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Your Observer

336 Westway Drive was built in 1959. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,370 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 1, 2020
Lido home sells for $5.2 million

Residential real estate transactions for Oct. 19-23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 1, 2020
Longboat author hosts book signing

Longboat Island Chapel was the event space for author Peggy Lammers' signing of her debut novel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Country Club home at 13612 Matanzas Place sold for $965,000. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,210 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 1, 2020
Lake Club home tops Lakewood Ranch area sales at $1,775,000

Residential real estate transactions for the Lakewood Ranch area Oct. 12-16.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 1, 2020
Welcome back, winter residents!

A lot went on while you were gone. Here's a quick look at some of the stories that made news,

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 31, 2020
Spooky fun around the classroom in Lakewood Ranch

Primrose schools in Lakewood Ranch continues tradition of annual Parade of Costumes.

  • East County
  • News
Sofia Maniscalco was ready for candy.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 31, 2020
Siesta Key throws Halloween Safe Treats event

Costumed families flocked to Siesta Key Village for Halloween.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Monaka Oberer, Grayson Tullio and Jennifer Tullio get ready to kick off the annual Boo Run at Nathan Benderson Park Oct. 31. It took a Superman kind of effort to get the race organized in just weeks.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 31, 2020
Runners have no fear at Boo Run at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota

Safety protocols at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota leave runners relaxed as they raise money for Duchenne muscular dystrophy awareness.

  • East County
  • News
If you are planning to vote at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, the line to cast ballots in person will lead through the back door on the porch. The ballot box for dropping off mailed ballots is also on the back porch.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 31, 2020
Last day to vote early at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall is Sunday

Early voting in Manatee County ends Sunday

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 30, 2020
Sailors football rallies to beat Mustangs

Big plays make all the difference for Sarasota High.

  • East County
  • Sports
Chris Gilliland passed out candy in his uniform.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 30, 2020
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office hosts Drive-Thru Halloween

The first drive-through event was held Oct. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 30, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Just an FYI

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The Grand Champion, as well as the Funniest display, went to the lab department's take on Muppets' Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 30, 2020
Pumpkin carving prompts seeds of ingenuity from Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center staff members show their sharp wit when it comes to carving pumpkins.

  • East County
  • News
Mark Sternal (left) examines his sailboat washed ashore near 4239 Gulf of Mexico Drive in Longboat Key, Florida.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 30, 2020
Longboat owner cited over washed-ashore sailboat

Since September, Mark Sternal's sailboat has remained washed ashore.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 30, 2020
Longboat Key Club tennis players bring their A-game for Halloween

Party animals, witches and social butterflies were abundant at the club on Oct. 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 30, 2020
Manatee County confirms one case of West Nile Virus

The Manatee County health department urges citizens to take extra precautions about being bitten by mosquitoes after a case of West Nile Virus is confirmed.

  • East County
  • News
A rare bird with a restricted habitat, the reddish egret typically hunts alone in shallow water. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 30, 2020
Bird of the week: Reddish egret

Rare species is a bellwether for the health of our coastal communities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Penny Gold has served on the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board since May 2019.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 29, 2020
Longboat Key elections 2021: Five questions with Penny Gold

Penny Gold is running for the District 2 commissioner seat.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 29, 2020
Longboat Key Club organizes Cancer Awareness Day

Members were asked to dress in pink on Oct. 28.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 29, 2020
Longboat Island Chapel bids farewell to longtime friend

The sendoff was commemorated with a garden lunch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 29, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: October 29

Patricia Muller captured these morning glories blooming on the beach of north Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 29, 2020
East County weather page photo: October 29

Richard Bottorff captured this lizard watching out for hawks in Rye Wilderness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 29, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: October 29

MaryAnn Parks captured this egret along the banks of the river at Myakka State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Residents could soon trade rides on a bus for a ride share service as part of SCAT's system overhaul. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 29, 2020
SCAT to eliminate south routes, add ride share

As part of a system overhaul, many fixed routes will be eliminated in favor of a ride share service.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The resident only parking system would apply only to Longbeach Village.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 29, 2020
Resident parking on the agenda for Longboat's Monday meeting

At least four commissioners expected to return to Town Hall for the first time since March.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kasumi Wade.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 29, 2020
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kasumi Wade

The senior cross country runner talks her goals at states and her penchant for community service.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Cougars volleyball team is one win from back-to-back Final Four appearances.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 29, 2020
Prose and Kohn: No quit in Mooney volleyball

The Cougars are one win from back-to-back Final Four appearances.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
City Commissioner Hagen Brody believes allowing host-occupied rentals through companies such as Airbnb will create an income opportunity for residents without negatively affecting surrounding neighborhoods. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 29, 2020
City hits pause on host-occupied rentals

Despite assurance from the city attorney, residents remain concerned about adjusting rental rules.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rob Robinson and Karl Raffurty pledged that the operations of Raffurty's Bar and Grill wouldn't change if the city approved a new liquor license for the business. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 29, 2020
Plans advance for Main Street bar

The city’s Planning Board was split over a proposal to allow Raffurty’s Bar and Grill to operate with a new liquor license.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This weekend's Siesta Fiesta festival, rescheduled from April, featured signs reminding visitors that masks were required. Organizer Howard Alan hopes events can continue to go on during the pandemic. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 29, 2020
Sarasota event organizers sort out COVID-19 strategies

Although the city is restricting special events through March, some local gatherings are still moving forward.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Plans for the ten-acre first phase of the park project include an open space events lawn and a spiral boardwalk that extends to the south side of Boulevard of the Arts. File image.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 29, 2020
Planning Board endorses bayfront zoning changes

Objections from a nearby condo weren't enough to dissuade the advisory board from supporting The Bay Sarasota's proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 29, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.29.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 28, 2020
Longboat Key Chamber meets for Business After Hours

The evening networking event took place at Whitney's.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 28, 2020
Fiesta! series kicks off at Benderson Park

Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota-area residents have funky Friday fun

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brian and Dominic Caporaso. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 28, 2020
Tasty appreciation in Lakewood Ranch

Summerfield father and son make food for firefighters in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 28, 2020
How Florida goes, the US goes

Florida is often called a microcosm of the U.S. electorate. Our state has sided with nine of the past 10 winners.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Madelyn and Marcus Gibbons were thrilled to be out and about.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 28, 2020
Nathan Benderson Park hosts second Trick or Treat on the Lake

Costumes and candy were plentiful at the Halloween event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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