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Your Observer

Longboat is far different than it was in 1955
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • April 15, 2025
Longboat is far different than it was in 1955

Many things like gas and operating expenses cost more now than back then.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Allegiant Air celebrates the opening of Concourse A at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport with a custom wrap on one of its aircraft.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 15, 2025
SRQ sets all-time monthly record in March

Nearly 600,000 passengers traveled through the airport's two concourses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The town of Longboat Key had to go back to the drawing board to redesign a potential roundabout at the intersection of Broadway Street and Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 15, 2025
Longboat likely to encumber $1.7M in costs for Broadway Roundabout

The new costs come as the Florida Department of Transportation takes on responsibility for the project but said some costs are still on the town’s dime.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sisters Marilyn Woodstock, Paula Piekos and Jan Owens pay a visit to their favorite artist, Pat Lundy, at the annual Longboat Key Town Hall Art Exhibition and Artists' Reception.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 15, 2025
Longboat Key Town Hall extravaganza unites art appreciators

Attending this annual celebration of local artists has become an annual tradition for sisters living across the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
St. Armands experienced catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in 2024.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 15, 2025
Sarasota County mulls stormwater turnover to the city

Sarasota County environmental staff recommends exiting interlocal agreement to oversee the city's stormwater management system.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Oliger, a firefighter and paramedic with the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department, explains the origins of the station logos.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 15, 2025
Crafting the face of firefighting in Longboat

A Longboat Key firefighter gives insight into the creation of stations' iconic logos.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused vegetative damage across Longboat Key, including killing or severely damaging large trees.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 15, 2025
Exemption on the way for storm-related tree replacement

Longboat Key town commissioners discussed at length an exemption for storm-related tree replacements that would axe a two-for-one replacement requirement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
MPO to gather input for 2050 long range plan
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 15, 2025
MPO to gather input for 2050 long range plan

The Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is hosting two workshops to help craft the list of road projects for the next 25 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Air conditioner noise loud enough to warrant call to police
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 15, 2025
Air conditioner noise loud enough to warrant call to police

A resident said the ongoing noise was impacting her well-being, and she planned to sell the residence. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
991 Seascape Place was sold for $5,175,000. It was built in 2023 and has 5,196 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 15, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 31-April 4 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lakehouse Cove at Waterside home on Seascape Place topped the week’s sales at $5,175,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Ryan Yonker, 13, Rabbi Michael Shefrin, Yonker's cousin Mila Gordon, 4, and Snait Ben-Herut gather together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 14, 2025
Families celebrate Passover at Temple Emanu-El dinner

The Annual Family Seder allowed all ages to enjoy a Seder meal together.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Wicker Inn on Longboat Key is listed for sale at $15.5 million.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2025
Longboat Key's Wicker Inn tells its fans it won't reopen

Damaged in 2024's storms, the iconic resort is for sale.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 14, 2025
Jeffrey McCurdy elected to Barancik Foundation board

The new Barancik Foundation board member has served on the organization's investment committee since 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The home at 7045 Portmarnock Place in the Lakewood Ranch Country Club sold for one of the highest prices ever in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2025
Country Club home sells for $5.9 million, top price in 2025 for Lakewood Ranch

The six-bedroom, eight-bathroom home is among Lakewood Ranch's highest-priced sales.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 14, 2025
Chamber accepts applications for Leadership Sarasota class of 2026

Application deadline for the 10-month program is May 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Diver Jane-Ternay explains the process behind creating the artwork that won her first place in her division at the "Launching Leaders in the Arts" award ceremony hosted by the Sarasota Branch of the National League of American Pen Women.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 14, 2025
Pen Women uplift new cohort of artists

Students received scholarships for their works in art, writing and music at the 2025 Launching Leaders in the Arts award ceremony.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Vessels pushed their limits at Saturday's Bird Key Yacht Club Regatta, racing high winds and competitors to the finish.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 14, 2025
Bird Key Yacht Club Regatta participants race among high winds, waves

Wild winds propelled participants in the Bird Key Yacht Club Regatta soaring above the surf of Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Christiana Hershberger, Emily Goodie and Marina Perez each received a $3,000 scholarship from the Palm Aire Women's Club. Ashley Lewis, who also received a scholarship, was not present.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 13, 2025
Palm Aire Women's Club presents scholarships to four local students

The $3,000 scholarships were presented at the club's April 11 luncheon.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Clark Horton, 5, finds an egg.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 13, 2025
Kids head into the swimming pool to hunt for Easter eggs

The Aqua Egg Hunt at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex took Easter egg hunting to the water.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fifth grader Avianna Owens said that Mr. Ray helped her when she didn't understand ranges and means.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 13, 2025
Tara's Ray of Sunshine has brightened the lives of students for two decades

Raymond Turner, a volunteer tutor at Tara Elementary School, has been offering his math skills and advice since 2004.

  • East County
  • Schools
A man who fell overboard during the Bird Key Regatta on Saturday is pulled out of the water by regatta crew.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 12, 2025
Regatta participant goes above and beyond for rescue

Organizers and participants leapt into action at the first 'mayday' call over the radio.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Olivia Begon, 2, and Chloe Begon, 4, check out the candy that is inside their eggs.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 12, 2025
EGGstravaganza hosts more than 700 children at Waterside Park

Those children make more than 10,000 plastic eggs disappear in an instant.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Greg Corban and his wife Katy Corban clean up trash.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Dana Kampa
  • April 12, 2025
Volunteers implement massive countywide cleanup

Trash collection efforts took place Saturday throughout Sarasota County, contributing to the "Greatest American Cleanup."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rite Technology's Wayne Parrish, representing the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, was the dunkee, in a carnival style game during the Block Party and Club Day April 11 at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 11, 2025
Block Party and Club Day draws hundreds to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

The annual event introduces clubs and businesses to the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brigette Kubin, owner of the newly opened Three Island Monkeys, shows off the new sweaters the boutique is carrying during this year's "Meet Greet Eat."
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 11, 2025
Up-and-coming business celebrates wins at Meet Greet Eat

The Longboat Key business community took the opportunity to connect with residents at this 19th annual chamber event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Commissioners Tal Siddique, Jason Bearden, Amanda Ballard and George Kruse visit the House of Representatives in Tallahassee in March to discuss Manatee County's legislative priorities.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 11, 2025
Proposed state legislation would hinder local government's authority

While county commissioners work toward limiting development, their options to do so could be limited by the state.

  • East County
  • News
On April 26, the Bird Key Yacht Club will hold a goodbye party for the 65-year-old building.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • April 11, 2025
As hurricanes get stronger, so must area structures

Architects, engineers and builders agree that the construction of new structures needs to focus heavily on materials and techniques steeped in resiliency.

  • Sarasota
  • News
131 Main is open in Lakewood Ranch's Center Point Plaza.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 11, 2025
131 Main now serving steak and seafood in Lakewood Ranch

The restaurant also features two bars, a wood burning grill, an indoor patio and original works of art.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lt. Robert Day was presented with the Officer of the Year award while Engineer Dominick Reale was honored as Firefighter of the Year.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 11, 2025
East Manatee Fire Rescue honors its top firefighters of 2024

Lt. Robert Day and Engineer Dominick Reale presented with the top awards.

  • East County
  • News
Myakka's Zach Putnal, says his former Principal Tom Redmon always impressed him with his patriotism.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 11, 2025
Principal's reunion epitomizes Myakka's connection with its school

Tom Redmon honored in Myakka as prelude to historic school walkthrough.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Peter Salm (1934-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • April 10, 2025
Peter Salm

Peter Jerome Salm, Pete to his friends, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025 at home in Lakewood Ranch Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Allen Siegel (1931-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • April 10, 2025
Allen Siegel

Allen Siegel of Redding, Connecticut died on April 5, 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
John Andrew Himmelspach (1925-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • April 10, 2025
John Andrew Himmelspach

John Andrew Himmelspach passed away on March 31, 2025 in his 100th trip around the sun.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Police respond to simultaneous bar brawls one block apart
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 10, 2025
Police respond to simultaneous bar brawls one block apart

Sarasota police officers respond to one fight inside and another outside Main Street bars after 2 a.m. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
This sign hangs along County Road 675. Resident groups regularly band together to attend commission meetings to prevent development east of the Future Development Area Boundary.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 10, 2025
Manatee planning board agrees to end boundary-line exceptions

Commissioners will have the final say in firming up the Future Development Area Boundary.

  • East County
  • News
From left, Architects Rick Gonzalez and Igor Reyes meet with Seaward Development Principal Patrick DiPinto prior to the April 9 Planning Board meeting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 10, 2025
Mira Mar preservation plan passes first test

In a split decision, the Sarasota Planning Board recommends Comprehensive Plan and rezoning approval for a plan to build condo towers and preserve the Mira Mar building.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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