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Your Observer

Bob Erker
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • June 4, 2018
Longboat Buttonwood Drive property still in disarray

Town officials have met with project managers at 500 Buttonwood Drive more than 10 times since the project began, yet not much has changed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Flights from Sarasota to Dallas-Fort Worth will begin in December.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 4, 2018
SRQ lands nonstop flight to Dallas-Fort Worth

Beginning in December, American Airlines will offer direct service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • June 4, 2018
Jerome G. Jerry Lee

Jerome G. "Jerry" Lee, 1924 - 2018, passed away on May 29, 2018, his obituary tribute is publishing in the Longboat Observer of Observer Media Group, he was born in Chicago, IL and the Toale Brothers funeral home is handling the service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Marauders pitcher Jess Amedee visits with Mill Creek's Dave Daily, who was honored by the Marauders for his service.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 4, 2018
Marauders honor veterans at LECOM Park.

Two East County residents among those honored at the Bradenton Marauders' Military Appreciation Night.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kayleigh Omang
  • June 4, 2018
Temple Emanu-El honors pets and animal companionship

The Blessing of the Animals was held June 3 at Temple Emanu-El.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kayleigh Omang
  • June 4, 2018
Women get pampered and spoiled at the All About Women Expo

The Westfield Sarasota Square Mall hosted the expo June 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kayleigh Omang
  • June 4, 2018
St. Armands Seafood & Music Festival serves up busy weekend

The festival was hosted June 2 and 3 at St. Armands Circle Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gus Mahler embraces his dad, Head of School David Mahler, after he was awarded "The Faculty Cup" for outstanding performance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 3, 2018
Memories cap graduation ceremony at The Out of Door Academy in Lakewood Ranch

Memories cap graduation ceremony at The Out of Door Academy in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dominic Valentino, a fourth-grader at Tara, and his dad, Anthony, proved most seaworthy and won the overall competition.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 3, 2018
Lessons afloat

Cardboard boats pack educational punch at Lakewood Ranch YMCA

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kayleigh Omang
  • June 2, 2018
Families play and learn for World Oceans Day

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium hosted World Oceans Day Family Festival June 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Christine Johnson of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast thanks Friends of Keep Woods for its efforts in creating a new preserve.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 2, 2018
Backers celebrate new Johnson Preserve in Manatee County

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast hosts a celebration and walking tour of the new Johnson Preserve along the Braden River.

  • East County
  • News
An example of one of the sea wall enhancements to be installed at Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • June 1, 2018
Bayfront Park to become FWC testing ground

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is planning to test how different resilient shorelines affect marine life at Bayfront Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City Commissioner Hagen Brody has been an outspoken advocate for advancing the Lofts on Lemon housing project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 1, 2018
Housing Authority project lands $14 million award

Plans for the Lofts on Lemon development could include up to 130 affordable and workforce housing units in the Rosemary District.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Roots and seawater cover a pathway cut from the mangroves on Greer Island. Police lobbied for months for the path to be cut for emergency access to the beach.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • June 1, 2018
Alberto's effects restrict access to Longboat's north end beach

The northernmost point of Longboat Key has been eroded to the point that emergency vehicles cannot traverse a path cut for them .

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gary Hebert, Brenda Russell and Phil St. John were key members of Friends of Keep Woods.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 31, 2018
Perseverance leads to preserve along Braden River

The Friends of Keep Woods' grass roots effort leads to a preserve along the Braden River.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2018
Hurricane Irma taught Sarasota-area residents a lot

Sarasota-area residents learned a lot from Hurricane Irma and plan to put those lessons into action during the 2018 tropical-weather season.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Among the projects facing taxpayers is $250 million, probably more, to build one or two performing arts centers on The Bay site, while preserving the existing Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, which will need refurbishing.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 31, 2018
Vote of no confidence

Given their history, it’s difficult to think Sarasotacommissioners can make the right decisions on the bayfront. They should charge The Bay’s board to present a plan to voters.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Diamond Merced is headed to the University of Turabo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 31, 2018
Booker High grad heads to Puerto Rico for college basketball

Diamond signed to play women’s basketball with the University of Turabo, in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, on May 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota's Isabel Traba finished sixth in the 200 IM (2:06.16) and eighth in the girls 100 butterfly (55.68) at the Class 4A state meet on Nov. 10. File photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 31, 2018
Prose and Kohn: Golden hours for the high school season

Our columnist's favorite moments of the 2017-2018 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2018
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 31

Karen Russell captured this photo on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2018
East County weather page photo: May 31

Gordon Silver captured this lake photo from his back yard in the Del Webb neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2018
Sarasota weather page photo: May 31

Nancy Dobias captured the colors of wildflowers at Myakka River State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Rosemary District overlay has allowed for the construction of higher-density developments like the CitySide apartments.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 31, 2018
Rosemary District crafts new density concepts

City staff is working with Rosemary District stakeholders on a potential incentive system that will link new development to neighborhood improvements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hyde Park Street residents have spent more than a year campaigning for safety improvements.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 31, 2018
Residents lobby for truck restrictions

People living on Hyde Park Street are eager for the city to discourage trucks from driving past their homes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Superior Word objects to alcohol sales in close proximity of its property, but neighboring businesses don’t think the church should dictate regulations in the area.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 31, 2018
Spiritual questions: Gulf Gate Village discusses alcohol sales regulations

The commercial district is at the heart of a county examination of the proper separation of church and alcohol.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2018
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.31.18

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
A Lido Key resident took video of waves crashing into the First Lido Condominium building on Sunday. Image courtesy Barbara Lowenthal.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 30, 2018
City declares erosion state of emergency on Lido Key

In the wake of Subtropical Storm Alberto, Sarasota city officials hope the state of emergency can lead to shoreline protections on Lido Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • May 30, 2018
Longboat prepares to demolish Colony

The town of Longboat Key is preparing documents to alert Colony Beach and Tennis Resort unit owners of an intention to demolish the former retreat on, or after, June 15

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 5050 Gulf of Mexico Drive recently sold for $7 million. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, five-and-three-half baths, a pool and 7,578 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 30, 2018
5050 Gulf of Mexico Drive sells for $7 million

Longboat Key and surrounding area real estate sales

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The home at 10305 Riverbank Terrace recently sold for $1.55 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 30, 2018
Waterlefe homes tops sales at $1.55 million

Real estate sales Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Two properties at 1616 Stanford Lane recently sold for $2.85 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 30, 2018
Aqualine Estates properties sell for $2.85 million

Siesta Key Sarasota real estate sales.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 30, 2018
Population fuels spending

Florida's growth is good news.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Zalan Guilbert, 8, climbs on a rope structure at the Nathan Benderson Park playground. The playground soon will be covered by a shade structure.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 30, 2018
Another improvement comes to Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota

Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota is building a shade canopy over its playground.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 30, 2018
Cops Corner: Clean-up duty

Police reports from around Longboat Key

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Williams Parker plans to stay in its current building until a portion of the 3.3-acre site is developed.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 30, 2018
Developer plans revamp of Williams Parker site

A company is preparing to develop a 10-story mixed-use building on the edge of downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Simply Susanne's Cafe sells smoothies along with breakfast and lunch options.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 30, 2018
Sweet treats bring taste of summer to barrier islands

Whether it’s a smoothie or gelato, local establishments have plenty of sweet treats to keep you cool this summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
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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.
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Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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