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Your Observer | All

Man-made? Really!
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: WOKE group urges town to wake up over landmarks

Organization says Longboat names are insensitive and demands new ones.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: State rolls out the carpet on GMD

Longboat first in the state to receive sidewalk floor covering.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Artist finds his new direction edgy, arresting

Longbeach Village tenant captures the "outlaw moment" in works inspired by police reports.

  • April Fools
En Pointe is a proposed four-unit building on the interior of Golden Gate Point with four stories above ground-level parking.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
Golden Gate condo plan sparks parking debate

Residents in the downtown-adjacent neighborhood are worried a four-unit residential building will exacerbate existing parking issues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The construction of a sand-retaining groin near Ted Sperling Park is the final step in the city's Lido Key shoreline renourishment project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
Lido Beach projects near completion

The reopening of the Lido Pavilion concession stand and the construction of sand-retaining groins mark some of the final steps in a pair of renovation projects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents on Lido Key and St. Armands Key are worried large vacation rental properties will continue to proliferate in residential areas if the city does not take regulatory action.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
Island residents push for adoption of vacation rental rules

Next week, the city will consider implementing additional regulations for rental homes on Lido and St. Armands keys.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Since November, the City Commission has moved forward with at least three projects that date back to 2017 or 2018, including the redevelopment of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
New commission strikes distinct tone

Although some officials are proud of what the board has accomplished in less than half a year, the commission’s approach has caused some concern, too.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Users can book small performances or full orchestra concerts via a smartphone app.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: No music hall? No problem.

The Sarasota Orchestra is ditching its plans for a new venue in favor of an on-demand model built around outdoor performances.

  • April Fools
Ken Schneier, Sherry Dominick, Penny Gold, Mike Haycock, BJ Bishop and Debra Williams make up the Longboat Key Town Commission.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 31, 2021
Town Commission to consider environmental projects, filling vacancies

April 5 marks the first regular Town Commission meeting for Penny Gold and Debra Williams.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kelli Smith will officially resign on April 30 from her position as the Longboat Key police chief. She has accepted the police chief role at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 31, 2021
Longboat Key Police Chief Kelli Smith resigns

Kelli Smith has accepted the police chief role at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Giving Back 941, Inc. founder Holley Dekmar presents a check for $4,336 to Robin Greenwood, the board president and CEO of Elmira's Wildlife Sanctuary in Wimauma. (Courtesy of Holley Dekmar)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 31, 2021
Myakka nonprofit provides a hand up

Giving Back 941, Inc. was started during the COVID-19 pandemic to fundraise for local causes

  • East County
  • News
Pacific Counter co-founders Tanner Loebel, Eric Bialik and Tock Noythanongsay serve poke and sushi in a fast-casual setting.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 31, 2021
EYE ON BUSINESS: Casual sushi comes to Lakewood Ranch

Pacific Counter introduces fast-casual poke and sushi to Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 31, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A moving tribute

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 31, 2021
Fishing event held in reel time in Lakewood Ranch

The annual Youth Fishing Tournament attracts 38 participants to Lake Uihlein in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Rob Walden, a data center engineer for the School District of Manatee County, helps Bryanna Bacon, a third grader at Ballard Elementary, sign onto Schoology at Ward Temple AME Church in April 2020. File photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 31, 2021
Federal money could improve internet access in Lakewood Ranch, Manatee County

Manatee County commissioners want to shore up internet service in areas such as East County

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
2
Artist JC Wayne hangs the ninth and final piece in her series "Atomic Universe," the latest installation at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. The display will be up throughout the holiday season.
  • December 19, 2025
Artist delves into ideas of existence at Longboat exhibition
3
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
4
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
5
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

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