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Your Observer

    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 18, 2018
Sun sets on Seaplace season

About 80 residents gathered for a farewell celebration April 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The district contracts with local agencies like the Sheriff’s Office for security. As early as next year, the district plans to hire its own officers.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • April 18, 2018
Sarasota Schools still faces budget deficit with plan to instate own police force

Although the district will save some money with the choice to start its own internal police force, it's not enough to cover the security-related deficit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 18, 2018
Local artists sail with paint brushes

The second annual event benefited the Sarasota Sailing Squadron's youth sailing program.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 18, 2018
SPARCC celebrates season accomplishments

On April 18, auxiliary members and ambassadors gathered for a spring luncheon at The Harbourside Ballroom.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Neighborhood groups say commissioners ignored their concerns in OKing South Bridge-area rules.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • April 18, 2018
Siesta setback vote dismays vocal residents

Residents are upset the commission didn't listen to what they had to say, but should get a break before any hotel plans are drawn up.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • April 18, 2018
Winners of Embracing our Differences honored at reception

On April 17, Embracing our Differences held a reception for the winners of its juried exhibit promoting diversity.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 7229 Prestbury Circle recently sold for $925,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 18, 2018
Country Club East home tops local sales at $925,000

Residential real estate transactions for April 2-6.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 18, 2018
Is it curtain time?

Preserving the Van Wezel is looking remote. That is, unless you have some ingenious, affordable idea.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Longboat Key Historical Society is raising money to restore the Whitney Beach cottages and pay for a permanent location on the Key.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 18, 2018
Historical Society is a better choice

Put the effort behind Longboat Key History. The culture center's time will come.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • April 18, 2018
Group to give ideas for land by Celery Fields

Fresh Start took five months to narrow down four proposals for county-owned land outside the Celery Fields. Now it's time for the County Commission to weigh in.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Lakewood Ranch resident Hannah Sage said it was a dream to meet "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek. Photo courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 18, 2018
Lakewood Ranch resident earns Jeopardy! college finals

St. Stephens graduate Hannah Sage wins semifinal round by $1.

  • East County
  • News
School Resource Officer Dep. Carl McClellan chats with eighth-graders at Braden River Middle School during their lunch break.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 18, 2018
Time to pay security tab in Manatee County schools

School District, county search for funds for school resource officer program.

  • East County
  • News
The Lake Club's Melissa Howard said she wants to bring her business experience to Tallahassee to benefit the Sarasota-Manatee area.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 18, 2018
Lakewood Ranch woman says it's time to run for the Florida House

Lake Club's Melissa Howard enters the race for the Florida District 73 seat.

  • East County
  • News
Sophia Lopez, Holly Leiberick and Sarah Buchanan, seniors at Lakewood Ranch High School, captured their prom memories.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • April 18, 2018
A grande amore night at Lakewood Ranch High prom

"A Venetian Evening" is the theme of the Lakewood Ranch High School prom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Barb McSweeney donated 25% of her sales at "Funny Girls & Pearls" to Sisterhood for Good.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 18, 2018
Lakewood Ranch's Sisterhood for Good takes center stage

Its fundraiser at the Players Centre for Performing Arts in Sarasota raises money for its grant program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Deb Kehoe and Kathi Skelton flank Staff Sgt. Christopher Gordon, who was honored during the 2018 Rosedale Golf Classic.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 18, 2018
Rosedale women pull heart strings in Manatee County to help vets

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
Rev. Mike Scheip will be delivering his message in a chapel that seats over 1,000 people.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • April 18, 2018
New Catholic church ready to serve in Lakewood Ranch

Our Lady of the Angels unveils $8 million church April 22.

  • East County
  • News
Monaca Onstad, the Schroeder-Manatee Ranch director of community relations, tries out the "Gravity Rail" at Bob Gardner Community Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 18, 2018
SMR rocks the park in Lakewood Ranch

Live music, activities highlight Bob Gardner Community Park grand opening.

  • East County
  • News
Cops Corner
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 18, 2018
Sarasota woman has nasty case of shingles

Cops Corner for Lakewood Ranch, East County areas — Interesting reports from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Senior Kathryn Richards studied stem cell regeneration this year in the MaST program.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • April 18, 2018
Sailors climb the MaST

Seniors in a science magnet program at Sarasota High School invite you to check out the results of their year-long research projects at an April 25 symposium.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 18, 2018
Cops Corner: The sandlot, LBK style

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Chelsea Pezzola is one of the stars of Golf Channel's new show "Shotmakers." Photo courtesy Sharon Pezzola.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 18, 2018
Former area golfer now a contestant on Golf Channel show "Shotmakers"

She also uses her social media brand to promote the game of golf.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2018
Motorcyclist killed in Sarasota County crash

No other injuries reported in 7:25 p.m. collision at Beneva Road and Sarasota Square Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Emani Smalls launches a shot put.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 18, 2018
Pirate's success a stone's throw away

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Knut Imshaug, Berit Gullberg, Owe Thornqvist, Gunilla Imshaug, Hanna Imshaug Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 18, 2018
A garden for tennis and art

The Resort at Longboat Key Club showcases artwork and photography by residents in the tennis gardens lobby.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 18, 2018
You Observed: Mini Masters honors treasured tradition

On April 5, 24 golfers held their own Masters Tournament.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Aedes Aegypti USDA
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 18, 2018
Longboat experiments with mosquito control

The Manatee County Mosquito Control District partnered with a Dutch company to provide free mosquito control devices to The Village of Longboat Key

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Town Hall
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 18, 2018
Longboat brainstorms redevelopment options

Planning, Zoning and Building officials have received direction from the Town Commission about rewriting its redevelopment code: "everything is on the table."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 18, 2018
Longboat's sign codes stalls again

Longboat Key has spent almost three years deciding how it wants to regulate temporary signs after a U.S. Supreme Court decision invalided its sign codes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brooklyn Lucero.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 18, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooklyn Lucero

The Lakewood Ranch sophomore talks the mental challenge of pitching and her biggest fears.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 17, 2018
Queens Harbour tops off season

On April 17, about 40 neighbors gathered for an end-of-season party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
St. Armands leaders hope to build two bathroom structures on Boulevard of the Presidents and John Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 17, 2018
St. Armands bathroom plans advance

St. Armands Circle leaders are moving ahead in their quest to add public restrooms, but city officials have questions about the scope of any project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Schools currently contracts with agencies like the Sarasota Police Department to provide security at schools, but as early as next year some students could see the district's own police force on campus.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • April 17, 2018
Sarasota County Schools to hire internal police force

After looking at the options, board members agree they'd rather start their own police force from the ground up than contract with local law enforcement agencies for security services.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Scholarship recipients Matthew Mattia, Mary Kane, Salua Rivero and Hanah Chaudhry
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 17, 2018
Longboat Key Garden Club blooms grants and scholarships

The Garden Club awarded $24,000 in grants and scholarships to local organizations and students April 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Architectural Foundation Board of Directors chair Christopher Wilson and board member Michael Kalman unveil a plaque honoring Paul Rudolph.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • April 17, 2018
Paul Rudolph Way renovation commemorated at Sarasota High School

The renovation of the Paul Rudolph-designed walkway is completed.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 17, 2018
Fleetwood appeals Longboat Key's approval of St. Regis project

Blake Fleetwood has asked the court to quash and reverse the Town Commission's decision to allow Unicorp National Developments to redevelop the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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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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