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Your Observer

The complete agenda packet for the June 1, 2020, Longboat Key Town Commission meeting is pictured. The Longboat Observer requested the agenda materials from the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 4, 2020
Longboat Key launches new system for public-records requests

The town of Longboat Key's "JustFOIA" system allows for anonymous requests, which is required by Florida law.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
School District of Manatee County is assigning students to buses to control capacities. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 4, 2020
Students must register to ride School District of Manatee County buses

To control bus capacities, Manatee County students must be assigned to a bus for next school year.

  • East County
  • News
Charlene Moran and Mark Goodness package food for Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee to distribute. The nonprofit is having another distribution and collection event at Ellenton Premium Outlets Saturday. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 4, 2020
Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee plans mass food distribution and collection

Food for 1,000 Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch-area families will be available in Ellenton.

  • East County
  • News
Clayton Slentz is the new boys basketball coach at Cardinal Mooney. Photo courtesy Cardinal Mooney.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 4, 2020
New Mooney basketball coach wants all-out defensive effort

Clayton Slentz learned how to run a program from his coaching mentors.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Riah Walker is part of Kentucky's No. 1 ranked recruiting class.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 4, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Riverview volleyball player part of historic class at Kentucky

Riah Walker said she does not feel extra pressure from the rankings.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Waterside Place as of May.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 4, 2020
Waterside Place entertainment hub rises to new level in Lakewood Ranch

Construction on schedule for Waterside Place entertainment hub in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
In Southside Village, merchants leveraged existing relationships to promote local businesses after shutdowns began.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 4, 2020
After reopening, Sarasota businesses plot promotional strategies

Hopeful for an economic recovery, merchants and officials are encouraging consumers to spend their money locally.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The City Commission plans to have a conversation about the future of Unconditional Surrender after gathering input from the city's Public Art Committee.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 4, 2020
Unconditional Surrender slated for temporary move

The city is preparing to relocate the bayfront artwork elsewhere while a roundabout is built at Gulfstream and U.S. 41. Long-term plans for the statue remain unsettled.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Meters downtown and on St. Armands Circle have remained active, but city staff has not enforced parking regulations.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 4, 2020
City prepares to resume parking enforcement

After temporarily suspending ticketing during the COVID-19 emergency response, the city intends to resume standard parking operations next month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents near the John Ringling Causeway have said a decrease in the number of cars on the road has led to an increase in speeding issues.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 4, 2020
Resident complaints spark emphasis on speeding

The Sarasota Police Department is attempting to address public concerns about speed violations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 4, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 6.4.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 3, 2020
Spirit of America: Jeanette Nowaski

The Bay Haven kindergarten teacher has found unique ways to connect with her students while learning online.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioners hope to sell the downtown administrative building and move to one on Cattlemen Road.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 3, 2020
County looks at new administrative building off Cattlemen Road

Commissioners hope to relocate the administrative building, currently on Ringling Boulevard, to Cattlemen Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 3, 2020
SCAT operator tests positive for COVID-19

The operator drove routes 3, 14, 40 and 100 from May 26 through June 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Citizens Advisory Committee meets on Zoom to discuss their preferred candidates.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 3, 2020
Panel narrows superintendent search to 11

The citizens advisory committee will now reach out to the 11 candidates' references before giving final recommendations to the board.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Relief is coming for high school athletes who have been unable to participate in their team sports for months.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 3, 2020
Manatee County high school athletes can return to practice June 15 — with restrictions

The return to sports for Lakewood Ranch and Braden River athletes will be done in two phases.

  • East County
  • Sports
In addition to the libraries, county playgrounds will open Saturday, June 13.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 3, 2020
Sarasota libraries, parks to open in mid-June

Sarasota County Public Libraries will be open in a limited capacity starting June 15.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2020
Graduation ride bubbles over at Gene Witt Elementary

Gene Witt Elementary teachers encourage students to visit after graduation

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2020
Off to the next step for Willis students

Willis Elementary School celebrates the end of the school year with parade.

  • East County
  • News
Steven Zickafoose, Mona Jain's assistant principal, and Angela Lindsey, the school's principal, honor the school's eighth graders with a drive-thru parade. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2020
Mona Jain Middle caps 'amazing' first year

Mona Jain Middle students, teachers and administrators celebrate a successful first year

  • East County
  • News
Mega Morph towers over the car loop at Myakka City Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2020
Last school day transforms into special event in Myakka

Myakka family brings transforming robot to celebrate the last day of school.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Mona Jain Middle School sixth grader Emery Houston does an online quiz in class. The School District of Manatee County is developing a model for school that will be a mixture of students being in class and doing e-learning,
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2020
School District of Manatee County might try e-learning blend

Superintendent envisions blended model of being in the classroom and e-learning for students next year.

  • East County
  • News
ODA quarterback Tyler Beasley received his first collegiate offer from Tennessee on March 22.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 3, 2020
Strong-armed ODA signal-caller has received SEC offer

Tyler Beasley has been continuing to work during the offseason.

  • East County
  • Sports
Maggie Sharrer. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2020
Lakewood Ranch High teacher gets her peers moving with challenge

Rowlett Middle Academy of Bradenton recognizes its students during celebration.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • June 3, 2020
Better information needed to manage COVID-19 risks

Improved testing data would help help people resume activities while continuing to take appropriate action to manage risks.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Bob Whitford is leaving his position as operations and facilities director at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 3, 2020
SANCA executive hits finish line after enriching Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota

Bob Whitford gives up post at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota after building North America's top rowing facility.

  • East County
  • News
This Eagle Trace home at 1930 Crystal Lake Trail sold for $278,000. It has two bedrooms, two baths and is 1,452 square feet.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 3, 2020
Residential real estate transactions May 18-22

Weekly list of homes sales in the Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton areas.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Central Park's Miryam Ballard, 2, enters the playground at Bob Gardner Park in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 3, 2020
Can't slide on responsibilities at Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton playgrounds

Officials hope those who use Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton playgrounds take responsibility for social distancing, sanitary measures.

  • East County
  • News
Capt. Deb Kiner has been with the Sheriff's Office for 16 years.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 3, 2020
Sarasota Sheriff's Office promotes second-ever female captain

Capt. Deb Kiner became the office's second female captain on May 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 2, 2020
Protestors take to downtown Sarasota in Black Lives Matter march

The June 2 protest drew hundreds of people in a walk through downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 2, 2020
Teachers, staff surprise graduating Pirates with celebration

Braden River High School congratulate seniors picking up caps and gowns.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 2, 2020
Rotary donates beach wheelchairs

Siesta Key gains two of the all-terrain wheelchairs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rek is a military retiree.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 2, 2020
Retiree dog up for award

Rek, 10, served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Crews from Quinn Construction, Inc. are scheduled to begin work in August on New Pass Bridge.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 2, 2020
New Pass bridge work put off until August

The 14-part project on the link to Longboat Key from St. Armands Key will cost $2.77 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Phill Younger
  • June 2, 2020
My View: It's time for a new bridge

While Manatee is adding new bridges, Sarasota focuses on roundabouts. We need a bridge connecting 10th Street to Ken Thompson Parkway.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Gail Loefgren is back at the Chamber office, but they still have their doors closed to visitors.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 2, 2020
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce reimagines future

To support its business community, the Chamber is getting creative all hours of the day.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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