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News

The church hopes to have the steeple removed by the end of the day Monday. A replacement steeple should be installed by the end of September.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 9, 2019
Steeple removal closes segment of Main Street

A crane is stationed on Main Street to accommodate the removal of the steeple at FirstSarasota church.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key's Sept. 11 memorial consists of 2,977 flags arrayed along Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 9, 2019
Longboat prepares for annual Sept. 11 memorial

Flags along Gulf of Mexico Drive memorialize victims of attacks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Whitney's Roadside is undergoing construction at the corner of Gulf of Mexico Drive and Broadway Street.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 9, 2019
Work on Longboat Key eatery continues

Informal eatery under construction at Broadway and Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unicorp, the plaintiff in the suit, filed to dissolve the Colony’s condo association in the beginning of 2018 as a means of moving forward with a planned hotel and condominium project at 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • September 6, 2019
Order to terminate Colony condo association filed

Trial dates are set for April 2020, where the court will address other issues in the suit.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Coyote in beach dunes at snowy plover nest. Photo courtesy of Susan Phillips.
  • By Nathalie Kaemmerer and Sten Spinella
  • September 6, 2019
Coyotes spoil at least four turtle nests, experts say

Turtle watchers report hard-to-mistake tracks, but town officials say no sightings have been reported.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 5, 2019
Apartment plans for Town Center Parkway in Lakewood Ranch

Manatee County commissioners approve zoning changes in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Chuck Whittall, CEO of Unicorp National Developments Inc., was on hand in July 2018 when demolition of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort structures got underway.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • September 5, 2019
Both sides list potential witnesses in Colony lawsuit

Longboat Key leaders could possibly be called upon for testimony.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pickleball and tennis are constant sources of enjoyment on the Key.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • September 5, 2019
Longboat Key pleases pickleball and tennis players with court solutions

The question now is, which comes first: the new pickleball courts, or the replacement tennis courts?

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Those who are nonviolent offenders and are experiencing homelessness are eligible for the program.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 5, 2019
Sarasota's Community Care Court tackles homelessness

The program gives nonviolent offenders an alternative to jail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
University Park Recreation District Vice Chairman Michael Smith announces details of the plan during an Aug. 28 meeting. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 5, 2019
University Park Recreation District bond validation hearing set

University Park Recreation District bond validation hearing set

  • East County
  • News
Arlington Park residents Robert Grant and Nathan Wilson are part of a group that fears allowing more multifamily development in and around the neighborhood could lead to issues such as worsened traffic.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 5, 2019
Mixed-use zoning plans prove contentious

In addition to objections from the Arlington Park neighborhood, some city officials want to see affordable housing built on commercial properties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city is working to install tree lights along all of Main Street ahead of the holiday season.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 5, 2019
Project to light up downtown Sarasota trees

The Downtown Improvement District hopes to add lights on Main Street, in Five Points Park and in other portions of the city center in time for the holiday season.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Part of the delay involved redesigning the lift station from an underground structure to an above-ground building as depicted in this image.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 5, 2019
Lift station costs expected to exceed $60 million

The city could end up spending eight times its original budget to construct Lift Station 87.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch resident and Around the Bend Nature and Discovery Tours owner John Freeman is excited to create opportunities for children in Lakewood Ranch to be outside and learn about their environment.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 4, 2019
Lakewood Ranch man in search of discovery

Entrepreneur hopes for nature discovery in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Michele Morley was unbothered by the possibility of a hurricane Sunday afternoon, Sept. 1. Photo by Sten Spinella.
  • By Nathalie Kaemmerer and Sten Spinella
  • September 4, 2019
Relief reigns on Longboat Key as island evades Dorian

Massive hurricane's threat put town on edge for a bit, but officials stress the season is just now reaching its peak.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Photographer Rick Waid looks on as curator Anita Pihl affixes a blue ribbon to his piece, "Wild Mare with Foal," at the May 12 reception for a gallery by local photographers up now at Plymouth Harbor.
  • May 18, 2026
Local photographers get exposure at new Plymouth Harbor showcase
2
Author Susan Hanafee speaks to the evolution of the character Leslie Elliott, who goes on a truth-seeking adventure set in Sarasota in the murder mystery "Scavenger Tides." Bird Key Women's Association members read the book before hearing from the author at their May 13 meeting.
  • May 18, 2026
Local murder-mystery author shares insights with Bird Key group
3
The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program serves kids ages 6 to 16.
  • May 18, 2026
Kids learn lessons on and off the water at Manatee River Youth Sailing Program
4
Debby Debile joins fellow Longboaters in enjoying a relaxing afternoon at The Paradise Center, where a summer kick-off event featured tea and coloring.
  • May 17, 2026
It's time for tea on Longboat Key
5
Jeff Toale stands inside the Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, where light-filled spaces and a contemporary design reflect a shift toward more personalized, meaningful memorial experiences.
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF

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