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Your Observer

  • By Aqua Plumbing & Air
  • September 12, 2025
Storm Ready, Comfort Steady Aqua Plumbing & Air does it all, and has since 1974

“It’s called preparedness for a reason,” says Stephens. “We want to make sure families are ready before the storm and taken care of after.”

  • Hurricane Season
Sponsored Content
Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight was the lone dissenting vote in first vote approval of the county's fiscal year 2026 budget.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 12, 2025
Sarasota County budget first vote approval falls short of unanimous

Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight voted against approval of the fiscal year 2026 budget over capital spending objections.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Volunteer Peter Bonk spools out line for the grid-based search for scallops in Sarasota Bay during the Great Scallop Search of 2025.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 12, 2025
Great Scallop Search yields 20 sightings in Sarasota Bay

Despite spotting plenty of healthy seagrass habitat, volunteer snorkelers said scallops remain fairly scarce in Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A partially destroyed home in the Twin Shores community on Longboat Key after Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 12, 2025
Free permits for Longboat storm damage likely to extend

Going against staff recommendation, town commissioners said they plan to introduce a resolution that will keep the permit fee waiver for hurricane-related repairs through December.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Laurie Breslin was officially sworn in as the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County on Sept. 9.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 12, 2025
Manatee School Board approves $245,000 superintendent contract

Laurie Breslin also has incentives in her contract, a point of contention with two school board members.

  • East County
  • Schools
Charlie Kirk, left, and Chris Pavlovski share the stage at a Turning Point USA event. Pavloski, chairman and CEO of the video platform Rumble, said Kirk was an early investor in Rumble and played a large part in bringing Rumble's headquarters to Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 12, 2025
Charlie Kirk was influential in bringing Rumble to Longboat Key

Chris Pavlovski, the chairman and CEO of the YouTube competitor popular in the right-wing political sphere, said he and Kirk decided to relocate the company to Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Staff Sergeant Matthew B. Miles of the United States Army, representing all military personnel, lays a wreath.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2025
USF Sarasota-Manatee hosts 9/11 remembrance ceremony

The ceremony, where featured speakers included Edward Grayson, 9/11 responder and former commissioner of the NYC Department of Sanitation, urged attendees to "Never Forget."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Town Center Green will be the focal point of celebrations when Longboat Key celebrates its 70th anniversary.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 11, 2025
Save the date for Longboat Key's 70th anniversary bash

The town of Longboat Key is ringing in 70 years of existence in a big way.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert said she was "blown away" by executive search firm Sumter Local Government Consulting during a virtual interview with founder and president Warren Hutmacher.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 11, 2025
New search firm named for Sarasota city manager pursuit

"Hungry and scrappy" Sumter Local Government Consulting will lead the search to fill the 11-month vacant position.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview girls' volleyball celebrates after winning a point during a Sept. 4 match against Bradenton Christian. The Rams are off to a winning start in their 2025 campaign.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 11, 2025
Buoyed by talent, Riverview volleyball off to a nice start

The Rams won four of their first six matches as district title defense rolls on

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Captain Demetri Konstantopoulos, Detective Maria Llovio and Captain John Todd served as part of the Presidential escort, with the Sarasota Police Department, on Sept. 11, 2001.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2025
Sarasota police officers recount their role in Sept. 11 attacks

Capt. Demetri Konstantopoulos, Capt. John Todd and Detective Maria Llovio were cast into protecting President George W. Bush, who was speaking at Booker Elementary on Sept. 11, 2001.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 1333 Vista Drive was built in 2018 and has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,844 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for August 25-29 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Harbor Acres home on Vista Drive tops the wee'’s sales at $9.28 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The public gathers at the entrance to Midnight Pass on Oct. 26, 2024, as boats make their way through the opening.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 11, 2025
Nature opened Midnight Pass. Sarasota County intends to keep it that way.

Fairly stable for its first 11 months, the waterway to the Gulf is critical for Sarasota County, commissioners say as they begin formulating short- and long-term policy to protect it.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
  • By Encompass Health
  • September 11, 2025
Judy’s Recovery Story: Finding Strength After Stroke through Support and Determination

One woman's story of rehabilitation, thanks to Encompass Health.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Heather Hackett, the founder of Local Relief, Inc., points to the slat that bears her name as the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award recipient.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2025
Local Relief seeks financial relief

Heather Hackett's disaster recovery nonprofit seeks backers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
In 2018, East Manatee added a ladder truck that reached a maximum of 107-feet high.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2025
45 years of protection from East Manatee Fire Rescue

East Manatee Fire Rescue keeps climbing another rung with the community.

  • East County
  • News
Noah Chieffo starred early and often for Riverview in its high-scoring affair with Palmetto on Sept. 5, 2025.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 10, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Noah Chieffo

The Rams senior wide receiver/tight end had a quarter for the ages in Week 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Storm damage repairs at Hermitage Artist Retreat could be as long as a year away according to Sarasota County staff.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 10, 2025
Hermitage hurricane damage repairs still a year away

As negotiations to sell the Manasota Beach property continue on a parallel track, Sarasota county commissioners are told the complete Hermitage Artist Retreat campus restoration timeline is still unclear.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mathematics teacher Jeff Hilt and social studies teacher Dan McLean are the last remaining classroom teachers that were there when Braden River High School opened in 2005.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 10, 2025
Braden River High celebrates its 20th anniversary in Bradenton

Original staff members reflect on the past 20 years.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Dylan Walker, the captain of the Out-of-Door Academy football team, organized a fundraiser to benefit the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund. It took place during their rivalry game against Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School on Sept. 5.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 10, 2025
ODA football captain raises $5,400 to benefit local storm recovery

Dylan Walker draws up the strategy for a fundraiser at a rivalry game in Lakewood Ranch to donate to Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund.

  • East County
  • Schools
Chris and Sue Udermann stand outside their partially-raised house in The Village in Longboat Key, nearly a year after Hurricane Helene dumped feet of floodwater into their retirement home.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 10, 2025
Longboat residents raise houses, foundations in storm rebuild

Stilts, raised lot elevations and unique construction techniques are all being utilized by Longboaters.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Road rage car change ends in arrest on weapons charge
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 10, 2025
Road rage car change ends in arrest on weapons charge

As officers untangled an incident when three vehicles were chasing a fourth, weapons were discovered in one of the vehicles. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The home at 3491 Bayou Sound sold for $3.3 million. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,224 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 10, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for August 25-29 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Bay Isles on Bayou Sound tops the week’s sales at $3.3 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Ron DeSantis is dead wrong about AI
  • By Max Gulker, Adrian Moore, Marc Scribner
  • September 10, 2025
Ron DeSantis is dead wrong about AI

The governor seems to convey his fears of negative results over the benefits of AI usage.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A 10-foot sidewalk runs along the west side of Bourneside Boulevard from State Road 64 to University Parkway. A 15-foot trail for the east side of Bourneside Boulevard between State Road 70 and University Parkway is being negotiated between Manatee County and Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 10, 2025
Roads take back seat to trails in Manatee transportation priorities

It costs four times more to build a road than a shared-use path.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Town Commission met for a public hearing Monday, Sept. 8 where the commission gave unanimous initial approval for the 2026 fiscal year budget, which will take effect Oct. 1 if commission gives final approval at the Sept. 22 public hearing.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 10, 2025
Town advances first vote in favor of 2026 budget

Staff pay raises and unchanged property taxes highlight the next fiscal year Longboat Key town budget.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lane closures on North Tamiami Trail for water main construction will begin Sept. 15.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 9, 2025
Water main replacement will close lanes on North Tamiami Trail

The inside lanes of U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail between 14th and 22nd streets will be closed for first phase water main replacement until spring 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An updated rendering of the Broadway Roundabout from the May 1 public discussion.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 9, 2025
Future Broadway roundabout approved by Town Commission

The Longboat Key Town Commission approved two resolutions that fund utility relocation work and assigns maintenance responsibilities for the FDOT-run project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sherry Lee Phinney (1944-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • September 9, 2025
Sherry Lee Phinney

It is with deep reverence for the gift of her amazing life that the family of Sherry Lee Phinney announce her passing on September 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Flooding in Pinecraft during 2024's Hurricane Debby prompted an emergency response.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 9, 2025
Sarasota County sides with auditor on no stormwater rate hikes

Sarasota leaders heard about a new approach to weighing drainage projects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Planned ball fields at Manatee County park are beyond fiscal prudence
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 9, 2025
Planned ball fields at Manatee County park are beyond fiscal prudence

It's time to take a closer look before any further action is taken, a Country Club East resident writes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Amy Steinhauser, executive director of The Paradise Center, leads the effort to pack up materials from the community center in anticipation of the move to Longboat Island Chapel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 9, 2025
Paradise Center makes final moving preparations

The community center expects to reopen at its new location with Longboat Island Chapel on Sept. 29.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dr. Sara Simmons, Hand and Wrist Specialist at Coastal Orthopedics, poses for a photo. The former elite rower is heading to the World Rowing Masters Regatta this week.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 9, 2025
For love of the sport, local doctor heads to world rowing regatta

Sara Simmons returns to competitive rowing 30 years after winning gold at the World Rowing Championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
David Kushnir, now with Longboat Key Public Works, was a detective with the New Jersey State Police and was across the Hudson River from New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 9, 2025
Longboat residents recall and 'Never Forget' 24 years ago

David Kushnir was across the Hudson River when the first plane hit the north tower. Serving as detective with New Jersey State Police, he stepped into emergency mode.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A semi takes a wide turn onto Lorraine Road from 44th Avenue East.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 9, 2025
Lorraine Road widening project stalled until 2030s

Several smaller transportation projects have gained favor in the Manatee County capital improvement plan.

  • East County
  • News
This Lake View Estates at the Lake Club home at 14665 Como Circle sold for $5.1 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,320 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 9, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 25-29 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake View home in the Lake Club topped the week’s sales at $5.1 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
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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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