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Your Observer

Bill Kelley
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 6, 2019
D-Day: The high price of freedom

Will future generations ever really understand the value of freedom? They should know the enormity, horrors and human toll of The Longest Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • June 6, 2019
Patricia Fosler Johnson

Pat, 92, departed peacefully in Sarasota, her home since arriving with her family from Cleveland when she was 17 years old.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
1. Riverview High's Emma Weyant won two swimming golds at the state meet in 2018.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 6, 2019
The top-10 sports moment of Sarasota's 2018-2019 high school year

The top-10 sports moment of Sarasota's 2018-2019 high school year, from Riverview, Booker, Sarasota and Cardinal Mooney high schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sheriff Tom Knight was first elected in 2008. Photo Courtesy Sarasota County Sheriff's Office
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 6, 2019
Knight announces final term as Sarasota sheriff

First elected in 2008, county's 10th chief law-enforcement officer's term expires in January 2021.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Peggy Lammers estimates she has made 50 caricatures.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 6, 2019
Longboat Key residents creates own cast of characters

Peggy Lammers is finishing up a book and continues to make caricatures she calls foundlings out of antiques.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Patti Lopez said volunteering at Southeastern Guide Dogs is rewarding and fills a void in her life. She often volunteers in the nursery and kindergarten rooms.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 6, 2019
Good Works: Patti Lopez

Patti Lopez has only been volunteering there for eight months, but she has clocked in more than 135 hours of service. The annual average is around 145 hours.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Milan Brkich
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 6, 2019
Longboat Key signs magistrate for code enforcement

Retired lawyer served Sarasota as assistant county attorney for 17 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City staff has prepared conceptual renderings for what "activated" parks might look like, as seen in this image depicting Shenandoah Park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 6, 2019
Parks master plan faces funding questions

The commission applauded staff’s vision for rehabilitating and improving parks citywide, but stopped short of making a long-term commitment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Selby Gardens has defended the height of a proposed parking garage incorporated into its campus master plan. Image courtesy Selby Gardens.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 6, 2019
Standoff takes shape on Selby Gardens plans

Selby Gardens is confident its proposed master plan will be good for the entire city. Nearby residents are preparing to make the case against the project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • June 5, 2019
Sarasota County’s water quality summit reflects community's desire to face forward

The event, initially confirmed in February, was held from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Riverview High School’s on June 5.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Stephanie Peabody will oversee the Brain Health Study at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • June 5, 2019
Experts predict brain study in Lakewood Ranch could mimic success of Framingham Heart Study

Experts predict brain study in Lakewood Ranch could mimic success of Framingham Heart Study.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • June 5, 2019
No longer kiddies in Lakewood Ranch

Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch preschoolers graduate toward kindergarten.

  • East County
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • June 5, 2019
Harold Goldblatt

Harold Goldblatt of Longboat Key died June 4, 2019.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The principal of the school is Angela Hodges Lindsey.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • June 5, 2019
Ready for the opening bell in Lakewood Ranch

Mona Jain Middle School will feature technology unique in Florida.

  • East County
  • Schools
Alana Kutt, 13, won the U.S. Kids Golf 2019 Gulf Coast State Invitational's Girls 12-14 division, shooting 153 over 36 holes.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 5, 2019
Local youth golfer adds another title to her resume

Palm Aire's Alana Kutt has been golfing against older kids — and learning from them.

  • East County
  • Sports
Heritage Harbour Golf Club and Eatery's Bryan Veith organized the new County Amateur Golf Championship, to be held in December.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 5, 2019
Local golf courses partner to host county championship event

Local golf courses Heritage Harbour and Legacy will partner to host a Manatee County championship event.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ed McCrane, Steve Litschauer and Joby Smith answer residents' questions.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 5, 2019
Disaster experts urge Longboaters to learn from Hurricane Michael's devastation

Bay County's emergency management director says a lot of what happened in Mexico Beach in 2018 could happen here.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pat Neal said his Neal Communities is focusing on family home sales in Indigo more than ever before in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 5, 2019
Indigo and developer Pat Neal take a turn toward family homes in Lakewood Ranch

Indigo and developer Pat Neal take a turn toward family homes in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Dorian, Samantha and Steve Drouin at Braden River's graduation.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 5, 2019
Braden River High School graduate earns invitation to U.S. Naval Academy

Samantha Drouin wants to make a difference at the U.S. Naval Academy, and perhaps someday as a politician.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch 5-year-old Charlotte Wells has her toenails painted by cosmetologist Aubrie Stevens.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 5, 2019
Sirius primping at Sunshine Kids event in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch spa owner Karen Medford provides a special pampering event for the Sunshine Kids at Sirius Spa

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 5, 2019
Cops Corner: Pipe down, the cops are here

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
James and Misdee Miller put their hard work and money into keeping the Sarasota Polo Club alive in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 5, 2019
Owners have more goals at Sarasota Polo Club

James and Misdee Miller thrilled with public's support after first season keeping the Sarasota Polo Club alive in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • June 4, 2019
Kids' Summer Beach Run returns to Siesta Beach

More than 300 children participated in the June 4 run.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioners also noted that, the longer the project is put off, the harder it would be to rally commissioner support following the implementation of single-member voting districts
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • June 4, 2019
County asks city to narrow bayfront funding request

If the county is going to aid in funding the Bayfront, commissioners said, they would prefer the money to be used only for that particular project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Seaward Development said it met with residents and altered the Epoch site plan to try to address the comments it received, but a group of residents remains opposed to the project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 4, 2019
Hearing set for downtown development appeal

Today, the city’s Planning Board will consider a resident-initiated challenge of an approved Gulfstream Avenue condominium project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The speed limit along Broadway Street has been reduced to 20 mph from 25 mph. Street parking rules elsewhere in Longbeach Village have also been changed.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 4, 2019
Commission OKs final changes to Village parking rules

Residents and town have been discussing street parking, speed limits for months.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 537 Schooner Lane.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 4, 2019
Longboat OKs lawsuit in short-term rental case

Out of state companies ignored more than a dozen fines over Country Club Shores home, town says.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Public Works Director Isaac Brownman, center in the blue shirt, explains to commissioners and members of the public about the plot of city owned land on which they stand.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 4, 2019
Tour shows possibilities of Longboat's outdoor venue site

Commissioners, staff, public take a walk to see the three-dimensional reality of on-paper proposals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Traffic Advisory Council originally scheduled its meeting on Shell Road for June 3. However, they will not be able to revisit the topic until Sept. 9
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • June 3, 2019
Potential parking prohibition on Shell Road renews outcries over public beach access

Shell Beach, which sits on the north portion of Siesta Key, is well-regarded among residents for its secluded but public stretch of sand.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Phillippi Estate Park is located at 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Flyer courtesy of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • June 3, 2019
County to honor four historical Sarasota women in new exhibit

The exhibit will feature guest speakers who “address the period in which the women lived, impacts on their lives, troubles they faced and a review of their family heritages.”

  • Sarasota
  • News
Larry and Roberta Straff smile for the camera after Larry was awarded the 2016 Robert T. Ruff Award.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 3, 2019
Larry Straff laughed his way through life

The tennis-loving Longboat Key resident died June 1. He was 78.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jake Krug, 16, won an ITF event in El Salvador. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 3, 2019
Lakewood Ranch youth tennis player wins ITF tournament in El Salvador

His sister was the runner-up in the girls division.

  • East County
  • Sports
    In Memoriam |
  • June 3, 2019
Bernard Martin Fishman

Bernard Fishman, 95, of Aventura, Florida passed away peacefully on May 24, 2019.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Siesta Key Beach, ranked one of the top beaches in the nation, attracts many tourists from across the country
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • June 3, 2019
Sarasota's tourism tax collections slow to recover after red tide outbreak

Red tide has proved a longstanding, all-encompassing problem for Sarasota County. How has it affected one of the county's primary streams of revenue?

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • June 2, 2019
Temple Emanu-El honors pets at Blessing of the Animals

The ceremony was held June 2 at the Temple Emanu-El.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 2, 2019
A Walk in the Park: Bayfront Park

Remodeled through cooperation with the town and Sarasota County, Bayfront Park offers plenty to do and see.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

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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
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
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Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
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Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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