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Your Observer

(From left) Fernando Bravo, Jane White, Theresa Sanders and Charlie Sanders wait in line to vote at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on Monday. The line snaked around the building and through the back door.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • October 19, 2020
Early voting begins at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

Line of voters stretched around Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on first day of early voting.

  • East County
  • News
Harbourside Ballroom isn't as bustling as it normally is, but a few events are taking place, with the demanded safety precautions of the era.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2020
Season forecast optimistic despite uncertainty on Longboat Key

On Longboat Key, those in the know anticipate a slightly different season, but a good one nonetheless.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
While work proceeded on the Fruitville Road roundabout, traffic flow north on U.S. 41 from Gulfstream Avenue was altered.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 19, 2020
Longboat Key Town Commission weighs in on MPO's long-range transportation plan

The MPO Board is planning to meet and approve the plan at its Oct. 26 meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 19, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Parental discretion advised

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sage Longboat Key proposes to build 16 beachfront residences at 4651 Gulf of Mexico Drive, the site of Sun 'n' Sea Cottages & Apartments. New projects could help boost future taxable values on the Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 19, 2020
Longboat Key property values decrease for first time in seven years

The Sarasota County side of the island saw a decrease in taxable property values.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 19, 2020
Amendments could make changes to county charter more difficult

A pair of amendments could make it harder to get citizen-initiated amendments on the general election ballot.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 19, 2020
2020 General Election Candidates

Meet the candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Claussen tries to pack most corners of the 1,200-square-foot space.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2020
Business profile: Steff's Stuff

The eponymous owner, Stephanie Claussen, has been finding treasures on Longboat Key for almost 40 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lynn Armstrong-Coffin takes some political jabs on the jaw from a couple of the puppets she creates.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2020
Punchin' Politicians bring a little good-natured liveliness to 2020 election

One Longboat artist is hoping to bring back political jabs of an unexpected sort to lighten the political mood.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ann Quackenbush sorts packed seeds in February.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2020
Longboat Key church's seed packers hit milestone

At Christ Church of Longboat Key, Hope Seeds volunteers reach 100,000 mark.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 931 Blue Heron Overlook has four bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,977 square feet of living area. (Photo courtesy of Steve Abbe of Coldwell Banker Realty.)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 18, 2020
Home in the Oaks tops transactions at $2.65 million

Top real estate sales for the week of Oct. 5-9

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The home at 3513 Fair Oaks Court has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,529 square feet of living area. (Photo courtesy of Linda Weber, Coldwell Banker Realty)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 18, 2020
Queens Harbour home sells for $982,500

The top real estate transactions for the area Oct. 5-9

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A 78-year-old Lakewood Ranch man is in critical condition after being hit by a SUV while walking in Lakewood Ranch's Country Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 17, 2020
Pedestrian critical after being hit by an SUV in Lakewood Ranch

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the accident that sent the 78-year-old Lakewood Ranch man to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • East County
  • News
East County football roundup: 10.16.20
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 16, 2020
East County football roundup: 10.16.20

East County football roundup: 10.16.20

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 16, 2020
Sailors football falls to Manatee

Sarasota took an early lead on Manatee but could not hold it.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
EarthCam on Oct. 19.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 16, 2020
Beach day from far away

EarthCam makes Longboat views accessible everywhere.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 16, 2020
Kiwanis Club holds second October meeting

The club decided to meet multiple times a month after their successful Oct. 1 meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
During breeding season, White Ibis become even more dramatic, with their faces, legs and bill turning vivid red. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 16, 2020
Bird of the week: White ibis

Folklore has it the bird is the last to seek shelter before a hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ms. Sanibel is a snowy plover.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 16, 2020
Bird of the week: Tracking Ms. Sanibel

Banded birds are trackable, and you can help.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Debbie Dean, Laura Shapard, Penny Thomas, Patti Curtin, Cheri Starn, Betsy Winder, Karen Nejdawi and Julie McGue are headed to Orlando to participate in the USTA’s 55 and Older Sectional Championships.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 15, 2020
Longboat Key women to play in USTA tournament in Orlando

The USTA’s 55 and Older Sectional Championships is scheduled from Oct. 24-26 in Orlando.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 15, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: October 15

Bill Trombetta captured an image of sun glinting through clouds aloft over Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Harry Christensen said he is planning to expand the dining area at Harry’s Continental Kitchens to recoup many of the financial losses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 15, 2020
Harry's Continental Kitchens plans to expand dining area, create more parking spots

The plan calls to add 14 additional parking spots along St. Jude's Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 15, 2020
East County weather page photo: October 15

Bill Marrone captured this Del Webb sunset in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 15, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: October 15

Sepp Gmuender captured the sun setting behind the clouds over Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Michael Hayes.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 15, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Top of their game

Highlighting some underrated fall sports performances.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Longboat Key Town Commission retreat is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 4 at the Longboat Harbour Condominium Clubhouse at 4454 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 15, 2020
Commission plans November retreat

The town will enforce social-distancing guidelines to ensure the safety of the people who attend the Nov. 4 retreat.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town elections are in March.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 15, 2020
Longboat election season off and running

The qualifying period for the three Longboat Key Town Commission seats started in October and runs until 11 a.m. on Nov. 16.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This concept image shows the vision for a bayfront park centered around a new performing arts venue. File image.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 15, 2020
City to consider The Bay tax-funding agreement

The city and county could soon adopt a funding deal allocating as much as $200 million toward capital improvements for the bayfront park project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The commission will discuss the city attorney's report before deciding whether to pursue policy changes related to host-occupied rentals.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 15, 2020
City explores new home-sharing regulations

The city attorney determined officials have the authority to permit "hosted rentals" in residential neighborhoods.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Axon Body 3 camera activates when a deputy pulls out a weapon, turns on flashing vehicle lights or comes close to a deputy with an activated camera. Photo courtesy Axon.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 15, 2020
Sarasota Police Department to implement body camera program

The city of Sarasota is investing $3.66 million to outfit the Sarasota Police Department's patrol division with body cameras.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City staff has already installed plexiglass dividers at the commission table in advance of a return to in-person meetings.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 15, 2020
City Commission prepares for in-person meetings

Elected officials are working with staff on health and safety protocols ahead of a return to City Hall next month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 15, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.15.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
RJ Mabry from Lumpden Concrete rakes the dirt for the Spaeth Terrace ramp.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 14, 2020
All Angels Episcopal Church adds ramps

Renovations meant to make outdoor activities easier.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The sand fill work on Lido Key is progressing north toward the Lido Beach pavilion.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 14, 2020
Another judge rejects challenge to Big Pass dredge

The group Save our Siesta Sand 2 failed to convince a district court that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not thoroughly consider the environmental impacts of the project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
If the parking spaces are approved, several palm trees will be removed. David Conway
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 14, 2020
22 parking slots proposed for Siesta Village

County Commissioners favor the project and approve study of configuration and costs.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Celery Fields is a popular walking location that is home to more than 240 bird species.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 14, 2020
Conservation easements granted for land near Celery Fields

Easements on three land parcels will keep development from encroaching on Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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