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News

Brian Walton points to the water line left on some of the bird enclosures closer to the water. These are occupied by water-tolerant birds like pelicans and cormorants.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 8, 2024
Hurricane Helene floods Save Our Seabirds, results in one casualty

The nonprofit on Ken Thompson Parkway is working to recover after Hurricane Helene’s storm surge brought up to 4 feet of water throughout the facility.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Several beachfront properties on Longboat were severely damaged from Hurricane Helene's storm surge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 7, 2024
Longboat's early Helene assessment estimates over $170M in damages

The damage estimate is expected to grow as officials continue to assess Helene damages while Hurricane Milton is on the way.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Almost all Florida manatees have propeller scars from past collisions with boats. Complying with “Idle Speed No Wake” speed limits for boats helps protect manatees from harm.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 7, 2024
Rare manatee sightings in the Braden River

The manatees, pushed into the fresh water habitat by the Helene surge, will be moved back to brackish water.

  • East County
  • News
Like other businesses on Longboat Key, Ventura's in Whitney Plaza was boarded up on Oct. 7 before Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 7, 2024
Longboat Key issues immediate evacuation order for Hurricane Milton

The town issued the evacuation order at 10:30 a.m. Monday as officials are preparing for "life-threatening impacts."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioner George Kruse says Gulf Drive is the “the single biggest infrastructure issue” left behind by Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 7, 2024
Who pays for Hurricane Helene damages in Manatee County?

Manatee County will have to tap its reserves to cover repairs while waiting on reimbursements from the state and federal governments.

  • East County
  • News
Storm debris outside multiple stores at St. Armands Circle. Most stores have been gutted, some to the studs.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 7, 2024
Troubles pile up as St. Armands digs out from under

The city of Sarasota responds to merchants' removal pleas as decaying debris piles remained on Friday while they attempt to recover from Hurricane Helene.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County orders Level A, B evacuations
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 6, 2024
Manatee County orders Level A, B evacuations

Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida's west coast on Wednesday.

  • East County
  • News
Displaced food and beverage workers at impacted restaurants as they work on recovery, such as Cha Cha Coconuts on St. Armands Circle, may apply for grants from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Souther Smoke Foundation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2024
GCCF offers hurricane relief grants to food and beverage workers

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has partnered with Southern Smoke Foundation to help Helene-impacted local service workers bridge financial gaps during recorvery.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cases of water at the Longboat Key Neighborhood Point of Distribution donated by Anhueser-Busch.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 5, 2024
Anheuser-Busch delivers water to local communities for Hurricane Helene relief

Gold Coast Eagle Distributing and Anheuser-Busch delivered clean, canned drinking water to Sarasota and Manatee communities, including Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar will open in the Center Point plaza off of University Parkway on Oct. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 5, 2024
Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar set to open in Lakewood Ranch

The bar will open on Oct. 9 in the Center Point plaza off University Parkway.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A rendering by MHK Architecture of the front elevation of Pier 550.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 5, 2024
Golden Gate Point condo project progresses, but questions remain

Pier 550, the latest Golden Gate Point luxury condo project, faces additional scrutiny by the Development Review Committee. Three other residential projects win partial or full sign-off.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bradenton residents get sandbags at the Public Works Annex, 1411 Ninth St. W. Forecasts for heavy rain next week are prompting Manatee County to urge residents to prepare.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 4, 2024
Manatee issues new state of emergency ahead of heavy rain forecast

Rainfall totals could rival amount received during Hurricane Debby, officials say.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office is inspecting several designated poliing places on barrier islands Friday to determine if they will be able to be operational by Election Day, officials said.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • October 4, 2024
Elections supervisor inspecting polling sites damaged by Helene

Storm surge damage could prompt sites on the barrier islands to move.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the prototype Whataburger planned for South Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 4, 2024
Whataburger makes first appearance before city staff

The Texas-based fast-food chain is planning its first Sarasota-area location on South Tamiami Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chris Udermann and his wife, Susan, were working hard on Tuesday morning to clean their house and start necessary drywall removal after Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 4, 2024
In Longboat's lowest areas, Helene's storm surge smothered family homes

The Udermanns’ home in the Village is just one example of how Helene’s high storm surge caused major damage to Longboat Key homes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Lt. Clay Huber was cheered by about 100 first responders and hospital personnel on Thursday.
  • August 6, 2026
Hospitalized Sarasota firefighter cheered upon his release from care
2
Shane Catts, who started Happy Paddler Kayak Tours & Ecoventures with his wife, Holly Rolls, said the Longboat Key-based business has been proud to be part of so many families' favorite times vacationing and living on the island in the nearly 10 years it has been open on the north end.
  • August 6, 2026
Happy Paddler celebrates family legacy on Longboat Key waters
3
  • August 6, 2026
Voter organization to hold election information sessions
4
Workers install boat slips behind the vacant lot where the Buccaneer Restaurant is planned. Additional slips will be installed behind the Harbor Square office building pictured left.
  • August 6, 2026
Boat slip addition underway behind future Buccaneer Restaurant site
5
Sarasota runner Vinny O'Shaughnessy completed his goal of running a marathon in every state. Since then, the runner hasn't slowed down, starting on a new mission to do the same with a half marathon in every state.
  • August 6, 2026
Marathon man accomplishes goal of racing in every state

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