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Your Observer

    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 23, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: The wind had no alibi

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Presenters showed members of the St. Armands Business Improvement District an image of what a carousel might look like.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 23, 2021
Carousel proposed for St. Armands Circle

Stakeholders offer initial encouragement for attractions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 23, 2021
North end neighbors revamp community entrance

Three Longboat Key residents took plants from their own yards to revamp the patch of dirt that used to welcome visitors into their neighborhood.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
High school sports roundup: 02.22.21
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 22, 2021
High school sports roundup: 02.22.21

High school sports roundup: 02.22.21

  • East County
  • Sports
A picture of the water main break. Photo courtesy of the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 22, 2021
Commissioners accept consent order from FDEP

The town must decide whether to pay the FDEP $188,382 or implement an in-kind environmental project worth at least $281,073.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kelly Ermold walked a 5-month-old Cavapoo named Finn on Feb. 18 along Gulf of Mexico Drive. Ermold said she’d like to see more places in Longboat Key where dogs aren’t required to wear a leash.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 22, 2021
Dogs, Longboat beaches don't mix

Unless it is a service animal, dogs are not allowed on the beach in Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Letters rip, praise Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • February 22, 2021
Lakewood Ranch area letters hammer, support Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh

Some call for Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh's resignation, others praise her work to get a vaccination site in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Bob Gault and Reg Ware in 2020
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 22, 2021
Longtime Kiwanis member Reg Ware dies

The Salvation Army bell ringing initiative wouldn't be the same without Reg Ware.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 22, 2021
Longboat Key Turtle Watch continues efforts to keep the island clean

The island organization partners with Keep Manatee Beautiful to organize monthly cleanups.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dave Sparks on his home court.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 22, 2021
Longtime Longboat Key tennis pro heads off to another court

Dave Sparks is moving on from Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chris Duncanson rode out.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • February 21, 2021
Thunder by the Bay returns for 23rd annual festival

Motorcycle lovers gathered at the Sarasota Fairgrounds for the three-day festival.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • February 21, 2021
Temple Emanu-El families play games for Purim

Temple Emanu-El put on a carnival celebration for families Feb. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Built in 1994, the home at 4401 Midnight Pass Road has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,520 square feet of living area
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 21, 2021
Siesta Key home sells for $4 million

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 8-12.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Built in 2017, the home at 6111 Gulf of Mexico Drive has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,320 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 21, 2021
Sleepy Lagoon home sells for $6.1 million

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 8-12.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 21, 2021
Hayden Buckley wins 2021 LECOM Suncoast Classic in Lakewood Ranch

Buckley won a three-person playoff at Lakewood National Golf Club to take the trophy.

  • East County
  • Sports
Adam Feliciano played a guessing game.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • February 21, 2021
Temple Sinai throws drive-through costume parade for Purim

Families dressed up and played games on Feb. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bridge A Life President Danny Jones ran as the Greatest American Hero.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • February 20, 2021
Heroes run at 10th annual Bridge A Light 5K

Superheroes race at Nathan Benderson Park for the family support organization.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Billy Kennerly tees off on the No. 1 hole at Lakewood National Golf Club. Kennerly would par the hole.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 20, 2021
Two tied atop leaderboard heading into Suncoast Classic's final day

Other golfers are not far behind the pair.

  • East County
  • Sports
A 79-year-old Michigan woman was killed in a head-on collision Friday evening on State Road 70 in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 20, 2021
One dead after head-on collision in Myakka City

State Road 70 accident in Myakka City leaves a 79-year-old woman dead and a 38-year-old man in serious condition.

  • East County
  • News
With Phase 2 in the permitting stages, by year's end the land between the Public Tennis Center and the Shoppes of Bay Isles is expected to include walkways, bathrooms, lighting and accommodations for outdoor events.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 19, 2021
Center could operate at 'minimal cost' to town

It's unclear what specifically a Town Center entails and how it will be financed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Crews have installed the base of the new street lights near Gulf of Mexico Drive and Sloop Lane.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 19, 2021
Village residents ask for decorative street lights

The town of Longboat Key is planning to stick with the commission-approved street lights.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dawie van der Walt putts for par on the No. 18 hole at Lakewood National. van der Walt was four over par on the day and even for the tournament.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 19, 2021
Wind and rain affect scores on second day of Suncoast Classic

The weather at the LECOM Suncoast Classic was tough on its competitors.

  • East County
  • Sports
Eye color in the boat-tailed grackle varies across regions; grackles along the Atlantic coast north of Florida have yellow eyes while Florida birds have brown eyes.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • February 19, 2021
Bird of the week: Boat-tailed grackle

Though adapted to Florida urban settings, they are native to marshland.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 19, 2021
Carla Gusovius Atkins

Carla Gusovius Atkins, age 93, of Anna Maria, Florida, died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes on Wednesday, 3 February 2021, at her son’s home in Arlington, Virginia.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
High school sports roundup: 02.18.21.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 19, 2021
High school sports roundup: 02.18.21

High school sports roundup: 02.18.21

  • East County
  • Sports
Drew Weaver (left) and David Lingmerth (center) walk alongside their caddies to find their balls on the No. 18 hole.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 18, 2021
Three golfers tied for lead after day one of 2021 Suncoast Classic

Last year's winner is still within striking distance.

  • East County
  • Sports
For now, the larger L-shaped cottage will temporarily sit on cribs near 6920 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Photo: Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 18, 2021
P&Z Board approves Chiles Group's cottage, parking lot plans

Plans call for the Chiles Group's historic cottage to permanently sit at 6920 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 18, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: February 18

Patricia Muller captured this butterfly on north Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 18, 2021
East County weather page photo: February 18

Michael McGowan captured this Sandhill Crane with her newborn colt in Heritage Harbour.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 18, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: February 18

John Sims captured these black bellied whistling ducks in Payne Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Asplen said contributing factors to the decrease include teachers navigating concurrent learning, more students opting for virtual learning and a lack of full-time teachers.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 18, 2021
Student testing data shows a slide

Sarasota curriculum directors say it will take a targeted approach to overcome COVID-19 effects on learning.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Commissioners are hoping for home rule authority, which would allow the county to decide whether to allow recreational marijuana, should the state vote to legalize it. (Unsplash photo)
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 18, 2021
County OKs resolution seeking local marijuana control

The resolution, approved 4-1, asks state lawmakers to give counties home rule authority when decided on recreational marijuana use.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The county is considering an artist live and work space for surplus land at 4644 N. Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 18, 2021
County considers affordable artist community for surplus land

Artist community consider as affordable housing proposal on surplus county land.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh was criticized for asking to add neighbors and others to vaccination list.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 18, 2021
Manatee County Commissioner apologizes for asking to add names to vaccination list

One Manatee County commissioner calls Vanessa Baugh's email to add names to vaccination list "a terrible mistake" and a show of favoritism.

  • East County
  • News
22 parking spaces will be added in front of The Old Salty Dog.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 18, 2021
Funding approved for Siesta parking, roundabout design

The County Commission approved a budget amendment of $610,000 to fund both projects.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • February 18, 2021
Lois Best Katzenbach

Lois Best Katzenbach was born in Chestnut Hill, PA.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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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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