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Your Observer

Brandi Witman has always had a love for teaching, even when she was a child.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 18, 2015
Gullett teacher named Educator of the Year

As a child, Brandi Witman knew she wanted to be a teacher. After just four years teaching at Gullett Elementary, she received the Educator of the Year award.

  • East County
  • News
This home at 454 Partridge Circle has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,080 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.79 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 18, 2015
Bird Key home sells for $1.79 million

The sale of a Bird Key home is the top transaction in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 17, 2015
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 03.12.15

Cops Corner: Longboat Key

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David and Nada Farr both wore as much green as they could find.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • March 17, 2015
Glenridge goes green for St. Patrick's Day

It was all about the green for the theme of the St. Patrick's Day party at The Glenridge March17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
On March 13, Longboat Key Detective Sgt. Bob Borque drove to the Mobil Longboat Key Mart to uncover a credit-card skimmer after he realized a device allowed a Key resident’s credit-card information to be stolen.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 17, 2015
Skimmer swipes card info at Mobile station

Longboat Key police plan to pump license-plate camera information and surveillance videos to find out who’s responsible for the high-tech heist.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • March 17, 2015
Club Longboat aces St. Patrick’s Day

Thirty-two Club Longboat owners and renters took a break from St. Patrick’s Day festivities to play in the condominium’s annual mixed doubles tennis tournament on March 17.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • March 17, 2015
Gulfshore and Twin Shores celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

The streets of Gulfshore and Twin Shores were filled with green, laughter, music and cheer during the residences’ annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Barb Rannigan, literacy coach, Mary Kay Henson, program donor, Barbara Shirley, Alta Vista principal, and Dehea Smith, assistant principal, attended the meeting.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • March 17, 2015
Alta Vista Elementary reports positive growth in summer education program

Administration presented an update to the Sarasota County School Board today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • March 17, 2015
Orioles team up with Selby

Orioles will sport green baseball caps for Go Green day in a partnership with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Robert Smith brings 20 years of emergency management experience to his new role as the county's Public Safety Director.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 17, 2015
County hires new safety official

Robert Smith plans to utilize past emergency management experience as Manatee County's new Public Safety Director

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 17, 2015
Al Purmont Insurance announces three new hires

Marketing Manager and Executive Assistant, two Commercial Lines Account Managers added.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • March 17, 2015
Sarasota County approves USF contract for Water Atlas website

The county's water atlas was created in 2003.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The voter turnout in the Sarasota City Commission election eclipsed 21% for the first time in at least six years, but young and non-white voters were underrepresented in the city and town of Longboat Key elections.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • March 17, 2015
Youth vote 'depressing' in municipal elections — again

The Sarasota City Commission and Longboat Key Town Commission elections failed to bring out more than 6% of registered voters under 55 years old.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • March 17, 2015
Celebrate the luck o’ the Lynches

The Irish and Irish-at-heart flocked to Lynches Pub & Grub on St. Armands Circle to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Town Clerk Trish Granger swears in Mayor Jack Duncan and Vice Mayor Terry Gans.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 17, 2015
Duncan takes mayor's seat

Mayor Jack Duncan and Vice Mayor Terry Gans will lead the Longboat Key Town Commission after Monday’s statutory meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hugh Culverhouse Jr. has maintained developers Randy Benderson and Henry Rodriguez unlawfully cut him out of a lucrative development deal in south Sarasota County (shown in green.)
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • March 17, 2015
Prominent developers lose $20 million lawsuit

Developer Hugh Culverhouse Jr. has long maintained fellow developers and prominent Sarasota businessmen, Henry Rodriguez and Randy Benderson, cut him out of a lucrative mixed-use project through backroom conversations and political machinations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
(Photo courtesy SPD)The Sarasota Police Department headquarters was evacuated after an officer found a suspicious package Monday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • March 16, 2015
Sarasota Police headquarters evacuated due to suspicious package

Roughly 200 people were evacuated from the Sarasota Police Department headquarters and an adjacent building after an officer found a suspicious package Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • March 16, 2015
Temple Beth Israel honors Rabbi Michael Eisenstat

Temple Beth Israel was filled with nearly 150 congregants and friends at a night honoring former Rabbi Michael Eisenstat on March 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kate Alexander, Howard Millman and Carolyn Michel
    By
  • Cliff Roles
  • March 16, 2015
Eight Over 80

Jewish Housing Council Foundation's Eight Over 80 celebrated eight honorees for their outstanding community achievements Sunday, March 15, at Michael's On East.

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • March 16, 2015
Sarasota County commissioners to vote on contract for Siesta Key pump station

The commissioners will also hear a report on the county's water quality.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • March 16, 2015
Pelican Cove residents show off their talent

Pelican Cove held its 32nd annual art show on March 14 to 16.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Walton and Deborah Beacham with Michael Edwards
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • March 16, 2015
Asolo Rep's Major Donor Appreciation Party

Asolo Repertory Theatre hosted its Major Donor Appreciation Party on Monday, March 16, at a private home.

  • Black Tie
Mayor Jim Brown, fourth from left, will sign off tonight after six years on the Longboat Key Town Commission.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 16, 2015
Longboat commission to pick mayor tonight

The commission will choose the town’s mayor and vice mayor at its statutory meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 15, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Elementary BINGO

Moms, sons have fun at bingo night.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • March 15, 2015
First Watch Half Marathon and Relay

Nearly 3,500 Runners from near and far gathered at the 10th annual First Watch Half Marathon and Relay on the morning of March 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • March 15, 2015
Rotary Club of Longboat Key Veterans Get-Together

Longboat Island Chapel was filled with veterans from World War II to the Vietnam War at the Rotary Club of Longboat Key’s inaugural Veterans Get-Together on March 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Don Engelberger and Lorraine McNab are ready for the silent auction.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 14, 2015
For the Love of the Game Dinner and Silent Auction

Event celebrates sports, Braden River High School

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Heidi Stimac, Laurin Thorne and Holly Henry catch their breathe after swimming the first part of the course.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 14, 2015
Sarasota-Bradenton Triathlon

Athletes run, swim and ride

  • East County
  • Sports
Eleven-year-old Buttercup and her owner, Ronna Williams, participated in the Lucky Dog Parade.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 14, 2015
Irish Celtic Festival

Irish festival creates a sea of green

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vicki Reuter walks for Patti Saunders, who she pushed during the walk.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 14, 2015
MS Walk 2015

Community makes strides against MS

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 14, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Fashion Show

Tara hosted its Fashion with a Flair Fashion Show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ailen Garcia Gorrita and Annalyse Neil paint together at the Sun Circle Art Show.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • March 14, 2015
Indian Beach Sapphire Shores residents showcase artsy side

Artists lined the edge of the water of Sapphire Shores Park for the Sun Circle Art Festival on Saturday March 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sam Johnson and Matthew Petitt serve ribs from station Venice Fire Rescue.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • March 14, 2015
Competition heats up for rib cook off

Firefighters from throughout Sarasota County spent hours smoking, grilling and seasoning racks of pork ribs for the 12th annual Sarasota Firefighters Rib Cook Off.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dave and Shirley Myers drove in a decorated golf cart for the Longbeach Village St. Patrick's Day Parade.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • March 14, 2015
Longbeach Villagers parade, party to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day in Longbeach Village is a cause for celebration. Residents rode bicycles, drove golf carts and walked together in a parade on Saturday, March 14 to commemorate the holiday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rosemary Carter, Gary Reinstrom, J.D. Ellsworth and David Carter.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • March 14, 2015
Surprise performance at St. Mary St. Patrick’s Day party

Members of the St. Mary Star of the Sea congregation dined and danced for the St. Patrick’s Day party Saturday, March 14.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jessica Banks with Doug and Karen Constant
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • March 14, 2015
Banyan Ball…Where it all Began

More than 300 guests attended The Out of Door Academy's Banyan Ball...Where it all Began on Saturday, March 14, at The Out of Door Academy, Siesta Key.

  • Black Tie
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Latest News

1
Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
2
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding welcomes guest speaker Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager to update members about his approach to leadership since he assumed the role last autumn at the April 2 meeting.
  • April 4, 2026
Longboat police chief talks digital security with Kiwanians
3
Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
  • April 4, 2026
Dancers show off their moves at Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch
4
St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
5
The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes

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