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Your Observer

Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer has filled his position since December 2017.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 13, 2021
Raises on the way for Longboat manager, attorney

Longboat Key town commissioners voted 7-0 to approve a 3% raise for Town Manager Tom Harmer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 13, 2021
Longboat Key Town Center stage planning begins to take shape

The town will pursue building a 50-foot downstage at the Town Center site between the Public Tennis Center and the Shoppes of Bay Isles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Winslow Place resident Jason Wilson took this photo of Buttonwood Drive flooding after the July 29 rainstorm.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 13, 2021
Buttonwood residents express concerns about drainage issues, possible developments

Drainage problems in Buttonwood Harbour prompt residents to ask for action, but new development nearby brings new concerns.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bramwell Tovey, new music director of Sarasota Orchestra
    By
  • Andréa Martone
  • September 13, 2021
Sarasota Orchestra's new music director is a maestro on a mission

Bramwell Tovey aims to explore new composers and works in his time here.

  • Arts + Culture
Leaders from the service organizations posed with bags of food.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 13, 2021
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church connects with service organizations

For God's Work, Our Hands, the church met with leaders of the local organizations they support.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 13, 2021
Longboat Key author nets honorable mention in Readers' Favorite

The psychological thriller won in the "Fiction Audiobook" category.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    A time to celebrate |
  • September 13, 2021
Brittany Bryant-Swift and Randy Connery Swift II

The 2021 wedding season kicked off this past Labor Day weekend with Sarasota residents Brittany Bryant-Swift and Randy Connery Swift II.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
Julie McGue snapped a photo of the campsite she and her family shared in Montana. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 13, 2021
Longboat Key residents' summer vacation photos tell stories

Longboaters like traveling off the island to see some new views every summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
United Airlines is one of 10 carriers with operations at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 13, 2021
SRQ breaks 12-month passenger record in eight months

Traffic through Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport surpasses a record set in 1990.

  • Sarasota
  • News
#SafeArtsSarasota: New Safety initiatives in place to protect spread of COVID for Sarasota's performing arts venues.
    By
  • Andréa Martone
  • September 13, 2021
Sarasota arts organizations roll out new COVID-19 rules

Testing requirements, voluntary vaccine proof among new plans for largest indoor performances.

  • Sarasota
  • News
When two Secret Service agents asked then-Longboat Observer Executive Editor Lisa Walsh to back off reporting on the 9/11 terrorists, she politely declined. "We're reporters. That's what we do," she said.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 12, 2021
An untold story of Sept. 11

In the 43-year history of the "Longboat Observer," two staffers' involvement in Longboat Key's connection to that horrible tragedy will forever tie them and the newspaper to history.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Drita Hajroja of the Drita Dawn business works on her art.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 12, 2021
Artful Giraffe hosts speakeasy soiree

The outdoor arts event was held Sept. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 12, 2021
Sarasota National Cemetery holds 9/11 memorial ceremony

First responders, survivors and supporters paid their respects on Sept. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The properties at 1588 N. Casey Key Road face the Gulf of Mexico and Little Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 12, 2021
Casey Key waterfront estate sells for $9.25 million

The property at 1588 N. Casey Key Road was the top seller in the Sarasota, Palmer Ranch, Siesta Key, Casey Key and Nokomis areas for the week of Aug. 30-Sept. 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 12, 2021
Bird Key home sells for $6.5 million

Property on Spoonbill Drive is the top seller in the Longboat Key, St. Armands, Lido Key, Bird Key area for the week of Aug. 30-Sept. 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 11, 2021
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce puts out nearly 3,000 American flags on 9/11

This is the 19th time the Chamber has put out flags in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Steve Lubrino, who survived the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, wears the Fire Department City of New York patch. He spoke during Day of Remembrance in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2021
Day of Remembrance offers emotional 9/11 tribute in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch's Day of Remembrance honors 9/11 heroes.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River receiver Anthony Campbell and quarterback Nick Trier celebrate after a touchdown drive. The Pirates extended their winning streak over Lakewood Ranch to six games.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 11, 2021
Braden River-Lakewood Ranch football game returns, to similar results

Braden River still dominant in the football series with Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota football roundup: 09.10.21
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 11, 2021
Sarasota football roundup: 09.10.21

Sarasota football roundup: 09.10.21

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 10, 2021
Braden River beats Lakewood Ranch in return of football rivalry

The two programs had not played since 2018

  • East County
  • Sports
The Out-of-Door Academy football team fell to 0-2 on the season after a 32-6 home loss to Jordan Christian Prep on Friday.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 10, 2021
Out-of-Door football falls to Jordan Christian Prep

The Thunder is now 0-2 on the season.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 10, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: See you on down the road

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch's Monica Quimby was named to the women's sled hockey Team USA for the eighth time in August. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 10, 2021
Lakewood Ranch sled hockey player earns eighth berth on Team USA

Lakewood Ranch's Monica Quimby was paralyzed at 19, but her athletic career has been pure gold.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota Orchestra President and CEO Joe McKenna said the organization hopes to finalize a site for a new music hall next year — and that site won’t be in Payne Park. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 10, 2021
Amid community debate, Sarasota Orchestra rules out Payne Park as future home

The orchestra has once again said it is focusing on sites outside of city limits as it seeks land to construct a new music hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
“Enjoy the Beach!” signs replaced the “Red Tide Present” advisories at the beaches this week.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 10, 2021
Sarasota County reports beaches are free of red tide

Monitoring will continue, but advisory signs have been removed from all 16 county-maintained sites.

  • Sarasota
  • News
“What I’m discovering is you really have to get a consensus,” Bill Saba said.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 9, 2021
Saba withdraws request to name bay on Longboat Key

Landowner sought agreement with town to establish Conrad Bay on the north end, as an homage to his grandparents.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Corey Reed has several weeks of recovery ahead of him after getting hit by an SUV while biking home from the Longboat Key Club. Photo provided by Corey Reed.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 9, 2021
Former Key Club chef has weeks of recovery ahead after car-bicycle crash

In late August, Corey Reed was cycling home to Sarasota from the Longboat Key Club when he was hit by an SUV.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 9, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: September 9

John Dinsmore captured the nightlife over Sarasota’s bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 9, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: September 9

Nicole Graziano captured this shot of a sunset over Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sam Wright and Kat Samai stretch upwards.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 9, 2021
St. Armands Circle hosts last "Breathe" yoga session of summer

The yoga classes were part of the "Sol of the Circle" summer events.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 9, 2021
East County weather page photo: September 9

Bruce EntSilverman captured this busy bee in Rosedale Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lemeki, a 3-year-old elephant with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, was found abandoned in Kenya as a result of flooding. Photo courtesy and copyright of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch fifth graders adopt an elephant

McNeal Elementary fifth graders address the elephant in the room.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 9, 2021
9.11 Remembered: Sarasota, Longboat Key took center stage

Sarasota residents in the area on that fateful day recount their memories of where they were when they heard the news — and how they responded in the aftermath.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Patty Haeussler, a social studies teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, was named a Social Studies Teacher of the Year by Florida Council for the Social Studies. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High social studies teacher earns recognition for her passion.

Patty Haeussler was named Social Studies Teacher of the Year by Florida Council for the Social Studies.

  • East County
  • Schools
Vincent Billi spent days looking for survivors at Ground Zero.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 9, 2021
9.11 Remembered: Construction expert recalls rescue operation

Vincent Billi recounts his experience attempting to rescue survivors at Ground Zero on Sept. 11

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jane Herrin. File photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 9, 2021
9.11 Remembered: Fire marshal was with Bush team at Emma Booker

Herrin was in the same building as the President and watched the tragedy unfold from the media center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is meant to pay for immediate relief and long-term resilience efforts in the four-county area.
  • June 5, 2026
Patterson Foundation donates $500,000 for storm relief
2
A giant American flag has flown above Sarasota Ford since the 1970s.
  • June 4, 2026
American flag will fly high again over Sarasota Ford
3
Mike and Jenny Schenk have closed their Pineapple Kitchen location on Lena Road and are now marketing their products on Amazon.
  • June 4, 2026
Pineapple Kitchen owners close store, move to Amazon
4
An aerial rendering of Premier Park's upcoming racket and aquatic center.
  • June 4, 2026
Residents receive little warning about Premier plan detours
5
Owen Ayers played his first two seasons of minor-league baseball exclusively with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of Single-A. So far in 2026, he's spent time with the South Bend Cubs of High-A and Knoxville Smokies of Double-A.
  • June 4, 2026
Sarasota High baseball alumnus turns the corner with consistency

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