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Your Observer

Longboat officials clean-up red tide from local canals.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • September 19, 2018
Red tide cleanup bill surpasses $40,000

Longboat's red tide cleanup costs surpass $40,000

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Simpson, Bob Feller, William Perkins, Nancy Castro, Craig Hazelton and Terry Byce worked together on the renovation.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • September 19, 2018
A Lakewood Ranch village builds a home

Harvest United Methodist Church members combine to renovate Bradenton veteran's home.

  • East County
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 19, 2018
40 years of memories

The Longboat Observer is working on a special 40th anniversary issue, and we want to hear your memories.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • September 19, 2018
Party at the spa in Lakewood Ranch

Sirius Day Spa had a VIP party to celebrate its grand opening.

  • East County
  • News
Bem Smith, project manager for Longboat's beach nourishment project, stands on North Shore Road groin.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • September 19, 2018
Longboat applies for five north-end groins

Longboat Key, groins, erosion, beach nourishment

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Eddie McKeithen hopes the public gets educated about native trees at The Native Plant Show Oct. 18-19 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 19, 2018
Myakka City growers have their passion rooted in native plants

Myakka City tree growers have their passion rooted in native plants

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 19, 2018
Lakewood Ranch neighbors have ruf relations

Interesting Sheriff's Office reports from the Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Sarasota areas.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Johnny Reid has the fourth-fastest cross country time (16:21.7) in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 4A, as of Sept. 13
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 19, 2018
Lakewood Ranch runner has shot at cross country medal

The senior boys runner has his eyes on a time in the 15:30s.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brandi Ezell of SMART accepts a grant for $3,000 from Lakewood Ranch Community Fund President Garrett Shinn.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 19, 2018
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund grants 22 wishes

Lakewood Ranch Community Fund grants 22 grants and $83,500 to nonprofits that impact Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Daniel Heath gets his new badge from wife, Kaia Heath. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 19, 2018
Proud promotion

Longboat Key Fire Rescue firefighter and paramedic Daniel Heath was promoted to lieutenant on Sept. 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The brothers first acquired the Batcopter then expanded their collection. Next, they want Batgirl’s bike.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 19, 2018
POW! Nock brothers channel Batman with collection

These three brothers own the Batcopter, the Batcycle and even the famous Batmobile.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gilbert W. McNeal Guardian Mike Parker conducts a sweep of the hallways. He says he enjoys talking with kids at lunchtime or visiting the playground. "You can form relationships where they feel like they can talk to you," he said.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 19, 2018
Second wave of Guardians head to Manatee County elementary schools

All district elementary schools now covered by Guardians.

  • East County
  • News
Bryan Gagg.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 19, 2018
East County High 5 Moments: 09.20.18

East County High 5 Moments: 09.20.18

  • East County
  • Sports
Sebastian Aguirre.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 19, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: 09.20.18

East County Athlete of the Week: 09.20.18

  • East County
  • Sports
This image shows the projects, which are located east of Lorraine Road and north of State Road 70.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 19, 2018
Major Lakewood Ranch projects advance

Planning commission recommends approval of two projects that will build more than 3,000 homes east of Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • News
Bernadette Gottschalk, Shelly Van Dusen and Kimberlie Buchanan
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 18, 2018
East Meets West vendors and sponsors mingle

A vender and sponsor-only event was held at The Terrace at Surf Shack on Sept. 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
On Sept. 18, Lakewood Ranch High students place flowers at the crash site where a memorial has been erected on State Road 64 and Pope Road.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 18, 2018
Lakewood Ranch community mourns

Fellow Lakewood Ranch High students, family members recall the special attributes of the two young men lost in the accident on State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
Beachplace is one of many nonconforming properties on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • September 18, 2018
Longboat P&Z makes long-awaited recommendations

Longboat Key Planning & Zoning Board tackles nonconforming properties at meeting Sept. 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • September 18, 2018
Cops Corner

Longboat Key incident reports for the week of Sept. 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The pool will be closed through Wednesday, at least, the city announced.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 18, 2018
Red tide closes Lido pool

The Lido Beach pool will be closed today and tomorrow because of worsening red tide conditions, the city announced. The beachfront concession stand is also closed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Audrey Heimler, Phyllis Ploener, Rosalyn Fleischer and Sharon Schreiber attended the temple's Rosh Hashanah luncheon at Cafe L'Europe.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 18, 2018
Temple Beth Israel reflects on year to come

Temple Beth Israel is preparing for Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement, which beings at sundown on Sept. 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Columnist .
  • September 18, 2018
Observer overlooked critical problems

Lido Pavilion proposal disregards parking needs and violates comprehensive plan standards.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • September 18, 2018
Bernice Evelyn Shonka Vohoska

Bernice Evelyn Shonka Vohoska passed away September 7, 2018 in Linden North Carolina she was from Cedar Rapids Iowa and lived on Longboat Key Florida, her obituary tribute is publishing in the Longboat Observer of the Observer Media Group.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Tableseide Restaurant Group CEO Joe Seidensticker is focusing on opening new restaurants in Sarasota and beyond.
    By
  • Kevin McQuaid
  • September 17, 2018
The Francis set to close this fall

The downtown event space, located in the ground level of the Palm Avenue parking garage, will be replaced with new tenants, the property owner said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A memorial for two Lakewood Ranch High students who died in a two-car crash Saturday evening was beginning to take form Sunday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 16, 2018
Two Lakewood Ranch High School students die in crash in East County

Two car wreck on State Road 64 at Pope Road leaves two teens dead and a 12-year-old in critical condition.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • September 16, 2018
Temple Emanu-El kicks off first day of religious school

Temple Emanu-El celebrated the first day of its religious school on Sept. 16.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Event co-organizers MaryAnn McWilliams and Kay McKernan pose for a souvenir picture.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 15, 2018
Tara holds San Gennaro Festival

More than 120 residents attended the special event at Tara Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 15, 2018
Gills Club explores shark and ocean conservancy

The Mote Marine Laboratory group connects girls to the science world.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Guy Harvey signs an autograph for East County resident Davin Arnold, who came to the Dick's Sporting Goods opening with his family.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 15, 2018
Guy Harvey visits Sarasota store

Dick's Sporting Goods celebrates grand opening with celebrity visit.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 15, 2018
Lakewood Ranch football shut out in Homecoming game

The Mustangs fell 65-0 to defending state champion Venice High

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota football roundup: 09.14.18
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 14, 2018
Sarasota football roundup: 09.14.18

Sarasota football roundup: 09.14.18

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
East County football roundup: 09.14.18
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 14, 2018
East County football roundup: 09.14.18

East County football roundup: 09.14.18

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • September 14, 2018
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County honors community leaders

The 13th Annual Intertape Polymer Group Leadership Breakfast presented by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County celebrated Dick Vitale and Todd Jones.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jim Brown was elected to his current at-large seat in 2017. He plans to run for re-election in 2019.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • September 14, 2018
Longboat's Jim Brown files for re-election

Deadline to qualify for town's March commission elections is Nov. 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The farmers market intends to move back to its current footprint at some point in 2019.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 14, 2018
Sarasota Farmers Market shifts to new site

Citing concerns about construction, the farmers market will temporarily relocate to Lemon Avenue and First Street starting Sept. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch homecoming king Travis Freeman and homecoming queen Madi Grogan. Photo by Ryan Kohn.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • September 14, 2018
Lakewood Ranch High names homecoming court

Guy Harvey visits Sarasota's new Dick's Sporting Goods location.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Paul Mattison, chef and owner of Mattison's, at SRQ Airport's First Class Flavors tasting event.
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Jerome and Kathryn Chesley pose in their living room surrounded by colorful glass art that they've collected over the years.
  • June 22, 2026
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Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key Past President Michael Garey said he heard of the Miracle League of Manasota when his daughter, Amelia, volunteered as a buddy to the athletes. Garey suggested the 501(c)(3) as the club's new charitable partner, which board members recently accepted.
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A May 2024 rendering of the Sarasota County library on Longboat Key.
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