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Your Observer | All

Utility lines are strung along rear yards on some streets on Lido Key.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 15, 2026
Burying power lines on barrier islands tops City Commission agenda

The Monday, July 20 meeting of the Sarasota City Commission includes approving a bid to assess the feasibility of putting utilities underground on St. Armands and Lido keys.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A firefighter sprays the roof of a Dock on the Bay condo building Wednesday morning, July 15.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 15, 2026
Fire engulfs Dock on the Bay condo units

Longboat Key firefighters were dispatched a little after 3 a.m. July 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
At 15 stories, the Islands West condominium building constructed in 1972 is one of the tallest buildings on Longboat Key. Driving north on the island, it’s the last taller condo building, as the north end features more single family homes and shorter hotel buildings like Four Winds Beach Resort pictured to the right.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 15, 2026
The great freeze of 1985 still impacts Longboat Key today

Surging development on Longboat Key was stopped in its tracks when voters approved a charter amendment that required resident approval for density increases. Now, the charter is being looked at again.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Edward Bailey, Jr., a 22-year-old former District 5 commissioner's aide, is now vying for a seat on the dais.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2026
Young candidates vie for Manatee County Commission, school board

Commissioners, voters and a former Miss America contestant weigh in on the issue of age in politics.

  • East County
  • News
Linda Matte, Theresa Langston and Rosemary Cummings of Stitchers welcome people of all skill levels to join the group on Mondays and learn about sewing, quilting and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 15, 2026
Neighbors create threads of friendship with Lakewood Ranch club

Stitchers, a club that meets in Lakewood Ranch, aims to bring creative people together to quilt, sew and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Reuben Fernandez leads Tai Chi classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at The Paradise Center, and many of his students have stuck with him since he first started teaching at the Longboat Key community center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 15, 2026
Tai chi brings mind, body, spirit benefits, Paradise Center students say

Longtime attendees of Reuben Fernandez's twice-weekly tai chi classes say they appreciate not only the physical benefits but also the social boost.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Official renderings for the multiplex will be completed after the site plan is finalized, but this rendering offers a glimpse of what the facility at Premier Sports Campus North could look like.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2026
Lakewood Ranch-area residents divided on proposed ice rink for Premier

Manatee County Commissioner Bob McCann is suggesting a relocation of the multiplex to the grounds adjacent to the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

  • East County
  • News
An interior view of Lynn Goldsmith's "Shared Light" photo exhibition in the Richard and Ellen Sandor Museum of Botany & the Arts at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 15, 2026
Selby Gardens exhibit showcases rock 'n' roses

Lynn Goldsmith's photos celebrate nature and her collaboration with Selby artist-in-residence Patti Smith.

  • Arts + Culture
Whitney’s Restaurant on the north end of Longboat Key is planning to expand to the office building next door, pictured to the right.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 15, 2026
Whitney's restaurant plans expansion

The Longboat Key restaurant owners paid $1.2 million for the property next door last October.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Gas pump incident leaves dispute over fault
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • July 15, 2026
Gas pump incident leaves dispute over fault

A woman said a fuel pump malfunctioned and sprayed gas on the ground, but she was billed for the extra gallons anyway. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The home at 575 S. Spoonbill Drive sold for $4.2 million. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,930 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 15, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for June 29-July 3 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Spoonbill Drive tops the week’s sales at $4.2 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Co-owners Tory Delany and Kevin O'Hanlon say every aspect of Delany's Public House on Lakewood Main Street is genuine Irish.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 15, 2026
Delany's Public House ready to open on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

The owners went to great lengths to present the public with a genuine Irish Public House.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Mark Sobolewski enters his second season as the Riverview High baseball coach in 2027. If any freshmen or first-time players hope to join his program, they'll have to complete an electrocardiogram screening first.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 15, 2026
Second Chance Act takes effect in Sarasota

Local high schools have worked to follow Florida Senate Bill 1070, which, as of July 1, requires ECG screening for new athletes.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 15, 2026
Why the worst rise to top

By comparison to other U.S. locales, we are so fortunate in Manatee and Sarasota counties and in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Longboat Key emergency responders posted this photo of Tuesday night's crash scene on social media platforms.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 14, 2026
'Major' two-car accident shuts down Gulf of Mexico Drive both ways

Responders anticipate the investigation will require the complete shutdown of the area for an extended period of time.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Melinda Zarzycki-Harris, founder and executive director of Bring on the Ministry, and Pastor Julia Wharriff Piermont of Christ Church of Longboat Key are all smiles with their new ministry partnership.
  • July 21, 2026
Christ Church gets new charitable partner
2
Tom Bleakley's "The Preacher" follows a young Detroit lawyer who takes on the defense of a woman charged with the killing of her husband. It is co-authored by Marcia Krajewski, another Lakewood Ranch resident.
  • July 21, 2026
Lakewood Ranch author uses 50-year law career to write fiction novels
3
Natalia Lesniewska raked in a meet-high 11 medals — 10 gold, one bronze — among all girls at the Florida Summer Age Group Championships.
  • July 21, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Natalia Lesniewska
4
The playground is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
  • July 21, 2026
Manatee County moves forward with Mixon Farms makeover
5
Shirtless, shoeless teenager walking in bike lane visited by police
  • July 21, 2026
Shirtless, shoeless teenager walking in bike lane visited by police

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