• 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

Featured speaker Aaron Jacob, Carol and Mort Siegler and Brad Robbins
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • June 30, 2015
AJC hosts Summer Lunch & Learn

AJC's Associate Director of International Affairs speaks at AJC West Coast Florida's Summer Lunch and Learn event

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Foundation Chairman Bob Simmons has its sights set on a location for the Longboat Key Center for Healthy Living in and around Bay Isles Road and Bay Isles Parkway where a future town center concept is proposed. (Kurt Schultheis)
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 30, 2015
LBK Foundation seeks $1.6 million for medical facility

The Longboat Key Foundation's new fundraising effort seeks to create the Longboat Key Center for Healthy Living before seasonal residents return.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 30, 2015
Town holds North Shore beach ribbon cutting ceremony

The town of Longboat Key's northernmost beach access is officially open to the public again.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Scott Veix submitted this sunset photo, taken near Terra Ceia.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2015
East County photo contest winner: July 2

Scott Veix submitted this sunset photo, taken near Terra Ceia.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Argus Foundation President Joe Hembree and Executive Director Christine Robinson.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 30, 2015
Argus Foundation sparks education reform discussion

Business leaders and members of the community met to listen and discuss the solutions for education reform in Florida during the Meet the Minds luncheon hosted by the Argus Foundation Tuesday, June 30 at The Francis Ballroom.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 30, 2015
Manatee County closes offices for holiday weekend

Although Manatee County is closing its government offices July 3, other services will still be available into the Fourth of July weekend.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 30, 2015
Audubon aims to protect black skimmer colony on Lido

More than 400 adult black skimmers have formed a colony on Lido Beach, prompting vigilance from the Sarasota Audubon Society.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Unit 244 at Villa Di Lancia, 2185 Gulf of Mexico Drive, has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 2,470 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.8 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 30, 2015
Three-bedroom Villa Di Lancia condo sells for $1.8 million

A condominium in Villa Di Lancia tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Robert Dinan and Tayna Vy Lilly (courtesy of Tayna Vy Lilly)
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • June 29, 2015
Bird Key laughs the night away for the John Dinan Music Scholarship

On June 18, Laughin’ Lawyers at Bird Key Yacht Club raised money for the John Stuart Dinan Music Scholarship.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Assistant Town Manager Anne Ross and Commissioner Terry Gans discuss undergrounding issues after the commission voted 5-1 to approve a referendum for Gulf of Mexico Drive in November.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 29, 2015
Commission powers up GMD undergrounding

Despite concerns from a few Longboat Key residents that splitting up the burial of island utilities into two referendum questions is doomed for failure, the Longboat Key Town Commission will put the question to the voters in November.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Manatee Cal Ripken 11U All-Star team outscored its opponents 46-6.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 29, 2015
Manatee Cal Ripken All-Stars win titles

A pair of Manatee Cal Ripken All-Star baseball teams won District 10 titles June 18 through June 21.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Florida Meteors 12U baseball team went 7-2 to finish second at the 12U High Tide tournament.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 29, 2015
Meteors finish second in High Tide tourney

The Florida Meteors 12U baseball team finished second in the 26-team 12U High Tide tournament June 15 through June 19, in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

  • East County
  • Sports
Nine-year-old Abby Loefgren won her heat of the 100-yard freestyle.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 29, 2015
Duel in the Pool

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners held their 2nd annual Duel in the Pool swim meet June 13.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sixty-four percent of Manatee County 10th-grade students passed the Algebra I. End-of-Course exam.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 29, 2015
Manatee County schools rank third among seven in FDOE report

Florida Department of Education shows Manatee County students' scores fell below state averages on Algebra I. and English End-of-Course exams.

  • East County
  • News
The University Town Center development of regional impact includes The Mall at University Town Center. Benderson seeks to add residential southwest of the mall and retail and office primarily east of the mall.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 29, 2015
Commission to consider mall site expansion

Benderson Development seeks to add 700,000 square feet of commercial and retail space adjacent to The Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • News
Doug Logan has acknowledged the criticism of his hire, arguing that the city needs a "generalist" to oversee the management of policies addressing homelessness.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 29, 2015
Commission to consider suspending homeless coordinator funding

At the request of Commissioner Susan Chapman, the City Commission will consider defunding the city’s new chronic homeless coordinator position following criticism of Doug Logan, the new hire.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 29, 2015
County taxable values continue uptick

arasota County’s projected revenues for the next fiscal year continue to grow, as the area’s final taxable values come in more than 7% greater than the previous year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Connie McManus is proud of her painting of a sailboat.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 28, 2015
St. Boniface displays talents with Watercolor Showcase

Following the 10 a.m. service at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, members gathered to admire and purchase completed paintings from the Watercolor group Sunday, June 28.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Tara Elementary fifth-grader Ty Moore and Braden River Elementary fourth-grader Carter Jula enjoyed playing one-on-one.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 28, 2015
Pirates score slam dunk with camp

Braden River High held the final week of its annual Summer Basketball Camp June 22 through June 25.

  • East County
  • Sports
Terri Smith prepares to dig into her lobster dinner.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 27, 2015
Residents dip into Shrimp and Lobster Fest

Residents rolled up their sleeves to dig into the Shrimp and Lobster Fest Saturday, June 27 at the Sarasota Farmers Market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 26, 2015
FYI Friday: Southside Village merchants respond to Sam Snead's sale

This week's FYI Friday includes news about the sale of the largest vacant property in Southside Village, a $5 million project at Nathan Benderson Park and more!

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • June 26, 2015
Mote to hold second annual Lionfish Derby

Teams will collect the invasive lionfish species from July 10 to 12.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Annie Breitinger and Erin Boihem show their patriotic pride.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 26, 2015
Stars and Stripes fundraiser shows patriotic pride

Lakewood Ranch Giving Circle, Cheers for Charity, stepped in to serve up drinks as guest bartenders during its Stars and Stripes fundraiser at Polo Grill and Bar.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Colony Lender and Unicorp National Development Inc. now must comply with May’s order to drop lawsuits against unit owners in state court .
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 26, 2015
Colony Lender’s sanctions appeal is denied

Colony Lender is now forced to comply with an order to dismiss lawsuits against Colony Beach & Tennis Resort unit owners while it waits to appeal again once sanctions are finalized.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Fred Smith and his wife, Barb, of 2nd Ann Rose, are geared up for the event, with their friend, Kevin Neurer, wine and bingo boards.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 26, 2015
San Marco Plaza shines for charity

Blingo Bingo, held at CHeers to Wine in San Marco Plaza in Lakewood Ranch, offered attendees wine and the chance to win jewelry from Park Lane, while also raising dollars for the MS Society.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Preston and Greyson Milligan with Kathryn Abend wait for the Downtown Sarasota fireworks show on the bayfront.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 26, 2015
07.02.15 Sarasota Calendar

Sarasota events for the week of July 2

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
When complete next year, Zota Beach Resort will feature a new 84-room hotel tower in addition to a completely renovated 103-room hotel that sits on the site at 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 25, 2015
Former Hilton becomes Zota Beach Resort

Zota Beach Resort, the new name of the former Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort, will open in late 2016.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 25, 2015
OUR VIEW | The ‘taking’ of your property

In Sarasota, often times it doesn’t matter what you own, or what city codes entitle you to do. Complainers trump property rights.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 25, 2015
Campers bring Shrek's tale to life

Lakewood Ranch High School's annual Acting Up Performing Arts Camp ended June 25 with end-of-camp performances of "Shrek, Jr."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Molly Patton, 8, and Bobby Nelson, 9, race through the slip and slide.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • June 25, 2015
Bayside Community Church vacation Bible school dives into scripture

The East County church held its summer vacation Bible school this week with a "Big Top" theme.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key will receive $1.5 million from the state for a $3.5 million Longboat Pass sand dredging project that will begin later this summer.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 25, 2015
Town beach project survives governor's cuts

Florida Governor Rick Scott signed off on a $1.5 million funding expenditureTuesday for an estimated $3.5 million Longboat Pass dredging project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Josiah Valdez crawls down an inflatable water slide.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 25, 2015
Kid's-A-Flame summer camp bursts into action

Christian Retreat, an East County church, hosted its 20th annual Kid's-A-Flame summer camp this week.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
File photo. Mame Hogan, Stephanie and Michael Luning get a ride down Midnight Pass Road in a bicycle built for five powered by George and Melissa Luning.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 25, 2015
This week in history 6.25.15

A glimpse of the way things were from the Pelican Press archives.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anderson and Jonathan Angel
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 25, 2015
Your Town

Your Town Column

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County commissioners on Tuesday asked staff to analyze the feasibility of converting the Salvation Army into a come-as-you-are homeless shelter.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 25, 2015
Rosemary seeks voice in homeless plans

While Sarasota County revives talk of a 24-hour come-as-you-are shelter, stakeholders in the most affected neighborhood feel left out of the conversation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
At a May City Commission meeting, commissioner Susan Chapman said she suspected the impacts of flooding were amplified by the construction projects such as Vue Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 25, 2015
Officials, residents wade into flooding issues

Those who want to address the regular flooding problem on Sarasota streets believe that new construction is making matters worse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 965 966 967 968 969 970 971 972 973 974 »
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
Sarasota's Harlyn Voyles, 7, holds on for dear life during the mutton busting at Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash April 4.
  • April 5, 2026
Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash attracts 2,000 fans on Easter weekend
2
Jeremy Gandon kisses the LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy. He shot six under par in the final round to win the title at 22 under par overall, defeating Mitchell Meissner and Jay Card III by one stroke.
  • April 5, 2026
Jeremy Gandon wins 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
3
Sarasota deejay and beatbox artist Karim Manning
  • April 5, 2026
Arts groups get 'Squeezed' for the 2026 Giving Challenge
4
Under Southwest Florida Water Management District's Phase III restrictions, water fountains can only run four hours per day.
  • April 5, 2026
Manatee County among 14 Southwest Florida counties under water restrictions
5
Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

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