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Your Observer | All

Alahna Smith, 4, and Lexi Gwen, 6 check out sand art at last year's festival.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 21, 2017
Freedom Fest set to continue steadfast tradition

The 15th annual Freedom Festival kicks off on July 4 at 9 a.m.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Guy and Melanie Paschal with their dogs. Photo courtesy of the Longboat Key Historical Society Calusas to Condominiums: A Pictorial History of Longboat Key
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 21, 2017
Melanie Paschal led quiet, vivid life

Paschal, 95, died on June 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Miranda Crowe and Gabriella Ebbesson both took Guy Peterson's. Crowe just finished her first year working toward her master's degree and Ebbesson just graduated.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 21, 2017
University of Florida students design port cochere for Plymouth Harbor

Students in Guy Peterson's Sarasota-based lab spent the semester getting hands-on experience.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Regina Gurland in her garage turned pottery workshop. File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 21, 2017
Happy Birthday, Regina!

The local pottery artist turns 100 on Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 21, 2017
Longboat Key Obituaries: June 22, 2017

Dorothy Cole and David Kee died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane explains what different zones mean, and why it's important to know yours.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • June 21, 2017
Evacuation zones updated for 2017

Residents are encouraged to "know their zone" before a storm is approaching, and prepare.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The meetings are held at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 21, 2017
Water usage drives budget increases

Dry season leads to higher irrigation costs.

  • East County
  • News
Premier Sports Campus officially opened a new concession, bathrooms and a stadium Sept. 2, 2016. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 21, 2017
Land offer makes a splash

County could buy sports campus, plus adjacent 36 acres for $5.2 million.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 6935 Lacantera Circle in Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch recently sold for $950,000.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 21, 2017
Country Club Village home sells for $950,000

Residential real estate transactions for June 5-9

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Filmmaker Kevin Smith recently shot his new horror movie,"Killroy Was Here,” at Nathan Benderson Park in partnership with Ringling College of Art and Design. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 21, 2017
Kevin Smith returns to Sarasota to film horror movie

The actor, writer and director is currently filming the first installment of his horror anthology “Killroy Was Here” in partnership with Ringling College and Semkhor Productions.

  • Arts + Culture
The Charter Review Committee's recommendations will soon put before the Town Commission.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • June 21, 2017
Longboat Charter Review: small changes, big implications?

Charter changes could end up on the next ballot, if commission approves.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Horne unsheaths a custom sword he recently made. Photo by Nick Friedman
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • June 21, 2017
Local karate master takes matters into his own hands

James Horne is a master of more than just martial arts. By hand-crafting his own weapons, he creates functional works of art.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 21, 2017
This Week in Sarasota: Thursday, June 22

A look at our favorite events taking place this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Longboat Key is revising its sign code in light of a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision prohibiting sign regulations based on content.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • June 21, 2017
Real estate agents seek changes to sign-rule proposals

Length of permits, weekend displays for open houses are the top objections.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Trudy Gerena, senior public information specialist on the project for Manatee County, the county expects to hold a ribbon cutting for the Fort Hamer Bridge project Aug. 26.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 21, 2017
Parrish link almost complete

Target date for Fort Hamer Bridge opening is late August.

  • East County
  • News
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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

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