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Your Observer

This rendering details proposed improvements to the intersection of Main Street and U.S. 301.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 9, 2014
DID to consider further Main Street improvements

On Tuesday, the Downtown Improvement District will discuss expanding its boundaries to complete the last segment of a Main Street improvement project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Florida League of Cities Innovation Showcase has featured the town of Longboat Key's Fiscal Transparency Module.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 9, 2014
Town's fiscal transparency tool receives more praise

The module went live in February and uses fiscal data that feeds directly from the finance department's database to display revenue and expenses to the public.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tropical Storm Debby in June 2012 was Longboat Key's last brush with a major storm. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 9, 2014
Town to hold disaster preparedness seminar

Brian Koon, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, will be the keynote speaker at the event.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ezra Mason pitches the ball to a faculty member.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 9, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Elementary kickball game

As one last hurrah for Tara Elementary's fifth-grade students, the children competed against the school's faculty members and alumni in a kickball game, June 9, on a field tucked in the back of the East County school. The adults defeated the soon-to-be middle school students, 7-6.

  • East County
  • News
The United States’ Margaux Isaksen prepares for her final dual in the mixed relay round robin fencing event June 8.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 9, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: 2014 Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final

Cup Final June 6 through June 8, in Sarasota. Athletes participated in five events, including fencing, swimming, horse riding, running and laser pistol shooting. Winners were crowned in women's, men's and mixed relay divisions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brothers Jim, Bill and Richard Carrick
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • June 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Bill Carrick Retirement Party

Friends and family gathered to celebrate the retirement of Bill Carrick June 7, at Cedars Restaurant and Tiki Bar. After 37 ½ years at Publix, Carrick decided to stop stocking the shelves and enjoy the beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Isabella Savage, 5, gets her face painted by Suzy Kalin at the festival.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • June 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: World Oceans Day Family Festival

The World Oceans Day Family Festival drew a crowd on June 7, at Mote Marine Laboratory's Aquarium. The Dr. Seuss-themed festival was filled with games and crafts focusing on green practices, marine science and conservation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Modern Pentathlon Vice President Joel Bouzou with South American Regional President Jorge Salas, Modern Pentathlon President Klaus Schormann, African Regional President Sameh Guemeih and Oceania Regional President John Pennell
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Modern Pentathlon Sponsorship Gala

Sarasota celebrated the 2014 Modern Pentathlon at the Pentathlon Gala Saturday, June 7, at the Ca D'Zan. Before enjoying dinner on the water, guests socialized on the Ringling's lawn. The gala marks the second night of the international event that is held in Sarasota and Bradenton.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sage and Rock Esposito enjoy cold chocolate milk.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Dakin Dairy Day Festival

In honor of national dairy month, families gathered June 7, at Dakin Dairy Farms, to enjoy live music and games, and to snack on grilled cheese sandwiches and sip on cold milk. Proceeds from the 50/50 raffle benefited Harvest House Transitional Centers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Department detectives arrested Sarasota resident Shaquan Leverett for the murder of a Palmetto man in March.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 6, 2014
Sarasota man arrested for murder

The Sarasota Police Department has made an arrest following an investigation of a murder that took place March 10 in North Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The quintet will play patriotic music with Master Sgt. Robert McDonald and the U.S. Army Chorus. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 6, 2014
Weekend Best Bet: The U.S. Army Brass Quintet Concert

Start the weekend downtown with the U.S. Army Brass Quintet Friday, June 6, at Five Pints Park. The outdoor concert is made possible by the Arts and Cultural Alliance and Downtown Sarasota Alliance.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Liston Bochette was one of the Olympians who spoke to the students.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 6, 2014
VIDEO: Olympians visit Sailor Circus

Five Olympians visited Sailor Circus Thursday, June 5. The Olympians shared personal stories with aspiring athletes before answering questions. The meeting is part of the Olympians' visit to Sarasota for the 2014 Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sand is now being placed south of North Shore Road behind the Longbeach Periwinkle condominium building,
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 6, 2014
North end sand project makes progress

Enough sand has been placed at the North Shore Road beach access that the area has been opened up to the public.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jonathan Bartik plays his rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven."
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 6, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Elementary talent show

McNeal Elementary's fifth-grade students showcased their singing, dancing and instrument-playing skills June 6, at the school's annual talent show, held in the McNeal cafeteria.

  • East County
  • News
Additional information is available through Longboat Key Fire Rescue.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 6, 2014
Special needs program available for evacuation assistance

The town encourages residents with medical condition to register for a program that provides evacuation assistance.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dakin Dairy Farms owner Karen Dakin has always wanted to be a farmer. This weekend, she will celebrate her livelihood and national dairy month.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 6, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Dakin Dairy Day Festival

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 7, live music, cooking demonstrations, games and other Dakin Dairy Day Festival attractions will take over Dakin Dairy Farms, located at 30771 Betts Road, Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
Madison P., 3, observes the sharks swimming overhead at last year's festival.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • June 6, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: World Oceans Day Family Festival

Make a big splash for World Oceans Day at Mote Marine Laboratory's Dr. Seuss-themed festival. The family-friendly event takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at The Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The week of June 8, drivers in East County may experience delays on major roadways.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 6, 2014
FDOT announces lane, shoulder closures in East County

Motorists will see lane and shoulder closures, along with other road work, the week of June 8.

  • East County
  • News
Assistant Sarasota County Administrator Lee Ann Lowery with Fire Chief Mike Tobias (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 5, 2014
Our Town: Final salute

The Sarasota County Fire Department honored Fire Chief Mike Tobias May 29, outside the Sarasota County Administration Building.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Les and Pam McCurdy
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 5, 2014
Comedy Central: McCurdy's set to open June 11

McCurdy's Comedy Theatre owner Les McCurdy says despite the pain of moving his business, he made the right choice. Now it's time to let the laughs begin.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City staff may be charged with maintaining medians and other grassy spaces for several weeks.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 5, 2014
City mowing contractor cuts service

Following service issues, the city may now be on its own when it comes to turf maintenance.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A proposed noise ordinance would cut off outdoor amplified noise for all businesses at 11 p.m. on weekdays, a later hour that currently only applies to Mattison's City Grille.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 5, 2014
Commission seeks new solutions to noise issues

While considering a revised noise ordinance, city commissioners discussed alternative measures for combating issues residents have with boisterous downtown businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 5, 2014
Letters to the Editor

Facts on proposed charter; City should sue Mogensen; If you build it, they will come

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Pine View School for the Gifted eighth-grader Hallie Schiffman began sailing competitively when she was 10 years old.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 5, 2014
Setting sail

Thirteen-year-old Hallie Schiffman was recently named the recipient of the 2014 Young Woman Sailor of the Year Award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 5, 2014
Engineers present new lift station renderings

City staff and the engineering team in charge of completing the Lift Station 87 project discussed the design of an above-ground structure with citizens.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 5, 2014
Cops Corner

June 2 supreme being 5:16 p.m. - 2800 block of Ringling Boulevard. Dispute/Fight. The manager of a pizzeria called officers after a customer called the store demanding free pizza. The manager said that, three days earlier, the same customer came in and asked for another pizza because his pizza tasted strange. At first, the manager said that he couldn't give the customer another pizza without a receipt, but eventually gave him a new pizza because the customer was getting upset. On Monday, the customer called the store and said he wanted a free pizza or else he would beat up the manager. The customer came to the store and apologized prior to police arriving.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
St. Stephen’s Head of School Dr. Jan Pullen cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Falcon Field House.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 5, 2014
Sidelines

St. Stephens Falcons unveil new field house; Amateur championship coming to Sara Bay; Goodwill offers free yoga classes for veterans

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 302 at 464 Golden Gate Point has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,135 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,767,500.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 5, 2014
A home in The Oaks sells for $2.8 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between May 19 and May 23.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
James Smith submitted this photo of clouds forming over the south end of Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 5, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

James Smith submitted this photo of clouds forming over the south end of Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Caroline and Erica Brown
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Woman's Exchange Grants and Scholarships Ceremony

The Woman's Exchange held its annual grants and scholarships ceremony Thursday, June 5. The event celebrated the recipients, which included 11 high school students, 21 college scholarship and 20 grant recipients, with a party at the Woman's Exchange. Guests enjoyed each other's company while snacking on sweet treats such as chocolate fondue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The flags of the countries with athletes participating in the 2014 Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • June 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Opening Ceremony - A Salute to Our Military

To celebrate the opening of the 2014 Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final, guests gathered Thursday, June 5, in the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard for the opening ceremony - 'A Salute to Our Military.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Desiree Hanright, Bob Shaffer and Chastanna Niemann
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Poker Tournament

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held its annual poker tournament Thursday, June 5, at the Sarasota Kennel Club. The event is the chamber's largest fundraiser of the year with proceeds going toward the July 4 fireworks.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The city has yet to revisit its Cultural Park Master Plan, as depicted above in a 2007 rendering, but other organizations are working to create a vision for the bayfront property.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 5, 2014
Consulting firm to discuss bayfront master plan

As part of the Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 visioning process, Visit Sarasota County is hosting a consulting group to learn about other public/private cultural and park developments.

  • Sarasota
  • News
District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh urged the commission to think of ways to reduce traffic issues in the future in an area of State Road 70 that still has two lanes of traffic.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 5, 2014
Del Webb community approved

A community of 1,300 homes will be built six miles east of Interstate 75 along State Road 70.

  • East County
  • News
Surveillance footage of the May 18 break-in shows three females and one male. (Courtesy Sarasota Crime Stoppers)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 5, 2014
Police seek public's help to identify Jewfish suspects

Surveillance video captured three females and one male who police say burglarized a Jewfish Key home last month.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh discussed traffic, apartment buildings and other hot topics at the Lakewood Ranch Town Hall meeting.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 5, 2014
Vanessa Baugh discusses benefits of apartment buildings in the Ranch

June 5, District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh hosted a Lakewood Ranch Town Hall meeting.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Cindy Ritchell, Ann Quackenbush, Brenda Korthauer, Beverly Sutton and Kit Torchia all lend a helping hand in packing seeds to send internationally to farmers who need them. Quackenbush is a driving force behind Hope Seeds, a charitable ministry through Christ Church of Longboat Key.
  • December 22, 2025
Longboat's Hope Seeds nears 10 years of giving back
2
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo
3
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County
4
The library will be constructed on the light green area depicted on this map within Longboat Key's Town Center Green. The entire library would be around 11,230 square feet with the possible enhancements.
  • December 22, 2025
Buchanan's $1 million donation formally accepted for library
5
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
  • December 22, 2025
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

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