• 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

    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 9, 2015
Bird Key Yacht Club is en pointe

Ballet was the night’s theme at the art opening at Bird Key Yacht Club on April 9. Tim Jaeger displayed his paintings of Sarasota dancers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 9, 2015
St. Mary kicks up its boots

The Men’s Club of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church wrangled up the community for its fifth annual Cowboy Cookout on April 9.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jenny Alday Townsend, Kelly Abercrombie, Stacy Hanan, Michelle Senglaub and Jennifer Compton
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • April 9, 2015
Celebration Luncheon Sponsor Party

Celebration Luncheon sponsors gathered at The Field Club on Thursday, April 9, for the Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon Sponsor Party.

  • Black Tie
The estate is 5,126 square feet.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 9, 2015
Longboat Key home sells for $3.2

The 5,126-square-foot home sold April 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
This home at 12515 Highfield Circle has four bedrooms, five and a half baths, a pool and 5,287 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.375 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 9, 2015
Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch home sells for $1.38 million

East County Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch home sells for $1.38 million

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Mark Resnick from Sophie’s at Saks Fifth Avenue listens to Al Benincasa.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 9, 2015
Businesses steal the scene at Hob Nob

Local businesses enjoyed an evening in the spotlight at the 14th annual Hob Nob hosted by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Thursday at Ed Smith Stadium.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 9, 2015
Cops Corner: East County 4.9.2015

Cops Corner: East County 4.9.2015

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 9, 2015
Cops Corner: Sarasota 4.9.2015

Cops Corner: Sarasota 4.9.2015

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Commissioner Pat Zunz believe there’s value in having town dispatchers on the island that know the ins and outs of the island’s roads.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 9, 2015
Zunz can speak up on dispatch discussion

The Florida Commission on Ethics ruled Longboat Key Commissioner Pat Zunz can participate in future discussions about Longboat Key police dispatch.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Siblings Vergene Mayne and Mike Thayer take in the Siesta Fiesta art and craft festival.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 9, 2015
Weekend Best Bets: Siesta Fiesta and Celebration of Pets Fest

Weekend events include activities for art lovers and pets with Siesta Fiesta and Celebration of Pets Fest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Terry Schubel, Paula Stein and Jean LeGrand pose in the TripAdvisor billboard. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 9, 2015
Siesta Key TripAdvisor billboard to be displayed at Siesta Fiesta

TripAdvisor gave the sign to Siesta Key after it won the Traveler's Award for best U.S. beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Should the Manatee County School District's sales tax levy expire in 2017, officials estimate losses of $30 million per year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 9, 2015
Schools' needs exceed the district's wallet

With its sales tax levy set to expire in 2017, the Manatee County School District vets revenue options to fund projects and keep the district from falling off a financial cliff

  • East County
  • News
  • By Kourtney Kalahar
  • April 9, 2015
That Fit Girl: Meal prep

That Fit Girl: Meal prep

  • Sarasota
  • News
Despite the reduction in speed from U.S. 41 to Old Bradenton Road, Ringling College of Art and Design staff and students say cars frequently speed through the campus — a hazard they hoped to eliminate by closing the street to vehicular traffic.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 9, 2015
Street stakes

Despite numerous appeals from Ringling College staff and students, the Sarasota City Commission declined to vacate a portion of Old Bradenton Road on the school’s campus.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 9, 2015
Commissioner hopes to facilitate new downtown bathrooms

Although he says it’s not priority No. 1, Commissioner Stan Zimmerman has raised the idea of adding more public bathrooms downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Siesta Market is the only grocery store in the Village. File photo
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 9, 2015
Siesta Market to close after more than three decades on the Key

Vince and Peter Messina are closing the Siesta Market after owning the popular Siesta grocery store since 2001.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Norm Dumaine, Millie Small, Joyce Burnham and Renee Gluvna are four of five residents living near Fruitville Road Park who have led a charge to save — and improve — the parkland. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 9, 2015
Residents reclaim neighborhood park

Not satisfied with the city’s decision just to preserve parkland at Fruitville and Beneva roads, residents are working to facilitate improvements at the site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
“That’s my goal — to help students be confident in learning,” retiring Bay Haven School of Basics-Plus fifth-grade teacher Jane Wiechmann said. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 9, 2015
Aging workforce

Approximately 30% of Sarasota County government’s workforce will be eligible to retire in the next five years, along with 5% of teachers this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 9, 2015
This week in history 4.9.15

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andy Mele is originally from the Hudson Valley area of New York. He worked as the executive director for Clearwater, which successfully got General Electric to dredge the Hudson River after years of nuclear plant leakages into the water system. Photo by J
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 9, 2015
Q+A with Andy Mele

An author and environmentalist, Andy Mele has been immersed in the local water systems through organizations such as the Sarasota Bay Watch and the Waterkeeper Alliance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 9, 2015
Sarasota County Property Appraiser targets tax evaders

A third-party vendor will help the property appraiser round up fraudulent exemptions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Angelina Grebe
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 9, 2015
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 9, 2015
Our View | Parking on the causeway?

The city’s concept for John Ringling Causeway looks attractive. But it would be a motorists’ disaster.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 9, 2015
Microsoft announces store opening at Mall at UTC

Microsoft will open three new stores this summer, including one at The Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • News
This home at 1192 Horizon View Drive has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 6,918 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.8 million. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 8, 2015
Home in Tortoise Estates sells for $2.8 million

A home in Tortoise Estates tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Antoinette Weinstein, of Sarasota, sold her home at 1192 Horizon View Drive to Jeffrey Gould and Lenore Conviser Gould, of Longwood, for $2.8 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Save Our Seabirds CEO David Pilston with the new sign, which will be posted on docks, launches, piers and bait shops throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 8, 2015
Save Our Seabirds hopes signs will leave pelicans off the hook

More than 90 new signs educate the public about what to do if they encounter a tangled bird.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This home at 602 S. Owl Drive sold for $4.55 million It has four bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 5,581 square feet of living area. Photo courtesy of Roger Pettingell
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 8, 2015
Four-bedroom Bird Key home sells for $4.55 million

A home on Bird Key tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Kerlyn Holdings Ltd. sold the home at 602 S. Owl Drive to Marie Baker and Mark Woglom, of Sarasota, for $4.55 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
All four candidates remaining in the City Commission race are scheduled to attend Monday's forum.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 8, 2015
CONA, CCNA to host City Commission forum

As the May runoff election for the District 2 and 3 City Commission races draws nearer, two neighborhood organizations are teaming up for a candidate forum.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Two of the seven buildings were repainted in the past two years, and the other five will be repainted beginning May 1.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 8, 2015
Windward Bay recognized for comeback

The condominium is one of three small communities that the Florida Communities of Excellence named as a finalist in its ‘The Comeback Kid’ category.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 8, 2015
FDOT to begin Stickney Point bridge repairs Monday

The project will not cause lane closures until May.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sharon Black Floyd, Nancy Blackburn and Alex Quarles
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • April 8, 2015
First Annual Founders Luncheon

Designing Women Boutique hosted the First Annual Founders Luncheon on Wednesday, April 8, at The Francis.

  • Black Tie
Josh Drew, Amy Anthofer, Brett Hall, Michelle Nolan, Carla Hulderman, Monica Yadav, Angela Anderson, and Alana Wiley present a check Thursday at SPARCC.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 8, 2015
SPARCC receives donation for new cribs

A donation for $1,500 will go toward the purchase of cribs for the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center shelter. The funds were donated by Direct Energy in person to SPARCC on Thursday in the form of a large check.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High School Kiltie Band members appeared in support at the school board meeting.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 8, 2015
Riverview High Kilties kickstart fundraiser

The funding goal is $165,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 8, 2015
Community sports

East County community sports scores

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 8, 2015
High 5 moments

The top five sports moments of the week

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2015
Letters to the Editor | Sound off: Another bridge

We asked you for your traffic solutions in the April 2 editorial, “Forget the Legacy Trail: We need another bridge,” and you responded.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
« 971 972 973 974 975 976 977 978 979 980 »
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
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
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
5
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

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