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Your Observer

Helena Hebda.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 30, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Helena Hebda

The Cardinal Mooney High volleyball senior had 12 assists, six digs, eight service points and two aces Aug. 24 against Palmetto High.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Julie Farmer stops by the sandbag station at the Myakka Community Center. She's not as worried about her cabin off River Road as she is her cottage on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 29, 2023
Myakka City residents are calm, but they respect Idalia's threat

No one was overly worried about Hurricane Idalia's possible impacts, but preparations carried on just in case.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Idalia cannot be ignored
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • August 29, 2023
Idalia cannot be ignored

For native Floridians, it’s easy to get jaded and to brush off another hurricane as "no big deal." But coming off last year’s devastating Hurricane Ian, it’s no time to be complacent.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Alex Fabrizo taking in signs and other outdoor items from the Publix parking lot.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 29, 2023
Business owners on St. Armands Circle, Longboat prep for Hurricane Idalia

Few businesses stay open as they make last-minute preparations and residents evacuate for the coming Category 3 hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton lended a helping hand at sandbag distribution early Tuesday morning.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 29, 2023
North Longboat residents quietly get ready for Hurricane Idalia

Residents make small preparations for possible storm impacts while abnormal water activity foreshadows potential flooding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bayfront Park on TuesdayCaptain Bobby Chiodini ties down the historic tour boat the Carefree Learner, also known as Sarasota High School’s “floating classroom,” at Bayfront Park on Tuesday.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2023
Sarasota area prepares for the impact of Hurricane Idalia

Residents filled sandbags and secured their boats in anticipation of the storm’s impacts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key resident Roger Lusins fills sandbags before Hurricane Ian. Longboat Key will be offering sandbags in anticipation of heavy rain this week.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 29, 2023
Longboat Key braces for Hurricane Idalia

With the Key under evacuation orders, residents made final preparations for the approach of Hurricane Idalia.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The breezeway over Quay Commons in the proposed One Park development. A transfer of air rights to the developer is being challenged in 12th Judicial Circuit Court.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 29, 2023
Hurricane Idalia forces delay in One Park air rights trial

Following opening day of a defining The Quay trial, judge calls two-day recess to ride out the storm.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Lake Club home at 7951 Matera Court sold for $1.99 million. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,938 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 29, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 14-18 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Matera Court tops the week's sales at $1.99 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
This Bay Isles modern home on Longboat Key, designed by DSDG Architects, recently won the Aurora Award for Custom Home of the Year (5,000 sq ft – 10,000 sq ft) at the South Eastern Builders Conference. It features resilient deign aspects such as fake wood made of aluminum and solar panels.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 29, 2023
Resilient construction attempts to solve risks of beachfront living

Local architects explain how waterfront homes are built to withstand powerful storms.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Deputy Director of Development Services Denise Greer stands by for questions, as Robert Giarraputo looks at a map of his neighborhood. Giarraputo attended the workshop to offer input on Manatee County's comprehensive plan.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 29, 2023
Residents offer opinions on shaping Manatee development plan

Workshops were held to ask citizens on what they'd like to see in the plan moving forward.

  • East County
  • News
Police investigate report of loud screaming
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 29, 2023
Police investigate report of loud screaming

A late-night complaint about a woman screaming prompted a police response. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Ed Kolodzieski, owner of Ultra-Marine on Longboat Key, hopes to start adding Duffy electric boats to his chartering service.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 29, 2023
Longboat Key boat retailer highlights benefits of electric vessels

Ed Kolodzieski has a long history in the boating world, but lately he's been sharing the love for "luxurious floating living rooms."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A heron hides in the grass at Perico Preserve. The former farmland is now a bird sanctuary.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 29, 2023
Manatee County implements a wetland mitigation program

Establishment of a "mitigation bank" of land aims at keeping forced wetland improvements within Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County issued an evacuation order for Level A.
    By
  • James Peter
  • August 28, 2023
City declares state of emergency, Sarasota County issues evac order

An evacuation order for Level A is scheduled to take effect on Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County residents fill sandbags at Ed Smith Stadium ahead of Hurricane Ian.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 28, 2023
Sandbag locations open in Sarasota County for Idalia

Evacuation centers will open Tuesday morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Deputy Director of Public Safety Steve Litschauer briefs the commissioners on Hurricane Idalia at an emergency commission meeting on Aug. 28.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 28, 2023
Manatee County in state of emergency as Idalia approaches

The county says Freedom Elementary School in Bradenton will be a shelter site along with two others not in East County.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • August 28, 2023
Ivan Lewis Kushen

Ivan Lewis Kushen, of Highland Park, Illinois and Longboat Key, Florida, born August 10, 1935, passed away August 17, 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 28, 2023
Manatee County garbage bills increase by 65%

Twice-weekly pickup remains in place, but collection rates increase as of Oct. 1.

  • East County
  • News
The QR code on the new sign at Quick Point Nature Preserve on Longboat Key takes people to the site's location on the free iNaturalist app.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 28, 2023
New sign at Quick Point encourages community data collection

David Glosser led the installation of a sign directing people to the iNaturalist app to record their observations of plant and animal life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
ODA senior linebacker Charlie Tack stretches the ball over the goal line for a pick six against Berean Christian.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 28, 2023
ODA football uses season-opening win as prep for rest of season

The Thunder beat Berean Christian 42-0 at home Aug. 25.

  • East County
  • Sports
City commissioners approved on second reading rate increases for residential and commercial solid waste collections.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 28, 2023
Sarasota's solid waste fees are going up

To meet rising operations costs and build a reserve, city commissioners approved a rate hike for residential and commercial customers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Martina Belanch
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 27, 2023
Sarasota Bay Watch hosts first scallop search since COVID

Volunteers met on Aug. 26 at Sarasota Sailing Squadron to collect data on scallops, wildlife and seagrass in Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carl Backman and Nancy Cunningham, members of Aloha Ukulele, perform with the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities club for Play Music on the Porch Day on Aug. 26, 2023.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 27, 2023
Heat sends music event inside at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

That didn't bother 35 attendees who sang along with Aloha Ukulele during the Play Music on the Porch event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hurricane Idalia at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2023
Hurricane Idalia news, updates in Sarasota, Manatee

Idalia made landfall at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds.

  • Hurricane Season
Liz Cantwell and Ron Longhurst dance together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 26, 2023
Fundraiser at Senior Friendship Centers supports the hungry

The End-of-Summer Bash brought Hawaiian flavor to the fundraiser, which also raised money for Mayors Feed The Hungry, a partner of the organization.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ed Kolodzieski talking about his marine lifestyle store, Ultra-Marine.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 26, 2023
Summer Night Out wined and dined customers in Whitney Beach Plaza

This monthly event is hosted by several businesses to promote their products and mingle with other residents on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Payne Park Auditorium.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 26, 2023
Architect selected for Payne Park Auditorium expansion

Fleischman Garcia Maslowski Architecture will lead the design of the new home for The Players Centre for Performing Arts. Now the search is on for a general contractor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Care packages include items used to battle heat-related illnesses, such as water bottles and electrolyte packets.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 26, 2023
Manatee County continues to battle a heat wave, drought

Manatee County staff members are working to keep heat-related illnesses at bay and drinking water safe.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 26, 2023
High school football roundup: Week one

East County and Sarasota teams found plenty of success to start the 2023 season.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA senior linebacker Charlie Tack stretches the ball over the goal line for a pick six against Berean Christian.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 25, 2023
ODA football starts 2023 season with shutout win

The Thunder beat Berean Christian 42-0 at home Aug. 25.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2023
Disaster prep sales tax holiday begins Saturday

Sales tax will not be collected on a variety of products to help weather the aftermath of a hurricane.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Andrew Vac moderates introductions from business owners at Networking at Noon.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 25, 2023
Chamber members mingle lunch and networking at Lazy Lobster

August's Networking at Noon welcomed back the Chamber president and had a great turnout for the slow month on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Orchestra has finalized a three-year agreement with its musicians' union that begins with the 2023-24 season, the orchestra's 75th anniversary.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2023
Sarasota Orchestra signs three-year agreement with musicians' union

The pact calls for a 5% salary increase in each of the three years.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2023
SMH makes Forbes list of best employers

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is ranked No. 4 among 90 large employers in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Uzi Baram has been named director of archaeology at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2023
Selby Gardens names new director of archaeology

Uzi Baram has taught anthropology at New College for 25 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
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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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