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Your Observer

Chris Elbon has served as the town of Longboat Key's code enforcement officer from September 2014 to May 2020.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 22, 2020
Longboat Key looks to hire new code enforcement officer

The town’s code enforcement officer is responsible for inspections to ensure adherence to town codes, ordinances and regulations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • May 22, 2020
James J. Haranzo

James J. Haranzo, 93, a longtime resident of  Longboat Key, Florida, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his Summer home in Darien, Connecticut on May 9, 2020 after a brief illness unrelated to Covid-19. 

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 21, 2020
Sarasota County can resume vacation rentals

A plan submitted to the state Monday was approved.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stacey Gadeken and Alison Denboggende cheer for seniors as they drive by the school to pick up their caps and gowns. Their sons, Andrew Denboggende and Brandon Gadeken, are graduating this year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 21, 2020
Cheers for Lakewood Ranch graduates

Parents, teachers and staff members celebrate seniors as they pick up caps and gowns for July graduation

  • East County
  • News
Cancellations of mass gatherings are extending into the summer as COVID-19 continues to pose public health challenges.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 21, 2020
Fourth of July fireworks canceled on Siesta Key, Sarasota's bayfront

Organizers of the annual Independence Day fireworks shows said the decision was taken to ensure public safety and avoid the spread of COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 21

Brian Wamback captured this wave hitting a groin on the north end of Longboat on a windy afternoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: May 21

Danielle Dupont captured this beautiful waterfront off Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2020
East County weather page photo: May 21

Gordon Silver captured this alligator along the shoreline of a pond in Del Webb.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ty Bryant is the new girls basketball coach at Booker High. Photo courtesy Phil Helmuth.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 21, 2020
Booker girls basketball gives longtime youth and AAU coach a chance

Ty Bryant will take over the program in 2020-2021.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 21, 2020
COVID-19 creates cause to change

The Lido Beach reopening debate serves an allegory for what has ailed the city: its form of government.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
File rendering
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 21, 2020
Downtown: Time to go big and go bold

Before he died, the late Sarasota entrepreneur Gil Waters created a rendering of one of his long-sought visions: turning Main Street from Palm Avenue to Orange Avenue into a pedestrian plaza.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle, left, is leading a departmental effort to reassess the scope of a 10-year parks master plan. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 21, 2020
City scales back park ambitions

Although COVID-19 will limit what city staff can do over the next year, officials are still interested in pursuing some priority park projects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
During the COVID-19 response, work has continued at Sarasota construction sites such as Epoch, a high-rise condominium project at 605 S. Gulfstream Ave. Business groups are concerned the virus could slow future construction.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 21, 2020
Business groups collaborate on COVID-19 policy advocacy

In an effort to stem the economic losses associated with the coronavirus, local organizations are lobbying for regulatory change.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.21.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Jan and Tim Solomon have owned Key Sailing for 14 years.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 21, 2020
Sarasota couple celebrates 45 years of smooth sailing

Jan and Tim Solomon, owners and operators of Key Sailing, have been together for 45 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioners discussed the possibility of a paid beach parking program.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 21, 2020
County officials consider variety of traffic improvements on the key

Among proposed traffic improvements on Siesta Key are traffic calming measures, a bike share program and a water taxi.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Brody Rose, a fifth grade student at Out-of-Door Academy, put together videos of his classmates performing and created a concert for Bay Village residents. Photo courtesy Neal Alfano
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 21, 2020
ODA student assembles virtual concert for retirement community

Brody Rose and his classmates typically perform at Bay Village of Sarasota once a month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andrew Arbanas, center, is happy to be able to interact with his family after a month of intensive care for COVID-19 patients. Jaxson, Tiffany, Jude and Aryella are thrilled to be able to hug him.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
Not so safe at home for Lakewood Ranch area nurses

Healthcare worker isolates himself from his family to protect them.

  • East County
  • News
Jacquie McLaurin, a fifth grade teacher at Robert E. Willis Elementary, is disappointed her career ends with e-learning as she retires this year, but she has enjoyed the time with her students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
New lesson in retirement for Lakewood Ranch-area teachers

Retiring teachers and staff members disappointed with the ending but happy for the memories.

  • East County
  • News
Workers pump water from the site of a 10-inch pipe break on Bogey Lane.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 20, 2020
Boil-water order set for Longboat neighborhood

The water main break may cause Country Club Shores to have little to no water pressure.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longboat Key Club's golf courses have remained open throughout the coronavirus outbreak.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 20, 2020
Longboat Key Club golf courses provide normalcy for members

The Key Club's Harbourside and Links golf courses have remained open throughout the coronavirus outbreak.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sheila Milazzo, Anita and Ed Hagen and Jo Fava enter Our Lady of the Angels for the first in-person Mass in two months.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
Cautious reopening for Lakewood Ranch-area churches

East County churches excited but cautious with reopening

  • East County
  • News
DVA Arena originally envisioned a hockey arena, construction of which began in 2005, on the site. It was demolished in 2009 by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch and now is vacant land. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
No longer on ice in Lakewood Ranch

After years of uncertainty, former hockey arena site headed for development in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Crystal Landkas-Coronas feeds carrots to Melman and Twiggs. The giraffes love carrots and enjoy romaine lettuce, fresh branches from trees and other foods.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
In Lakewood Ranch area: Here's looking at zoo, kid

Public gets a free look at Rye Road Giraffes in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Deputy Damon Ackerman. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
Stadium lights honor Manatee County high school seniors

High school seniors in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch honored with shining of stadium lights.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
KB Belton is the new head football coach at The Out-of-Door Academy. Photo courtesy ODA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 20, 2020
New ODA football coach wants to continue recent success

K.B. Belton moves up from offensive coordinator to replace Chris Kempton.

  • East County
  • Sports
Pre-kindergartners like Brayden Hackman, a pre-kindergartner at Gene Witt Elementary School, could be a part of the VPK summer program, which will be done online this year. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
Summer school attendance could drop in Manatee County

District could see fewer students in summer programs as result of move to online learning.

  • East County
  • News
Fencing around the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center is showing the harsh effects of age and the humid air.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 20, 2020
It's time to open Longboat

The lockdowns have done their job. We all know what to do and not to do. Reopen the parks all the way.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
East County's Arne Hansen told stories of his time as a bombardier during WWII.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 20, 2020
Bradenton man shares stories of life and death aboard a B-17 in WWII

WWII bombardier from Bradenton talks about his days aboard a B-17.

  • East County
  • News
Suncoast Blood Centers' blood product numbers are at a "urgent" need level. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
Blood donations in high demand in Lakewood Ranch area

With so many blood drives having been cancelled, blood donation centers ask the community for help in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 20, 2020
Box of thanks

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church donates meals to frontline workers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lisa and Ava O'Hara
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 20, 2020
Ma's Garden Boutique on Longboat Key opens amid pandemic

The mother-daughter team behind floral shop are looking forward to the adventure.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Fitz and Kim Fitzpatrick run their business, Illuminate Landscape Designs, out of their Mill Creek home. The couple try to not only shed light on people's homes but also in people's lives.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2020
Perseverance comes in handy in east Bradenton

Illuminate Landscape Designs owners Fitz and Kim Fitzpatrick navigate struggles of COVID-19 impacts.

  • East County
  • News
Vacation rentals like this one in East County currently are not allowed for short-term rentals. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 19, 2020
Manatee County advances plan to reopen vacation rentals

The plan must be reviewed by state the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the governor's office.

  • East County
  • News
Sirius Day Spa manager Jenn Devine took her time touching up Lindsey Golonka 's hair.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 19, 2020
The Mane Event

Professional hair care can't come soon enough after weeks of lock down.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Glorius and Kate Rhodes were the first two people to play when the Longboat Key Tennis Center reopened on May 8.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • May 19, 2020
Longboat Key Tennis Center loosens restrictions

The Longboat Key Tennis Center will be open longer and the facility will offer singles-only lessons.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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