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Your Observer

Larry Greenspon file photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 27, 2019
Donation in progress

In June, Greenspon, a Longboat Key resident, donated the initial gift for the refurbishment of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee's 32-acre campus.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch resident Virginia Craig uses tools, like increasing font size, on websites to help her see better.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 27, 2019
New look in store for government websites?

Government websites struggle to balance cost, information offerings for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

  • East County
  • News
Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions Gabriella Herrmann and Myakka City Historical Society President Marilyn Coker have known each other since the 1960s.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 27, 2019
Myakka group rides for renovations

Lipizzan Stallion performance benefits Myakka City Historic School House project.

  • East County
  • News
Patty Cooper reads a book to Dreya.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 27, 2019
Patty Cooper lends helping hand throughout Sarasota area

The Longboat Key resident volunteers at Children First and Selah Freedom, teaches mahjong at The Paradise Center and is the treasurer of the Longboat Key Garden Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Robert E. Willis Elementary School fifth-grader Jaxon Lemus, left, is stumped momentarily by a math problem, but quickly solves it.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 27, 2019
Math is the star of brain games in Lakewood Ranch

LWR Savvy hosts Math24 tournament to promote academic competition.

  • East County
  • News
Janet Reardon, John Leone and Wilma McCray (front) and Joyce Leone and Ray McCray (behind) review documents related to the case.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 27, 2019
Development dispute in Tara begins again

Manatee commissioners to reconsider Lake Lincoln settlement.

  • East County
  • News
Kent Ringquist is the new AD at Lakewood Ranch High. Courtesy photo Madison Aker.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 27, 2019
Mustangs pick new athletic director

Kent Ringquist, a physical education teacher at the school, will head the Lakewood Ranch High athletics program.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 27, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Two-wheeled early-bird gets to work

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Joseph McKenna, president and CEO of the Sarasota Orchestra, presents the organization's proposal for a new venue at Payne Park during a City Commission workshop Tuesday, Feb. 26.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 26, 2019
Orchestra shares vision for Payne Park venue

The Sarasota Orchestra has approached the city with a proposal to construct a new music hall on the downtown park property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Event co-organizer Hannah Weinberg, Deborah Ericson and Suellen Kaeb of Breast Health Sarasota, Inc and event co-organizer Jayne Weiss
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 26, 2019
Longboat golf groups tee off for a cure

The Key Niners and the Women's 18-Hole golf associations gathered Feb. 26 for their annual event that benefits Breast Health Sarasota, Inc.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • February 26, 2019
County approves increased fine in response to Siesta Key rental concerns

County agrees to implement greater fines in an effort to deter illegal short-term rentals on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mote Marine Laboratory CEO Dr. Michael Crosby addresses members of the Bay Area Legislative Delegation Tuesday morning at the WAVE Center at Mote Marine.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 26, 2019
Bay area lawmakers vote to make red tide funding a top priority

Mote Marine’s Dr. Michael Crosby asks regional legislators to commit to $3 million a year for five years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The rehabilitation center Pines of Sarasota will soon be replaced.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 26, 2019
Philanthropy makes possible new facilities at Pines of Sarasota

New buildings fully funded through a donation from the Esther & Harold Mertz Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Signs at Siesta Beach highlight previous accolades bestowed by organizations such as TripAdvisor.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 26, 2019
Siesta Beach ranked Top 10 in TripAdvisor list

Two years removed from being named No. 1 in the country, Siesta Beach has fallen a few spots in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice ranking of the country’s best beaches.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Cheri Coryea has worked for the county for 26 years years and assumed her role as deputy county administrator in December 2017.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 26, 2019
Cheri Coryea appointed Manatee County administrator

Coryea's post will last at least one year.

  • East County
  • News
The fire at Pioneer Park Playground occurred at 9 p.m. on Feb. 25. Photo courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • February 26, 2019
Officials investigate Pioneer Park playground fire

Officials responded to the fire — located at Pioneer Park, 1121 Cocoanut Avenue — at approximately 9:08 p.m.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Workers with Forristall Enterprises Inc. are tearing down the Amore building. It's expected to last about six to eight weeks.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 26, 2019
Workers begin demolishing Longboat Key's Amore building

Work expected to take between six and eight weeks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 25, 2019
Spanish Main gets all shook up with Elvis

The king of rock and roll made an appearance at Spanish Main Yacht Club Feb. 25.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The GMD parcel was listed for sale in 2003.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • February 25, 2019
Longboat parcel reappears on ballot over density question

Mote wants to rezone the vacant GMD land

  • Longboat Key
  • News
LaShawn Frost is the principal of Booker Middle School. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • February 25, 2019
Booker Middle School principal to serve on Arts Schools Network Board

According to Sarasota County Schools, the association is comprised of art leaders, schools and organizations from around the country.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat leaders have focused on the proposed roundabout at Gulfstream and U.S. 41.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • February 25, 2019
Longboat consultant finds flaws in Sarasota roundabout data

Consultant advises Longboat to wait and see

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Elle the Mermaid swam for attendees of the Junior League Tour of Homes.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • February 25, 2019
Sarasota Junior League takes a peek into homes

The Tour of Homes expanded to six houses this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • February 25, 2019
Sarasota County Schools to hold second district-wide safety drill

Exercises in awareness and safety will be ongoing through the SCSPD at Sarasota County public schools.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Whiskey Pond's Manuel Ontiveros puts on the breaks during the Observer Cup Feb. 24.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 25, 2019
Chase to the cup

Plenty of new polo fans take in the action during the Observer Cup in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Elizabeth Burke, the robotic coordinator for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, shows off the hospital's new Da Vinci surgical robot at the expo.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 25, 2019
Lakewood Ranch expo offers healthy variety of vendors

Hundreds pack Health and Wellness Expo at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center to receive health checks and fitness advice.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Attendees were given a cupcake on the way out.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • February 24, 2019
Jewish Federation celebrates 60 years in Sarasota

The campus will now be named after Larry Greenspon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
All of the participants in the tournament wore white.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • February 24, 2019
Cedars event evokes images of Wimbledon

Cedars Tennis Resort hosted a tennis tournament where the attire was white and the racquets were wooden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 24, 2019
Lakewood Ranch campout calls for s'more fun

About 150 people participated in the inaugural event.

  • East County
  • News
Sara Bartlett and Kathy Danco
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • February 23, 2019
The Crowley Museum and Nature Center takes a trip back through time

The 10th annual Southwest Florida Heritage Festival took place on Feb. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 23, 2019
Sarasota Rowing launches 10th annual Sarasota Invitational Regatta

Rowers of all ages turned out for the event in Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 23, 2019
Bird Key celebrates change of watch

About 140 club members gathered Feb. 23 for the change of watch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jean Rivoli and Eleanor Villardi
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • February 23, 2019
St. Michael the Archangel decides to go green

The church celebrated an Irish Night to celebrate St. Patrick's Day early.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 23, 2019
Longboat KeyGarden Club spruces up Public Works landscape

Thirty volunteers gathered on the morning of Feb. 23 to scatter almost 400 plants on the Public Works property.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 23, 2019
Historic Spanish Point flies with Fairy House Festival

From face painting to arts and crafts, the 6th annual Fairy House Festival had activities for all ages over the weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 23, 2019
Batter up in Lakewood Ranch

Little League, Miss Manatee Softball host their opening days.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 22, 2019
Man arrested after striking two police vehicles

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested the man who was wanted on six outstanding warrants.

  • East County
  • News
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Sydney McCullough takes mom, Belle, and 2-week-old foal, Nezuko, for a walk Wednesday at Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions in Myakka City.
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The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and town of Longboat Key joined forces to organize the first Let’s Talk Longboat business roundtable Wednesday, June 17 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
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A feather banner is anchored next to the sidewalk on Gulf of Mexico Drive. Longboat Key staff are preparing an amendment that could prohibit that type of sign by refining the definition of flag in town code.
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Official renderings for the multiplex will be completed after the site boundaries are finalized, but this rendering offers a glimpse of what the facility at Premier Sports Campus North could look like.
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