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Your Observer

Property values within Sarasota’s city limits increased 5.5% to $7.6 billion this year.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 2, 2014
Siesta property values outpace county

Sarasota County taxable values grew 6.7% this year, while property values in the Siesta Key Lighting District increased 7.5% to $4.5 billion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Faculty members, students and parents will meet principal candidates July 2, to determine who will lead Lakewood Ranch High School in August.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 2, 2014
Lakewood Ranch High to host community forum

From 6 to 8 p.m., July 2, Lakewood Ranch High School will home a community forum for students, parents and faculty members to meet and interview candidates applying for the school's principal position.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota deputies identified Mario Smith as the man who tried to rob a Dollar General during a traffic stop yesterday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 2, 2014
Deputies make arrest after attempted robbery

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office charged Mario Smith, 33, with attempted robbery for the Sunday incident at Dollar General on the 4400 block of Bee Ridge Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Right-hander Josh Capo started on the mound for Sarasota American.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 2, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota American Majors division All-Stars

The Sarasota Little League 11/12 American team rallied to defeat North Port 4-1 July 1, at Twin Lakes Park, in a game that was delayed 48 minutes due to rain and lightning. Trailing 1-0 in the first inning, Sarasota American tied the game in the third inning on Cade Nelson's home run. Ty Kilgo, Jack Carney and Charley Alario each added RBI singles. With the win, Sarasota American advanced to the District 16 championship game against Sarasota National July 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Fawn-d moment

East County resident Julie Kean recently captured this photo of two fawns resting on Legacy Boulevard, near the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club's tennis and fitness center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Troop bakes up fun

Girls in Girl Scout Troop 764 have been hard at work.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Vitale earns more accolades

The last few weeks have been special for Lakewood Ranch resident and Hall of Famer Dick Vitale.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Photo by Lori Sax Real estate developer David Walters, through a family trust, controls about 40 acres involved in the Fruitville Initiative.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 2, 2014
Take the initiative

Most retail projects built near interstates look similar - a formulaic, yet mostly successful strategy. A new development aims to counter conformity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Surprise daytime turtle encounter

On his evening beach walk, Longboat Key resident Mike Haycock was in for a big surprise when he spotted a sea turtle coming out of the water Sunday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy John Kelley Photography. Nick Kyrgios
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Sarasota Open winner defeats Nadal

From Longboat Key to the grass courts of the All England Club, Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios is making his presence known in the tennis world.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key taxpayers approved a $16 million beach project in March 2012.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 2, 2014
Beach price tag: $23.8 million

The Town Commission plans to spend up to $23.8 million during the next two fiscal years to buffer the island's shoreline with sand.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Centre Shops already has a new 41-foot-tall tower that's planned for the island Key-wide.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 2, 2014
Power pole debate flickers again

All seven commissioners now believe the town should further investigate the possibility of burying Gulf of Mexico Drive power lines, power poles, cable wires and telephone lines.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longboat Island Chapel board allowed a three-year lease for a cellular tower to expire without renewal in July 2013.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 2, 2014
Neighbors differ on phone philosophies

Two cities on Anna Maria Island are preparing for 150-foot cellular towers, while town of Longboat Key officials just deleted all references to what they believe is unsightly technology.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
News Briefs

Key property value rises confirmed; Commission approves zoning changes

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Photo by David Conway Lido Key residents have said that their shoreline is in need of immediate assistance. A FEMA-backed project, approved following Tropical Storm Debby, is scheduled to provide sand later this year.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 2, 2014
County endorses short-term Lido renourishment

At a workshop Monday, the Sarasota County Commission encouraged city staff to maximize the potential of a Lido Beach renourishment project scheduled for later this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Photo by Kelsey Grau
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 2, 2014
Rotary Club seeks dogged supporters for Bayfront plan

The provisional Rotary Club of Longboat Key calls for support of a dog park at Bayfront Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Photo by Kelsey Grau Jim Crawford helps stock whiskey and other liquors.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • July 2, 2014
Liquor store opens, spurs hope for plaza

LBK Liquors opened its doors June 30 with shelves stocked full of wine, whiskey, beer and more.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Letters to the Editor

Changes to Longboat Key affecting my way of life

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • July 2, 2014
First nest hatches on Longboat Key during busy turtle season

Two months into turtle nesting season, many of our flippered friends are flocking to our beaches to find the perfect spot for their nest.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Courtesy rendering The Aria condominium will be move-in ready in fall 2015, according to current plans.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 2, 2014
Aria celebrates summer start

Developers of the 16-unit condominium Aria will soon receive a building permit for their project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
MIGHTY MOSQUE. Christina Filkins and Tory Newman catch up on their Longboat Observer news in front of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com/itsreadeverywhere to submit your entries. One winner will receive two travel certificates, good for travel from SRQ Airport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
MONUMENTAL MOMENT. Alex Kumar, 12, and Madelyn Kumar, 15, catch up on their Observer news while visiting one of the world’s biggest mysteries — Stonehenge — in Wiltshire, England.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com/itsreadeverywhere to submit your entries. One winner will receive two travel certificates, good for travel from SRQ Airport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Obituary: Mary Nelson

Mary Nelson, 93, of Longboat Key, died May 24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Obituary: William Heindle

William Heindle, 76, of Manasquan, N.J., died June 24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Obituary: Robert McCarthy

Robert McCarthy, of Winter Park, formerly of Fox Chapel, Pa., died June 22.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Obituary: Vera Lucille Offutt Smith

Vera Lucille Offutt Smith, of Sarasota, died June 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photos The back of the John Ringling Ritz-Carlton hotel in September 1947, photographed by Arthur Ferguson.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 2, 2014
Historic Hotel

The Longboat Key Historical Society releases new photos that show the old John Ringling Ritz-Carlton hotel, including its demolition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photo by Kelsey Grau Roger and Isabelle Schuhmacher opened a sandwich shop on St. Armands Circle a year ago.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • July 2, 2014
Couple chases American dream on St. Armands

A civil engineer and a biologist from Germany decided to uproot their lives for a new Circle restaurant venture.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Riverhouse Reef and Grill is located at 995 Riverside Drive, in Palmetto, and features fresh local fish, certified Angus beef steaks and original martinis.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: The Riverhouse Reef & Grill

This week we went in the kitchen with owner Peter Van Der Noord and chef Ezequiel Gramajo at the Riverhouse Reef and Grill for some Gulf seafood pasta. Get the full recipe and watch an instructional video in this week's In the Kitchen.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo Summerfield resident Kendra Keiderling wants to become known as the "SCAT girl."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 2, 2014
Taking a New Direction

In her new role, Lakewood Ranch's Kendra Keiderling takes on the task of rebranding Sarasota County's public transit system.

  • East County
  • News
Photos by Pam Eubanks Helene Levin talks with project engineer Kevin Ingle about the imminent need for alternatives to I-75.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 2, 2014
Public shares concerns on plans

Citizens say the I-75/University design makes sense, but they worry about the timing of improvements.

  • East County
  • News
Eight-year-old Jacob Micca says he likes the swings and the monkey bars best.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 2, 2014
Foundation opens new playground

Foundation for Dreams leaders next hope to construct a shade structure for the equipment.

  • East County
  • News
Photo by Pam Eubanks As construction continues on the addition of a second stormwater retention pond at Lakewood Ranch Park, the dirt from the pond's ditch is being used to construct an additional parking lot on Malachite Drive.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 2, 2014
County works to remedy park's flooding problem

As youth utilize the 139-acre Lakewood Ranch Park for sporting events and other outdoor activities this summer, Tom Yarger hopes for clear skies.

  • East County
  • News
Photo by Pam EubanksOfficials from NDC Construction, the project's contractor, expect construction to take about 11 months. NDC is clearing the property to prepare for vertical construction.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 2, 2014
Contractors begin work on assisted-living facility

Validus Senior Living expects to open InspiredLiving in about one year.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
News Briefs

Manatee County closed for July 4 holiday; Man arrested for providing false information; County hosts lender, Realtor workshop

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
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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
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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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.
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