• 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
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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

Clyde Chapelle struts down the runway at last year's Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show. File photos
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2015
Seasonal peek

As the streets, stores and restaurants get more crowded and calendars get fuller, it's clear: Peak season is here. Here are 10 can't-miss events on our radar for the 2015 peak season months of January through April.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
FIT FOR A QUEEN. Fred and Phyllis Ross brought their Observer along for a cruise back in time down the Mississippi River aboard the American Queen, an American Victorian era-themed paddlewheel steamboat.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 1436 John Ringling Parkway has five bedrooms, five baths, four half-baths, a pool and 7,932 square feet of living area. It sold for $5,725,000. Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 6, 2015
Five-bedroom Lido Key home sells for $5,725,000

A home on Lido Key tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: The Rev. Ray Woody

The Rev. Ray Woody, 84, of Sarasota, died Jan. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: Elhanan "Elky" Stone

Elhanan 'Elky' Stone, 85, of Longboat Key, died Dec. 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: Anita Gang

Anita Gang, of Longboat Key and Haddonfield, N.J., died Dec. 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: H. Paul Carter

H. Paul Carter, 70, of Longboat Key and Hillsdale, Mich., died Dec. 23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: Margaret Brown

Margaret Brown, 98, formerly of Longboat Key, died Dec. 22.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Special delivery

East County Observer Sports Editor Jen Blanco and her husband, Brian, rang in the New Year with a special bundle of joy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Perfect pergola!

Braden River Middle School's Joanne Torlucci should probably be a contestant on 'The Price is Right.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Records show 819 single-family homes were sold last year in East County. Sales and permits are expected to rise this year. Photos by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: Property sales: Going up or down?

It was an easy decision for Ron Javate to trade Chicago's bustle for life in the Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Public Works Project Manager Kent Bontrager reviews plans for 44th Avenue East. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: County to build bridges

Manatee County is driving forward with plans to improve traffic flow by constructing more roadway connections.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: Aaron Brenner

Aaron Brenner, 82, of Longboat Key and Harrisburg, Pa., died Dec. 24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Evan Johnson, of Tindale-Oliver & Associates, discusses town center concepts at a Dec. 18 public workshop.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: Town Center

Arvida's vision included a walkable Bay Isles town center that never became a reality. That could change in 2015.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Erosion near condos such as L'Ambiance, pictured, at the south end continues to shrink the recreational beach, although sand dunes protect the structures. File photo
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to watch: South-end erosion

Groin construction is underway to control north-end erosion, but on the south end, residents will have to wait until summer 2016 for more sand.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub owner Ed Chiles has owned the restaurant since 1989.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: North-end restaurants

Change is on the menu for two historic Longbeach Village restaurants.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Project consultants Donnie Holcomb, front, and Jason Starr, behind, review construction drawings with Publix Manager Richard Nelson during a December meeting with Market Street merchants. File photo
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: University's new diamond takes shape

As the Florida Department of Transportation begins an $83 million project to improve transportation at the intersection of University Parkway and Interstate 75, much of its work, at least initially, will be keeping motorists calm.

  • East County
  • News
Former dispatcher Susan Young handles calls from the Longboat Key Police Department.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2015
2015 issues to watch: 911 Police Dispatch

The Longboat Key Police Department is down one dispatcher and is about to lose another.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
News Briefs

Longboat Key recognized as 7th safest city in Florida; Centre Shops evacuated after gas leak; Town to test utilities on Jungle Queen Way, Broadway; FDOT plans for Longboat

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Duncan
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: Commission races

The Longboat Key Town Commission will have at least one new face this spring.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Traffic Cattlemen Road and University Parkway is a major concern to East County residents. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
Issues to Watch 2015: Benderson promotes traffic management

In 2015, Benderson Development, co-owner of The Mall at University Town Center, hopes for approvals on some big time expansion.

  • East County
  • News
Mary Cantrell
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Faces of '15

The East County Observer's list of the top newsmakers likely to make headlines in 2015.

  • East County
  • News
Bayside Community Church's new 2,500-seat auditorium is the focal point of the 73,347-square-foot expansion the church opened in December. Courtesy photos
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2015
Church opens expansion

The east campus of Bayside Community Church now hosts stadium seating and new ammenities for church members.

  • East County
  • News
Paul Blackketter, president of Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center and Associates, eagerly awaits the construction of SANCA's permanent facilities, including a finish tower and a boathouse. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
Issues to Watch 2015: Foundation finish line for funding draws near

The clock is ticking, but Teri Hansen isn't worried.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
in 2015 i resolve to ...

In the new year, East County students pledge to play outside, read more, help the elderly, be nicer to their siblings and maybe even buy a pet goat.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mark Gagnon has been designing mazes for more than a decade. He also writes his own music, among other artistic endeavors. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
Artist puts twists on work

Greenfield Plantation's Mark Gagnon has turned drawing mazes into a unique artistic expression.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Carol and Leonard Goodkin love traveling together.
  • By Carol Goodkin
  • January 6, 2015
On the road with the Goodkins

Carol Goodkin shares about her favorite dining and shopping spots in Charleston, S.C.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 12552 Highfield Circle has five bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths, a pool and 7,221 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,325,000. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 6, 2015
Country Club Village home sells for $2,325,000

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

  • East County
  • Real Estate
...
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Doreen Steinhauser submitted this sunset photo, taken near Glenn Lakes in Bradenton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Weather: East County

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alan and Joanie Stone and Richard Seidel
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2015
You Observed

Here's a roundup of reader-submitted photos from around the keys. To submit photos for this feature, email Kristen Herhold at [email protected].

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2015
Business briefs

Plymouth Harbor board elects new members; Mar Vista, Arts Center team up for concert series; Cannons recognized as top 100 boat dealer

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bruce Hugo submitted this photo, taken at sunset on Lido Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Weather: Longboat Key

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
“I wanted to show them a solution that won’t cost taxpayers any money,” Eric Robinson said. “It is technically possible.”
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 5, 2015
YouTube channel offers school board meetings online

Eric Robinson is uploading Sarasota County School Board recordings to his own channel for public viewing.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The town must hold a referendum before allowing any uses other than residential on the Islandside property.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 5, 2015
Referendum to go postal in May

Longboat Key voters will decide in a special election whether to give the stamp of approval to tourism on the Islandside property, most likely via mail.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
« 1031 1032 1033 1034 1035 1036 1037 1038 1039 1040 »
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
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

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.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now