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Your Observer

  • By JL Bainbridge Family Wealth Advisors
  • June 27, 2024
401k Plans: Set and Forget?

Five Common Mistakes That Lead to Disappointing 401k Experiences

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Off-duty lifeguard saves 7 from rip current at Lido Beach
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 26, 2024
Off-duty lifeguard saves 7 from rip current at Lido Beach

Mariano Martinez made multiple trips into the water to rescue the swimmers, Sarasota County says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stacey Marks (left) and Kari Schroeter (middle) perform a dance workout.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 26, 2024
Chamber's small business awards highlight community of caring

More than 600 people gathered to celebrate 30 local businesses on June 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Will Westendorf, 8, of Cincinnati, who loves music, tries out a drum.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 26, 2024
Everyone moves to same beat at Siesta Key Drum Circle

The drum circle has been held for nearly three decades.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Weekly Pilates class begins at The Paradise Center
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 26, 2024
Weekly Pilates class begins at The Paradise Center

Program Manager Debby Debile is teaching the first-ever weekly Pilates class at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
East County author Michael Sisti's newest book is "On the Brink."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 26, 2024
Sarasota author stirs up his own personal 'mob'

Mike Sisti's innovative way of collaborative writing has lead to more than 550 followers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Tidewell Grief Care's Blue Butterfly program supports children ages 5-18.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 26, 2024
Blue Butterfly program supports families through grief

The program is part of Tidewell Hospice and Empath Health and is free for families in need.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Man reports being squirted with mustard on St. Armands Circle
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 26, 2024
Man reports being squirted with mustard on St. Armands Circle

The assault by the tart condiment followed a verbal exchange between a man and an alleged carload of teens. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The home at 1325 Westway Drive has four bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,590 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 26, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for June 10-14 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Lido Key home on Westway Drive tops the week's sales at $12.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key Garden Club led Longboat Key's 2023 Freedom fest parade as the Grand Marshal.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 26, 2024
Chamber promises old-fashioned fun at 21st annual Freedom Fest

Longboat Key's annual July 4 celebration will continue traditions and feature Harry's Continental Kitchens' Hal Christensen as the grand marshal.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Aerial view of Gulfside Road in September 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 26, 2024
‘Something big’ needed to fix Longboat's Gulfside Road beach problem

Coastal engineers say a multimillion-dollar interim beach nourishment and protection project is necessary to save the Gulfside Road beach from further erosion.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
GreyHawk Landing tennis player Hayley Roberts.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 26, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Hayley Roberts

The GreyHawk Landing tennis player finished fourth at the junior sectional championships June 12.

  • East County
  • Sports
Joseph Di Bartolomeo is running for District 5 commissioner in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 26, 2024
District 5 candidate says he is up to the challenge

Joseph Di Bartolomeo says citizens should stop voting against their interests because of a party affiliation.

  • East County
  • News
A funding source is one of the challenges in developing a canal maintenance program.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 26, 2024
New surveys produce ­potential cost reductions for dredging canals

Before implementing a canal maintenance program, the town of Longboat Key must first dredge the canals, which is now estimated to cost around $9.25 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jake Ilardi is a Street skater, meaning he specializes in skating rails, stairs, banks and other items you could find on a real city street.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 26, 2024
Sarasota summer sports news you may have missed

Olympic updates and football recruitment headline the dog days of June.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Director Nicole Rissler speaks at Tuesday's groundbreaking of a new administration center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 26, 2024
County breaks ground on new Parks admin center

The two-building Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources headquarters is located at Twin Lakes Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
For Sarasota tax collector
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 26, 2024
For Sarasota tax collector

Two Republicans — County Commissioner Mike Moran and an expert in tax collector operations — are in a primary to challenge Barbara Ford-Coates.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Moran, tax collectors in a Supreme Court fight
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 26, 2024
Moran, tax collectors in a Supreme Court fight

Mike Moran’s job at Florida PACE Funding Agency has him on the wrong side of Florida tax collectors.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota Paradise left back Felipe Rojas.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 25, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Felipe Rojas

The Sarasota Paradise defender is living out his soccer dreams.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
American Airlines is adding new daily nonstop service to LaGuardia Airport in New York City.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 25, 2024
SRQ to add new daily flight to New York City

American Airlines will now offer six destinations out of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Deputies kill suspect after three die in murders in Manatee County
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • June 25, 2024
Deputies kill suspect after three die in murders in Manatee County

The suspect killed his mother, his cousin and a third woman, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office says.

  • East County
  • News
Commodore Michael Landis, Vice Commodore Tony Britt and Rear Commodore Saul Landesberg
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 25, 2024
Bird Key Yacht Club celebrates new leadership

The club held its Change of Watch ceremony on June 22 to swear in its new officers at a New York-themed party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Lakehouse Cove at Waterside home at 8088 Grande Shores Drive sold for $2.05 million. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,674 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 25, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for June 10-14 in Lakewood Ranch

A Pomello Park property on 189th Street East tops the week's sales at $4.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Driving down Estero Boulevard, the main road that runs the length of Fort Myers Beach, the widespread destruction that Hurricane Ian wrought is still on full display.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • June 25, 2024
Condo owners hit again as Citizens requests 14.2% rate hike

Already facing increased assessments and association fees, the state’s condo dwellers may see insurance costs jump as Citizens Property Insurance Corp. looks for rate hike.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Wilco Electrical LLC employee works on the town's underground utilities project along Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 25, 2024
Longboat commission to discuss project finance options at upcoming meeting

Finance Director Sue Smith breaks down how the town’s debt works and how it will change in the upcoming fiscal year as necessary projects get started.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lynn Howell, the pastor of Myakka Family Worship Center, says the donation of tools from Country Creek's Dudley Waters will help him to support the community and the church.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 25, 2024
East County resident donates tool collection to Myakka City pastor

Pastor Lynn Howell lost all his tools that he would use to help people in the community in a fire.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Drivers will experience some minor traffic delays as the intersection at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Clubhouse Drive is upgraded.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 25, 2024
Improvements on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard lead to minor delays

Two separate projects have led to lane closures but should be completed soon.

  • East County
  • News
Conner Morrell (28) races at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, during Ohio Speedweek. Morrell would finish six overall after nine days of racing.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 25, 2024
Braden River High alum finishes sixth in prestigious sprint races

Conner Morrell said the nine-night Ohio Speedweek event was a test of endurance.

  • East County
  • Sports
An aerial view of the Concession project.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 25, 2024
Manatee County approves twice-denied Concession development

Developer Kevin Daves will withdraw an $8.9 million lawsuit against Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Nude swimmer trying to forget a difficult day met by police
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 25, 2024
Nude swimmer trying to forget a difficult day met by police

An anonymous caller reported a man swimming naked. When police spoke to the swimmer, he said he was having a hard day. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Wendi Chapman helped launch and grow the Sarasota Tiger 21 Chapter in early 2022.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 25, 2024
Peer group for multimillionaires grows in Sarasota

Tiger 21 connects the uber-wealthy with the uber-wealthy in a rapidly growing — and exclusive — niche.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital recently released its 2024 Community Update.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 25, 2024
Sarasota Memorial Hospital report touts 2023 expansion

The 2024 Community Update highlights growth, rankings and 1.7 million patient visits systemwide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
2024 is the 43rd year of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium's sea turtle monitoring program.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 24, 2024
Crosswalk lighting on Gulf of Mexico Drive temporarily shut off for sea turtles

FDOT decided to temporarily shut off the overhead crosswalk lighting on State Road 789 while awaiting lighting shields to mitigate disorientation for nesting sea turtles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Debbie Shaffer petting one of HSSC's cats in their play room.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 24, 2024
Longboat Chamber tours the Humane Society of Sarasota County

Chamber members learned about HSSC's important mission while seeing it in action.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michele De Luce and Leighton Allenby
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 24, 2024
Longboat Key Facebook group hosts summer happy hours

With snowbirds gone for the summer, full-time residents meet for drinks and conversation to build community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carolyn Brown and Howard Tipton address the employees.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 24, 2024
Town employees recognized at annual lunch event

Longboat Key department heads and town commissioners thanked staff members for their hard work over the past year.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
5
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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