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Your Observer

    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 11, 2021
Paragon Festivals premieres new spring craft show

The latest spring arts festival was held April 10 and 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 11, 2021
St. Armands Annual Art Festival returns

The art show spanned the weekend and showcased artists both close to home and far away.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 11, 2021
Coco Bertucci, the unofficial canine mascot of St. Armands Circle, dies at 13

The tiny Yorkie-Poodle was well-known throughout the Circle and had plenty of regular stops.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Town Commission has operated with six commissioners since Ed Zunz officially resigned on March 22.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 9, 2021
Three people apply for vacant District 5 Town Commission seat

The seat has sat vacant since March 22 when Ed Zunz's officially resigned.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 9, 2021
Longboat Island Chapel hosts blood drive, food drive

The chapel has hosted multiple versions of each event, but never at the same time.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
George Muller, Richard Solorzano and Julian Hansen
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 9, 2021
So long, Solorzano

Longtime maintenance man retires.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Maggie Mooney has worked as Longboat Key's town attorney since July 2013.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 9, 2021
Longboat Key hires special legal counsel for St. Regis hearings, sewage break fallout

The hirings help ensure Town Attorney Maggie Mooney does not have a conflict of interest with the proposed changes to the St. Regis site, and for how the town deals with the fallout from the June 2020 sewage break.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
There are approximately 50 species of gulls found throughout the world. (Photo by Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • April 9, 2021
Bird of the Week: Laughing gull

Laughing gulls, common in our area, are aggressive feeders — which is precisely why they should not be fed by humans.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • April 9, 2021
William Hayward Klingbeil

William Hayward Klingbeil, 99, a long time resident of Longboat Key, passed away peacefully at home in Mount Dora, Florida on March 31, 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 8, 2021
Michael Saunders & Co. presents annual awards to agents

The party was back in person after being held virtually in 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Students Quinn Coomer, Rafael Treminio Bravo, Seth Johnson, Armand Segui and Cannon Spencer are all smiles after winning the VEX Robotics state championship.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 8, 2021
Suncoast students win state robotics competition

The Blackout Robotics team won the VEX Robotics state championship for the second year in a row.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Some programs vying for mental health district money would help keep those with mental health issues out of jail.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 8, 2021
Officials discuss mental health district millage rate

As commissioners discuss how much will go to mental health taxing districts, local groups ask for funds.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A current proposal for the parcel includes single and multifamily affordable housing and retail space.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 8, 2021
County accepts bids on north county affordable project

Developers will have until April 26 to submit bids for the property at 2501 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sheriff Kurt Hoffman said the current Sarasota County Sheriff's Office at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd. isn't large enough to accommodate the entire department.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 8, 2021
Commission, Sheriff eye same property for expansion

County commissioners and Sheriff Kurt Hoffman are interested in 1301 Cattlmen Road as a future expansion site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Superintendent Brennan Asplen said the updates are important to ensure all leaders are focused on the same goals.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 8, 2021
Consultant helping with school district strategic planning

School leaders hope the improvements will increase the district's metrics in areas such as learning, employee excellence and community relations.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Snowy plovers are the most popular nesting shorebird on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 8, 2021
Snowy plovers return to Siesta Key

Out of 25 confirmed nests since 2018, no chicks have made it to maturity.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 8, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Free ride

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2021
East County weather page photo: April 8

Richard Bottorff captured this bald eagle in front of a full moon rising in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: April 8

Kevin French captured this bald eagle on Lido Key near the beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 8

Angie Blunt captured this kayaker against the full moon on Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Program director Kristin Poolman with Children's Guardian Fund Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko. File photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 8, 2021
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key lands grant

There is a service component along with the grant that club members hope will inspire Children's Guardian Fund students.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 8, 2021
Prelude to Piney Point

No doubt there will be plenty of political blaming in the wake of the Piney Point leak that Manatee County commissioners were negligent. For the truth, just watch their Jan. 26 meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Sarasota High boys lacrosse team holds its final breakdown of the 2021 season. The program won its first game on March 30, 14-3 over St. Petersburg Catholic.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 8, 2021
Sarasota High lacrosse programs make progress in first full season

The Sailors have kept battling despite numerous challenges — and a pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The distinctive red lumps on Muscovy faces are named carnucles. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • April 8, 2021
Bird of the week: Muscovy duck

Species introduced into the United States as an enhancement for urban parks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota County Property Appraiser pegged the value of the transfer station site at $2.42 million in 2020, with the land valued at $1.28 million.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 8, 2021
Officials endorse removal of downtown SCAT station

The city is encouraging the county to sell the bus station site to facilitate the redevelopment of the property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City staff identified improved bike rental offerings as a priority in the proposed Sarasota in Motion transportation master plan. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 8, 2021
City seeks partner for bike, scooter service

The city hopes to capitalize on the extension of the Legacy Trail as it works to expand its transportation offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Asset Manager Ruth Hofer and Project Manager Philipp Hartl (not pictured) hope the Linger Lodge restaurant will open in January. The restaurant is not undergoing any renovations.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 7, 2021
Campground revamp under way at Linger Lodge

Improvements to the Linger Lodge RV campground are underway

  • East County
  • News
Liz Yerkes has been on Longboat Key since the early 1990s.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 7, 2021
Liz Yerkes opens new massage business

Yerkes has been on Longboat Key since the early 1990s and has reopened her massage business after the pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 7, 2021
County to host walk-up vaccination clinics

Beginning at 5 p.m. April 12 the current registration system will no longer accept new accounts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 7, 2021
You Observed: Yardarm Lane gets back in the groove of things

The Country Club Shores street celebrated increasing vaccinations with a block party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Friends of the East Manatee Library Fundraising Committee Chair Connie Farmer, President Sue Ann Miller, Vice President Regina Negrycz and Stewardship Committee Chair Janet Allen stand in front of the future East County Library.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 7, 2021
East County Library nonprofit books authors for fundraisers

Friends of the East Manatee Library adjusts to fundraising during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • East County
  • News
An assisted living facility is planned for this property near the intersection of Upper Manatee River Road and Port Harbour Parkway. Residents of nearby Waterlefe are upset the facility can now be built to five stories.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 7, 2021
Heritage Harbour construction a taller task

Heritage Harbour land amendment stokes concern

  • East County
  • News
Lake Club's Jo Jadin admires Lakewood National's Nancy Skibinski's afghan blanket.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2021
A common thread in Lakewood Ranch

Shared interest makes for a close-knit group at the Greenbrook Adventure Park in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Trisha Calandra and Renee Baggott. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2021
Back in action in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Cinemas reopens.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Braden River High School Pirate Battalion Drill Team celebrate winning their fifth district championship in a row. The team will now move onto state. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2021
Braden River High School knows its drill

Braden River High School Pirate Battalion Drill Team wins district championship for fifth year in a row and heads to state.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 7, 2021
Rev. Pick’s sermons kept them coming for more

Father Pick, founder of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, left a lively legacy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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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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