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Your Observer

Wendy Cohen of @followmetosiestakey, Kelle Covington of @shellekelle and Sheila Loccisano of @followmetolongboatkey Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 1, 2018
Picture Perfect

Florida instagrammers met up at Lido Beach July 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Trevor Lovett, Kirsten, Charlene and Bob Schmitt at the Schmitt's home in Summerfield. Photo by Jay Heater
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 1, 2018
Lakewood Ranch's first baby ready to get married

The master-planned community has been kind to Summerfield's Kirsten Schmitt.

  • East County
  • News
The historical society is racing to raise $70,000 by the end of the year.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • August 1, 2018
Fundraising efforts pull at Longboat wallets

Three major fundraising efforts are raising money for town improvements this summer: the Historical Society, the Longboat Key Foundation and pickleball players

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • August 1, 2018
Longboat seeks a share of Sarasota county's oil spill restitution

Those funds could come from the county as part of the federal RESTORE act, enacted after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
SMR Farms Citrus Production Manager Stevie John leads a tour through the farms' sod and citrus groves.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 1, 2018
Manatee County residents get water wiser

Water School touts water conservation.

  • East County
  • News
Retired policeman and guardian Mike Parker said the position is a perfect fit for retirement. He practices with his new firearm during training at the Manatee Gun & Archery Club.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 1, 2018
Manatee County School District launches safety program

Security officers ready to take posts at Manatee’s elementary schools.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • August 1, 2018
Tom Talks: An update from the town manager on island projects and iniatives

The Longboat Observer talks with Town Manager Tom Harmer about the Arts, Cultural and Education Center, Fire Rescue contract negotiations, undergrounding, the one county initiative and north end erosion.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sienna and Colton Zwizinksi have just started playing together.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • August 1, 2018
Hawaiian time in Lakewood Ranch

Sienna Zwizinksi strums ukulele to her own tune.

  • East County
  • News
Colony was developed as a tennis-centric site, and soon earned a reputation as one of the best.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 1, 2018
Colony through the years

A lot has happened on the grounds of the Colony.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Golden Gate Point district, located on the waterfront west of downtown, has been a hub for condo development.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 31, 2018
Developer plans Golden Gate Point condo

A nine-story, 20-unit building is slated for the property at 111 Golden Gate Point.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 31, 2018
Manatee County maintains millage rate

Commissioners will not increase the millage rate.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • July 31, 2018
Former Longboat Mayor Rothenberg dies at 92

Lee Rothenberg served as the mayor of Longboat Key during his decades of public service on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pine View School graduate MInnah Stein advocates for sexual assault awareness
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • July 30, 2018
Pine View School graduate MInnah Stein advocates for sexual assault awareness

Minnah Stein has been nationally recognized for her work addressing sexual assault in Sarasota high schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 29, 2018
Top sale: Beyond the gates of $4,825,000 bayfront home

1001 Tocobaga Lane, home sold, waterfront for $4,825,000, Sarasota bay real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • July 29, 2018
Fins and Fun Family Festival celebrates sharks

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium's Fins and Fun Family Festival celebrates sharks and their essential role in the ocean environment.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rick Piccolo, the president of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, said more major airlines could be headed to Sarasota in the next year.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 27, 2018
Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

Better deals will land in Sarasota

  • East County
  • Opinion
Mattie Bedinghaus, Hermione Bedinghaus, Carter Bedinghaus, Princess Bedinghaus, Channing Bedinghaus, Camden Bedinghaus and Dr. Troy Bedinghaus had a good time with the "Batman" theme.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • July 27, 2018
Lakewood Ranch offers 'Batman' fans a special ride

Lakewood Family Eye Care attracts hundreds of 'Batman' fans to its back-to-school event.

  • East County
  • News
The city provided this image of the artwork that will be installed in the intersection.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 27, 2018
City ready to install roundabout art

Part of the Ringling Boulevard-Orange Avenue intersection will temporarily close Sunday for the addition of a sculpture to the roundabout’s center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Indigo's Clay and Ann Shimeall said Wine Walk Wednesday made for a perfect date night.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • July 27, 2018
Vintage walk on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch

The first Walk Walk Wednesday in Lakewood Ranch offered more than 20 wines for tasting.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • July 26, 2018
Deborah Fay "Debby" Stahler

Deborah "Debby" Stahler passed away July 22, 2018 and her obituary tribute is publishing in the East County Observer of the Observer Media Group.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Camper Rachel Manders, 15, pics out Ranch salad dressage picture from a magazine to use in her collage.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 26, 2018
Fun is in the mystery at Dream Oaks Camp

Foundation for Dreams creates safe, fun environment for children with disabilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the BeyondMe committee. About 300 young philanthropists attended the BeyondMe launch party at Michael's Wine Cellar to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • July 26, 2018
JFCS of the Suncoast launches young philanthropists group

BeyondMe, JFCS of the Suncoast, young philanthropists group kicks off in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Board members meet once monthly for most of the year at the county's administrative building. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 26, 2018
Manatee County seeks advisory board applicants

Manatee County looks to fill six open seats for Children's Services Advisory Board. Manatee County Commission selects.

  • East County
  • News
Dalton Tebo and Charles Tomeo sail on an F18 with the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Photo courtesy Jesse Brunsvold.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 26, 2018
Sarasota's dominance in water sports shouldn't be overlooked

The Sarasota Sharks, Sarasota Crew, Sarasota Tsunami, and others add up to water sports domination for the city.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
University of Pittsburgh athletic director Heather Lyke introduces new head baseball coach Mike Bell. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 26, 2018
Ringing the Bell: Riverview grad is new Pitt baseball coach

Riverview High graduate Mike Bell is the newest coach of the University of Pittsburgh baseball program. He was previously at Florida State University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Tennessee, among other schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Andre James.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 26, 2018
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Andre James

Andre James is a recent graduate of Sarasota High. He committed July 11 to play baseball for San Jacinto College (Pasadena, Texas),  one of the top junior college baseball programs in the country, holding five national championships.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Sarasota Babe Ruth 14U All-Star baseball team won the Florida State Championship on July 15, defeating Auburndale 4-1. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 26, 2018
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 07.26.18

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 07.26.18

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 26, 2018
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 26

Sergio Albuquerque photographed Longboat Key Beach through the palm trees.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 26, 2018
East County weather page photo: July 26

Joseph McAuliffe captured the colors of this Lakewood Ranch sunset in Del Webb.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 26, 2018
Sarasota weather page photo: July 26

Michael Cohen photographed this orchard spider near South Lido Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 26, 2018
Downtown condo at The Jewel sells $4,212,000

Sarasota condo at The Jewel sells $4,212,000

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The full buildout of the Payne Park Village project could take a couple of years, but the developer hopes to have two model homes built by the end of the year.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 26, 2018
Developers prepare to break ground east of downtown

Two large residential projects east of U.S. 301 are poised to begin construction soon. Will they set the stage for more growth?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 26, 2018
Cops Corner: Sarasota 7.26.18

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 25, 2018
Save Our Seabirds fundraiser doubles as birthday celebration

Save Our Seabirds supporter Sara Sinaiko hosted the event as a birthday fundraiser July 25 at Bay Isles Beach Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michael and Vivian Chester and Kirt and Mary Ann Bopp
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 25, 2018
Christ Church takes a trip to The Beach House

About 30 members dined together July 25 at the waterfront restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
City officials discuss procedures for investigating City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini with Human Resources Director Stacie Mason, left.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 25, 2018
City moves to vet auditor and clerk

After a fired employee accused City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini of improper conduct, commissioners want to examine the work environment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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1
Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District
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  • April 9, 2026
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Thomas H Wentz
  • April 9, 2026
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4
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
  • April 9, 2026
Restaurant collab supports Longboat Key Turtle Watch
5
Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
  • April 9, 2026
Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park

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