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Your Observer | All

A speed detecting camera sits in front of Tara Elementary School.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 12, 2025
School zone speeding cameras rev up criticism in Manatee County

Commissioners limited the ticketing hours and made the speed limits uniform following complaints.

  • East County
  • News
From left to right, these are the newly installed leaders of the Women's Club: Kathy Matheson, Joanne Byrne, Sue Pace, Stefanie Fine, Shirley Driskill, Susan Braunstein, Kathy Stewart and Susan Francisco.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 12, 2025
Women's club mixes fun with philanthropy

The Women's Club at Cascades of Sarasota fosters camaraderie by raising money for local nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Florida Studio Theatre Arts Plaza will be built next door to the current building on First Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 12, 2025
Challenge match reached to name Florida Studio Theatre expansion

Still undergoing staff review, Florida Studio Theatre reaches capital campaign goal to name its multi-use expansion McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Boy hides in a dryer to avoid bedtime
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 12, 2025
Boy hides in a dryer to avoid bedtime

A juvenile calls 911 from the confines of a dryer drum where he tried to avoid bedtime and a frustrated father. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota Opera will present Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" March 8-28 during its 2025 Winter Opera Festival.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • February 12, 2025
The Sarasota Opera falls for Figaro

The clever servant is a pivotal player in two productions for its 2025 winter festival.

  • Arts + Culture
An "Under the Sea" candy bar at the Gulf Coast Heat Homecoming delivered everything needed for a sugar fix.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 12, 2025
February is the sweetest month — for nonprofits as well as candyholics

The social season is in full swing this month with a plethora of happenings and tidbits from those who attend them.

  • Black Tie
Steve Branham (left) and Deborah Murphy (right) speak at the election forum held on Feb. 9.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 12, 2025
Town Commission candidates gear up for contested 2025 election

At an election forum hosted by Miracle on the Key and the Men’s Club of the Temple Beth Israel, the candidates had an opportunity to discuss their positions on Longboat Key issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Executive Chef Michael Decorcie from Drift at Lido Beach Resort showcases his arancini special.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 12, 2025
Upcoming Longboat foodie festival to help hurricane recovery

Taste and Tunes of the Keys returns on Feb. 27 with a dozen eateries.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 61 S. Washington Drive has seven bedrooms, nine-and-two-half baths, a pool and 8,691 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 12, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 27-31 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A John Ringling Estates home on South Washington Drive tops the week’s sales at $5.45 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Tom and Sue Reese discuss their plans for dinner parties and other social activities once their home is rebuilt.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 12, 2025
Community finds ways to 'bounce forward' from hurricanes

As 2025 has gotten underway, Longboat Key residents have pushed to find new ways of moving forward from the hurricanes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Maggie Yull has been a dominant presence on the girls varsity soccer team this season, leading the team with 11 goals.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 12, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Maggie Yull

The sophomore forward has been the offensive engine for the Out-of-Door Academy girls varsity soccer team this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota High senior Oliver Boyle drives to the basket during the Sailors 66-28 home win over the Imagine School at North Port in the district semifinal Feb. 5.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 12, 2025
Sarasota basketball teams compete for district titles

Recapping how Sarasota's teams fared in their respective district tournaments.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota County's OnDemand service debuted in 2021.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 12, 2025
Islandwide OnDemand extension in Longboat Key records solid first year

Despite hurricanes disrupting service for about a month, Sarasota County Transit said utilization and response from the islandwide rideshare service was positive in its first year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Deaths rose under Bondi
  • By Adrian Moore, Jacob Rich
  • February 12, 2025
Deaths rose under Bondi

Fewer Americans are drug addicts, yet more people are dying from drug use. Law enforcement’s crackdown on opioids just caused users to shift to fentanyl.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Participants biked the distance of GMD during the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16, 2016.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 11, 2025
Longboat Key PD increases cyclist, pedestrian safety patrols

Officers will focus extra patrol efforts on high-risk areas on the island aimed at ensuring motorists, cyclists and pedestrians follow road safety rules.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
James Satcher, a former Manatee County commissioner and supervisor of elections, is now running for Congress.
  • June 9, 2026
Former Manatee County commissioner, supervisor of elections runs for Congress
2
The Crystal Waters estate at 8501 Midnight Pass Road has re-entered the market at nearly $30 million.
  • June 9, 2026
Siesta estate returns to the market at nearly $30 million
3
Members of the public curious to learn more about Longboat Key's sea turtle population ask questions of the experts at the first Turtle Walk of the nesting season on June 6 beside the newly staked nest.
  • June 9, 2026
Following record year, turtle nesting season off to strong start on Longboat
4
Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager (right) presents Lee Smith with a plaque recognizing his years with the police department at the June 1 Town Commission meeting. Smith retired from his position as sergeant on May 29.
  • June 9, 2026
Sgt. Smith retires from Longboat Key Police Department
5
Alexandra Melrose, Hailie Lucille and Hannah Taylor star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Honky Tonk Angels."
  • June 9, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for June 11-17

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