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Your Observer

Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer provided his recommended budget to the Town Commission on Aug. 1.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 3, 2021
Longboat Key Town Commission to review upcoming budget

Longboat Key town commissioners are set to review the budget on Sept. 13 and again on Sept. 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chris Collins
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 3, 2021
All Angels presents artist Chris Collins

Artist of the Month at All Angels captures the photos and then takes the process to its framed completion.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bob Gault, Lynn Larson and Michael Garey
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 3, 2021
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key installs new president Michael Garey

Garey follows Lynn Larson, who held the position for two years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Freshman Addison Shea, senior Hailey Marston, sophomore Maeve Ingham, senior Gracie Marston, sophomore Tamlyn Leatt and senior Aurora Melzer hope to run the Mustangs to a state title.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 3, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Mustangs cross country takes aim at state title

The Lakewood Ranch girls cross country team has its sights set on a state title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Town staffers place 2,974 flags along Gulf of Mexico Drive, beginning Sept. 10.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 3, 2021
Longboat Key Sept. 11 flag tradition continues on attack's 20th anniversary

This is the 19th time the Public Works Department will plant 2,974 flags in the ground.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 3, 2021
Casey Key sale closes for more than $9 million

Property includes 2.67 acres of gulf-front land, a main house and a guest house.

  • Sarasota
  • News
James Hugglestone II of Fawley Bryant and Brandon Gundrum and Angel Ortiz of Willis Smith Construction stand next to the partially built cube.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 3, 2021
Lakewood Ranch's blackboard cube allows 9/11 feelings to be shared

In Lakewood Ranch, 8-foot-tall cube will record intimate thoughts about 9/11.

  • East County
  • News
BJ, a permanent resident at Save Our Seabirds, was hit by a car and is unable to fly. Her enclosure is specially-designed to allow her to optimum mobility. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • September 3, 2021
Bird of the week: Red-tailed hawk

If you've never seen one, you've likely heard a red-tailed hawk either in the wild or as a sound effect on TV.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bradenton-based Diaz Landscaping did the landscaping work around the Longboat Key Historical Society's cottage.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 2, 2021
Historical Society targets October opening for museum

Longboat Key Historical Society's cottage will serve as a museum at the Town Center site.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cindy Breslin and business partner at Blase Cafe, Kevin Skiest. Breslin was a talented artist as well as restaurant entrepreneur, and her paintings adorned the walls of Blase Cafe and reflected her "Joie de Vivre" frame of mind.
    By
  • Andréa Martone
  • September 2, 2021
Blasé Cafe's matriarch dies at age 65

Cynthia Breslin was an inspiration, family and friends say.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
In May, boaters docked near Jewfish Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 2, 2021
Red tide's effects curtails Longboat noise complaints

North-end residents haven't heard as much boat noise compared to previous months. Red tide has kept many boaters off the water.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 2, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: September 2

Jacqui Grant captured this photo of sunflowers at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 2, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: September 2

Mika Ish captured this photo of what looks like a comet over Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
As the Florida Department of Education investigates the Sarasota County Schools mask policy and considers potential sanctions, the district is defending the school board’s right to adopt the regulations. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 2, 2021
Sarasota County School Board responds to state’s mask mandate investigation

Although the Florida Department of Education has contended the mask requirement violates state regulations, the school district’s attorney argues it’s a permissible response to a health crisis.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 2, 2021
East County weather page photo: September 2

Gordon Silver captured this black-bellied whistling duck along a lake bed in Del Webb.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Although members of the Charter Review Committee had hoped for more community input at Monday’s meeting, the board indicated it would organize future opportunities for public engagement on important issues.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 2, 2021
Strong mayor? Commission oversight? Committee examines charter options

The Charter Review Committee has less than seven months to discuss potential changes to the city’s foundational governing document. Finished with preliminary work, the board’s about to dive in.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mia Morton, who is 6, always can look at the bee pin when she's missing her mother, Stephanie Morton. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 2, 2021
Manatee County mom stays connected to daughter with pin

Mill Creek mother designs a pin for her daughter to wear to ease separation anxiety.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 2, 2021
OPINION: Ivermectin II: Cons and pros

Readers chastised us, saying we were promoting a COVID-19 drug that’s dangerous and unproven. Dr. Pierre Kory addresses those concerns.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The look of the proposed development at 307 S. Orange Ave. was the lone point of contention at a community workshop Wednesday, Aug. 25. Rendering via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 2, 2021
Developer shares update on Orange Avenue housing

Neighboring residents offered largely positive feedback to a proposed Burns Court project that borders Laurel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
To achieve the necessary density for the proposed development, the applicant intends to purchase the rights to residential construction associated with the neighboring Sarasota Memorial Hospital building at 1743 Main St.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 2, 2021
Hotel, residential tower planned for mid-Main Street

A developer is asking the city to approve a 17-story building that exceeds the standard limits on height and density for downtown projects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 2, 2021
Mask wars: Coercion only brings destruction

This fight or war over masks on school children brings into vivid focus the incongruity that has existed with education from the day it became the domain of the state.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Construction continues on the addition at Braden River Middle School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 1, 2021
Growth in the Lakewood Ranch-area leads to more school construction

Renovations planned for seven Lakewood Ranch-area schools, along with a new school.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Andréa Martone
  • September 1, 2021
Asolo Rep plans sale of elaborate costume inventory

After decades without a costume sale, Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its doors at their Koski Production Center, offering a bargain sale on elaborate costumes

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Town Manager Tom Harmer and Interim Police Chief George Turner thanked Lt. Chris Skinner for his contributions to the Longboat Key Police Department. They presented Skinner with a commemorative plaque on Wednesday afternoon.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 1, 2021
Longboat Key holds retirement ceremony for police officer

Chris Skinner has worked for the Longboat Key Police Department since November 2010.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jordyn Byrd.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 1, 2021
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Jordyn Byrd

The Cardinal Mooney volleyball player led her team to a win against rival Riverview High.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Alyssa Gonzalez and Madilyn Gemme. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 1, 2021
Aloha to football season in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High School students dress in tropical theme for a football game.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sirius Day Spa's Debra Ratzlaff does the nails of 3-year-old Hadley Carter of Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 1, 2021
Sunshine Kids pampered by Sirius Day Spa in Sarasota area

University Park's Sirius Day Spa welcomes the Sunshine Kids.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ashley Pater, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High, is committed to USC for beach volleyball.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 1, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Lakewood Ranch beach volleyball player is among the best in the country

Lakewood Ranch High junior Ashley Pater has committed to USC, the national beach volleyball champ.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Lake Club home at 16026 Topsail Terrace sold for $2.3 million. It has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,387 square feet of living area. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 1, 2021
Lake Club home sells for $2.3 million to top Lakewood Ranch area transactions

Two Lake Club homes bring more than $2 million in Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton area real estate sales.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The two-story, 24,920-square-foot Gulf Gate Library opened in 2015. Funding was aided by the county's 1-cent surtax.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 1, 2021
County solicits public input on penny tax

For more than three decades, local governments have relied on a sales tax to fund major projects. Next year, the county will ask voters for another long-term endorsement of the program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carolyn Angiolillo at her Aug. 12 book signing.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 1, 2021
Longboat Key author Carolyn Angiolillo shares her stories from Williamsburg, Brooklyn stoops

Angiolillo's first book is a historical fiction novel detailing the coming-of-age in New York City.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Air Force veteran Eugene Vaadi, who flew missions in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, died Aug. 28 at the age of 100.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2021
Sarasota war hero dies at age 100

Sarasota's Gene Vaadi, who died Aug. 28, flew missions in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers is opening its first clinic in Florida at University Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2021
Hopebridge Sarasota autism center set to open in University Park

Sarasota facility will be the first of 30 in Florida for Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers.

  • East County
  • News
Bruce Woodruff, Roy Woodruff, Delores Woodruff, Linda Wakeman and Don Woodruff at the 60th anniversary in 2006.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2021
Bradenton's Woodruff & Sons still going strong after 75 years

Family strength guides Woodruff & Sons through 75 years serving the Bradenton and Sarasota region.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 31, 2021
Driver arrested in car-bicycle crash on Longboat Key

Sarasota Police take driver into custody on Bird Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bodybar Pilates is coming to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2021
Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place adds Pilates studio

Bodybar Pilates studio joins the lineup at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • 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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