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…

Two Manatee County charter schools want a full share of the local option, half-cent tax collected since 2020. The school district says they aren't entitled to it. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Longboat Key police are keeping an eye on a pair of lashed-together sailboats with a history of dragging their shared anchor far enough to block dock space at an adjacent restaurant. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…

Families gathered at The Bay Sarasota last weekend to get an early start to Halloween. yourobserver.com/news/2026/o…