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Your Observer

The first of the six cygnets that The Regal Swan Foundation captured on Sunday, Sept. 29.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 2, 2013
Swan effort takes flight

Over the weekend, David Novak took steps toward his vision of controlling the swan population on Longboat Key with one same-sex swan pair per territory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Simon Platt, the son of Key resident and cellular tower opponent Ronald Platt, and Michael Tattersall, CEO and founder of Stratsoft LLC, met with the town manager last month to discuss a cellular tower alternative.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 2, 2013
Town hears another call for tower alternative

Two men say a small-cell technology is gaining traction in tourist towns with reception issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 2, 2013
Longboat Key receives additional beach funds

The town of Longboat Key will receive additional funds from Sarasota County tourist development tax dollars for beach-maintenance purposes in Sarasota County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 2, 2013
Aging in Paradise hires new executive director

Donna Dunio will become the first paid employee of the Longboat Island Chapel organization that was created in 2010 to help seniors and their families.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2013
Our View: Why Obamacare can't work

How Insurance Works, And Why Obamacare Can't Possibly Work

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 2, 2013
Published book marks new peak for brothers

Part-time resident C. Robert Logue and his brother, Michael Logue, create 'From the Top of the Mountains.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 2, 2013
Children's charities drive Gourmet Lawn Party

This year's luncheon will feature 30 restaurants and a top raffle prize of a 2013 Ford Fusion or $10,000 cash.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2013
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2013
Obituary: Memorial service: Robert 'Bob' Craft

A memorial service for Robert 'Bob' Craft, who died April 10, will take place at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2013
Obituary: Anthony 'Tony' Di Cecco

Anthony 'Tony' Di Cecco, 90, of Longboat Key, died Sept. 25.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2013
Obituary: Jill Felix Colton

Jill Felix Colton, 69, of Longboat Key, died Sept. 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota High School Drama Department scared the circle by playing the part of zombies prior to performing “Thriller” at last year’s Fright Night on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 2, 2013
10 to Attend: Longboat Key

Get in the spirit of season by making plans to attend these don't-miss events.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Karen LaPensee co-founded Holmes Beach-based LaPensee Plumbing & Pools with her husband, Michael, in 1985. Karen LaPensee now runs the firm, which had $3 million in 2012 revenues, with her son, Greg LaPensee, pictured here.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 2, 2013
Plug the Holes

A plumbing business treated the recession like an opportunity to enter new markets, not fall back. The gutsy moves have started to come together.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unit M-608 at L’Ambiance has three bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 3,220 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.5 million. File photo
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 2, 2013
L'Ambiance unit sells for $2.5 million

Morton and Carol Siegler, trustees, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit M-608 condominium at 435 L'Ambiance Drive to Charles and Constance Cotros, of Longboat Key, for $2.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Roger Pettingell with Kate Rossi, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2013
REAL-ESTATE REPORTS

Roger Pettingell speaks at Coldwell conference; Kyle Turoff joins MS&Co. St. Armands office; Tandem Construction to build Infinity condo

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Mindy Towns submitted this photo of a fisherman at sunset.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2013
Observer Weather: Longboat Key

Mindy Towns submitted this photo of a fisherman at sunset.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Years of collecting fill the Zurich-Wus living room with sparkle and splendor. The Greek doll in the rococo chair is by Tampa artist Fayzah Spanos and the chandelier is a Craigslist find.
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • October 2, 2013
Home of the Month: The Tentmaker's House

A Sarasota couple creates a world of their own in Bayou Oaks.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Amanda Simon of Pineview School
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • October 1, 2013
The Good News: Amanda Simon of Pine View School

Amanda Simon is a fourth grade teacher at Pine View School. Read more about her and watch a video in this week's Good News.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Imagine School of Lakewood Ranch opened its doors to families for their Scholastic Book Fair
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 1, 2013
Daily Headlines: Oct. 1, 2013

Today's Stories: Objections to groins dismissed by state; DID uncertain about adding residential owners; PHOTO GALLERY: Imagine School Book Fair; City of Sarasota plans invasive-species removal

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 1, 2013
Mustangs finish fifth

The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team finished fifth at the 23-team Crutchfield Hawkins Invitational Sept. 30 in Sebring.

  • East County
  • Sports
Alex Mahadevan will write a weekly editorial called, "Municipal Focus," espousing a Sarasota young professional's view of politics.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 1, 2013
MUNICIPAL FOCUS - A Weekly Commentary: County land sale could lead to controversy

Sarasota County has accepted two proposals each for two parcels of land it intends to sell for development. Who's to say what kind of development should go where?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Guest speaker and Roskamp Institute President Michael Mullan
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Argus Foundation Meet the Minds

Community members got together Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Marina Jack to listen to guest speaker MD, PhD, CEO, and Roskamp Institute President Michael Mullan for the monthly Meet the Minds meeting. Approximately 85 people attended where Mullan discussed the Roskamp Institute, brain health and brain research.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Downtown Improvement District will continue to consider expanding to include residential property owners, but board members haven't shown an interest in speeding the process along.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 1, 2013
DID uncertain about adding residential owners

At today's DID meeting, continued discussion of expanding the district to include downtown condominium owners saw opposition from chairman Ernest Ritz.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The interactive Ann Goldstein Children's Rainforest Garden will simulate the rainforest canopies for visitors upon opening in November.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 1, 2013
Mosaic pledges $50,000 to Selby Gardens

The Mosaic Company Foundation will match donations up to $50,000 toward construction of the Ann Goldstein Children's Rainforest Garden collected through Oct. 31.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Groins like the two groins installed at The Islander Club are being proposed on the north end of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 1, 2013
Objections to groins dismissed by state

A state permit could be issued by the end of the year for three groins to help hold sand on the north end of the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Invasive air potato vines can crowd out and shade native plants.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 1, 2013
City of Sarasota plans invasive-species removal

The city will partner with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program to rid a North Trail park of air potatoes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The fee reduction, approved the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners last week, is part of a rebound in the local economy, commissioners said.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 1, 2013
Manatee County building fees reduced

As of today, more than 50 Manatee County building permit and inspection fees will be reduced by 10%.

  • East County
  • News
Carolina Tanner and Ashley Danielson of Easter Seals, Tammy Halsted of St. Armand’s Travel and Victoria Jacobson of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Breakfast

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce had a coffee and bagel breakfast Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Easter Seals to catch up with area businesses. Approximately 15 people attended where they learned about the disability services center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Island Chapel announced the hiring of Donna Dunio for the new position of executive director of its Aging in Paradise Resource Center.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 1, 2013
Aging in Paradise hires executive director

Donna Dunio will become the first paid employee of the Longboat Island Chapel organization that helps seniors and their families.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 1, 2013
MUNICIPAL FOCUS - A Weekly Commentary: County land sale could lead to controversy

Sarasota County has accepted two proposals each for two parcels of land it intends to sell for development. Who's to say what kind of development should go where?

  • East County
  • News
Parts of the federal government shut down at 12:01 a.m. this morning, but that won't stop Sarasota County deputies from enforcing the ban on texting while driving.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 1, 2013
Texting law goes into effect

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight says enforcing the new law banning texting while driving could be difficult at first.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 30, 2013
Mustangs hold on for victory

After scoring three touchdowns in the first half, the Lakewood Ranch High football team held on to beat Charlotte 26-23 in non-district action Sept. 27.

  • East County
  • Sports
Vera Lombardi and daughter Kelly look through the books
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • September 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Imagine School Book Fair

Imagine School of Lakewood Ranch opened its doors to families for their Scholastic Book Fair. Art Teacher Besty Hall transformed the school's library into a carnival fair ground. Balloons, cotton candy and pinstriped ticket booths were used as decoration for the carnival themed book fair. The school was able to encourage children to buy more books by offering gift certificates after a certain amount spent.

  • East County
  • News
Benderson Development received the Corporate Citizen Award. Shaun, Randy, Gina and Lori Benderson with Rachel Berkun and Evan Benderson
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • September 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : JFCS 27th Annual Meeting and Volunteer and Donor Recognition Program

Jewish Family and Children's Service honored donors and volunteers Monday, Sept. 30, at Michael's On East for their 27th Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Young Professionals Group members Chris Laney and Frank Maggio reflect on outdated technology during a YPG block party Saturday, Sept. 28.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • September 30, 2013
VIDEO: Millennials discuss technology during block party

Members and attendees of Sarasota Young Professionals Group's downtown block party to celebrate 10 years talked outdated technology with the Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tourist development tax dollars will be used to maintain beaches on the Sarasota County portion of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 30, 2013
Town receives additional beach funds

The town of Longboat Key will receive approximately $30,000 more each from Sarasota County tourist development tax dollars to use for beach maintenance purposes.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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