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Your Observer

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 17, 2018
Local amendments

Our recommendations on local questions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Bus service between the mainland and Longboat Key is an issue that concerns both the town and Sarasota County.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • October 17, 2018
Moving to one county will be a topic of discussion

Mutual issues will be discussed

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Molly Neary got to hold some of the items that her team bargained for, including a blue bath bomb that she ended up getting for free.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • October 17, 2018
Red Barn lessons for Lakewood Ranch students

Braden River Elementary fourth-graders learn how to navigate a flea market.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 17, 2018
Longboat Observer celebrates 40 years with readers

Observer employees and Longboat Key residents mingled outside the Longboat Observer office Oct. 17 in honor of the paper's 40th anniversary.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Lynn and Brian Fitzpatrick are some of the founding members of the Celtic Heritage Society in Lakewood Ranch. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • October 17, 2018
Can't knock this block party in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch clubs, Tour of Homes will be showcased at annual event.

  • East County
  • News
Kirsten Sass and Amy Dixon finished second in the 2018 Sarasota-Bradenton Triathlon Festival's Paratriathlon Visually Impaired division.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 17, 2018
Blind triathlete provides inspiration

Amy Dixon, a paratriathlete who lost 98% of her vision, competed at the Sarasota-Bradenton Triathlon Festival at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
Senior cornerback Jean Lugo-DeJesus (13) returns an interception against Sarasota. It was his second INT of the year.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 17, 2018
Pirates defense riding the high seas

The Braden River High football team's defense has stepped up to the task of replacing last year's unit, which included two NCAA Division 1 players.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bre Brown.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 17, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Bre Brown

The ODA junior talks playing defense and learning to be easier on herself

  • East County
  • Sports
Harry, Lynn and Hal Christensen of Harry's Continental Kitchens
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 17, 2018
All in the family: Longboat Key family businesses share their stories

Longboat Key is home to multiple family businesses. We spoke with three of them to learn their history and why they chose Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Dr. Thomas Purcell works on patient Willie Tate, who might need a tooth extraction.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • October 17, 2018
Mobile health care returns to East County

Hundreds line up at MTC to take advantage of Remote Area Medical.

  • East County
  • News
Sandie and Larry Ivers have dealt with Larry Ivers' Parkinson's diagnosis since 2012. They say the Neuro Challenge Foundation has helped them by providing resources and support groups at no charge.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 17, 2018
Parkinson's kickoff event on schedule in Lakewood Ranch area

The Neuro Challenge Foundation is gearing up for its annual expo in April.

  • East County
  • News
Bryan and Julie Veith hope to raise money for cancer research so others don't experience the painful experience Julie has endured.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 17, 2018
Bradenton couple raises funds for Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Bradenton couple raises funds for Breast Cancer Research Foundation

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 17, 2018
Cops Corner: It's dark, time for headlights

Police reports from around the Key

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Rebecca and Dan Powers hold a picture of their son, Matthew, who died in a car crash Sept. 15 at Pope Road and State Road 64. They wish growth could slow until traffic conditions can be made safer.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 17, 2018
Can local roads handle growth in Manatee County?

Grieving parent asks commissioners to slow growth until roads are safe.

  • East County
  • News
Harmony's Casey Clough and Alison Clough at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer last year, say that American Cancer Society is a great organization because it helps all kinds of people. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • October 17, 2018
Fundraiser hits its stride at Nathan Benderson Park

Lakewood Ranch breast cancer survivors among those who will participate at Making Strides event.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 16, 2018
Small Business Week kicks off with Business After Hours

Following the first day of seminars, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members networked Oct. 16 at Zota Beach Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 16, 2018
Longboat Key Garden Club reunites for season

The club held its first meeting of the season Oct. 16.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kevin Lindberg, executive director of the foundation, accepts a check from Dunkin' Donuts in honor of Alyssa Varner, daughter of Myakka's Melissa and David Howell.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 16, 2018
Doughnut store raises funds, awareness for Epilepsy

Memory of store employee lives on through donation, doughnuts.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 16, 2018
Dick Smothers' Longboat condo is for sale

Grand Bay unit lists for $1.55 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • October 16, 2018
Longboat board rejects Whittall in sales-office request

Unicorp CEO says he will seek permission from the Town Commission instead.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The city believes the judge's ruling is a vindication for the planned dredging, but Siesta Key residents will continue to fight the project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 16, 2018
Judge dismisses Big Pass lawsuit

On Friday, a circuit court judge dismissed a challenge from the Siesta Key Association regarding the city’s plans to dredge Big Pass.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 16, 2018
St. Mary Women's Guild jumps into fall

Guild members gathered in the church's fellowship hall Oct. 16 for a "Welcome Back" luncheon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Bayfront master plan does not include the GWIZ building, built in 1976 as the Selby Library.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 16, 2018
GWIZ preservation effort falls short

Despite a campaign to save the former Selby Library building, a majority of the commission supports demolition.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium officials hope the county will move quickly toward a land-use deal.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 16, 2018
County pushes for Mote agreement

Despite points of contention, Sarasota County commissioners are anxious to strike a land deal for aquarium.

  • East County
  • News
To combat potential flooding issues on the island, Aptim suggested the town make storm water improvements on Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • October 16, 2018
Longboat examines Michael's effect on beaches

Longboat officials are still assessing its beaches

  • Longboat Key
  • News
If the purchase is approved, the hospital hopes to acquire the property by January and have employees move in by May.
    By
  • Kevin McQuaid
  • October 16, 2018
Sarasota Memorial Hospital OKs purchase of Herald-Tribune building

The hospital board is voting on a $17.34 plan to buy and renovate the property at 1741 Main St., which the newspaper departed in 2016.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • October 15, 2018
World Lemur Festival brings awareness to world's most endangered primate

All things lemur took over Ringling College of Art and Design's Alfred R. Goldstein Library for Sarasota's first World Lemur Festival.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Filming took place in April.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 15, 2018
January-February TV dates set for locally filmed 'Antiques Roadshow' episodes

Team filmed a full day in in April at Ca’ d’Zan.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 15, 2018
Selby Gardens secures $21.8 million for master plan

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens hopes to raise $92 million as it works to implement a series of renovations at its bayfront campus.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • October 15, 2018
Giving Hunger the Blues & Jazz returns to rock the Van Wezel

The 22nd Annual Giving Hunger The Blues & Jazz continues to give back to those in need while supporting local music.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • October 15, 2018
Howl-O-Ween Movie Night Spooktacular brings scary sights to Ed Smith Stadium

Ed Smith Stadium hosted Halloween fun on Oct. 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 15, 2018
Top chili chefs

The Longboat Key firefighters took home the grand champion trophy from Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook-off.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • October 14, 2018
Formula 18 Worlds kick off at Sarasota Sailing Squadron

Racing begins Monday, Oct. 15 and ends Friday, Oct. 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Disabled Army veteran Michael Monthervil and his girlfriend, Ashley Nickles, address the crowd at the Elks Lodge during a fundraiser for Homes for Our Troops.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 14, 2018
Lakewood Ranch Elks pig out for charity

Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge hosts fundraiser for Homes for Our Troops

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • October 14, 2018
Yo ho ho for the Sarasota Garden Club's 80th Annual Flower Show

Sarasota Garden Club’s annual Flower Show & Plant Sale celebrates 80 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The police said the perimeter was established out of an abundance of caution as the investigation proceeds.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 13, 2018
Authorities investigate suspicious packages at post office

City and federal authorities secured a perimeter around the downtown Sarasota building. The packages were ultimately determined not to be hazardous.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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