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Your Observer

Commissioners Lynn Larson and Irwin Pastor, Vice Mayor Jack Duncan, Commissioner Phill Younger, Mayor Jim Brown and commissioners Terry Gans and Pat Zunz. Photo by Caleb Motsinger
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 24, 2014
Commission seeks to seat new members

Who will be the next Longboat Key Town commissioners? The first candidates emerge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ed Brickman created and forged unique pieces of metal jewelry and shared his knowledge with others at the Arts Center. Photo courtesy of the Longboat Key Center for the Arts
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 24, 2014
Brickman learned in the school of life

Ed Brickman was a jeweler, a teacher - and a lifelong learner.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Orville Clayton, pictured in 2009, at Westminster Manor in Bradenton, holding one of his recent woodcarvings, a Kachina doll. His belt buckle features a turtle. File photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 24, 2014
Clayton went many extra miles for turtles

From the beginning, Longboat Key Turtle Watch's 'Top Turtle' Orville Clayton kept both turtles and volunteers on track.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Crosby. Filte photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 24, 2014
Mote makes public push for bayfront aquarium

The head of Mote is going public with the organization's plans for expansion - and gaining support along the way.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 24, 2014
Parking study to examine two-garage plan for Circle

The city of Sarasota is updating a study aimed at addressing parking shortages around St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The 3.81-acre vacant parcel at 5810 Gulf of Mexico Drive is designated as open space. Photo by Caleb Motsinger
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • September 24, 2014
P&Z Board votes for zoning changes of vacant parcels

The change will reflect the historic and future uses of two vacant properties on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brian Wiggins teamed up with certified commercial balloon pilot Bill Whidden to bring 10 hot air balloons to East County for the festival. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • September 24, 2014
Hot air balloons to color East County skyline

The Florida Balloon Festival in East County will showcase ideas gathered from other balloon festivals nationwide.

  • East County
  • News
Connie McKenzie looks across Lake Uihlein from the ground level of her building 1 Watercrest condominium complex. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 24, 2014
Residents oppose extra height

Lakewood Ranch's developer seeks changes to its University Lakes project, including a height increase for proposed structures on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • News
A 200-foot cellular tower stands behind Ervin and Georgia Von Behren’s 10-acre Panther Ridge property at 200110 71st Ave. E. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 24, 2014
Tower irks Panther Ridge homeowners

Panther Ridge residents take issue with a 200-foot cell tower project that was approved administratively and erected without notifying 74 homeowners who can see the tower.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
Our View

Time to hit ULI reset button

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • September 24, 2014
Whitney Beach tenants optimistic for season

The shopping center has gained five tenants over the past year. The occupancy has given business owners hope that there's new life in store for the property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • September 24, 2014
Doing Business: Hintze Bros. Aerial Services

Nineteen-year-olds Micheal Shea and Ryan Hintze like to think of themselves as big-picture movers and shakers.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 24, 2014
Tax rate stays flat for county residents

For the second year in a row, the property tax base climbed, this year from $24.9 billion to $25.9 billion.

  • East County
  • News
Organizers previously held the beer festival on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. File photo
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • September 24, 2014
Beer festival returns to the Ranch

Patrick Green reinvents the Lakewood Ranch Beer Festival with a larger venue and a carnival theme.

  • East County
  • News
Matt Nesser says his main job is to support the coaches. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 24, 2014
Changing course

Former Braden River High boys basketball coach Matt Nesser will cheer on his team from the sidelines this year as the school's athletic director.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 24, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
The section of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard roughly from State Road 70 south to University handles average daily traffic of 13,300 cars. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 24, 2014
Traffic worries residents

As growth occurs in Lakewood Ranch and the surrounding area, residents worry Lakewood Ranch Boulevard cannot handle traffic increases.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 24, 2014
CDD boards approve new transponders

New transponders are $50, but they aren't required to be used until old units break.

  • East County
  • News
Blanco
  • By Brian Blanco
  • September 24, 2014
My View: Support for armed security

Security guards can't protect elementary school children against major threats unless guns are placed in their holsters.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
Obituary: Betty Schiff

Betty Schiff, 95, of Longboat Key, died Sept. 12.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
Obituary: Martin Margolis

Martin Margolis, 78, of Livingston, N.J., and Longboat Key, died Sept. 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
Obituary: Mark Horan

Mark Horan, 69, of Longboat Key, died Aug. 21.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Deborah Beacham, of Michael Saunders & Co.'s Longboat Key South office, was the listing agent for the home at 2016 Casey Key Road, which sold for $6.2 million in late August. Photo courtesy of Michael Saunders & Co.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 24, 2014
Business Briefs

Longboat Key agents involved in Casey Key sales; Key Club to hold job fairs; Euphemia Haye to reopen

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unit 904 at Fairway Bay has three bedrooms, three baths, and 2,097 square feet of living area. It sold for $750,000. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 24, 2014
Fairway Bay condominium unit sells for $750,000

A condominium in Fairway Bay tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Judy Motkowicz submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
Weather: Longboat Key

Do you love taking photos? We want your best photos of sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, etc. Submit your local weather photos for a chance to have your photo published in the paper! See all of the winning photos each week by visiting The Observer's Facebook page.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
News Briefs

Colony Lender refiles lawsuit; Longboat Key Triathlon seeks volunteers; Waters to end Mote leadership

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
News Briefs

CDD to host information center acquisition meeting; PDQ opens for business

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 24, 2014
Center of attention: Mall at UTC

Mall at University Town Center officials are using the buzz the mall has generated in print and online stories to launch a large-scale media campaign before the mall opens its doors Oct. 16.

  • East County
  • News
The Tabernacle plans to take advantage of its location across from University Park on University Parkway by expanding and building a 1,000-seat sanctuary and children’s center. Courtesy rendering
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 24, 2014
East County churches prepare for growth

The Diocese of Venice and The Tabernacle church both have begun work to expand facilities in the East County area.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
Letters to the Editor

'Re: Snowstorms or Snowflakes?'; Town offers touching 9/11 tribute

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 24, 2014
Sidelines

Cougars D comes up big with four turnovers; Mustangs break par in win, shoot a 143; ODA swimmers make big splash with wins

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
Halfacre Construction founder remembered in East County

Construction executive Bill Halfacre was more than ready back in the 1970s when he heard a few Sarasota officials wanted to impose a building moratorium.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Scott Veix submitted this sunset photo, taken at Jiggs Landing.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2014
Weather: East County

Do you love taking photos? We want your best photos of sunrises, sunsets, nature, etc. Submit your local weather photos for a chance to have your photo published in the paper! See all of the winning photos each week by visiting The Observer's Facebook page.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh can listen to resident concerns, but she cannot respond to a University Lakes DRI quasi-judicial matter that comes before the Manatee County Commission Oct. 2.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 23, 2014
Baugh can't discuss the seven-story plan

Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch has requested changes to its University Lakes DRI that would allow construction of up to seven stories on the Lakewood Ranch Main Street parcel.

  • East County
  • News
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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
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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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