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Your Observer

Ben and Melissa Grodi with the Meritorious Service Medal. Photo by Kelsey Grau
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Capt. Benjamin Grodi honored with military medal

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Benjamin Grodi, son-in-law of Longboat Key residents Nelson and Laurin Goldner, was recently honored with the Meritorious Service Medal.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Campaign Against Summer Hunger

Here are the week's donation totals for All Faiths Food Bank's Campaign Against Summer Hunger.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 23, 2014
Town counts on unit controversy

The assistant town attorney warns that some Islandside property owners may contest the assignment of units to other owners.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Village resident Pete Rowan photographed Broadway facing east in March to show parking congestion. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 23, 2014
Villagers jam Town Hall for parking discussion

Longbeach Village residents say they often cannot park in front of their homes and worry about emergency vehicle access.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sue-Ellen Welfonder's newest novel, "To Love a Highlander," will be released April 29, by Time Warner's Grand Central Publishing. Photo by Robin Hartill
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 23, 2014
Romancing Royalties

Sue-Ellen Welfonder sticks to sensual Scottish romances even as e-books and '50 Shades of Grey' add kinks to the romance-novel publishing industry.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
Australia's Kyrgios captures the men's singles Sarasota Open title

The 2014 Sarasota Open concluded with the men's singles and doubles finals April 20, at the Tennis Gardens at the Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Photos by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 23, 2014
Peridia golf course receives makeover

Peridia Golf and Country Club will close for renovations starting May 5.

  • East County
  • News
Jess Mears, the clerk to the CDD boards, swears in Jerry Twiggs, left. (Photo by Josh Siegel)
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 23, 2014
Ranch CDD 2 swears in new board supervisor

Jerry Twiggs will fill the Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 2 seat vacated by Kathleen Grant, who resigned in March.

  • East County
  • News
A project to widen a 2.5-mile section of State Road 64 from four to six lanes in the East County is nearly complete, after more than two years of construction. (Photo by Amanda Sebastiano)
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 23, 2014
Officials say State Road 64 expansion almost finished

After more than two years of slowed traffic into and outside the 7-Eleven gas station on State Road 64, Sharon Swigger welcomes the removal of orange traffic cones outside the station's doors.

  • East County
  • News
Andrew Spehr, a recipient of a heart transplant, and Rita Smith spoke on behalf of LifeLink, a nonprofit organ- and tissue-recovery organization. (Photo by Josh Siegel)
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 23, 2014
Church encourages use of health care planning

Harvest United Methodist Church participated in National Healthcare Decisions Day for the first time.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Photos by Amanda Sebastiano Wolves Head General Manager Rob Hallam throws a pizza made from his secret recipe.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 23, 2014
Doing Business: Wolves Head Pizza & Wings

The red-walled restaurant, nestled in the corner of Lane Plaza Too on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, offers 19 beers on tap and eventually will offer daily specials and host events.

  • East County
  • News
The Coastline Volleyball 18 Rox team won the 88-team 18 American division of the Big South National Qualifier April 4 through April 6, in Atlanta. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
Big South Champs

The Coastline Volleyball 18 Rox team will compete in the 35th annual USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships this summer, in Minneapolis.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tre Gregory
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
Sidelines

ODA crowns state tennis champs; Rosedale to hold junior golf program; LECOM organizes annual golf tourney

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch coach Tony Cummins congratulates his team following a scoreless inning. Photos by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
Postseason Promise

The Mustangs captured their fifth-consecutive district championship with a victory against Braden River. The teams may face off again in regional play.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Ashley Bongart plays Ingrid Neel in her first professional tennis match April 17. (Photo by Kelsey Grau)
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
Mustang Ashley Bongart makes debut as a pro

Lakewood Ranch High junior Ashley Bongart competed in the quarterfinals of the 2014 Sarasota Open April 17.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cameron Greco, a sophomore at Riverview High School, is an aspiring actor who hopes to see the message of valued diversity translate into his future field of work.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 23, 2014
The Good News: Embracing Our Differences' Cameron Greco

Using the universal language of art, Embracing Our Differences hopes to create newfound appreciation for the value of diversity.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Cortez Bridge connects mainland Manatee County to Bradenton Beach. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 23, 2014
Repair project on Cortez Bridge begins next week

The $4 million project is expected to extend the bridge's life by 10 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Deputy Chief of Police Frank Rubino has 33 years of law-enforcement experience. (Photo by Robin Hartill)
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 23, 2014
Rubino promoted to deputy police chief

The town's new deputy chief hopes to create an unpaid unit of certified reserve police officers who could help the department and combat senior scams.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 23, 2014
Town, WCIND to draft agreement on cost share for $760,235 sand project

The town's estimated cost for an upcoming West Coast Inlet Navigation District (WCIND) dredging project that will place sand on the severely eroded north end this summer will be approximately $300,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 23, 2014
Discussion avoids 237-unit elephant in the chambers

The commission discussed possible changes to its nuisance procedure without mentioning the shuttered Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bush
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Our View

Why Jeb Bush will win

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Letters to the Editor

Paragon sets the record straight; ZBA approved variance over residents' opposition

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Kai inventor Kelly Atkins, center, leads a class at Sara Dance. Photos by Molly Schechter
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • April 23, 2014
Aerobic Grandma: Local teacher launches new way to dance yourself fit

Kelly Atkins created Kai, a dance-based form of cardiovascular conditioning with strong connection to the mind/body universe.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This home at 232 Seagull Lane in Bird Key has five bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths, a pool and 7,287 square feet of living area. It sold for $6.1 million. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 23, 2014
Five-bedroom Bird Key home sells for $6.1 million

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Simon Greenman submitted this sunset photo, taken on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Weather: Longboat Key

Simon Greenman submitted this sunset photo, taken on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Three Things: Everything's Golden
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • April 23, 2014
Three Things: Everything's Golden

High end or low, Golden Gate Point is a special place - an enclave of peace and quiet that's just steps to everything.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Business Reports

Pottery studio celebrates anniversary; London Bay Homes constructs 'Adalia'; Neal ends strong in first quarter

  • East County
  • News
This Country Club Village home, which has four bedrooms, and 5,787 square feet of living area, sold for $2.25 million. (Photo by Amanda Sebastiano)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 23, 2014
Four-bedroom home tops sales at $2.25M

A home in Riverdale tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Rev. Brian Bagley-Bonner blesses Piper, a beagle/pug mix owned by Marge Hooie.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 23, 2014
Prayer for Pups

Faith United Church of Christ held its first Blessing of the Animals event in nearly a decade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lisa Deutsch submitted this sunset photo, taken over Lake Uihlein.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Weather: East County

Lisa Deutsch submitted this sunset photo, taken over Lake Uihlein.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Honoree Gerri Aaron and Marvin Albert
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 22, 2014
CVA Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon

CVA Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon

  • Black Tie
  • By Zara Barrie
  • April 22, 2014
Factory Girl: In the Closet with Emily Owen

Factory Girl: In the Closet with Emily Owen

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Staff at the 12th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program sort through the delivery of presents for children up to 18 years of age.
  • December 22, 2025
Gift donations break record at Sarasota Sheriff's Office
2
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
3
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
4
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County
5
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

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