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Your Observer

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 14, 2018
Still red, and deep blue

Florida is like the nation: Its rural and less-populated areas are holding on to their conservative ways, while the most populous centers are becoming increasingly progressive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 14, 2018
10 things Longboaters missed while they were away

Welcome back! A lot has been happening while you were up north (but not all of it smells bad).

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Harvey Vengroff
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 14, 2018
In Memoriam 2018

Longboat Key said goodbye to many of its beloved residents this summer. In the following pages, we honor them.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Revs. Kenneth Blyth, Dee de Montmollin, Norman Pritchard, Longboat Island Chapel Pastoral Care Assistant MiMi Horwitz and Rabbi Stephen Sniderman of Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 14, 2018
Longboat clergy invite all to Thanksgiving service

The annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service will take place at 5 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel on Nov. 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan DeVictor brought her East County Observer on her family trip to Coffins Patch Reef in the Florida Keys.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 14, 2018
Observer gains frequent flyer points with readers

From Washington, D.C., to Spain, readers made sure to pack their copies of the Observer wherever they traveled this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Deputy Chief Chris Krajic, Dr. Mark Johnson, Dr. Steven Newman, and Fire Chief Paul Dezzi.Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 14, 2018
Thanks, Doc

After 36 years of service, Dr. Steven Newman will be retiring his post as Sarasota County Emergency Medical Services medical director at the end of this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Greg Campbell stands just off Lakewood Main Street. The Grove's new main bar will be open to the street through two huge pocket doors at the corner of the building.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2018
Grove nears its opening in Lakewood Ranch

The Grove restaurant hopes to be open at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch by Dec. 1

  • East County
  • News
Gary P. Zola Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 14, 2018
Is the scholar in?

Gary P. Zola, the executive director of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives will be this year's scholar in residence.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dayton Amey has had his 1969 Mustang Mach 1 since 1972.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2018
Pony up for charity in Lakewood Ranch

Car show at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch raises money for charities.

  • East County
  • News
Mixon Fruit Farms co-owners Janet and Dean Mixon show off their asper bamboo. The used existing citrus grove beds for their bamboo operation, planted in May 2016. The first harvest likely will happen in mid-2019.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 14, 2018
Bamboo shoots upward in East County

Mixon Fruit Farms hopes its first bamboo crop replaces losses from citrus.

  • East County
  • News
East Manatee Fire Rescue firefighter Ben Carpenter, engineer Jacob Lilly and firefighter Chad Hoeksema work at Station 4, the station closest to the new site, pictured in background.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 14, 2018
New station answers alarm in Lakewood Ranch

Fire district saw need to change plans for a new station's location.

  • East County
  • News
The American Red Cross closed its Lakewood Ranch location in March 2017. A deed restriction on the property from Schroeder-Manatee Ranch limits the building’s use to the American Red Cross only.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 14, 2018
New EMS station planned in Lakewood Ranch

County hopes to buy Red Cross building in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 14, 2018
Cops Corner: A report of uplifting noise

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Barbara DiPalma, the chair of the fashion show, Judy Harris and Judy Fuqua, the chair of the social committee, say it's important to give back to local charities.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • November 14, 2018
HOPE in fashion at Tara

Tara Country Club's social committee hosts a luncheon benefitting HOPE Family Services.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Attendees of the event got to bring home a ceramic bowl.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • November 14, 2018
Bowled over by support in Lakewood Ranch

Community turns out at Empty Bowls event to support food bank.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Club Tennis Association President David Gutridge and Marcia Gutridge
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 13, 2018
Tennis association jumps into fall

The Longboat Key Club Tennis Association members gathered Nov. 13 for their annual Fall Frolic.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 13, 2018
Longboat Key republicans learn about red tide

Mote Marine Laboratory Senior Scientist Richard Pierce spoke to the club Nov. 13 at the Resort at Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 13, 2018
10 things you missed while you were away

A lot of news happened over the summer. Not all of it smelled bad.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bob Gary, guest speaker Rob Lorei and Longboat Key Democratic Club President Ken Marsh
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 13, 2018
Rob Lorei visits with Longboat Key democrats

The Longboat Key Democratic Club hosted its monthly luncheon Nov. 13 at Portofino.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The event will feature boys and girls teams scrimmages, a three-point shooting contest and a dunk contest
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 13, 2018
Lakewood Ranch basketball to host Mustang Madness night

The Lakewood Ranch High basketball event will feature boys and girls teams scrimmages, a three-point shooting contest and a dunk contest

  • East County
  • Sports
Cynthia Heil will serve as the director of the institute starting Jan. 1, 2019. Photo courtesy of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 13, 2018
Mote announces Red Tide Institute director

Cynthia Heil comes to Mote Marine Laboratory from Bigelow Laboratory in Maine, where she created a research program that focused on water quality, harmful algal blooms and ecosystem management.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 13, 2018
Students celebrate Veterans Day

Annual ceremony celebrates military, first responders at Freedom Elementary.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mike Haycock
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • November 13, 2018
Mike Haycock to run for town commission

Haycock to face Jim Brown in March election.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rick Piccolo, SRQ president and CEO, Robert Spencer, Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority board chairman and Drew Wells, Allegiant's vice president of planning and revenue appear at a press conference Tuesday regarding new service.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 13, 2018
Allegiant announces nine new SRQ flights

Beginning next year, Allegiant will offer flights from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to cities including Cleveland, Baltimore and Nashville, Tenn.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • November 12, 2018
Sherman Cooper

Sherman Cooper, 86, of University Park Country Club, previously of Longboat Key, passed on November 9th, 2018. His obituary tribute is publishing in the Longboat Key & Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Cardinal Mooney volleyball is headed to the 5A state championship match.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 12, 2018
Cardinal Mooney volleyball headed to state championship match

The Cougars beat Cardinal Gibbons 3-1 to advance

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The bridge is 61 years old.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • November 12, 2018
Plans set for 2019 overhaul of Longboat Pass Bridge

The bridge is considered obsolete.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 12, 2018
A coyote's tale: One Sunday on Longboat

Wandering coyote grabs the attention of Country Club Shores residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • November 11, 2018
Sand, sun and the circus take over Siesta Beach

The ninth annual  Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival brought the circus to Siesta Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • November 11, 2018
Veterans Day parade honors all who served

Hundreds gathered along Main Street to celebrate Sarasota's veterans on Nov. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • November 11, 2018
Marine Corps celebrates 243rd birthday

Veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps gathered Nov. 10 at Marina Jack to celebrate birthday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 11, 2018
Longboat Key Rotary Club salutes veterans

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key hosted a luncheon in honor of more than 200 local veterans Nov. 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 10, 2018
Lakewood Ranch pours in to charity

Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club hosts 17th annual food and wine festival.

  • East County
  • News
Mote Scientific has owned this property since 1982.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • November 10, 2018
Development plans once again up to Longboat voters

Mote Foundation land makes its second appearance on the ballot. In 2017, it came closer than any other to winning a density increase.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 10, 2018
Braden River football survives Plant City comeback

The Pirates held off the Raiders 28-23

  • East County
  • Sports
The Braden River Middle School choir serenades veterans during the ceremony.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • November 9, 2018
Lakewood Ranch students salute the veterans

Braden River Middle honors veterans with a service.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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