a layup in the first half.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 6, 2016
Mustangs topple rival Pirates in district play

The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team beat Braden River 74-51 Jan. 5.

  • East County
  • Sports
Starbucks has other locations in Manatee County, including one near Interstate 75 and State Road 64, as well as one on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. File photo from Flickr.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2016
Starbucks has plans for new East County location

Benderson Development has submitted plans to develop a Starbucks on Lockwood Ridge Road and State Road 70.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High's new facility will house 10 cattle and cost more than $100,000 to construct.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2016
Braden River High opens new livestock facility

The school's new pole barn cost more than $100,000 to construct and will house 10 cattle.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
Cops Corner 1.7.2016

Crime reports from around the area.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch Main Street celebrated its 10-year anniversary this year.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
Getting ready for growth: Main Street choosy about new tenants

With only one retail unit unfilled, Lakewood Main Street stocked and ready to serve an expanding population.

  • East County
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2016
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 1.7.16

Enjoy this week's edition of Longboat Key Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Marsha Panuce with Kelly, a cockatoo, at 2015’s Save Our Seabirds Sunset Soiree.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2016
10 events in '16

Check out the 10 events on our radar for 2016.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Florence Katz celebrates her 100th birthday in July 2015. She told the Longboat Observer as she prepared to celebrate a century, “I’ve loved every day.”
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2016
Katz, 100, was small in stature, yet larger than life

Florence Katz died Dec. 26. Her magnum opus is her decades of service throughout the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Fiscal 2016 will be Longboat Key Town Manager Dave Bullock's busiest year to date.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2016
People to Watch: David Bullock

The town manager has millions of dollars in capital project to oversee in 2016, but none are as important to him as obtaining permits to renourish the island’s shoreline.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2016
OBITUARY | Theodore Tilton

Theodore Lake Tilton Sr., 74, of Longboat Key, died Jan. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2016
OBITUARY | Riva Kramer

Riva Kramer, 92, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key, died Dec. 24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Welcome to the dais in March District 1 Commissioner elect Armando Linde and District 5 Commissioner elect Ed Zunz.Linde will serve in the seat Commissioner Lynn Larson will
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2016
People to Watch: Armando Linde and Ed Zunz

Armando Linde and Ed Zunz become the newest town commissioners in March, after the deadline for candidates to qualify passed without challengers last year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2016
OBITUARY | Marguerite Coffey

Marguerite Coffey, 92, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key, died Dec. 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carol Erker
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2016
People to watch in 2016: Carol Erker

Carol Erker, president of the Rotary Club of Longboat key, has helped raise money for Bayfront Park’s new off-leash dog park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Phillips
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2016
People to watch in 2016: Susan Phillips

Susan Phillips is assistant to the town manager, president and scholarship chairwoman of the Longboat Key Garden Club and scholarship chairwoman of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Maureen Burke did almost all the planting of her garden herself, with supervision from Sanders.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
East County master gardener: in this oasis, she rules

This gardener adds her personal touch to a world of uniformity.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bob Simmons
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2016
People to watch in 2016: Bob Simmons

As the chairman of the Longboat Key Foundation, Bob Simmons has helped pave the way for a new medical facility on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 570 S. Spoonbill Drive has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 6,846 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 6, 2016
Bird Key home sells for $3.88 million

The home at 570 S. Spoonbill Drive has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 6,846 square feet of living area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
« 900 901 902 903 904 905 906 907 908 909 »
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
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center
2
The Citizen Tax Oversight Committee meets once a year to review expenditures of revenue brought in from the infrastructure surtax. The 2026 meeting lasted about 15 minutes on Thursday, April 2.
  • April 6, 2026
Longboat infrastructure tax spending plan comes up $6 million short
3
Bella Toscano is one of two Mustangs, as of April 3, hitting over .450, but also boasts the lowest ERA among her teammates.
  • April 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano
4
DragonBoot Quartet performs the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Gamma” for string quartet for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota on April 12.
  • April 6, 2026
Pine View grad solves for 'Gamma' in his latest music composition
5
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
  • April 6, 2026
Benderson begins trek through rezoning of 1660 Ringling Boulevard

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 © 2026 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