• 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

Kyle James is the new part-time receptionist at Town Hall.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 7, 2015
Conversation with Kyle James

The 21-year-old is taking lessons learned at Disney and applying them to Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority board members noted in a Sept. 30 meeting that Anne Ross “shoots high above the rest" on paper.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2015
Ross is the LWR post front-runner

Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Anne Ross is one of two finalists being considered for the Lakewood Ranch executive director position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Masengale said he used to care a lot about what other people thought; now, however, he's comfortable being himself.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 7, 2015
Mr. Crazy Pants: Bradenton resident promotes self-confidence with clothing

Three years ago, Gary Masengale got a leg up from a cotton candy-colored pair of pants and has continued his collection.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 7, 2015
Cops Corner 10.7.15

Crime reports from around the area.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Gene Jaleski claims the town acted in error when it voted to remove information from the town website in September.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 7, 2015
Jaleski files ethics complaint

Gene Jaleski believes the town broke the law by removing information from its website about a neighborhood undergrounding project. Will the Florida Elections Commission agree?

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The beetles munch away at the air potato vines, and leave other plants untouched. Photo courtesy Tyree Brown, Rizzetta & Company.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 7, 2015
Fishing for answers, Waterlefe district turns to grass carp, beetles

New approach determined to battle pesky plants taking over Waterlefe’s lands and waters.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Mayor Jack Duncan and Sarasota County Commission Chairwoman Carolyn Mason praised each other's commissions Monday for working well together.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 7, 2015
Town updates Sarasota County on top priorities

Town Manager Dave Bullock told two sets of commissioners Monday in Sarasota that beach projects are a top priority, followed by several other issues in fiscal 2016.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 7, 2015
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 10.8.15

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Alex and Rachel Hunsader, 22 and 23 respectively, have grown up attending and working the festival, but say it's still an exciting family affair.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2015
Hunsaders sprout 24th pumpkin festival

One sign of fall: The Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival, which returns weekends from Oct. 10 through Oct. 25.

  • East County
  • News
A bee drinks nectar from a Mexican sunflower. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2015
'Pollinator challenge' goes abuzz

Sarasota and Manatee County are promoting the use of pollinator-friendly plants in neighborhood gardens.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
IDA Supervisor Alan Silverglat reviews his top candidates with fellow board members Sept. 30.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2015
Town Hall's next 'change agent'?

Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Anne Ross and Assistant Highlands County Administrator Randy Vosburg are the two finalists for Lakewood Ranch Town Hall executive director.

  • East County
  • News
Community Haven President and CEO Marla Doss and Vice President of Operations Brad Jones expect to break ground in December on the new vocational center.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 7, 2015
Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities lives mission through new project

The organization nears fundraising goal for $1.1 million vocational center.

  • East County
  • News
Vicky Cawte and her mother, Deirdre, will co-host weekly Irish dancing classes at San Marco Plaza.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 7, 2015
San Marco Plaza to offer Irish Dance in Lakewood Ranch

Deirdre and Victoria Cawte are offering Irish Dance classes starting Oct. 10 in East County.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Main Street has been open for 10 years.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 7, 2015
Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Business Alliance celebrate 10 years.

The organizations have spent a decade in the Ranch, and are celebrating with a joint event.

  • East County
  • News
James and Karol Santarsiero, of Hollywood, sold their home at 9815 Old Hyde Park Place to Jeffrey and Cheryl Sellers, of Bradenton, for $620,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three and two half baths, a pool and 3,623 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 7, 2015
Country Club Village home sells for $1.075 million

A home in Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • East County
  • News
Bullet Hole owners Brooke and Francis Misantone pose in their former location on Main Street in April of 2013.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 6, 2015
Bullet Hole owners buy Orange Avenue building

The Misantone family has doubled down on its downtown Sarasota location with the $900,000 purchase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jessica Zelitt, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High, recently won a $1,000 scholarship.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 6, 2015
Lakewood Ranch and Braden River students win scholarship

Out of 80 applicants throughout the state, Jessica Zelitt and Domenic Aluise received the Scobee Scholarship.

  • East County
  • News
The City Commission will meet with the County Commission to discuss homelessness issues Nov. 6.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 6, 2015
Homelessness headlines City Commission meeting

On Monday, the Sarasota City Commission discussed a lawsuit challenging the city’s no-lodging ordinance and a meeting with Sarasota County regarding a strategy for addressing homelessness issues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
File photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 6, 2015
Manatee County awards bid for East County water reclamation facility project

Vogel Bros. Building Co. pitched a $3.5 million bid to complete receiving and storage stations at the facility.

  • East County
  • News
Virginia Sanders
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 6, 2015
Virginia Sanders turns 93

Longboat celebrity Virginia Sanders celebrated her 93rd birthday Tuesday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2015
Sarasota road rage incident leads to shooting

Sarasota County deputies have arrested 22-year-old Christian Gunter for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following an altercation at a gas station on South Tamiami Trail Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longbeach Village resident Gene Jaleski announced he will file for District 5 Commissioner Pat Zunz’ commission seat.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 6, 2015
Jaleski announces commission run

Longbeach Village resident Gene Jaleski announced he will file for District 5 Commissioner Pat Zunz’ commission seat this week.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Adam Bradtmueller
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 6, 2015
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 10.08.15

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 10.08.15

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Jaz Mongeon scored four touchdowns to lead Cardinal Mooney to its first win of the season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 6, 2015
Sarasota Football Friday: Week 6

Sarasota Football Friday: Week 6

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Pine View School sophomore Clark Dean has been rowing with the Sarasota Crew for the past four years.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 6, 2015
Crew rower competes for national award

Sarasota Crew rower Clark Dean is one of five finalists for the 2015 USRowing Fan’s Choice Junior Athlete of the Year award.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kristin Zarrella (courtesy photo)
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 5, 2015
Alumni Spotlight: Kristin Zarrella

Lakewood Ranch grad has time of her life at Southern Miss

  • East County
  • Sports
City homeless director Doug Logan is beginning the process of outlining a concrete plan to address homelessness in the region.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 5, 2015
Homelessness director lays out city’s proposals

Doug Logan, the city’s special initiatives director for chronic homelessness, has outlined a series of potential plans of action to address the issue on a regional basis — including possible funding sources.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jack Short
  • October 5, 2015
School Board may settle case with families of suicide victims

Three suits against the School Board may be settled this week if it decides to approve the settlement agreement and pay out $600,000 in damages to three families of dead teenagers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The cleanup aims to reduce bird and other animal fishing-line entanglements .
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 5, 2015
Volunteers help clean up area waters

Volunteers at the seventh annual Fishing Line Cleanup picked up fishing equipment and other trash in an effort to clean up area waters and beaches.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Town Commission will review a funding request tonight by the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce for the town's 60th anniversary celebration next month.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 5, 2015
Town Commission discusses issues with Sarasota County

The Longboat Key Town Commission also holds a regular meeting tonight to discuss 60th anniversary party funding among other topics.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ryan Walker
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 5, 2015
East County Sidelines: 10.08.15

East County Sidelines: 10.08.15

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Cliff Roles
  • October 5, 2015
WISH: Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish hosts white party at Michael's On East

  • Black Tie
The Out-of-Door Academy football team takes the field in its district game versus Bradenton Christian Oct. 2.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 5, 2015
Panthers outlast Thunder in offensive showdown

The ODA football team fell to Bradenton Christian 55-40 in Class 2A-District 5 action Oct. 2.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rick Marsden blesses Milo and Pongo.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 4, 2015
Redeemer celebrates animals with blessings

Church of the Redeemer invites congregation to bring pets for blessings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 4, 2015
Dads, doughnuts hit at Freedom Elementary School

The PTO hosted its annual Donuts with Dads event Oct. 2.

  • East County
  • Schools
Hundreds of riders arrive on bicycles to a finishing party a Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 4, 2015
Team Tony Foundation's Cycle of Life event culminates at Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Bicycle riders participated in a 200-mile trek across the state.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 908 909 910 911 912 913 914 915 916 917 »
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 (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
Sponsored Content
3
  • December 12, 2025
ANNIE
Sponsored Content
4
  • December 12, 2025
“Catskills After Dark”
5
Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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