• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

Courtesy photo. Brittany Wenger is a college student who plays Quidditch by day and is an obsessive cancer diagnostician by night.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 8, 2014
World changer

Time magazine recently included Brittany Wenger, an Out-of-Door Academy graduate and Duke freshman, on its '30 People Under 30 Changing the World' list.

  • East County
  • News
New Stoneybrook homeowners association members Tom Bakalar and Dick Williams (and Williams' wife, Barb) came together for coffee Dec. 17 in anticipation of the Jan. 2 turnover date and election.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 8, 2014
Stoneybrook names its new board of residents

Members of the new nine-person board of residents all identify with the 'Pro-Stoneybrook Team.'

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Jen Blanco Lakewood Ranch High senior Emily Bulfin has aspirations of scoring 1,000 points in her career and breaking her school record of nine 3-pointers in a game before the end of the season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 8, 2014
Sharp shooter

Lakewood Ranch High senior Emily Bulfin is on pace to break the 1,000-point mark for her career before the end of the season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtney Mirabella
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 8, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 8, 2014
Olympic swimmers hope to inspire young athletes

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners will host the Fitter & Faster Swim Tour, featuring Olympians Davis Tarwater and Claire Donahue, later this month.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 8, 2014
Sidelines

LRLL registration upcoming; TOPSoccer to kick off winter season; GSJGA season tees off

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 8, 2014
Just the stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 8, 2014
Regent wins first match of 2014

East County residents welcomed the start of the new year during the Kitchner & Pierro/iBusinessSolutions Cup Jan. 5.

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtesy rendering. Town Manager Dave Bullock commissioned Sarasota architect Gary Hoyt to draw up renderings for town center concepts around the Longboat Key Publix.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: ULI time for change

An Urban Land Institute panel urged residents to work together to plan for the future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
File photos. Town Manager Dave Bullock told commissioners last month he is "trying to find a logical way to deal with a multitude of issues this collapsing development gives us."
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Colony conundrum

A bankruptcy judge is expected to rule on a Colony Beach & Tennis Resort settlement Jan. 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
File photo. The Cortez Bridge connects mainland Manatee County to Bradenton Beach.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Cortez Bridge

The new year won't bring a new Cortez Bridge, but it will bring traffic delays that come with a $4 million repair project that's scheduled to begin April 28 and be completed in early 2015.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
File photo. Tropical Storm Andrea caused flooding problems in June in neighborhoods like Longbeach Village and Sleepy Lagoon. Rising flood insurance premiums have Longboat Key residents concerned.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Insurance costs

Key residents such as Mayor Jim Brown worry that rising insurance costs will force residents seeking affordable insurance to leave the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: The final bill

This month, the last of the town's three pension plans will freeze.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioner Terry Gans
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Election watch

The Longboat Key Town Commission will have at least one new face following the town's March 25 general municipal election.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Our view

Realities of a town center

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
File photo. The Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort will close after the season for an 18-month revitalization project.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Checkout time

The Hilton project is the first to ask for additional tourism units.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to watch 2014: Beach project

Times, they are a changing. And that goes for the town's beach-management plan and how Longboat Key's coastline will be maintained moving forward.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Circle retail

For Marty Rappaport and the St. Armands Business Improvement District, 2014 could be the year a growing problem is finally addressed: restaurants.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Cell towers

The Town Commission will review ordinance language this year that states the town is not interested in cellular towers as a reception fix.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 8, 2014
Commission approves Hilton Beachfront Resort project

The Longboat Key Hilton will undergo a $30 million expansion and renovation project that will begin after the season and open in 2015.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 8, 2014
Colony vandalism cited for crime hike

Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming released crime statistics for 2013 revealing that vandalism and trespassing offenses are up 54% and 32% respectively compared with a year ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo. The six socialized feral kittens are available for adoption to loving owners who are willing to keep them indoors or in a caged lanai.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 8, 2014
Six rescued kittens seek loving homes

A Key couple socialized a litter of young felines that are now ready for adoption.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Observer Media Group Chairman David Beliles, center, with retired Longboat Observer Senior Editor Dora Walters and retired Senior Advertising Executive Wendi Simons
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 8, 2014
Friends, family honor Claire Hunter at service

More than 75 people attended a memorial service and witness to the resurrection for longtime Longboat Observer co-owner Claire Hunter, who died Dec. 15. She was 84.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lexi, formerly named Jasmine, is named after Gene Witt Elementary fifth-grader and Honor Animal Rescue volunteer Lexi Brown, who was murdered.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 8, 2014
Paws for celebration

Honor Animal Rescue adopted out 1,000 animals in 2013, thanks to the DePew family's December adoption of Lexi, a 2-year-old collie mix.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Amanda Sebastiano. University Park resident Sandy Chase co-authored a story about the difficulties of keeping New Year's resolutions — "The Resolutionary War."
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 8, 2014
Resolution revolution

Two women join forces for their recently released book to fight the war on New Year's resolutions.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Amanda Sebastiano. This Country Club East at Lakewood Ranch home, which has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,841 square feet of living area, sold for $799,400.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 8, 2014
Country Club East home sells for $799,400

Taylor Morrison of Florida Inc. sold the home at 7315 Haddington Cove to Kamal and Patricia Sarbadhikari, of Longboat Key, for $799,400.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Amanda Sebastiano. Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch home, which has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,861 square feet of living area, sold for $850,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 8, 2014
Country Club Village home sells for $850,000

Alvaro Joves and Maria Maldonado, of Miami, sold their home at 7217 Greystone St. to Robert Hofmann, of Bradenton, for $850,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Beruff
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 8, 2014
Builder sets company record in home sales

Sales totaling $100 million in 2013 keeps local builder Medallion Home optimistic about the future of the company.

  • East County
  • News
Doreen Steinhauser submitted this sunset photo, taken near Palma Sola Bay in Bradenton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Weather: East County

Doreen Steinhauser submitted this sunset photo, taken near Palma Sola Bay in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Susan and Cliff Scholz, Susan and Tim Clarke and Mickey Callenen attended last year's Party on the Pass.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 8, 2014
Save the dates

We're looking forward to an eventful season. Here, we choose our top 10 picks for the winter/spring season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Fitness leader Sherry Fidellr will be leaving the Recreation Center at the end of the season after 20 years.
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • January 8, 2014
New year brings fitness options for Longboaters

This column heads into its 17th year with its most news ever about fitness classes. There is an exciting array of new formats, teachers and time periods at both the Longboat Key Education Center and Bayfront Park Recreation Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kurt Schultheis. This home at 531 Chipping Lane in Country Club Shores has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,341 square feet of living area. It sold for $760,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 8, 2014
Country Club Shores home sells for $760,000

Geza and Ilona Benko, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 531 Chipping Lane to Victor and Anamaria Mitchell, of Castle Rock, Colo., for $760,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
File photo. Maison Blanche chef/owner Jose Martinez and his wife, Victoria, with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse during the September filming of 'Coming to America.'
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 8, 2014
Business Observer

Travel + Leisure names Key Club in top 500 resorts; Maison Blanche owner featured on 'Emeril's Florida'; Mediterranean restaurant to open on St. Armands; Longboat Key Chamber moves to the Centre Shops

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Barbara Thurston submitted this sunrise photo, taken near Emerald Harbor on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Weather: Longboat Key

Barbara Thurston submitted this sunrise photo, taken near Emerald Harbor on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
« 1219 1220 1221 1222 1223 1224 1225 1226 1227 1228 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
A car carrier operator unloads a Corvette on Bay Isles Road, the town of Longboat Key’s designated dropoff and pickup area for car carriers.
  • May 30, 2026
With fines locked in, Longboat leans on education for car-carrier scofflaws
2
For the final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season, Randy Bordon and Bri Rivera of the Bri Rivera Band perform for the crowd.
  • May 30, 2026
Crowd jams final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season
3
Rabbi Michael Shefrin meets Colby.
  • May 30, 2026
Temple Emanu-El celebrates the joy of pets with Blessing of the Animals
4
The gentle, warm waters of the Gulf can be an aid to mobility for those with arthritis.
  • May 29, 2026
It's possible to live with arthritis. Here's how.
5
Boards Brock Leach sat on in the Sarasota area include, with the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition and Children First.
  • May 29, 2026
Prominent Sarasota philanthropist, former Tropicana CEO dies at 67

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free