Your Observer

Ryan Kohn
June 13, 2018

Area athletes still generate pride in college

Graduates from Braden River High, Lakewood Ranch High and The Out-of-Door Academy are still starring for their collegiate programs.

East County
Sports

Katie Johns
June 13, 2018

Fishing and fundraising

Members of The Longboat Key Firefighters Association participated in the 11th Annual Fire Charity Fishing Tournament over the weekend.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Eric Garwood
June 13, 2018

Sarasota ranked No. 2 on Florida list of best places to buy

Fort Myers-Cape Coral on top of rankings.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Katie Johns
June 13, 2018

Greenspon donates inaugural gift for Jewish Federation renovations

Through Greenspon’s donation, the refurbished campus will be called The Larry Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life and The Larry and Mary Greenspon Sports Complex.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Katie Johns
June 13, 2018

On the ball: testing out the pickleball phenomenon

Journalist gives pickleball a try to see what Longboat's fascination with the sport is all about.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Katie Johns
June 13, 2018

Patriotic parade

David Miller of Cannons Marina is once again offering a cash prize for most patriotic business float in the Freedom Fest parade.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Ryan Kohn
June 13, 2018

East County Athlete of the Week: Amari Pitts

Braden River High defensive back Amari Pitts, who holds offers from the Air Force Academy and talks switching to defensive back and what scares him the most.

East County
Sports

Shane Donglasan
June 12, 2018

Drawing Dad

Campers grab pencils, paint brushes and a healthy dose of creativity for Fathers Day.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Shane Donglasan
June 12, 2018

Sarasota remembers Pulse shooting

Rob McGovern remembers friend and Pulse victim Eddie Sotomayor at Sarasota City Hall during memorial for the victims on the anniversary of attack.

Sarasota
Neighbors

David Conway
June 12, 2018

Mote seeks land, $20 million from county for new aquarium

Sarasota County staff will examine whether tourist development tax funds can help pay for a Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium facility in Nathan Benderson Park.

Sarasota
News

Katie Johns
June 12, 2018

Tidal Tykes take bite out of animal exploration

Campers started their day learning about carnivores of the ocean and their diets.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
June 12, 2018

Siesta home on market for $15 million

North-side property offers 700 feet of waterfront.

Siesta Key
Real Estate

David Conway
June 11, 2018

Army Corps allocates funds for Big Pass dredge

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has included $13.5 million for a Lido Key renourishment project in its fiscal year 2018 work plan.

Sarasota
News

David Conway
June 11, 2018

Developer offers city settlement in Palm Avenue lawsuit

The developer behind an ongoing legal dispute with the city is willing to settle the case — if the city agrees to pay nearly $50 million over the next five years.

Sarasota
News

Bret Hauff
June 11, 2018

Longboat investors appeal town's Colony demolition order

An emergency demolition of the buildings at the site of the former Colony Beach & Tennis Resort has been challenged on the grounds that it does not afford property owners appropriate due process.

Longboat Key
News

Eric Garwood
June 11, 2018

Vehicle on Longboat beach narrowly misses turtle nest

No vehicle description was available after the Saturday incident.

Longboat Key
News

Bret Hauff
June 11, 2018

Longboat sign code on the home stretch

Realtors have protested Longboat Key's latest rendition of its sign code as too strict, saying that it will increase the cost of doing business on the island "dramatically."

Longboat Key
News

Katie Johns
June 11, 2018

Red tide detected in low, medium concentrations along beaches

As of June 8, red tide was detected in both Sarasota and Manatee counties. Updates on the red tide status will be available later this week.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
June 11, 2018

July enrollment set for TSA's expedited airport-security program

Pre-Check allows travelers to pass quickly through checkpoints.

Sarasota
News

Jay Heater
June 10, 2018

Thief has a green thumb

Cops corner, east county lakewood ranch crime reports for week of June 14

East County
Cops Corner

Amelia Hanks
June 10, 2018

Dance for the Guardians in Lakewood Ranch

Cuban-themed fundraiser at Lakewood Ranch Country Club benefits the Children's Guardian Fund.

East County
Neighbors

Katie Johns
June 9, 2018

St. Armands Circle gets crafty

The 17th annual craft festival continues until 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 9 and begins again Sunday morning.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Bret Hauff
June 8, 2018

Longboat officer suspended over crime-scene photos

A Longboat Key police officer found to have taken photos of dead bodies has been suspended with pay as the department investigates his behavior and the town reviews its hiring policies.

Longboat Key
News

In Memoriam |

June 8, 2018

Janet F. (O’Neil) Deland

Janet F Deland (O'Neil) passed away following a brief illness, her obituary tribute is publishing in the Longboat Key Observer of the Observer Media Group.

Longboat Key
Tributes & Obituaries

Bret Hauff
June 8, 2018

Opponent to Colony development sells units

Blake Fleetwood, who's opposed Unicorp National Developments proposal to build a 166-room, 78-condominium hotel at the site of the former Colony, has sold his units to the Orlando-based developer.

Longboat Key
News

Katie Johns
June 7, 2018

Local chambers mingle at barbecue

The annual event brought the Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island and Siesta Key chambers of commerce together on June 7.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Bret Hauff
June 7, 2018

Pattigeorge's site scheduled for demolition next week

The abandoned Longboat Key bayside restaurant is being demolished in preparation for a new restaurant at the site built by Columbia Restaurant Group: The Buccaneer.

Longboat Key
News

Ryan Kohn
June 7, 2018

Lakewood Ranch High grad selected in MLB Draft

Lakewood Ranch High graduate Pablo Garabitos was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in 25th round of the 2018 MLB Draft on June 6. He must decide between going pro and attending the University of South Florida by July 15.

East County
Sports

By Jimmy and Tina O’Brien | Realtors/Founding Members | RealtyPartners®
June 7, 2018

Helping Families Achieve Their Real Estate Goals

Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota Realtors, Tina and Jimmy O'Brien, are founding members of RealtyPartners® that helps families achieve their real estate goals with a New Home Buyer/Seller Savings Program.