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Your Observer

Barb Torrence and Susan Walters, Longboat Library volunteers
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 11, 2024
Need a beach read? Longboat Library has you covered with 6 picks

From hurricane tales to a Longboat Key murder mystery, library volunteers recommend Florida-flavored books you won't be able to put down.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Time for governor to step up — or Ziegler to step down
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • June 11, 2024
Time for governor to step up — or Ziegler to step down

The Longboat Key Democratic Club calls for Gov. DeSantis to remove Bridget Ziegler from the Sarasota School Board.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
CERT members Jill and Jordan Perlin, along with Lakewood Ranch CERT President Jim Emanuelson, presented hurricane preparedness information on June 4 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 11, 2024
Hurricane preparedness tailored to Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch CERT held a public information session at Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Moana (Priscilla Ward) and Te Fiti (Veronica Gonzalez) meet one of their biggest fans, 9-year-old Mackenzie Carney. Carney dressed for the occassion in a Moana T-shirt and matching bell bottom pants.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 11, 2024
The Mall at University Town Center kicks off summer with a luau

The mall hosted a Moana-themed luau with music, crafts and hula dancing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Family dispute ensues after stepdaughter falls in boat
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 11, 2024
Family dispute ensues after stepdaughter falls in boat

A boater on Jewfish Key called police after her stepfather started the boat without warning, causing her to fall over. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Ohana Trustee LLC, trustee, sold two homes at 6633 Gulf of Mexico Drive to SISP 33704 LLC, trustee, for $19.75 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 11, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for May 27-31 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A two-property sale in Yonker tops the week's sales at $19.75 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
It’s time for tax relief
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • June 10, 2024
It’s time for tax relief

County Commissioner Neil Rainford writes that he wants to lower property taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
SeaMonkey Apparel's Longboat Key Turtle Watch design for June.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 10, 2024
Apparel brand with LBK ties launches partnerships with local nonprofits

A collaboration between SeaMonkey Apparel and Longboat Key Turtle Watch led to a unique design that raises awareness for sea turtle nesting season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The completion of Bayso in The Quay contributed to $437 million in market value of new construction in Sarasota this past fiscal year.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 10, 2024
Sarasota County's property value estimates climb nearly 10%

Preliminary assessments released June 1 also show the city of Sarasota's residential and commercial property values increased by 9.53%.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Love Gordon, Addison Riesen, Solomyn Hoinkas and Coco Claypoole show off their art made with recycled cardboard.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 10, 2024
Home-school students present projects on Ocean Day

Mote's Ocean Day celebration challenges local home-school students to learn about ways to take care of Florida's waters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mike Moran has led the effort to end the countywide business tax that directly supports the EDC of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 10, 2024
Business tax repeal divides county commissioners

With two board members opposed, Mike Moran completes his 'eight-year journey' to end the nominal business tax that directly supports the EDC of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Toni Muirhead has loved creating beaded art to hang on trees along the Peaceful Path.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 10, 2024
12 things to do this summer in Manatee County

Take a look at things to do and places to go this summer in eastern Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Eagle Trace's Susan Cueto has published a children's book to help pre-K students overcome their fears of starting school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 10, 2024
Lakewood Ranch educator covers pre-K jitters in her first book

Susan Cueto hopes her book can help pre-K students overcome their fear of starting school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High's Jenna Khalil (second from left) was in the stroke seat in the Sarasota Crew girls U16 8+ boat at the US Rowing Youth National Championships, between coxswain Sophia Karanjai and rowers Claire Xia and Annalise Naylor. The boat finished seventh in the A Final (7:32.17).
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 10, 2024
East County rowers race against the best at Youth Nationals in Sarasota

The USRowing Youth National Championships was held June 6-9 at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
The former Holiday Inn on Lido is undergoing renovations.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 10, 2024
Holiday Inn on Lido Key undergoes major face-lift

Cirque St. Armands Beachside is expected to open this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jason Richards and Andre Hidalgo joke around while picking up car parts on Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 9, 2024
Manasota Track Club picks up trash on Gulf of Mexico Drive

After an early morning run, the track club gets together to clean up and socialize.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A photo from July 2023 shows how the osprey nest was tilting.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 9, 2024
Wildlife specialists rebuild osprey nest at Jiggs Landings in east Manatee County

Volunteers use a Papasan chair to provide a solid structure for ospreys to breed.

  • East County
  • News
Robert Winkle, Lori Goldmeier and Geoff Martz
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 8, 2024
SRQCon hosts all things pop culture at Selby Library

Cosplayers flocked to the event, which featured vendors, crafts and an escape room.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John Sparrow is general manager of the Bobby Jones Golf Club, which includes the Gillespie adjustable par-3 course.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 8, 2024
Bobby Jones Golf Club's 'adjustable' course opens for play

The Gillespie Course offers multiple routing options producing a variety of par-3 golf course experiences.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Hasbro exec sells Lido Shores home for $12.5 million
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 7, 2024
Former Hasbro exec sells Lido Shores home for $12.5 million

The 34236 has a new record — despite a big price drop.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Queen of the Night blooms for crowd at Selby Gardens
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 7, 2024
Queen of the Night blooms for crowd at Selby Gardens

The flowering cactus only shows its blossoms for one night each year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Celery Fields is a mecca for birders and other nature lovers.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 7, 2024
Sarasota Audubon Society announces incoming president

Longtime area resident Sara Reisinger started at the nonprofit as a volunteer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 2024 ENGAGE graduates and town department heads.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 7, 2024
Town employees graduate from first professional development course

Fourteen Longboat Key staff members complete the ENGAGE program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 7, 2024
Manatee County schools will spend $1.4 million on weapon detection screeners

Firearms detection systems will be placed at each high school and randomly at middle schools starting on the first day of school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Campers Xander Francois, Brooke Turner and Nicky Korenek find sea urchins while dip netting.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 7, 2024
Mote launches new kids camp themes for summer

As the first week of camp starts, Mote's education department dives into a summer of fresh takes on learning.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Debby Debile and Amy Steinhauser
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 7, 2024
Meet the new team at The Paradise Center

Amy Steinhauser and Debby Debile plan to make The Paradise Center a fresh space for new and returning members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
David Fink served as president of the board for the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation and board chair for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 7, 2024
Lakewood Ranch loses an altruistic force

David Fink says he feels he has left the area in a better place.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney High rising senior Chris McCorkle committed to Indiana University on April 26.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 7, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Chris McCorkle

The Cardinal Mooney High rising senior defensive back is committed to Indiana University.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
County commissioners recently discussed the highest and best use of the fairgrounds site at 3000 Ringling Blvd.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 7, 2024
County fairgrounds site's current use is likely its only use

County commissioners learn that as long as the 54-acre parcel near downtown hosts an agricultural fair, it can never reclaimed by the county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bird Key ranked among nation's best retirement destinations
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 7, 2024
Bird Key ranked among nation's best retirement destinations

The Sarasota neighborhood was chosen as the 29th best place to retire in America in a survey of retirees by MarketBeat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
See rare cactus bloom tonight at Selby Gardens
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2024
See rare cactus bloom tonight at Selby Gardens

The Queen of the Night is expected to blossom tonight in a once-annual display during a free viewing party.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer star Broden Beorlegui said that he's always had a knack for scoring.
  • By Dani Hernandez, Observer Intern
  • June 6, 2024
Lakewood Ranch youth soccer star shows he can compete at the highest level

Broden Beorlegui, 16, chases his dream of being a professional player.

  • East County
  • Sports
Todd Richardson has been named the principal of the new K-8 school in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 6, 2024
Gullett Elementary principal chosen to lead new K-8 school in Lakewood Ranch

The School District of Manatee County's first K-8 school will open in August 2025.

  • East County
  • Schools
Pat Neal is chairman of Neal Communities.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2024
Pat Neal donates award, and more, to land conservation group

Neal Communities chairman makes $350,000 gift to the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dianne Fonseca is a 25-year cancer survivor with a goal to raise $1 million for the American Cancer Society.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 6, 2024
Palm Aire resident aims for $1 million donation to American Cancer Society

Palm Aire's Dianne Fonseca has raised over $600,000 so far.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nicholas Lewis, David Pratt, Mark Hamel and Evan Santiago, 9, play chess
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 6, 2024
Community of players grows at Manasota Chess Center

The brick-and-mortar chess club has received national recognition.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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