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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 20

Wendy Peck captured this approaching storm on Whitney Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier wrote a two-page letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Schneier asked DeSantis to veto House Bill 403.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 20, 2021
Longboat mayor asks DeSantis to veto home-based business bill

House Bill 403 would prohibit local governments from taking certain actions on the regulation of home-based businesses.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
1. The Riverview High girls golf team captured the Class 3A state title.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 20, 2021
Top sports moments of the 2020-2021 Sarasota school year

There was all sorts of greatness achieved this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Jim Eakle drove his son to various states to secure the badges.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 20, 2021
Sarasota Eagle Scout collects every possible merit badge

16-year-old Out of Door Academy student commits to earning all 137. And does it.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    A time to celebrate |
  • May 20, 2021
Happy 80th Birthday Hal !

Happy 80th Birthday Hal !

  • East County
  • Celebrations
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 20, 2021
Siesta city: Is it worth cost?

The appeal for incorporating Siesta Key is its residents controlling the island’s land-use destiny. A vote inevitably will come down to cost. Is the benefit worth the cost? On Longboat, it is.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Downtown merchants Darci Jacobs, Ron Soto and Harmoni Krusing Bens said they could be amenable to eventually eliminating some Main Street parking spaces — but only if the city significantly expanded the nearby parking supply.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 20, 2021
Main Street businesses protest streetscape idea

Although city officials and property owners have expressed a desire to redesign two key downtown blocks, merchants aren’t happy with the prospect of losing parking spaces.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioners suggested consulting a design firm or holding a public contest to identify possibilities for a new logo. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 20, 2021
City considers new look for logo, seal

The City Commission directed staff to explore the possibility of updating key imagery, though not everyone’s in favor of change.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2021
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.20.21

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Workers contracted by the town of Longboat Key dredge sand on Friday, May 14 at 4001 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 20, 2021
Longboat heads into hurricane season with bulked-up beaches

This year's hurricane season comes as the town continues its beach renourishment projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Heidi Habhegger, president Dawn Zielinski and vice president Lisa Michel
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 19, 2021
Village Idiots cycling group participate in Ride of Silence event

Cyclists rode out for the event on May 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 19, 2021
A gemstone for St. Armands

Let the conversation begin, but perhaps this time, the ending will be happier than previous trips down this road.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 19, 2021
ODA baseball bunts way to state championship game

The Thunder scored four runs in the seventh inning to beat Trinity Chrisitan Academy

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 19, 2021
Pen Women award scholarships

The group of artists met at the Bird Key Yacht Club to celebrate the seniors who got awards.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lori Abramson and Melissa Sinkler. Photo by Brendan Lavell.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • May 19, 2021
Eastern Manatee County women find network of support

Eastern Manatee County women find network of support

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 682 Mourning Dove Drive was built in 1988, and it has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,949 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 19, 2021
Bird Key home sells for $4.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for May 3-7.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Manatee County Commission voted to pay $3,000 for Commissioner James Satcher's public record lawsuit settlement and an estimated $15,750 in attorney fees and costs.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • May 19, 2021
Manatee County pays commissioners' legal tab

Manatee County Commission votes to protect itself against "chilling effect" created by lawsuits

  • East County
  • News
Parrish's Donnie Nelson, Jami Nelson and Owen Nelson stand in front of a greeting presented to them from members of the Malachite EMS station in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • May 19, 2021
Special delivery: Baby born in Lakewood Ranch parking lot

Manatee County EMS chief delivers baby in Lakewood Ranch parking lot

  • East County
  • News
SunCoast Blood Centers Technician Ryan Milner and Parrish resident Daniel Wansten stand outside the mobile concierge unit. Milner and Wansten made an appointment to do it again the next day after Wansten's pulse came in over 100.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • May 19, 2021
Blood donations needed in Lakewood Ranch, beyond

SunCoast Blood Centers needs donations as demand for blood rises

  • East County
  • News
Sharon Carole and Chris Covelli of the he Realm Restaurant Group, which recently acquired The Bijou Café in downtown Sarasota. (Courtesy image)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2021
Landmark Sarasota restaurant sold, founders to retire

New Bijou Café owners plan to continue normal operations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Manatee County Commission will decide May 25 whether to appoint interim Administrator Scott Hopes to the permanent position.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • May 19, 2021
Manatee County commissioners set vote to forgo administrator search

No search for Manatee County administrator?

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch junior Ella Coiner has filled in for sophomore Olivia Laney on the mound in the team's last three playoff games.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 19, 2021
With ace pitcher out, Mustangs junior has been money on the mound

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
In addition to featuring volunteers, a photo posted to the city’s Twitter account on March 27 showed Mayor Hagen Brody at a Van Wezel vaccination event. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 19, 2021
Mayor’s conduct causes concern among residents, officials

An argument at City Hall regarding a vaccination clinic has led to criticism of Mayor Hagen Brody’s behavior.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rosedale's Kathi Skelton and Deb Kehoe led an effort that raised $132,905 to benefit Homes for Our Troops in 2021.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 19, 2021
Mission to help vets continues in Bradenton at Rosedale despite pandemic

Despite cancellation of the Rosedale Golf Classic, the event still raises $132,905 for Homes for Our Troops.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Greenbrook's Allison Konick has always dreamed of opening a dental practice and looks forward to growing her practice in the same community in which she lives.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2021
EYE ON BUSINESS: New dental practice makes owner smile in Lakewood Ranch

Greenbrook resident opens Kind Smiles Dental Health in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Business
Palmetto High School's Principal Carl Auckerman will take the lead of Braden River High School next year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2021
History buff Braden River High's future

Carl Auckerman wants to establish relationships before taking over as principal at Braden River High in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Signs that remind students to wear masks may be a thing of the past if an optional policy takes effect July 1. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 18, 2021
School mask policy could shift to optional July 1

Superintendent aims to hold off on changes until school year ends.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
This Waterlefe Golf and River Club home at 10507 Riverbank Terrace sold for $1,932,000. It has five bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,100 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 18, 2021
Lake Club home tops Lakewood Ranch-area sales at $1.95 million

Waterlefe in Bradenton home sells for $1,932,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The late Richard Albero, who lived in Del Webb, wrote a book about his 1,200-mile walk from Tampa to New York to raise $56,000 for the Wounded Warrior project. He died in 2020 and is being honored at the Tribute to Heroes Concert.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 18, 2021
Tribute to Heroes Concert in Lakewood Ranch a chance to support vets

Tribute to Heroes Concert will be held at the Greenbrook Adventure Park in Lakewood Ranch on May 22.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The former bank building at 6960 Gulf of Mexico Drive has sat vacant for years.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 18, 2021
Longboat Key voters to consider two density changes

Voters will consider referendum requests for 597 Buttonwood Drive and 6960 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Richard Harris and Kenneth Stephens will speak to their long journeys overcoming racism. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 18, 2021
Pastors to speak on overcoming racism at Church of the Redeemer event

Richard Harris and Kenneth Stephens come from wildly different backgrounds to speak at Church of the Redeemer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Campos, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, wants to set an example for her brothers and nephews as she becomes the first in her family to graduate high school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 18, 2021
New horizons for Lakewood Ranch student

Lakewood Ranch High's Jennifer Campos becomes the first in her migrant family to graduate.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 18, 2021
Booker Middle School hosts festival of arts at Van Wezel

The daylong arts festival was held on May 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
development group is asking the city to consider facilitating a mixed-use project featuring a boutique hotel and gourmet market on St. Armands Circle. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 18, 2021
Sarasota entertains St. Armands hotel plans

Despite concern from Longboat Key officials, the Sarasota City Commission is considering a mixed-use project proposed for the site of a public parking lot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ranger Zack Westmark helps Bill Jones of South Sarasota, a frequent biker at the park, use the new bike work station funded by Friends of Myakka River. (Miri Hardy photo)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • May 18, 2021
Myakka State Park's cycling day puts focus on nature from a new perspective

May 22 event will include a variety of special activities for cyclists at the park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Palm View K-8 School Principal Kaththea Johnson gives a tablet to a student alongside Assistant Principal James Dougherty. Dougherty says it's important for schools to celebrate student successes. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 18, 2021
Learning Bashaw first priority for new east Bradenton principal

James Dougherty now meeting with teachers, staff and families to prepare for new school year in east Bradenton.

  • 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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