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Your Observer

Longboat Key beaches were relatively empty before Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 25, 2024
Evacuation ordered for Longboat Key ahead of Hurricane Helene

As Tropical Storm Helene strengthened into a hurricane around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Longboat Key officials advised residents that an evacuation order was in effect for residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kimberly Ramalho, left, and Katie Capone sit on Siesta Key Beach Wednesday, Sept. 25. The two friends were enjoying the weather a day before Hurricane Helene is due to pass by on the way to a predicted landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 25, 2024
Siesta Key beachgoers, merchants taking Helene in stride

As shops were preparing for storm surge, tourists were unfazed.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Guest owed $15,000 in unpaid hotel bill
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 25, 2024
Guest owed $15,000 in unpaid hotel bill

After attempting to collect a more than $15,000 tab, a downtown hotel called law enforcement for assistance. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The Town of Longboat Key will fund a $2.948 million beach nourishment at Gulfside Road in FY25.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 25, 2024
Fiscal year 2025 earns final approval from Longboat commission

Of the town’s $145.4 million spending outlined in a five-year capital plan, 53% — about $77 million — is expected to come in fiscal year 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bradenton's Vincent Wang gets some tips from Robert LaVopa of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club during the annual Youth Fishing Tournament in 2023 at Lake Uihlein.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 25, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club reeling in registrations for annual tournament

The Youth and Teen Fishing Tournament will be held Oct. 5 at Lake Uihlein.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Indian Mound Park boat access in Englewood will have 11 commercial charter permits available under the current proposal that will be considered by the Sarasota County Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 25, 2024
Charter boat program would limit county park access to 124 permits

The Sarasota County Commission received task force recommendation to govern use of public park gulf access by private tour operators. The bidding would start at $1,200 each.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Guardians John Bartley and Joe Hodge man the security screeners at Braden River High School's football game Sept. 20.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 25, 2024
School Board of Manatee County adds safety and security to tax referendum

If renewed, the 1-mill property tax referendum will support providing security at after-school events and funding security enhancements.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee County acknowledges not being in compliance with Florida's Public Records Act.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 25, 2024
Manatee County settles public records lawsuit for $75,000

The county acknowledged that it was not in compliance with the law.

  • East County
  • News
Richard Cannon was a set designer at Florida State University Asolo Conservatory for over 30 years.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 25, 2024
Former Asolo set designer will host his first art show at All Angels Gallery

Richard Cannon plans to bring his realistic drawings to the island at the All Angels By Sea Episcopal Church Gallery in October and November.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High football senior linebacker Richard De Paula.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 25, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Richard De Paula

The Lakewood Ranch High football senior linebacker is a defensive leader for the Mustangs.

  • East County
  • Sports
The home at 60 Lighthouse Point Drive has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 7,170 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 25, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 9-13 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Lighthouse Point tops the week's sales at $10.15 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Rev. Charleston Wilson holds a print depicting Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 25, 2024
Works by Japanese artist Sadao Watanabe donated to Church of the Redeemer

The collection of 24 paintings and prints by the Watanabe, whose work is also included in the collection of the Vatican, were donated by Hugh Culverhouse Jr.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The roundabout at Gulf of Mexico Drive and Broadway Street is intended to improve safety at the intersection.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 25, 2024
Longboat Key finds potential new funding for Broadway Roundabout

Town staff recently heard from the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization, which said it might have enough funds in fiscal year 2025 or 2027 to cover the remaining $3.2 million needed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ryan Kohn is leaving the Sarasota Observer sports beat after eight years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 25, 2024
Sports editor says goodbye to Sarasota after eight years

Stories from the beat will stick with Ryan Kohn along his journey.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Riverview High junior running back Isaiah Belt.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 25, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Isaiah Belt

The Riverview High junior running back had a breakthrough game against Booker High.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The republic that’s failing
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 25, 2024
The republic that’s failing

All the talk about ‘threats to democracy’ and ‘destroying democracy’ are totally off the mark. It’s mob-rule democracy that is destroying the republic and destroying Americans’ individual liberty.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Town of Longboat Key and FDOT are discussing potential ownership options for the island's pedestrian underpass.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 24, 2024
Town engages in ownership discussions about pedestrian underpass

The Bay Isles Association recently approached the town of Longboat Key about taking over ownership of the island's only pedestrian underpass along Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The final budget hearing is on Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Manatee County Administration Building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 24, 2024
Manatee County adopts $3.2 billion budget

Commissioners also adopted a $5.1 billion Capital Improvement Plan and a reduced millage rate.

  • East County
  • News
One of the observation decks at Joan M. Durante Park, now made of composite material.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 24, 2024
Behind the name of Joan M. Durante Park

Joan and Jim Durante were active Longboaters who wanted to give the island a haven for reflecting and connecting with nature.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A flooded street on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2024
Hurricane Helene news, updates in Sarasota, Manatee

Cleanup begins across the region following Hurricane Helene's landfall Thursday night as a Category 4 storm.

  • Hurricane Season
Ryan Kohn is leaving the East County Observer sports beat after eight years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 24, 2024
Sports editor says goodbye to East County after eight years

Stories from the beat will stick with Ryan Kohn along his journey.

  • East County
  • Sports
Program Manager Debby Debile, Dr. Coeurlida Ashby and Executive Director Amy Steinhauser at the Medical Suite at the Paradise Center.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 24, 2024
Paradise Center hopes to purchase Tidewell building on Longboat Key

Based on members' feedback, The Paradise Center plans to launch a grassroots campaign to raise around $2.5 million to purchase the building from the Tidewell Foundation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The trailer and specialized equipment inside cost the East Manatee Fire Rescue approximately $380,000.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 24, 2024
East Manatee Fire Rescue expands specialized services

The fire district purchased a trailer stocked full of specialty equipment meant to handle the most complicated calls.

  • East County
  • News
Now in her second year as principal at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch, Ashley Allen works to implement positive changes to continue the school's success.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 24, 2024
Imagine Schools at Lakewood Ranch reimagines school vision

Ashley Allen, the principal, institutes a new character development program.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Lake Club home at 8433 Pavia Way sold for $2,425,000. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,690 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 24, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 9-13 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Pavia Way tops the week's sales at $2.43 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Hotel guest upset with unexpected turndown service
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 24, 2024
Hotel guest upset with unexpected turndown service

Police were called to mediate a situation when a guest was angry after hotel staff entered his room for turndown service. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The exterior mural at Guppy's Longboat Key was commissioned by local duo Foxxy Fine Art.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 24, 2024
Philly-based restaurant Guppy’s Good Times to open on Longboat

Owner Robin Gupta hopes the restaurant can bring a neighborhood sports bar feel to the island.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
There are an estimated 700 vacation rental properties across the city of Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2024
Hundreds of vacation rentals still not registered with the city

Deadline to register vacation rentals with the city of Sarasota is Dec. 31. Some 600 unregistrated properties remain.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ford-Coates refutes Moran's charges
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 23, 2024
Ford-Coates refutes Moran's charges

The Sarasota County Tax Collector answers allegations made by her challenger in the November election.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 23, 2024
Sandbags to be available in Sarasota County, Longboat Key as storm approaches

Self-serve stations will be open Tuesday and Wednesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The National Hurricane Center says a tropical system heading into the Gulf of Mexico is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday and continue strengthening as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 23, 2024
Manatee County readies as tropical system approaches

Lake Manatee Dam work is complete, and sandbag stations are open.

  • East County
  • News
The National Hurricane Center predicts a system to move generally northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, producing heavy rain.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 23, 2024
Sarasota County offices to be closed as staff prepares for bad weather

County offices to be closed Tuesday; self-serve sandbags stations will be open Tuesday and Wednesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
One dead after Sunday shooting on Dr. MLK Jr. Way
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 23, 2024
One dead after Sunday shooting on Dr. MLK Jr. Way

The Sarasota Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Sunday afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kevin Morris is deputy director of utilities for Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 23, 2024
Manatee County Utilities receives another blow amid hurricane season

The utilities department works to fill the gap left after two deputy directors with a combined nearly 23 years of experience tender their resignations.

  • East County
  • News
ODA junior running back Allen Clark carries Sarasota Christian defenders down the field for a big gain.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 23, 2024
ODA football survives its first big test of 2024

The Thunder was pushed to the limit by Sarasota Christian on Sept. 20 but earned a 36-31 win.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Dick Vitale says he's grateful for the staff at Sarasota Memorial Radiation Oncology Center.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 23, 2024
Lakewood Ranch's Dick Vitale finishes final cancer treatment

Vitale's belief in staying positive and having faith keeps him strong during his latest battle with cancer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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