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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2018
Longboat year in review: 2018

In words and photos, we recall the previous 12 months on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2018
Best of Cops Corner: 2018

The best reports from a year of Cops Corner in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
8. Booker boys basketball celebrates following its win against Mariner High in the regional finals.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 27, 2018
Golden days: The top 10 Sarasota sports moments of 2018

The top 10 Sarasota sports moments of 2018, featuring athletes from Booker, Riverview, Sarasota and Cardinal Mooney high schools, plus others.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
1. Lakewood Ranch's Karen Kay Lyvers dances off the mat. She won the 4A girls pole vault at the track and field championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 27, 2018
A year of champions: The top 10 East County sports moments of 2018

The top 10 East County sports moments of 2018 included athletes from Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high schools and The Out-of-Door Academy, plus youth and adult sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rick Scott
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 27, 2018
Give Rick Scott his due

Scott’s ‘relentless discipline’ was crucial to his winning four races and leading Florida’s economic turnaround.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Best of Cops Corner
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 26, 2018
Best of Cops Corner for Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton areas in 2018

Some of the most interesting Sheriff's Office reports in 2018.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 26, 2018
Cops Corner: Best of 2018 on Longboat Key

Here are 2018's best police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Keith Pandeloglou said a community campout is being considered for Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 26, 2018
New activity pitched for Lakewood Ranch residents

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities might host a neighborhood campout.

  • East County
  • News
Cat Pennenga Photography
    A time to celebrate |
  • December 26, 2018
Just Married: Kym and Gerett

A fairy tale love story took this couple from the Country Club to the aisle.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
County offices will be closed Dec. 24-25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. because of the holidays.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 21, 2018
City, county offices to close for holidays

Governmental facilities throughout Sarasota will be closed in observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day, causing adjustments to trash collection.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Isabel Decluccia glues down her stuffed dog on the front of her sweater.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 20, 2018
Sweater weather in Sarasota

Poet’s Walk Sarasota, A Spring Hills Memory Care Community let residents make their own sweaters for a contest on Dec. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kompothecras said current owner Julie Brown would help with the transition to a new professional management team at the bar. Photo courtesy Google Street View.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 20, 2018
Gary Kompothecras to buy Crescent Club

The 1-800-ASK-GARY founder plans to maintain the Siesta Key bar, but he's also got grander plans for revitalizing the surrounding area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Polo Club's grounds were completely submerged Thursday afternoon from steady rains that hit the area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 20, 2018
Heavy rain in Sarasota, Bradenton causes damage

Heavy rain in Sarasota, Bradenton causes damage while tornado touches down in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
Kayla Pizarro, Cedric Washington, Jayden Washington, Mia Washington and Paris Phillips
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 20, 2018
Light up the holiday season at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

The Family Togetherness event was a little rainy, but families still came out to see the lights.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Ronn Wyckoff is the only person in Florida Senior Games history to shoot a perfect 30/30 in the free throw competition twice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 20, 2018
Sarasota man makes history in Florida Senior Games

He is the first person to go 30 for 30 in the free throw competition — twice

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Madison Smithers.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 20, 2018
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Madison Smithers

The freshman talks her favorite basketball memory and her best advice.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Selby Gardens officials were inspired to seek county funding after seeing other organizations make similar requests for large capital improvements.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 20, 2018
County faces questions on project priorities

County funding is a coveted resource for Sarasota organizations embarking upon major capital projects, but how do officials choose recipients of public money?

  • Sarasota
  • News
St. Armands businesses said speeding is an issue when motorists pass Columbia Restaurant on the way to Longboat Key.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 20, 2018
St. Armands prepares for speed tables

The temporary installation of traffic calming devices around the Circle has drawn concern from Longboat Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home in Palmer’s at 1232 N. Casey Key Road recently sold for $6.1 million. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 7,850 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 20, 2018
Casey Key home sells for $6.1 million

Residential real estate transactions for Dec. 3-7.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2018
Cops Corner: Sarasota 12.20.18

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The Rotary Club of Longboat Key collected wrapped gifts for the Knights of Columbus.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 19, 2018
The Nice List: Longboaters spread good cheer and deeds

There's no need for Santa to check his list twice. These Longboaters are going straight to the top of the nice list.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
City Manager Tom Barwin said some feedback he's heard has raised concerns about storage. Residents in cities with e-scooters have said the devices, as seen on this San Diego sidewalk, clutter the public right of way.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 19, 2018
Will electric scooters come to Sarasota?

City officials have had preliminary conversations with Bird, an e-scooter company — a potential precursor to an ordinance allowing the transportation devices.

  • Sarasota
  • News
SIBLING SYNERGY/The Gruters focus on some kind of physical activity, such as dodgeball, instead of sitting around on Christmas Day. Then, they eat.
    By
  • Randi Donahue
  • December 19, 2018
From socks to sauerbraten, Sarasota residents cherish holiday traditions

Families share the recipes and rituals that make the season grand.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A condominium in en Provence recently sold for $3,275,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,400 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $2.9 million in 2011.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 19, 2018
en Provence condominium sells for $3,275,000

Residential real estate transactions for Dec. 3-7.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A home in Concession at 19457 Ganton Ave. recently sold for $2.35 million. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,062 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1.45 million in 2012.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 19, 2018
Concession home tops local sales at $2.35 million

Residential real estate transactions for Dec. 3-7.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 19, 2018
Days before Christ’s birth

With humility and obedience and far below the radar screen of celebrity status, they carried out God’s will.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2018
Approaching storm prompts cancellation of Thursday after-school activities in Sarasota district

Forecasts of rough weather prompts Sarasota County Schools to take action. After-care not affected, district says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 19, 2018
Longboat Key is merry and bright with Christmas lights

Longboat, Lido and St. Armands keys are shining bright this holiday season thanks to festive decorations.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Waterlefe Golf and River Club resident Katherine Hubanks’s favorite ornaments are ones from her first Christmas with her adoptive parents in Germany. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2018
East County residents hang memories on a string

East County residents share stories about their special Christmas ornaments.

  • East County
  • News
Senior midfielder Madisyn Opstal and junior forward Natalie Gorji lead the ODA offense.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 19, 2018
High-scoring upperclassmen lead Thunder girls soccer team

The ODA senior midfielder and junior forward have been on a tear this season

  • East County
  • Sports
Ellen Jaffe Jones poses on her favorite trail in Lakewood Ranch's Heron's Nest Nature Park.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 19, 2018
Lakewood Ranch runner gets gold eating green

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
Santino's Gourmet Pizzeria, Italian Bistro & Pub owner John Cox enjoys meeting customers and seeing the enjoy the food.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2018
Lakewood Ranch area pizzeria offers more than pizza

Longtime restaurant manager serves up personal favorite recipes at Santino's.

  • East County
  • News
Debra Hartline. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2018
Educators in Lakewood Ranch area are first class

Two East County teachers are finalists for district's Educator of the Year award.

  • East County
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 19, 2018
Christmas Services

The churches of Longboat Key are offering various services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 19, 2018
Gerry Daniel helped shape Judaism in Sarasota, Israel

The 102-year-old former Longboat Key resident died Dec. 14.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sandy Finnegan and Longboat Key Club Director of Golf Terry O'Hara
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 19, 2018
Holiday hole-in-one

On Dec. 11, Sandy Finnegan shot a hole-in-one on the third hold of the Harbourside red course.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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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