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Your Observer

    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 17, 2021
Beth Israel Women gather for lunch on Longboat Key

Attendees came together for a homemade lunch and handmade jewelry sale.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Fourth grader London Jones and Susan Smucker, the WOZ Ed coordinator for the School District of Manatee County, watch as Jones slowly moves the drone he's controlling around the room.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 17, 2021
Bradenton's Bashaw Elementary enhances its STEAM program

Students at Bradenton's Bashaw Elementary will learn about drones, 3D printers, robotics and more through WOZ Ed kits.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 17, 2021
Manatee or mullet? Either way, Sarasota wants a new seal

A local branding firm will lead an effort to produce new iconography for the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Senior running back Jay'den Birch (8) and the Rams will need to control the game on the ground in order to give their defense a rest against Venice on Friday.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 17, 2021
Riverview welcomes playoff rematch with rival Venice

The winner will advance to the third round of the Class 8A playoffs next week

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Delta Air Lines serves five destinations from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 17, 2021
SRQ prepares for holiday travelers

Airport advises passengers arrive two hours ahead of departure time.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although some residents near the event site complained about the noise associated with live music, at least one city official defended a schedule that called for festivities to continue until 11 p.m.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 17, 2021
Officials reflect on first installment of Fresh Fridays

Although some organizers were enthusiastic about the November launch of a downtown event series, others thought the results were inconclusive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key is one of four Florida municipalities in two counties. File photo
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 17, 2021
State report, county commissioners lay out difficulties for Longboat's one-county idea

Shifting Longboat into one county has for years been talked about. Now a state report, and a pair of county commissioners, make clear the difficulties in doing so.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The city of Sarasota has similar poles that the town of Longboat Key will consider for wireless carriers to properly install their infrastructure. File photo
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 16, 2021
Longboat planning board delays cell-plan discussions until 2022

Verizon Wireless proposed building nine small cell poles and antennas to improve Longboat Key's cell signal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 16, 2021
All Star Children's Foundation celebrates grand opening

The campus for foster children has been years in the making.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 16, 2021
Women's Golf Association starts season on Longboat Key

The 18-hole golf group played their first round of the year and met for lunch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
While 551 Broadway Street has paid utility bills in 2021, water usage rates show July 2018 was the last time anyone lived in one of the six apartments. File photo
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 16, 2021
Town presents formal denial of proposal to build four homes in Longbeach Village

An order of denial is required by Florida law.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 15, 2021
Sand sculptors compete at returning Siesta Key Crystal Classic

The event ran through Nov. 12-15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The town of Longboat Key provided renderings of the 50-foot stage concept at the Town Center site.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 15, 2021
Longboat Key couple plans to donate up to $500K for Town Center stage naming rights

The Longboat Key Town Commission is set to consider a naming rights agreement on Dec. 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pat Rounds, a vocal supporter of single-member districts, said the county would be required to redistrict regardless of the election system in place, admonishing commissioners for linking the two subjects.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 15, 2021
County selects redistricting map, targets repeal of single-member districts

After picking a new map that makes limited changes to district boundaries, commissioners intend to ask voters to reverse a 2018 referendum governing county elections.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Certain areas of Gulf of Mexico Drive are prone to flooding when there are heavy rains. File photo
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 15, 2021
Engineer on sea level rise: Longboat Key is ahead of other Florida communities

APTIM Environmental and Infrastructure is planning to complete Longboat Key's sea level rise study by June 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioners Maureen Merrigan, BJ Bishop and Mike Haycock posed for a picture at Monday afternoon's Town Commission meeting.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 15, 2021
Three Longboat Key commissioners run unopposed

No one filed to run against incumbent commissioners Mike Haycock, BJ Bishop and Maureen Merrigan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rev. Ken Blyth from SAKLC, Father Dave Marshall from All Angels, Rabbi Stephen Sniderman from Temple Beth Israel, Rev. Norman Pritchard from CCLBK, MiMi Horwitz and Rev. Brock Patterson from Longboat Island Chapel.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 15, 2021
Communities of faith plan for Thanksgiving service on Longboat Key

The interfaith service on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is a long-standing tradition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The County Administration Center is part of a larger 5.3-acre package of land Benderson Development intends to purchase from the county for $25 million.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 15, 2021
County to sell downtown offices to Benderson for $25 million

Sarasota County intends to relocate from its Ringling Boulevard administrative center to a new facility near Interstate 75 by 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 15, 2021
Longboat Key area celebrates veterans

Veterans receive their due from a grateful community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 14, 2021
Waterlefe Artists Guild annual Art Show brings community together

This year's art show was the biggest and most diverse in the Waterlefe Artists Guild's history.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 14, 2021
Temple Beth Israel hosts welcome back dinner

The temple also welcomed a dozen new members to the congregation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 14, 2021
St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church hosts Christmas Bazaar

The Longboat Key church sold baked goods, crafts and decorations galore.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 14, 2021
Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's Suncoast Food and Wine Fest returns

Hundreds enjoy food and wine during the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's Suncoast Food and Wine Fest.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 13, 2021
Shell Road home is week's top seller at $6.275 million

Siesta Key property sells for more than any other the week of Nov. 1-5 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch and surrounding areas.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 13, 2021
Bonaire condo is top-seller on the islands

5005 Gulf of Mexico Drive unit sells for $3.25 million in deals that closed between Nov. 1-5.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 13, 2021
Riverdale home tops sales at $1.8 million in east Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch areas

Four sales of more than $1 million highlight Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton area real estate transactions.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
John Wishart loves the 289 high performance engine in his 1964 1/2 Mustang, the first of its kind to roll off the assembly line.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 13, 2021
Longtime Mustang car show returns to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

The Ponies Under the Palms car show in Lakewood Ranch raises money for Take Stock in Children and Southeastern Guide Dogs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Riverview football advances in FHSAA playoffs
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 13, 2021
Riverview football advances in FHSAA playoffs

Cardinal Mooney was shut out by Bishop Verot on the road

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 12, 2021
Braden River football beats Countryside to stay alive in playoffs

The Pirates used big plays to put away the Cougars 30-16

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 12, 2021
Town of Longboat Key celebrates 66 years

The town was incorporated in 1955.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Town officials urge clients of vehicle-transport services to arrange for loading and unloading in locations away from Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 12, 2021
Longboat alerts vehicle-delivery clients along GMD

Town says police will ticket trucks violating parking regulations

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 12, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: An alarming morning

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 12, 2021
Longboat Island Chapel hosts Veterans Day concert

Siren Song provided the music, which ranged from celebratory to brooding to liberating.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 12, 2021
Medieval vs. Renaissance: Faire plays showcase life long ago

Our reporter steps back in time to explore who wore history better in two Sarasota-area events.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The city cited the El Tropicale property owners for two code violations.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 12, 2021
Laurel Park residents target short-term rental

The neighborhood association succeeded in getting the city to respond to a property that was allowing one-night stays.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 11, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: November 11

Louis Condas captured this photo of an anhinga breaking the rules at a pond on Central Sarasota Parkway.

  • East County
  • 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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