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Your Observer

Seven-time PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel hosts the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour Thursday and Friday at The Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 18, 2023
Minority golfers take their shot at Billy Horschel Invitational

Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour makes a stop at The Concession in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Dan and Deborah Slottke of Mill Creek enjoy their ride through life with their 1979 Trans Am playing a big part.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 18, 2023
On the road with a couple of Bradenton Bandits

The upcoming car show at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church showcases unrelenting passion.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 18, 2023
City lobbyist act proposal meets with lukewarm response

Sarasota city commissioners are skeptical of the need for Erik Arroyo's ordinance to require paid lobbyists to register with the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Unit 1102 condominium at 1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive sold for $6.03 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 18, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 2-6 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in The Beach Residences tops the week's sales at $6.03 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Pumpkin ice cream pie at Tyler's
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 18, 2023
Longboat restaurants usher in fall with seasonal dining specials

The autumn-themed menu items include pumpkin soup, lots of squash and, of course, pumpkin spice lattes.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sergeant Sean Butler spent 24 years with the NYPD. Now, he helps the people of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 18, 2023
One night on patrol with the Longboat Key Police

What happens after sunset on Longboat Key? A reporter finds out on patrol with LBKPD.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jolie Pastorick said she practices golf in some form every day.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 18, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Jolie Pastorick

The Cardinal Mooney High girls golf freshman finished second at the Donald Ross Memorial Invitational on Oct. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Waterlefe's Glenda Myers works with Ballard Elementary kindergartner Kemora Wallace once per week through the Books for Kids Kindergarten program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 18, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Rotary kicks off ninth year of Books for Kids program

The Books for Kids Kindergarten program, which helps students discover a love for reading and increases reading scores, is expanding into more Manatee and Sarasota County classrooms this school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Andy Butterfield is named chief of staff, a brand new position within the Manatee County government.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 18, 2023
Manatee County adds a chief of staff position

Andy Butterfield was the frontrunner for the county administrator position before commissioners decided on Charlie Bishop.

  • East County
  • News
The pool at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club's Athletic Center is being renovated. Work is scheduled to be complete by Dec. 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 18, 2023
Renovated pool on schedule at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club

The new hard-shell pool will be completed in December and include a larger area for water aerobics.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School's Andrew Boudreau and Tyler Patten give it their all during a performance.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 18, 2023
Manatee County high school marching bands gear up for state competition

The Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish bands are concentrated on growth in hopes of earning a medal at the top level.

  • East County
  • Schools
Police escort pot-smoking loiterer from St. Armands restaurant
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 18, 2023
Police escort pot-smoking loiterer from St. Armands restaurant

A man who identified himself as "Ziggy Marley" refused to leave an eatery on St. Armands Circle. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The potential Longboat Key Community Center would be located in Whitney Plaza's largest building, at 6810 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 18, 2023
Manatee, Longboat work on Whitney Plaza community center agreements

Suggestions for use of the potential center include adult learning classes and hosting events.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Goodwill Manasota President and CEO Donn Githens (second from left) with the Community Ambassador Awards Luncheon honorees (from left) Rob Kehs, Dora Talamantes, Tom Waters and Bill Isaac
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 18, 2023
Goodwill Manasota revives its Community Ambassador of the Year Awards

The awards recognizing community service were last given in 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Town rules only cover size of docks and permanent structures.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 18, 2023
State bill delays Longboat Key ordinance aimed at tighter canal regulations

The town was ready to propose an ordinance to address canal navigability concerns, but Florida Senate Bill 250 put things on pause.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Payne Park Connector will link the Legacy Trail to the Ringling Trail along Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 18, 2023
City to share Payne Park-Legacy Trail connector details

A public information meeting will be held Oct. 26.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The invincibly ignorant
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 18, 2023
The invincibly ignorant

The antisemitic protesters are so brainwashed that truth and evidence make no difference. Have faith: "Remnants" will prevail.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
‘Live Local’ will help affordability — a bit
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • October 18, 2023
‘Live Local’ will help affordability — a bit

The lack of affordably priced housing, especially rental housing near wage-earner jobs, remains one of Sarasota’s most vexing economic and social challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 17, 2023
Longboat Bayfront Park pickleball courts close temporarily for resurfacing

The shared courts at Bayfront Park remain open for play.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Rye Wilderness Estates at 16503 First Drive N.E. sold for $1.7 million. It has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,875 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 17, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 2-6 in Lakewood Ranch

A Rye Wilderness Estates home on First Drive Northeast tops the week's sales at $1.7 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sarasota County Mosquito Management patrols the entire county with a full-time crew of 20 and 11 more seasonal workers, treating for larvae and adult populations.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2023
Mosquito-borne illness warning issued for Sarasota County

A single case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
East County's Ellie Blitz and her horse, Gunner, look forward to improving at Western dressage and continuing to volunteer at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 17, 2023
East Bradenton teen forms winning partnership with American paint horse

Gunner, an 8-year-old American paint horse, has excelled both in dressage and helping with therapy at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ellenton's Barbara Bostrom, the niece of Gilbert McNeal, Lakewood Ranch's Jessica Chmielarski, the granddaughter of McNeal, and Dylan and Michael Chmielarski, the great-grandsons of McNeal, celebrate his legacy at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School's 20th anniversary.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 17, 2023
McNeal Elementary School celebrates 20th anniversary

Teachers, students and administrators, past and present, celebrate 20 years of learning and making memories.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ron Scott has no typical day as Longboat Key's security analyst, but his main focus is to enhance the town's cybersecurity.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 17, 2023
Longboat’s first security analyst protects town government from online threats

Ron Scott brings more than two decades of IT experience to help bolster the town’s online security.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Warren paints at his live art show at Wyland Galleries on Oct 14.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 17, 2023
Grammy-winning artist talks fantasy surrealism at live art show

Jim Warren, who painted the cover for Bob Seger's "Against the Wind," was at Wyland Galleries on St. Armands Circle to meet fans and show his artwork.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Two women with a cat in a stroller raise police suspicions
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 17, 2023
Two women with a cat in a stroller raise police suspicions

An officer asked questions after seeing the group walking down a road in the middle of the night. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
An overhead view of a spinal surgery using Augmedics' xvision augmented reality technology.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 17, 2023
AR technology offers 'X-ray vision' for spinal surgery at SMH

The future of spinal surgery is in use at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This sign hangs along County Road 675. Resident groups regularly band together to attend commission meetings to prevent development east of the Future Development Area Boundary.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 17, 2023
Manatee studies cost of moving county boundary on future development

Commissioners vary whether to hold the Future Area Development Boundary, get rid of it or move it east.

  • East County
  • News
Blaze Belligan with Sarasota County Fire Station 11 prepped sample cups of their sweet chili.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 17, 2023
Fire departments bring heat to chili cook-off with unique recipes, booths

The Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook-Off gave local fire departments the opportunity to showcase chili recipes and creativity.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brian Walton, new executive director of Save Our Seabirds, introduces himself to guests at For the Birds.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 16, 2023
Save Our Seabirds introduces new executive director at fundraising event

Brian Walton made his first community appearance at For the Birds and is excited for a new era of Save Our Seabirds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River sophomore Molly Horalek (16), sophomore Mia McGuire (7), senior Riley Hinkle (9), junior Morgan Beane (13) and junior Baylee Hinkle (15) celebrate a win over ODA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 16, 2023
Braden River High volleyball has its eyes on third-straight district title

The Pirates overcame the loss of a senior leader to finish the regular season 18-6.

  • East County
  • Sports
The 27th Annual Phil Galvano Golf Classic was held at the Longboat Key Club and Resort on Oct. 13.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 16, 2023
Phil Galvano Classic golf tournament fundraises for Manatee schools

The sold-out charity tournament brought golfers together with food, drinks and games at Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Help protect imperiled plants like pine lilies, as well as their sensitive ecosystems, by leaving blooms in place, and minimizing our direct and indirect impact on their habitats.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 16, 2023
Pine lilies thrive thanks to fire

These imperiled flowers are important indicators of health for Florida habitats.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Truly Valued serves about 300 children a year.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 16, 2023
Manatee County nonprofit teaches students skills to succeed in school and life

Truly Valued will host its annual fundraising event, Taste of New Orleans, on Oct. 28 at Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Crowned king and queen, Mason Kramer and Emily D'Agostino lead the 2022 Buddy Walk.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 16, 2023
Manasota BUDS to host 21st Buddy Walk

The Buddy Walk takes place on Oct. 28 at Bayside Community Church’s Lakewood Ranch campus.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County's OnDemand service could cover all of Longboat Key under an agreement with Manatee County.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 16, 2023
Town provides updates on extended bus service, new library

A joint meeting between Longboat Key and Sarasota County officials also included details on the St. Armands pump system failure during Hurricane Idalia.

  • 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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