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Your Observer

Michelle and Chris Reed, manager and chef of the Lazy Lobster and husband and wife.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 8, 2021
Love on Longboat: Finding the romance in a pandemic

Staying in this Valentine's Day? Here are a few Longboat-Key-centric ways to make it special.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A COVID-19 vaccination is given in the drive-thru vaccination operation at Tom Bennett Park. (Courtesy of Florida Department of Health-Manatee County)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 8, 2021
Manatee County receives 5,100 vaccine doses for seniors

Manatee County will begin booking appointments today for seniors to get vaccinated for COVID-19 at Tom Bennett Park.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 8, 2021
Manasota Track Club cleans up Gulf of Mexico Drive

The club adopted a stretch of the road leading into Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • February 8, 2021
John H. Maxheim

John passed away peacefully at home in Longboat Key, Florida early on December 22nd after a long battle with cancer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Even once they can fly, juvenile Royal terns can be seen trailing their parents, loudly begging for food. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • February 8, 2021
Bird of the week: Royal tern

Shaggy crest makes them easy to spot.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A streetlight is pictured in the Country Club Shores neighborhood.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 8, 2021
Longboat Key sticking with approved streetlights despite resident criticisms

Part of Longboat Key's undergrounding project calls for the installation of new streetlights.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unit 1601 at 35 Watergate Drive was built in 2003. It has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,751 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 7, 2021
Casey Key home sells for $6.25 million

Sarasota-area residential real estate sales for Jan. 24-29.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Unit 603 condominium at 1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive was built in 2005 with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,861 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 7, 2021
Beach Residences condo sells for $3.75 million

Residential real estate transactions for Jan. 25-29.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sarasota Memorial Hospital medical team embarked on a charter bus Sunday afternoon for Raymond James Stadium.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 7, 2021
SMH medical team heads to the Super Bowl

24 members of a patient-care group boarded a bus after a tailgate-party celebration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mackenzie Riley, founder Jenny Townsend and Annelise Kummer had a blast.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • February 6, 2021
Music Compound celebrates five years

The music school celebrated its fifth anniversary with a festive event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key sent this letter in the mail with a special code for residents to fill out the annual citizen survey online. Photo courtesy of the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 5, 2021
Citizen survey doubles its response rate

A presentation before the Longboat Key Town Commission is scheduled for April 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner James Satcher said he submitted a $25 payment Friday to cover the $10 state certification fee he was required to pay during his candidacy and a $15 return fee.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 5, 2021
Manatee County commissioner says missed certification fee a mistake

Commissioner: Payment for missing certification fee bounced while switching bank accounts

  • East County
  • News
At least in the short term, Larry Thompson said it is unlikely for the college to resume a partnership with the town of Longboat Key in building a Town Center. Photo Courtesy of Ringling College of Art and Design
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 5, 2021
Ringling College unlikely to partner with Longboat, president says

Ringling College of Art and Design President Larry Thompson cited several reasons why it's "not probable" for a partnership to resume.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 5, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: People and their dogs

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Lisa Baskfield and Lynn Larson
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 5, 2021
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key learns the ABCs of CBD

The first speaker of February was Lisa Baskfield, who owns Nature's Gem CBD.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 5, 2021
Christ Church of Longboat Key hosts fourth food drive

The church welcomed friends and residents into the parking lot to donate nonperishables.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 5, 2021
New owners expect to keep Longboat compound a family getaway

11-bedroom property sold recently for $6.75 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The larger L-shaped cottage will temporarily sit on cribs near 6920 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Photo: Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 5, 2021
Longboat Key P&Z Board to consider cottage as part of parking lot plan

The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: February 4

Richard Wulterkens captured this skyline over Little Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: February 4

Patricia Muller took this photo during low tide on the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2021
East County weather page photo: February 4

Sherry Packard captured this hawk in the Summerfield neighborhood of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Renee Di Pilato, libraries and historical resources director, said library workers have been grateful to be able to help the community.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 4, 2021
Library workers adapt to various roles during pandemic

Sarasota County libraries helped with many facets of government during pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fruitville Elementary kindergarten teacher Kari Johnson said she hopes to bring a positive environment to her students each day. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 4, 2021
Teacher of the Year values kindness, compassion

Fruitville Elementary kindergarten teacher Kari Johnson was named the Sarasota County Teacher of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
St. Armands Circle used pedestrian crossing guards in early 2020 during an art show.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 4, 2021
St. Armands Circle crossing guards to return in March

The town of Longboat Key, city of Sarasota and the Florida Department of Transportation agreed to evenly split the cost of the program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Parishioners Patty Smith and Maurice Dinneen on behalf of the Eluned & Edward Russell Charitable Foundation at the Community Foundation of Sarasota made a donation of $500,000 to kick start the campaign.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 4, 2021
Siesta parish primed for rebuild

St. Michael the Archangel is holding a capital campaign to rebuild after severe water damage.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Former Pirates running back Deshaun Fenwick is headed to Oregon State.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 4, 2021
Former Braden River running back transfers to Oregon State

Deshaun Fenwick was previously at South Carolina.

  • East County
  • Sports
Booker alumnus Talik Keaton may find himself in "EA Sports College Football" in a few years with Marshall. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 4, 2021
Prose and Kohn: More than a game

Local players may find themselves in "EA Sports College Football" in a few years

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brian Hershberger.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 4, 2021
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Brian Hershberger

The Blazers junior talks his favorite memory and his best advice.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Residents have objected to the proliferation of vacation rentals on the barrier islands, but the operators of some rental properties expressed concern that proposed regulations could be overly onerous.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 4, 2021
No decision on hotel house ordinance

Despite outspoken support from barrier island residents, city officials wanted more time to revise new rules governing vacation rentals in residential areas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Zero Empty Spaces has reconfigured storefronts such as this one in Hallandale Beach to create studio space for artists to rent on a month-to-month basis. Photo courtesy Zero Empty Spaces.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 4, 2021
St. Armands considers artsy option for vacant spaces

Eager to explore opportunities to fill empty storefronts, the St. Armands Business Improvement District is looking to south Florida for inspiration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2021
Cops Corner: Sarasota 2.4.21

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota's Olivia Pundy, as Dorothy holds Willie, who is dressed as the Tin Man, while Lily plays the Cowardly Lion and Sarasota's Kate Daoust plays the Scarecrow. They won Best in Show.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 3, 2021
Dog and pony show at the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota Polo Club's horses share the spotlight with the Woofminster dog show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Canal 1A emergency dredging began on Jan. 25. Boating and beach activities east of Longboat Pass Bridge are closed for another week or so.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 3, 2021
Longboat Key expects to save about $8.7 million on beach projects

Longboat Key town projects manager Charlie Mopps credited the contractor's equipment, which allows for less expensive sand dredging.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Downtown Improvement District board member Mark Kauffman thinks an alternate design could allow for a Sarasota Orchestra venue near Payne Park while minimizing or eliminating the need to use parkland.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 3, 2021
Downtown group revisits orchestra venue talks

Despite the city previously ruling it out, the Downtown Improvement District continues to have interest in placing the Sarasota Orchestra at Payne Park

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River's signing day. Photo courtesy Matt Nesser.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 3, 2021
Signing Day 2021 roundup

Area athletes see their dreams come true

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2021
Teaching dogs new tricks in Lakewood Ranch

Pups and their owners enjoy Doggy Bootcamp Agility Class in Lakewood Ranch.

  • 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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