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Your Observer

The 1988 condo has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,555 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 26, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 10-14 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Winding Oaks condominium tops the week’s sales at $1,195,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Barbara Jendrysik has participated in every Longboat Key town hall art reception.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 26, 2025
Inaugural event aims to unite LBK community through art appreciation

Arts in April features an outdoor art showcase, exhibition at Town Hall, comedy night and concert.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bottles of wine line a shelf in Sugar Champagne Bar.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 26, 2025
Sugar Champagne Bar prepares for Friday opening

The luxury reservation-only bar, with a minimum tab of $150, will hold its grand opening Friday, March 28 in downtown Sarasota.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Susan Phillips will leave her position as assistant to the town manager at the end of March.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 26, 2025
Susan Phillips leaves behind a legacy of dedication to Longboat Key

Phillips spent 27 years taking on a heap of responsibilities as the town manager's assistant and has the stories to prove it.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An aerial view of the park space proposal pitched by developer Quay 1 and 9, for which it would donate Quay Block 9 to the city if Kolter Urban would agree to donate what is now the former Hyatt Regency employee parking lot.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 26, 2025
Kolter declines Quay developer's overture for park space

The developer of One Park extended an offer to give Block 9 in The Quay to the city if Kolter Urban would donate a connecting portion of the Hyatt redevelopment site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Summerfield Bluffs' Angela Abrams was trying to save old family photos while determining what was salvageable after Hurricane Debby engulfed her neighborhood in water.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 26, 2025
FEMA offers tips to prevent flooding

Experts will answer questions at Lowe's in Creekwood Crossing.

  • East County
  • 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
  • March 26, 2025
FDOT to assume larger responsibility for Broadway Roundabout project

The Florida Department of Transportation agreed to manage the project for the town of Longboat Key to get the Broadway Roundabout underway after a series of previous delays and hurdles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Time for a SPAC reboot
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 26, 2025
Time for a SPAC reboot

The most recent city-SPAC meeting showed a lot of misalignment among the players. Here are four key issues to be resolved to keep it going.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Braedon Mackay has been one of Sarasota's top players at the plate and on the mound in his sophomore season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 26, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Braedon Mackay

Mackay was named MVP of the Prospect Wire Spring Break Classic.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
This Deer Run home sold for $2.45 million with 4,359 square feet of living area. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and a pool.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 25, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for March 10-14 in Lakewood Ranch

A Deer Run home on Big Buck Lane topped the week’s sales at $2.45 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Denzel Diaz has a 1.88 earned-run average across 18 2/3 innings for Braden River.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 25, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Denzel Diaz

Denzel Diaz allowed one unearned run over six innings against The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • Sports
Linda Ulrich, Carlyn Vigil, Cathy Bishop, Cyndi Seamon and Melanie Dale socialize before a screening of "Top Gun: Maverick" at Bayfront Park for the Longboat Key Garden Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 25, 2025
Longboat Key Garden Club hosts 9th Dinner and a Movie fundraiser

Members continue fundraising push to support post-hurricane restoration and beautification projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River High junior Aaron Gordon won a two-year scholarship for his winning entry in a Black History Month essay contest.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 25, 2025
Braden River High junior wins Black History Month essay contest

Aaron Gordon, who loves music, picked Ray Charles as his subject for the essay.

  • East County
  • Schools
Members of VFW Post 12055 Lee Waters, commander Dave Daily and quartermaster Bob Talan present Amy Towery with the check to Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 25, 2025
VFW Post 12055 donates $10,000 to Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee

Lee Waters, a VFW Post 12055 member, wanted to help Meals on Wheels continue to feed the hungry.

  • East County
  • News
Firefighter paramedic Richard Traugott uses the Hurst Jaws of Life to pry the front door frame apart.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 25, 2025
Longboat Key Fire Rescue teams practices vehicle extrication techniques

Crew members spent an early afternoon walking through a simulated vehicle crash to get hands-on training with extrication equipment like the Hurst Jaws of Life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering by Humphrey & Partners Architects of Fruitville Gateway, planned for Fruitville Road between East Avenue and Washington Boulevard.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2025
New apartment development on horizon for Sarasota's Park East area

Fruitville Gateway will have 274 apartments, 30 priced affordable.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Resident calls police to solve heavy traffic delay on island
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 25, 2025
Resident calls police to solve heavy traffic delay on island

The complainant called emergency services about the seasonal traffic backups on the island. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Alice Edwards with the Longboat Library looks forward to welcoming visitors for extended hours through April.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 25, 2025
Volunteers aim to establish a 'Friends of the Longboat Library' support group

While Longboat Library awaits news of plans for a new library facility on the Key, members are working to to add awareness of the library.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Alan Anderson Architect's rendering of the McGillicuddy Arts Center at Florida Studio Theatre.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2025
FST Arts Plaza expansion advances toward staff approval

Winning partial DRC sign-off on its third submittal was the Arts Plaza expansion of Florida Studio Theatre.

  • Sarasota
  • News
George Foreman
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 24, 2025
A huge interview with Big George Foreman

The heavyweight champion taught us all about the benefits of having a little compassion.

  • East County
  • Opinion
1000 Boulevard of the Arts will include the Hyatt Centric Harborside hotel and 117 condomiums on the current site of the Hyatt Regency.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 24, 2025
Developer announces new hotel on Hyatt Regency site

The new hotel at the 1000 Boulevard of the Arts site will be branded Hyatt Centric Harborside.

  • Sarasota
  • News
District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams became Longboat Key's new vice mayor on March 24.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 24, 2025
Williams sworn in as new Longboat Key vice mayor, Schneier remains mayor

Debra Williams will serve as the town’s new vice mayor until 2026 after taking over the title as Mike Haycock reached his commission term limit.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rachelle Lambert, Solan Jones, 4, and Solan's mother Maia Jaroszewski
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 24, 2025
Historic Spanish Point becomes fairytale land in Enchanted Garden Family Festival

The event, held at Selby Gardens' Historic Spanish Point campus, features unicorn rides, a bubble show, crafts and activities, face painting and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jazz vocalist Synia Carroll died on March 14 after a short illness.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 24, 2025
Connecticut schoolteacher Synia Carroll found her voice in Sarasota

Jazz vocalist Synia Carroll, who died March 14 at age 67, helped build musical bridges in the Tampa Bay area.

  • Arts + Culture
CareerEdge offers a no-cost HVAC technician training program.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 24, 2025
CareerEdge Funders Collaborative releases 2024 impact report

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce initiative added $1.3 million to the two-county economy, according to the 2024 report.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mary Beth Schiavone opens the 2025 Couture for the Cure show.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 24, 2025
Biannual Couture for the Cure boosts MS research funding

Event chair Gwen Wallin draws inspiration from her daughter in organizing this year's fundraiser fashion show and luncheon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Paradise player Nico Colacci runs toward the home crowd to celebrate after scoring a goal to tie Naples at 1-1 in the 87th minute on March 18 at Premier Sports Campus.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 24, 2025
Sarasota Paradise draw 2,200 fans in debut at Premier Sports Complex

The fans packed the Lakewood Ranch stadium to support the local semi-professional soccer club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sandra Duryea keeps her eye on the ball through shamrock sunglasses.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 23, 2025
Longboat Key Tennis Center women bid farewell to season with festive frivolity

Last year's storms may have delayed their fun day, but the women of the Tennis Center couldn't let the season pass without it.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
ODA students Danica Kovacevic, Cecile Visa and Kaitlyn Roman received scholarships for their humanitarian efforts from the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 23, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary

Founder John Clarke honored along with the Junior Humanitarian of the Year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The historic Keith Farmhouse at Phillippi Estate Park has been fully restored.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2025
County to celebrate restoration of historic Keith Farmhouse

Sarasota County will mark the completion of the restoration of the historic Keith Farmhouse at Phillippi Estate Park with a ribbon-cutting on April 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Stephen Fancher, chief advancement officer with the All Star Children's Foundation, speaks with Longboat Key Chapel residents supporting this month's backpack drive.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 23, 2025
Backpacks make world of difference for kids entering foster care, expert says

Longboat Key Chapel accepting backpack donations throughout the month for the Sarasota-based All Star Children's Foundation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Laura George pours wine for Jason Campbell and his mother Colleen Campbell.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 23, 2025
Sarasota Wine Festival brings wines from around the world

The event featured live music, seminars and mixology classes, a vendor market and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Janet Zumfelde of Purses Just 4 U said Dag Fest was perfect for her wares. The late Dagmar Beavers, whose property hosted the festival March 22 in Myakka City, was described as somewhat of a "hippie" by her friends.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 22, 2025
Dag Fest celebrates Dagmar Beavers, and a bit of her hippie lifestyle

The late Myakka City resident wanted to host a music festival to benefit the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ellen Thomas joins the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce as the new event coordinator.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 22, 2025
Meet Longboat Chamber of Commerce's newest addition

Event coordinator Ellen Thomas looks forward to offering new activities for Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Gus Swoboda (1935-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • March 21, 2025
Jelmer "Gus" Swoboda

Gus Swoboda passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, March 14, 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
  • By Sforzo • Dillingham • Stewart Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • March 21, 2025
From Pain to Purpose

Local orthopedic practice helps Sarasota woman reclaim her passion.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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