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Your Observer

    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 20, 2021
Playground party in Lakewood Ranch

Mommy and Me Play Dates provides opportunities for children and their mothers to socialize in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
The town is in discussions with the Florida Department of Transportation about improving its crosswalks.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 19, 2021
Commissioners hear from the town on future projects

Topics that came up included maintaining the beach, improving roadways and mitigating flooding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A baby turtle from Longboat Key was rehabbing in summer 2020 after it disoriented and ended up in a pool. Photo Credit: Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 19, 2021
Town Commission to consider ordinance for sea turtle protections

Longboat Key has higher sea turtle disorientation rates than many surrounding areas, according to FWC data.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 19, 2021
Turtle walks begin ahead of Longboat Key turtle season

Sometimes, turtles arrive before May 1, but that may not happen this year with chillier Gulf waters.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In some areas of the county, fixed routes will be replaced with a mobility-on-demand service.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 19, 2021
SCAT's mobility-on-demand service to start in June

As part of the Sarasota County Area Transit overhaul, a new rideshare service will begin in June.

  • Sarasota
  • News
George Turner has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 19, 2021
Former Brooksville chief to fill in as interim Longboat Key police chief

George Turner served as a captain for the Longboat Key Police Department from December 2001 through October 2007.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A fourth hotel is proposed for 5810 Midnight Pass Road, which currently serves as paid beach parking.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 19, 2021
Fourth hotel proposal submitted for Siesta Key

A 100-room hotel on 2.15 acres is proposed for a parcel located near Siesta Key Beach at 5810 Midnight Pass Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Newly-appointed District 5 commissioner Maureen Merrigan’s term runs through March 2022. She fills the vacancy left by Ed Zunz.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 19, 2021
Merrigan appointed to fill Longboat commission vacancy

Longboat Key town commissioners also considered Gene Jaleski and Christopher Carman.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Lazy Lobster's tree brings some festivity to summer.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 19, 2021
Wait, it's not Christmas

Lazy Lobster keeps Christmas tree up no matter the season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
List of objects used in the turtle shell. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 19, 2021
Earth Day play

Longboat Key turtle watchers watch for trash too.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dave Thomas with a model ship he donated to the club.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 19, 2021
Bird Key Yacht Club welcomes new commodore

Dave Thomas is the board's leader, but he knows he couldn't do it without a team of volunteers and staff.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Maurice Overholt at Longboat Island Chapel
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 19, 2021
Longboat Island Chapel welcomes new music director

Maurice Overholt took over Sunday services at Longboat Island Chapel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Juliette and Lily Arce sit with some treats.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 18, 2021
Families play at Food Truck Festival

The outdoor event had games, animals and 30 food trucks for families to enjoy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 17, 2021
Ringling celebrates World Circus Day

The Ringling celebrated the annual event with performances from the Circus Ats Conservatory.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Susan Goldfarb and TBI executive director Isaac Azerad will begin their new arrangement June 1.
  • By Nat Kaemmerer and Mark Bergin
  • April 16, 2021
Longboat Key Education Center merges with Temple Beth Israel

The Longboat institution will now be known as the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel once the merge is official.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The male wild turkey, also known as a gobbler or tom, will strut, fan out its tail and gobble to attract hens. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • April 16, 2021
Bird of the week: Wild turkey

Hunted to near extinction, their resurgence is a conservation success story.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A land amendment that would allow development beyond the Future Development Area Boundary line under limited circumstances was approved for transmittal by the Manatee County Commission on Thursday.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 15, 2021
Manatee County sends development boundary line amendment request to state

After the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity reviews the development request, Manatee Commission will decide whether development will be allowed east of the development boundary line.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 15, 2021
Tests show elevated red tide levels in Sarasota waters

The red tide present in the Gulf of Mexico is affecting beaches including Siesta, Lido and Longboat Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Christine Rothberg will continue as a marketing consultant for the Sand Cay Beach Resort in addition to her new role with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 15, 2021
Chamber hires director of marketing and communications

Christine Rothberg has 17 years of marketing experience.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Collin Morikawa won the World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession in February. Tournament officials announced Thursday that more than $400,000 charitable funds had been raised by the event.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 15, 2021
PGA Tour announces charitable impact of Workday Championship

The event was held at The Concession Golf Club in the Lakewood Ranch area in February.

  • East County
  • News
Since Longboat Key did not spend more than $750,000 of federal expenditures or state financial assistance, it is not required to undergo a federal or state audit.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 15, 2021
Third party completes audit of Longboat Key

Mauldin & Jenkins conducted the audit.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 15, 2021
East County weather page photo: April 15

Gordon Silver captured these sandhill cranes checking out the view in Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 15, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: April 15

Jessica Ross captured this seagull at sunset over Sarasota bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 15, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 15

Patricia Muller captured this popular fishing spot for multiple sea birds on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chris Donnelly.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 15, 2021
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Chris Donnelly

The Cardinal Mooney senior talks his lacrosse vision and his best advice.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Although restaurants reported indoor dining activity has increased in 2021, demand continues to be high for outdoor dining space.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 15, 2021
Feeding Frenzy: Sarasota restaurants adjust to increased activity

This time last year, dining rooms were forced to close because of COVID-19. Today, some restaurants are struggling to keep up with demand from customers eager to eat out.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Already, residents of downtown complexes including The Mark have reached out to city officials to share their concerns that the proposed sound ordinance revisions are not stringent enough.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 15, 2021
Noise regulations up for review

Although it’s a divisive topic, city leaders hope rewriting the sound rules will lead to greater clarity for officials, residents and businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Preservation advocates argued the 1701 Hashay Dr. home was a precursor to the design elements that defined the Sarasota School of Architecture, but city staff said the structure was an unremarkable example of a common style.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 15, 2021
Preservationists protest demolition decision

The City Commission overruled an advisory board in determining a McClellan Park house of disputed origin did not carry any historical significance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Some residents on Lido Key and St. Armands Key posted lawn signs encouraging the city to adopt regulations designed to cap capacity at vacation rental homes on the barrier islands.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 15, 2021
City approves new vacation rental rules

Although the regulations only apply on the barrier islands, some officials want to expand them citywide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In addition to shifting to walk-up vaccination clinics at the mall, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County hopes extended hours of operation will draw individuals who haven’t yet gotten a shot.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 15, 2021
Vaccine distribution enters new phase

As supplies grow more plentiful, Sarasota County health officials are focused on encouraging harder-to-reach populations to get vaccinated.  

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Vozzolo uses a secchi disk to test water transparency.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 14, 2021
Siesta testing gets under the surface

After more than 100 mini reefs have been installed, Siesta Key Association members are beginning to examine their effectiveness.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The elimination means that residents have a harder process to affect change on future land use developments.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 14, 2021
County restricts citizen-led land-use changes

Change in rules sets up approval process before comprehensive plan requests can move ahead.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Siesta Key Coalition, a grassroots organization against several hotel proposals, like a 170-room hotel proposed off Calle Miramar, now represents more than 4,000 households.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 14, 2021
Siesta Key Coalition grows, gains non-profit status

The grassroots organization now represents 40 homeowner and condo associations.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
New principals will be coming to Braden River High School and William H. Bashaw Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 14, 2021
Two East County schools — Braden River High and Bashaw Elementary — have new principals

The School District of Manatee County names its new administrators.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Jennifer Bencie, the Manatee County Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health, said mass vaccination sites will likely fade away as people start receiving doses through pharmacies or their health care providers.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 14, 2021
Manatee County switches to first-come, first-serve vaccinations

Manatee County might not use mass vaccination sites much longer

  • East County
  • News
A quarter-mile stretch of Pope Road from White Eagle Boulevard to State Road 64 is under construction. The addition of turn lanes at the intersection of Pope Road and White Eagle Boulevard could prevent traffic backup.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 14, 2021
Pope Road construction underway

Turn lanes at the intersection of Pope Road and White Eagle Boulevard could prevent traffic backup

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

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No good deed goes unpunished
  • May 28, 2026
No good deed goes unpunished
2
Cash grab in Manatee, too
  • May 28, 2026
Cash grab in Manatee, too
3
Benderson Development is wrapping up its latest phase of construction at the business and industrial park off Toledo Blade Boulevard.
  • May 28, 2026
County economic development agency contract approved for 2027
4
A Kobi Karp Architecture rendering of the 18-story Adagio luxury condo tower as viewed at the northwest corner of South Palm Avenue and Ringling Boulevard.
  • May 28, 2026
Adagio receives partial staff sign-off; adjustments still required
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James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo give Harry Noordzy a lift, just as they did five years ago at Station 12.
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka's Station 12 remains a part of Harry's world

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