• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

This home at 5030 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $3.2 million. It has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,246 square feet of living area.   Photo courtesy of Michael Saunders & Co.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 22, 2015
Gulf of Mexico Drive home sells for $3.2 million

A home on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sarasota artist Tom Stephens painted the abstract over the sofa. It’s part of a series called “A Coat of Many Colors.” The two brown leather side chairs, right, are by 1970s master designer Milo Baughman.
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • April 22, 2015
Small space, big style

An apartment’s artwork displays the cream of several collections.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 7510 Rigby Court has four bedrooms, four and a half baths, a pool and 4,596 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.15 million. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 22, 2015
Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch home sells for $1.15 million

A home in Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Chris Lynch, new owner Jason Burns and Ethna Lynch
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 22, 2015
Lynch sisters toast end of an era

Chris and Ethna Lynch head for a new destination: retirement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Letters to the editor

Key Club referendum: Leaning toward ‘no’; Vote ‘NO’ on Key Club referendum; Give us more truth

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Courtesy photo Although Josh Hill has only been practicing Parkour for three years, he has established a group of 25 students who attend weekly classes at his East County gym, Sarasota Parkour Facility. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
Motorcycle crash grounds Parkour instructor

The discipline of Parkour emphasizes speed, but for instructor Josh Hill, the road to recovery after an accident won’t be quick.

  • East County
  • News
Lauren Proctor, Natalia Vuckovic, Ashley Bongart, Selena Gomez and Jessie Kroupa won Lakewood Ranch High’s first state tennis title April 13 and April 14.  Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2015
State champs

The Lakewood Ranch High girls tennis team captured its first Class 3A state championship April 13 and April 14, in Altamonte Springs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch senior Sierra Schappacher inspired her sister, Denali, to start playing softball. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2015
Close bond drives outfielders

Sisters Sierra and Denali Schappacher played their final game together on the softball field April 14.

  • East County
  • Sports
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain believed he could trust and celebrated a signed agreement with Adolph Hitler that Britain and Germany would never go to war again. Will Barack Obama be our Neville Chamberlain? Courtesy photos
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Our View: The parallels of history

Obama’s negotiating with the Iranians has many parallels to Neville Chamberlain and Adolph Hitler.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Frances Tiafoe and Lakewood Ranch senior Ashley Bongart warmed up together twice during the Sarasota Open.  Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2015
Meeting their match

Lakewood Ranch senior Ashley Bongart shares the court with rising star Frances Tiafoe at the Open.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sean Kennedy and Don French were co-assistant principals of Braden River High School April 17. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
BRHS student takes on principal role for a day principal for a day

Sean Kennedy, 16, rules the school for a day working alongside Braden River High Assistant Principal Don French.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
News briefs

North end coalition hosts forum; Commission approves attorney contract change; Commission OKs canal survey

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lee Wetherington, founder of Lee Wetherington Homes, pictured in front of the Windsong model that the company unveiled earlier this year. Wetherington was one of the original six homebuilders invited to build out Lakewood Ranch. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
Conversation with Lee Wetherington

Lee Wetherington, 68, started planning and designing homes in the mid-1970s, as co-owner of a small Jacksonville business.

  • East County
  • News
A community garden could grow someday in Greenbrook Adventure Park. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
CDD 4 considers growing support for Greenbrook garden

A landscape committee will discuss whether a community garden should take root at Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
Market becomes Main summer attraction

Eight months after it launched on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Jen’s MarketPlace will be in bloom throughout the summer.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
LADDER UP: Welcome the 619

East Manatee Fire Rescue added a new $1 million truck with a 100-foot ladder to its fleet last week.

  • East County
  • News
David Novak cares for 15 swans at Harbourside and Islandside, including two breeding pairs that are currently in nesting mode. Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 22, 2015
Q+A with David Novak

Longboat Key is home to 15 swans, and new babies are on the way.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Planning and Zoning Board Member Andrew Aitken and four other current planning members so far plan to reapply for a new seven-member board the Town Commission will appoint in June. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 22, 2015
Musical Chairs

There are eight members of the P&Z Board left. But soon there will only be room for seven.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Map by Nicole Thompson
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 22, 2015
City to further explore Circle garage options

St. Armands Circle stakeholders are standing firm behind a plan to add a Circle parking garage.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alicia Aeziman
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 22, 2015
Police arrest dog groomer for credit card theft

Police allege Alicia Aeziman used a customer’s credit card to pay for sunglasses and a restaurant bill.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rough draft concept drawn on a map by Tindale Oliver show potential locations for two-story retail and office space, a cultural center and two, two-story parking garages around a civic lawn with a pond and walking trails as potential town center options
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 22, 2015
Town center Concept hits speed bump

The commission won’t review a master plan for the area this month while the town seeks consensus from stakeholders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Key location could have a small book store, like this Goodwill Manasota book store on 55th Avenue East, but would not have a major retail component. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 22, 2015
Goodwill still shopping for Longboat Key location

The nonprofit’s interest in the Key hasn’t dropped off. Now, it’s seeking goodwill from the town in hopes of building a donation center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Marine Police Officer Shawn Nagell, a 15-year veteran of the police department, has been trained as a 911 dispatcher and is receiving overtime for taking on dispatch responsibilities.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 22, 2015
Commission hangs up on dispatch discussion

A majority of commissioners have an answer to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office’s call for consolidation after two years on hold: Eliminate the Key’s police dispatch service.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
News briefs

Tokyo Olympic delegation visits park; County administrator outlines priorities; School District plans for 2015-2016

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch resident Barb Miller has been involved in caring for feral cats since she was a child. “A friend of mine said there is no out from rescue,” she says. “It’s like mafia. Death is (the out). Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
For the Love of the Cats

Barb Miller loves cats, and she’s on a quest to save the ‘wild’ ones — particularly a feral colony behind an East County apartment complex.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Marching for veterans

The annual Tribute to Heroes Memorial Day parade tradition will march on, despite previous discussions about the possibility of canceling the celebration.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Community hire

The Lakewood Ranch Community Activities organization has a new director: Kyanne Merrill.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Obituary: Doris Lyons

Doris Lyons, 82, of Longboat Key and Indianapolis, Ind., died April 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Kromer wins award for service

Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key member Robert Kromer, 87, was presented with the Walter Zeller Fellowship award for his service to the community at the club’s April 16 weekly breakfast meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Letters to the editor

Traffic woes will grow with Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Obituary: Andrew Perrine ‘Perry’ Monroe Jr.

Andrew Perrine “Perry” Monroe Jr., 91, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key and New Canaan, Conn., died April 10.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
2015 Hall of Fame Honorees David S. Howard, Jay Handelman, Carol Poteat Buchanan and Robert Kimbrough
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • April 21, 2015
CVA 25th Anniversary Celebration 2015 Hall of Fame Induction & Video Premiere Luncheon

Guests attended Community Video Archive's 25th Anniversary Celebration 2015 Hall of Fame Induction and Video Premiere Luncheon on Tuesday, April 21, at Michael's On East.

  • Black Tie
Longboat Key Marine Police Officer Shawn Nagell, a 15-year veteran of the police department, has been trained as a 911 dispatcher and is receiving overtime for taking on the extra responsibilities.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 21, 2015
Commission hangs up on dispatch discussion

A majority of Longboat Key commissioners have an answer to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office’s call for consolidation: Yes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 21, 2015
Manatee Technical College honors students

Manatee Technical College will induct 132 students into its honor society — a first for the school under its new name.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 21, 2015
Key Niners swings its season to a close

The Key Niners held its final tournament of the season on April 21.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The groundbreaking crew: from left, Sarasota City Commissioner Suzanne Atwell; Cheryl Loeffler, Premier Sotheby’s; Amy Brown, Aqua marketing director; architect Guy Peterson; developer Jonathan McCague; developer Michael Adams; architect Brent Parker; Mel
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 21, 2015
Aqua condo breaks ground on Golden Gate Point

The developers of Aqua, the eight-unit luxury condominium slated for 280 Golden Gate Point near downtown Sarasota, broke ground Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free