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Your Observer

Sandi Drake and Hunter
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 2, 2020
Town mascot returns

Hunter the therapy dog returned to Town Hall

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ben Weiner warms up for Friday evening.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 2, 2020
Bird Key Yacht Club keeps members entertained

Guitarist Ben Weiner has played for members and staff throughout the entire pandemic.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jose Martinez brought his paella pan to the fire station.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 2, 2020
Rotary Club of Longboat Key stays the course in pandemic

Despite lockdown, the club has kept up their meeting schedule and community work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 2, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Hello, is it me you're looking for?

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Parking at Chart House.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 1, 2020
Town approves restaurant parking changes

Longboat Key restaurants are now required to have one parking space for every 150 square feet.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 1, 2020
New grad gets a new hat

Fire department visits soon-to-be first grader.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
852 Siesta Drive was built in 2006 with six bedrooms, seven-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,646 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 1, 2020
Siesta Drive home sells for $3.15 million

Residential real estate transactions for May 18-22.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 1, 2020
Wallenda headlines thrill show at Benderson Park

The spectacle showcase will run June 5-7 and 11-14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A lightning rod is pictured on top of a home on Halyard Lane in the Country Club Shores IV North neighborhood.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 1, 2020
Longboat considers height exception for lightning rods

The Longboat Key Town Commission could consider the proposal as soon as July.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Public Works Department employees roll up tape and haul away barricades that closed off beach parking in Bayfront Park on Monday.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • June 1, 2020
Longboat Key reopens parking at beaches

Public beach parking in Longboat Key had been closed since March 21.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unit 1008 of The Water Club was built in 1999 with three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,273 square feet of living space.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 1, 2020
Water Club condo sells for $2.8 million

Residential real estate transactions for May 18-22.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The town of Longboat Key decided to close its 12 public beach access points on March 21.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 29, 2020
Parking problems continue in Longboat neighborhood

Longboat Key residents on the north end of town have emailed commissioners about people parking on Broadway.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • May 29, 2020
Trevor Clark

Congratulations, Trevor!

  • East County
  • Celebrations
The city restricted vehicular access to a portion of State Street last weekend, part of an experimental street closure program the city intends to continue through June.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 29, 2020
City announces more downtown street closures

The city is working with merchants on plans for temporarily closing streets to vehicles as COVID-19 response efforts continue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By All Faiths Food Bank Staff
  • May 29, 2020
All Faiths Food Bank 2020 Season of Need

All Faiths Food Bank 2020 Season of Need

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 28, 2020
East County students enjoy a special goodbye at Rowlett Middle Academy

Rowlett Middle Academy celebrates eighth graders with "Driving On" parade.

  • East County
  • News
The Farnese model at Esplanade at The Heights has been greeted with fanfare.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 28, 2020
Taylor Morrison unveils its Esplanade at the Heights in Bradenton

Esplanade brand and location near Ward Lake in Bradenton have stimulated strong interest in the new community.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Hurricane Irma in 2017 forced East County residents to seek shelter.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2020
COVID-19 leads to reduced hurricane shelter space in Manatee County

Less shelter space will be available this hurricane season in Manatee County due to COVID-19.

  • East County
  • News
High touch areas, like touch tanks and the hurricane wind simulator, as well as presentations and narrations that encourage congregation, will remain closed.Â
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 28, 2020
Mote to reopen June 5

The aquarium has been closed since March 16 and will reopen with new rules and guidelines.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 28, 2020
City keeps Bobby Jones trails open

With golf operations closed, city complex opens its paths to exercise fans, wildlife enthusiasts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Moran
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 28, 2020
Leaders consider COVID-19 impacts on county budget

Leaders predict millions in losses in tourist development tax and gas tax revenues over the next two years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Danny Moroney sails supplies to The Bahamas with his nonprofit Hope Fleet. Brynn Mechem
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 28, 2020
Sarasota nonprofit sails supplies, hope to those in need

The nonprofit Hope Fleet has sailed supplies to The Bahamas since Hurricane Dorian hit.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 28

Susan Luke captured this egret feeding on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: May 28

Tony Munson captured a pair of sandhill crane colts fresh from their nest in Palmer Ranch.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
District leaders hope summer programs, which will be offered virtually, can help catch students up before the 2020-21 school year.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 28, 2020
Sarasota School leaders focus on summer learning, remediation

District leaders are hopeful that the Summer Boost program can catch students up before the 2020-21 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2020
East County weather page photo: May 28

Richard Bottorff captured this group of cormorants in a pond at Rye Wilderness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Parking in March at the Shore on Broadway Street.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 28, 2020
Town commissioners expected to vote on proposed changes to restaurant parking

The commission is set to meet virtually Monday afternoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High senior softball player Avery Goelz has made history.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 28, 2020
Lakewood Ranch softball player named Gatorade Florida Player of the Year

Avery Goelz is the first Mustang to receive the award.

  • East County
  • News
Josiah Joseph is the leader in the 6-9 division of The Junior Tour.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 28, 2020
Young Sarasota golfers happy to be playing national golf tour

Thanks to a regional director, the tour features some of the best courses in Sarasota and elsewhere.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    A time to celebrate |
  • May 28, 2020
Brianna Hair

Some are dreamers.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 28, 2020
The city has big plans

The city’s new transportation plan joins the list of long-range plans for water-sewer upgrades, parks and the Bay. From where will this $660 million come?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Selby Gardens hosts events such as its annual New Year’s Eve Gala at Michael’s on the Bay. The event space and partnership with Michael’s on East was the subject of scrutiny from the Sarasota County Property Appraiser.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 28, 2020
Property appraiser questions nonprofit tax exemptions

A challenge from the Sarasota County Property Appraiser could affect Selby Gardens, Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida Studio Theatre and other organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city closed a portion of the 1300 block of Main Street over the weekend to accommodate expanded outdoor dining. Despite some rain, at least one restaurant in the area said the closure was a financial success.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 28, 2020
City to continue street closure tests

As the city experiments with using roads as space for outdoor dining and pedestrian passage, it's unclear what direction the program will take.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Eateries such as Columbia Restaurant have expanded outdoor dining as COVID-19 regulations remain in place.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 28, 2020
Lido Beach reopening sparks hope for St. Armands recovery

The city is working with stores and merchants on the Circle to move more business activity outdoors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The prefabricated metal home was built to be assembled on-site — and could be dissembled if a plan for relocating it moves forward.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 28, 2020
Arlington Park residents hope to relocate historic home

The neighborhood association wants to turn Sarasota’s last remaining Lustron house into a community center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.28.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
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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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