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Your Observer

Charlie Metzler, Samantha Trotter, Mimi Kruk, JoDene Moneuse, Kelsie Rokicki and 6-month-old puppy Nova held out hope that Freedom Fest and other Fourth of July activities on Longboat Key would continue. However, lightning forced officials to cancel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 4, 2025
Lightning on Longboat causes Freedom Fest cancellation

Despite officials' best efforts, poor weather caused them to cancel the 'world's shortest parade' and other Fourth of July activities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Peter Hotaling, 13, represented R. Dan Nolan Middle School at the HOSA International Leadership Conference June 18-22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 4, 2025
Nolan Middle student places third at international HOSA event

Peter Hotaling, 13, entered his speech in the Health Career Preparation category against students from around the world.

  • East County
  • Schools
A street level rendering of Adagio by Kobi Karp Architecture.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 4, 2025
Live Local tower project ups residential units, commercial space

The Sarasota Development Review Committee got its first look at two downtown residential developments: the 18-story mixed-use Adagio and a boutique building in the Rosemary District.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort opened in August 2024.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 4, 2025
St. Regis lands AAA Travel's five-diamond rating

As the resort approaches its first-year anniversary, Forbes' rating is still pending.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Best friends Olivia Geler and McKenna Bonura snap their photos from the finish tower July 3 at Nathan Benderson Park during Fireworks on the Lake.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 4, 2025
Rain can't stop the pop at Nathan Benderson Park

The park hosted its annual Fireworks on the Lake celebration July 3.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Friends of Legacy Trail all prepare for the opening of the new trail bridge.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen, Eric Garwood
  • July 3, 2025
Sarasota cyclists are switching gears for the new Legacy Trail bridge

The Florida Department of Transportation opens the new Legacy Trail bike and pedestrian bridge over Clark Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Crossing team of Michael Barron, James Brearley, Travis Taaffe and Brandon Taaffe won its division during the competition from Bimini in The Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 3, 2025
Sarasota brothers paddleboard from Bimini to Florida for cystic fibrosis

Two brothers and two friends take on and wi, an 80-mile Atlantic paddleboard challenge in an effort to provide support for individuals and families battling cystic fibrosis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unit 17PHC condominium at 50 Central Ave. was built in 2005 and has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 4,174 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 3, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for June 16-20 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in Plaza at Five Point Residences on Central Avenue tops the week's sales at $4.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Booker High rising senior Tyren Wortham committed to Michigan State on June 22 after mulling over offers from 32 other Division-I programs.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 3, 2025
Booker High receiver picks Michigan State among 33 Division-I offers

Tyren Wortham has mapped out his path to the NFL.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota County Public Works Director Spencer Anderson briefs the public about flooding during the 2024 hurricane season.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 2, 2025
New stormwater department to separate from Public Works

Citing public perception of slow response to 2024 flood mitigation, the Sarasota County Commission votes to remove that function from the Public Works Department.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nathan Benderson Park holds its annual Fireworks on the Lake on July 3.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2025
Nathan Benderson Park expands July 3 fireworks show

This year, the Fourth of July fireworks show has been stretched from 15 minutes to 18 minutes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
FCL Orioles pitcher Adrian Heredia delivers a pitch against the FCL Rays in a game at Twin Lakes Park on June 30.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 2, 2025
Sarasota baseball fans could have the chance to watch future MLB players

The FCL Orioles may have an influx of talent after the MLB Draft on July 13-14.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Myakka City Historical Society has been restoring the Myakka City School House since 1993.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 2, 2025
Historical sites tell Manatee County's story

Preserving history is a joint effort between government, nonprofits and residents.

  • East County
  • News
The poles are gone, cheers to Lynn Larson
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • July 2, 2025
The poles are gone, cheers to Lynn Larson

Longboat's undergrounding of utility wires means no more unsightly structures, says a reader.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Steve Branham (left) and Deborah Murphy (right) speak at the election forum held on Feb. 9.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 2, 2025
Longboat leaders keep pension board selections unchanged

Leadership will remain the decision of town commissioners after the 7-0 vote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This rendering of Emerson Lakes by Erickson Senior Living shows what the 46 acre campus in Lakewood Ranch will look like. Phase one is set to open in the fall of 2026.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 2, 2025
Huge senior living community 15 months from its debut in Lakewood Ranch

Emerson Lakes will be the third Erickson Senior Living community in Florida and the 24th nationwide.

  • East County
  • News
Man trespassed from convenience store twice in one night
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2025
Man trespassed from convenience store twice in one night

Having previously received a trespassing warning from a convenience store, a man tested law enforcement by showing up there twice in one night. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota Paradise players Owen Barnett, Felipe Rojas, Jeffrey White and Andres Freire celebrate a goal by White against Weston FC on June 28 at Premier Sports Campus.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 2, 2025
The future is bright for Sarasota Paradise

Moving to Lakewood Ranch has been the right move for area soccer club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Medians located along Bay Isles Rd. next to Town Hall.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 2, 2025
Bay Isles Road could get a sprucing up

A project to replace storm-doomed trees in the median on Longboat Key's Bay Isles Road gains favorable reception.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Greg Koss and David Roy, owners of David Gregory Salon, share an afternoon with friends at the shop before closing its doors.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 2, 2025
The Centre Shops loses David Gregory Salon

More than half a dozen salons once called Longboat Key home, but that number has decreased to one with the closing of the shop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The Bird Key home has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,723 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 2, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for June 16-20 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home on Bird Key on West Royal Flamingo Drive tops the week's sales at $7.82 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A group of pirates makes a split in "The Treasure Map," with performers including Sawyer Tillman, 9; Harper Olney, 10; Miriam Mohib, 12; Dylan Alan, 12; education intern Isaiah Ramsey, 21; education intern Nadya Smirnova, 19; Abigail Gastaldo, 11; Bliss Rippy, 13; Stefaniia Biedakurova 10; Reyna Kim, 9; and Nina Lockhart, 12.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 2, 2025
Sarasota Youth Opera campers perform scenes they produced

Kids created their own lyrics and choreography for four opera scenes, which they performed for their families on the last day of camp.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Turtle Watch reported the first hatch of the 2025 season in a post on June 28.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 2, 2025
Turtle hatch begins on Longboat Key

Longboat Key Turtle Watch reported the first hatch in a post on June 28.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
25 years devoted to liberty
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 2, 2025
25 years devoted to liberty

For a quarter-century on the Fourth of July, we have used this page as a reminder of the magnitude of 1776.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota, Manatee sandbag centers open in anticipation of heavy rains
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 1, 2025
Sarasota, Manatee sandbag centers open in anticipation of heavy rains

With a potential round of heavy rain possible this week, Sarasota County will open its sandbag-distribution sites from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Outgoing Rotary Club of Longboat Key President Jan Wallace and incoming President Terri Driver crack a smile after Wallace officially passes the gavel on June 24 at Hugo's II.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 1, 2025
Jan Wallace passes gavel to new Rotary Club of Longboat Key head

Community environmental projects are set to take a front seat under the leadership of new Rotary Club of Longboat Key President Terri Driver.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carole J. Bufford stars in "Too Darn Hot: Songs for a Summer Night," which runs at Florida Studio Theatre through Sept. 14.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for July 3-9

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
It was a case of ammo lost, ammo found
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 1, 2025
It was a case of ammo lost, ammo found

A missing parcel of a certain level of importance turns up eventually. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Joan M. Durante Park offers scenic views of Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 1, 2025
Longboat hopes to buy underwater land for $10,000 (or less)

The submerged acreage could help with a high-profile town sewer project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
First-year Lakewood Ranch boys basketball coach Kaden Knott draws up a play during a time out at a scrimmage.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 1, 2025
Lakewood Ranch tries to recapture past glory with new boys basketball coach

Kaden Knott, 26, sees bounce-back potential in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
A Country Club East home at 16003 Kendleshire Terrace sold for $1.55 million. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,699 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 1, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for June 16-20 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home tops the week's sales at $2,345,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Cinda Krouk, Joy Stone and Barbara Najmy of the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle say they love helping foster kids through their sneaker drive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 1, 2025
This sneaker drive fits the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle

The fundraising group has a goal of donating 400 pairs of sneakers to foster kids through The Twig.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The decoupling of the fire hose to celebrate the new administration building.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 1, 2025
Sarasota County dedicates new Emergency Services headquarters

Sarasota County has opened the doors to its new $16 million headquarters for fire, rescue and emergency services.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Incoming Longboat Key Chief of Police Russ Mager speaks during a ceremony in 2022 when he was Delray Beach's chief.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 30, 2025
Longboat Key's new police chief meets the town

Mager will begin Aug. 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Madison VandenBrekel represented Longboat Key in this year's Miss Florida USA pageant.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 30, 2025
Debut Miss Longboat Key shares experience competing for state title

Madison VandenBrekel, who spent her summers growing up on Longboat Key, said she enjoyed connecting with fellow competitors at her first pageant of this scale.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Crane Park sits on the Myakka River, which makes it prone to flooding.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 30, 2025
Manatee County purchases two more properties for conservation

The properties will expand Rye Preserve and Crane Park.

  • 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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