• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • 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
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

Mary Lou Johnson took "Garden of Light" in Sorrento, Italy, just after a rain, which brought out glossy reflections and rich deep colors, for which she often looks.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2011
Photographer holds picture-perfect opening

Longboat Key photographer Mary Lou Johnson held an opening for her 'Ignite the Soul' reception Friday, Feb. 25, at Art Center Sarasota. The show runs through March 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2011
Harry Christensen gets knee-ded time off

Harry Christensen won't be greeting diners at Harry's for a while. On Feb. 21 he had a knee replacement at Sarasota Memorial Hospital to be followed by rehab.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dionne Reinert and Dee Tornillo set prices for household items for the Royal Rummage Sale.
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • March 2, 2011
This weekend offers bundle of bargains

This weekend, Longboat Key is a bargain-hunter's dream.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key firefighter paramedics listen to the town manager and the fire union attorney present their cases Wednesday at Town Hall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 2, 2011
Commission sides with town on firefighter contract

The Town Commission sided with Town Manager Bruce St. Denis Wednesday on the three issues left to resolve on a one-year firefighter contract.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Front row: Jack Murray, India Hirschowitz and John Angsten; back row: Rachel Shapiro, Alaija Pitts and Timeria Miller
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 2, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Salute to Seuss

If he were alive today, Dr. Seuss would be 107 years old! Students at Bay Haven School of Basics-Plus got all dolled up as "The Cat in the Hat" in honor of National Read Across America Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jordan Cangro, 8, passed out chocolate chip cookies as part of the "Great Cookie Election."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 2, 2011
GALLERY: Hall of Democracy

Children Braden River Elementary School learned about their country's history, citizenship and democratic processes during the second grade's annual Hall of Democracy event. Festivities included presentations about U.S. presidents and states, as well as voting in the "Great Cookie Election."

  • East County
  • News
The State of the City address allows a mayor to list the city's accomplishments.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • March 2, 2011
Committee questions State of City address

The Charter Review Committee reverses a previous decision to have the city manager deliver the address. It also wants all mention of the State of the City stricken from the city's charter.

  • Sarasota
  • News
What a difference six years makes. The photo at bottom denotes the area on the northwest edge of Longboat Key that we have dubbed "The Danger Zone," the hottest of the Key's hot spots for beach erosion.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2011
Our View

It's the right thing to do

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Ret. Brig. Gen. John Casey's wife, Arlene, surprised him with a huge birthday party, complete with helicopter ride, for his 80th birthday last weekend.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 2, 2011
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: John Casey

Tara resident Ret. Brig. Gen. John Casey spent 28 years in the U.S. Army. Learn more about him in our candid Q&A.

  • East County
  • News
On his 80th birthday Feb. 27, Ret. Brig. Gen. John Casey took to the air with fellow pilot Nigel Milligan.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 2, 2011
Ride of His Life

Ret. Brig. Gen. John Casey, of Tara, celebrated his 80th birthday Feb. 27. His wife, Arlene, made sure he would never forget it.

  • East County
  • News
Executive recruiter Colin Baenziger said the executive director position requires a wide set of skills.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 2, 2011
Baenziger continues search for director

Colin Baenziger, of Colin Baenziger & Associates, already has received about 40 applications for the IDA's vacant Lakewood Ranch Town Hall executive director position.

  • East County
  • News
The Thomas baptism was the first in Peace’s new location in the Manatee Board of Realtors building on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2011
Peace hosts first baptism

The children of Peace Presbyterian Church were active participants in the recent baptism of Wellspring Olson Thomas, son of the Revs. Clay Thomas and Tricia Dillon Thomas.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Trapeze School helped the participants focus on their faith journey as well as learn the difference between believing and trusting.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2011
Our Lady youth group learns to fly

The Youth Group from Our Lady of the Angels braved dizzying heights while learning to fly on the trapeze Feb. 27 at Christian Retreat.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key resident Andrew Aitken believes flight-pattern procedures are not being followed and are leading to noisy airplanes flying directly over the north end of the Key.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 2, 2011
Resident questions flight patterns

Retired Navy pilot Andrew Aitken made a presentation to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport last month that questioned flight-pattern procedures.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 2, 2011
Investigator releases findings

An interim report by Firefighters Pension Board-hired investigator Edward Siedle reveals all three town pension plans could have lost millions of pension dollars.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town pension attorney James Linn addressed the Longboat Key Town Commission at a special pension workshop last month.
  • By Jay Brady
  • March 2, 2011
Longboat pension ranks among worst in state

Government employee pension plans are the time bomb for cities and counties on the Gulf Coast. The recession has lit the fuse.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 2, 2011
Beach project in voters' hands

Town of Longboat Key registered voters will vote on a $16 million beach project and a charter amendment that clarifies commissioners' partial terms.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Community Haven’s Barry Gradert, front, couldn’t stop smiling as he rowed with coach Alex Alexandru.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 2, 2011
Sarasota debuts adaptive rowing

As part of the Sarasota Invitational Regatta, organizers hosted an inaugural adaptive rowing program for clients of Community Haven for Adults & Children with Disabilities and for Easter Seals on Feb. 25.

  • East County
  • News
Honor Animal Rescue President Rob Oglesby said each of the cottages costs $15,000.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • March 2, 2011
Rescue reveals first cottages

Honor Animal Rescue's Ranch features buildings similar to the structures used following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

  • East County
  • News
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and Dave Aaronberg, a former state senator
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 2, 2011
Buchanan promises support in drug fight

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan hosted a public forum about Florida's prescription drug abuse problem Feb. 28 in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 2, 2011
News Briefs

Beach presentation now online at town website; Beach project scheduled to begin this week

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bill Sceva puts together the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key newsletter each week.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 2, 2011
Kiwanian of the Year always makes headlines

Bill Sceva has been named the 2010 Kiwanian of the Year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 2, 2011
Colony unit inspections begin

The town is inspecting approximately 80 to 90 units that the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort owners wish to re-open this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By George Rauch
  • March 2, 2011
Market Watch

Is there a future for gold and silver?Â

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2011
OUR VIEW: County right, policy still wrong

When Ken Sanborn asked Sarasota County for another $500,000 for his startup movie studio in Lakewood Ranch, it just highlighted an ongoing policy problem.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • March 2, 2011
MY VIEW: Anti-growthers reliably wrong

Local governments have wisely been reducing or ditching new home taxes known as impact fees to spur the economy. Opponents are spitting mad.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2011
News Briefs 03.03.11

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is continuing to patrol the Summerfield section of Lakewood Ranch more frequently following a Feb. 18 incident during which a driver of an unmarked van got out of his vehicle several times to speak to children.

  • East County
  • News
Shane Davidson slides safely back into first base during Lakewood Ranch's 9-1 victory over Braden River Feb. 22.
  • By Jen and Brian Blanco
  • March 2, 2011
Meeting on the Mound

East County and district rivals Braden River and Lakewood Ranch took to the fields in pivotal district contests Feb. 22.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Ashtin Frank rushes for a Team Blue first down during the school's first O Bowl under the stadium lights.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 2, 2011
ODA kicks off first O Bowl

ODA hosted its first girls-only football game Feb. 26 under the stadium lights.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2011
Cops Corner

Classic Cops Feb. 19, 1980 8:03 p.m. Woman reports she was watching a TV program when two raccoons fell through her ceiling. One escaped, one was captured. Officer states program was not a Walt Disney production, but the later events could have been.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 2, 2011
COMMENT: Spring ball conjures childhood memories

Spring has sprung in the East County, and I couldn't be happier.

  • East County
  • Sports
Part-time Meadows resident Bill King, 80, began playing tennis 50 years ago. Today, King competes in about six tennis tournaments a year.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 2, 2011
Love of tennis serves up fun for Meadows couple

Part-time Meadows resident Bill King reached the semifinals of the men's 80 singles division of the USTA Super Senior Grand Prix Feb. 21-26.

  • East County
  • Sports
Eve Wickwire, Susan Singer, Patti Ostroski and Laurin Goldner were excited to sell their first raffle ticket to Larry Panza Feb. 24, at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • March 2, 2011
Key tennis event supports SMH Breast Health Center

The Breast Cancer Awareness Women's Round Robin will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at the Public Tennis Center, 590 Bay Isles Road.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Former Longboat Key Mayor Bob Drohlich has authored his first fiction book, "The Finding."
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • March 2, 2011
Former Longboat mayor authors first fiction novel

Bob Drohlich recently published his first fiction novel, 'The Finding.'

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2011
Building permits

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Feb. 18 through Feb. 24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Unit No. 703 at the Water Club, 1241 Gulf of Mexico Drive, has 3,045 square feet of living area, three bedrooms and four bathrooms. It sold for $1.35 million.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 2, 2011
Water Club unit sells for $1.35 million

The sale was the top transaction recorded at the Sarasota and Manatee county courthouses during the week of Feb. 14 through Feb. 18 on Longboat, Lido, St. Armands and Bird keys.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
« 1728 1729 1730 1731 1732 1733 1734 1735 1736 1737 »
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
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
2
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
3
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables
4
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
  • December 18, 2025
New north Sarasota park draws major collegiate softball tournament
5
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man

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 © 2025 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.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now