A Weston Pointe Court home ⬇️ sold for $2.8 million recently on Longboat Key, but a Lighthouse Point home was the week's top seller in the island community. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

City residents who have been piling up documents and electronics for disposal may visit the next session of Shred Stock on the morning of Nov. 7, outside of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Knowing there is a lot more to success in swimming than, well, swimming, this senior at Riverview High understands that the mentality of the pool must also be developed. Meet Maddax Harlan, Sarasota’s Athlete of the Week. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

The Florida Department of Health-Sarasota County issued a public health warning after a confirmed case of locally acquired West Nile virus. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Manatee County commissioners approved the purchase of two more properties through the Environmental Lands Program, spending about $16 million to save more than 700 acres. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

The just-opened Lakewood Ranch operation of Dogs Inc plans to be a visible location for the non-profit and will host training sessions for puppy-raisers there. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

With a showpiece such as The Bay park as an example of resilient design, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently awarded nearly a half-million dollars to extend a previously developed living shoreline at the 53-acre site. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

This Out-of-Door Academy senior gets that athletics can sometimes be a grind. But, there’s nothing in the rulebook that says a few smiles along the way are forbidden. Meet Zoe Gruber, East County’s Athlete of the Week. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Longboat Key leaders took a trip inland for some insight into their county government counterparts' thinking about books, bus rides and more. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Flood-proofing plans for the Shore's proposed circle back to St. Armands remain a point of contention. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

A political action committee, funded by a Bird Key resident to the tune of $200,000, is spending big to support two candidates in the City Commission election. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Longboat Island Chapel, which recently celebrated its 70th year, is getting $100,000 in repair funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Fund for Sacred Places. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Looking for something to do this weekend? Among your choices: jazz, Jedis and a nuanced on-stage look at Lizzy Borden. Check out our things to do in the attached link ⬇️ . yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Two years, not five: Longboat Key Commissioners signal support of the town's historical society in the form of a lease extension, just not quite as far-reaching as its president had hoped. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Sarasota Opera's Richard Russell plans to build on the legacy of longtime maestro Victor De Renzi but put his own stamp on the cultural gem. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

This home on nearly 8 acres on 69th Avenue East sold for $2.8 million. Built in 1999, it has six bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,909 square feet of living area. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

A nearly sprayed but surely irate driver pulled into the Longboat Police station to report an attempted super soaking from the bed of a pickup truck driving in front of her. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

As creatively as you can, circle these dates for upcoming arts and craft shows planned for St. Armands Circle. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Sought-after prizes were on the line when Lakewood Ranch's Sisterhood for Good and its 300 guests played Designer Bag Bingo to raise money for the nonprofit. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Sarasota County's Phillippi Estate Market opens today for its once-a-week run through April. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…