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Your Observer

The medical examiner's office would be a one-story facility to host offices and autopsy equipment.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • September 1, 2020
Commissioners talk internet program, medical examiner's office

Commissioners agreed to use federal relief dollars to provide internet support to low-income families who chose a remote learning option.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The fountain at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch was filled with bubbles this morning. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 1, 2020
Bubbles fountain up in Lakewood Ranch

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch gets bubbly surprise.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 1, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: What happens on Longboat . . .

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Public street parking on Broadway in the Longbeach Village neighborhood has been a point of contention for years.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 1, 2020
Longboat Key Commission has budget and more on its plate

The Longboat Key Town Commission is set to hold a regular meeting on Sept. 14.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Built in 1956, the home at 4051 Gulf of Mexico Drive has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,648 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 1, 2020
Gulf of Mexico Drive home sells for $3.7 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 17-21.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 1, 2020
Hometown humor

Longboat Key resident writes two books in six months.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kelli Smith has 29 years of law enforcement experience.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 1, 2020
University police chief is Longboat's choice as top cop

Kelli Smith has accepted a conditional offer to serve as the town of Longboat Key's next police chief.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The truck is decorated with Happy Birthday or celebratory signs.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 31, 2020
First responders just want to have fun

Why is there a fire truck driving by that birthday party? Because it's 2020, that’s why.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 31, 2020
Did you test positive for COVID-19?

The Observer is seeking Sarasota and Manatee residents who have tested positive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Karen Pashkow and Elise Passentino
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 31, 2020
Lord's Warehouse reopening on Longboat Key

The reopening of the Lord's Warehouse and the Longboat Island Chapel mark the near-full awakening of church life on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 31, 2020
"It's a boy!"

Firefighter Missina Cutting enlisted her fire family to help her reveal the sex of her baby.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Resort Wear owner Harvinder Mahesh Mirchandani (left) and customer Michelle Giannico (right) wore their masks in compliance with the town of Longboat Key's mandatory mask policy.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 31, 2020
Longboat extends mask policy through November

The town of Longboat Key's mandatory mask policy runs through Nov. 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bridgette Clark, Lisle Christensen, Giana Clark and Hartley Livesey
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 31, 2020
Longboat Key Turtle Watch patroller tracks trash, too

An app makes it clear to see how much refuse is out on the sand.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 31, 2020
Temple Beth Israel shares dinner with friends again

Temple members could pick up Shabbat dinners before the weekly virtual service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 31, 2020
Sarasota students head back to school

First day procedures looked different, but the energy remained the same.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The home at 1604 Travis Lane was built in 1964 with four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,549 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 30, 2020
Travis Lane home sells for just under $2 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 17 and Aug. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Phase-one improvements of the Town Center Green project finished in August.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 30, 2020
Longboat Key saves $119K on phase one of Town Center Green project

Longboat Key town commissioners are set to discuss phase-two improvements in October.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 28, 2020
Sarasota schools in need of musical instruments

Music teachers have started a grassroots effort to collect enough instruments for all their students, because of sharing limitations brought on by COVID..

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Winn-Dixie plans to make its debut in Lakewood Ranch in November.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 28, 2020
Winn-Dixie picks November for Lakewood Ranch debut

New Winn-Dixie grocery store plans to "experiment" with ways to serve the Lakewood Ranch community.

  • East County
  • News
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce president Heather Kasten congratulated Four Winds Network Services for winning Small Business of the Year.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 28, 2020
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce recognizes local businesses with virtual presentation

The 2020 Frank G. Berlin Small Business Awards were held on Aug. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The bald eagle name originates with the old English word "balde," which means white.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • August 28, 2020
Bird of the week: Bald eagle

National bird is the only eagle unique to North America.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 28, 2020
No feud for this family in Lakewood Ranch

Alliance hosts first large in-person networking event.

  • East County
  • Business
    In Memoriam |
  • August 27, 2020
Paul Edward Welch

Paul Edward Welch, age 81, of Sarasota, Florida passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Each classroom is fitted with plastic barriers to help keep particles from spreading. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 27, 2020
Sarasota schools prepare for students' return

From social distancing to masks and desk barriers, here's what your child can expect as they return to campus:

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Local doctors say for students with no underlying risks, it is safe to return to school to receive necessary early development learning. File Photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 27, 2020
Doctors say returning to school for most is safe

Local experts say kids don't get COVID-19 frequently and those without risk factors are safe to return to brick-and-mortar.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 27

Joanne Hummert captured this sunset on south Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2020
East County weather page photo: August 27

Gordon Silver captured this pileated woodpecker feeding her babies on White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: August 27

Matthew Press captured this scarlet tanager perched in a tree in Gulf Gate.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Street parking on the south side of Broadway is closed between Palm Drive past Longboat Drive South.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 27, 2020
Longboat Key commissioners to consider resident-permit parking proposal

The Longboat Key Town Commission will also consider increasing parking fines from $30 to $75

  • Longboat Key
  • News
We Nuzzle CEO John Myers (left) and founder Brian Bennett (right) officially founded the company on Oct. 1, 2019.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 27, 2020
Pet care startup makes Longboat Key home

We Nuzzle plans to launch its on-demand pet-care services app this fall in parts of Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • August 27, 2020
Philip Lynn Schneider

Philip Lynn Schneider passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Chair Mike Moran said the goal of the first phase of funding should be allocated toward providing food and shelter.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 27, 2020
County creates allocation plan for relief funding

The county will focus on businesses and individuals in the first $18.9 million funding phase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dick Vitale has raised more money for the Dick Vitale Gala than ever despite the pandemic.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 27, 2020
Dick Vitale raises the bar for gala fundraising despite the pandemic

The gala, usually held in Sarasota, will be virtual this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Rashad West gives orders underneath a mask at Lakewood Ranch High football practice. West said the Mustangs won't have the advantage of low expectations this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 27, 2020
Lakewood Ranch football wants consistency and steady progress

The Mustangs are in year two under coach Rashad West.

  • East County
  • Sports
Passenger traffic at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport rose in July as compared to June, but still remains down year over year.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 27, 2020
Boston service coming to SRQ in November

Allegiant will begin offering twice weekly service, adding 22nd destination.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The dredging project is adding more than 120 feet of sand to eroded portions of the Lido shoreline. Photo courtesy John Cloud.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 27, 2020
Lido Key shoreline renourishment progresses

As Lido residents celebrate the addition of sand to their beaches, Siesta Key residents are closely monitoring the dredging of Big Pass.

  • 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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