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Your Observer

    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • May 9, 2018
The opioid crisis here is real — and big

Manatee County has the highest opioid death rate in the state. Even so, local efforts to combat it are making some progress.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
GreyHawk Landing's Abigail Zion is back in the area after an educational trip to Poland and Israel.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 9, 2018
Lakewood Ranch High senior experiences 'March of the Living'

Her trips includes touring concentration camps in Poland and speaking with Holocaust survivors in Israel.

  • East County
  • News
The proposed polling precinct boundaries.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • May 9, 2018
New Polling Precincts in Lakewood Ranch

With a rise in new registered voters, precincts have shifted.

  • East County
  • News
Angelique Handel, Ali McDonald and Kyle Krage, seniors at Braden River High School are all attending different colleges but are happy with the camaraderie that they found with the JROTC program.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • May 9, 2018
Braden River students say isn't life grand?

Four Braden River High ROTC students receive $1,000 scholarships from the VFW.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Topher endures petting from Allisson Cruz and Asher Abelson, kindergartners at Bashaw.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • May 9, 2018
'Pooh' event a major coup for Bashaw

'Winnie the Pooh and Shakespeare Too' event returns to Bashaw.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • May 9, 2018
Turtles don't love Siesta sand like people do

Siesta Beach's famous sand is a big draw for people. Turtles? Not so much, experts say.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The ladder of the new aerial truck goes 107-feet high.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 9, 2018
Another rung up the ladder for East Manatee Fire Rescue

New aerial truck arrives at Lakewood Ranch's Station 4.

  • East County
  • News
ODA freshman Saraiah Walkes waves to the crowd after winning the 1A girls 100-meter dash (12.18 seconds).
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 9, 2018
ODA's Walkes battles injuries to take gold

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kathryn Metze and her daughter Brinley are celebrating their first Mother's Day together. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • May 9, 2018
Birth of new perspective for East County moms

Lakewood Ranch, GreyHawk Landing moms talk about their role as they celebrate Mother's Day.

  • East County
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 9, 2018
Turtle Tracks

Turtle nesting season on Longboat Key has begun.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gratehouse calls the 50s the new 30s and said it's never too late to reinvent yourself. Photo courtesy of Mary Gratehouse and Jason Gentile
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 9, 2018
Mary Gratehouse wins Ms. Florida International title

As Ms. Florida International, Longboat Key's Mary Gratehouse will now spend the next year traveling as an ambassador for Easterseals.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Drake Theriot.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 9, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Drake Theriot

The Lakewood Ranch junior talks learning a new offense and his favorite food.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 9, 2018
Cops Corner: Be on the lookout . . .

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
School Resource Officer Dep. Carl McClellan chats with Angel Perez (behind) and Christian Mark (front) during their lunch. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • May 8, 2018
Manatee County Commission votes against paying for additional school security

Only Commissioner Robin DiSabatino votes to raise county's contribution.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota High Principal David Jones argues in favor of the expanded School Avenue closure at Tuesday's joint meeting of the City Commission and School Board.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 8, 2018
City Commission, School Board discuss School Avenue closure

Sarasota County Schools wants to close a segment of School Avenue that cuts through Sarasota High School, but some nearby residents in neighborhoods such as Alta Vista question the merits of the proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • May 8, 2018
JFCS recognizes local veterans serving the community

JFCS of the Suncoast celebrates veteran heroes who continue to serve others during its annual Tribute to Veterans Services to Community Awards Luncheon on May 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The city wants to dredge Big Pass to renourish critically eroded portions of Lido Key, but Siesta Key residents remain opposed to the project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 8, 2018
Judge recommends approving Big Pass dredge permit

A Florida administrative judge says the state should permit the city of Sarasota's proposed Lido Key renourishment project, despite protests from Siesta Key residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • May 8, 2018
Longboat eyes new streetlights

The town of Longboat Key has been thinking about new streetlights as part of its project to put all overhead wires underground .

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • May 8, 2018
Siesta Breeze Trolley funding extended for two years

The county will pay for 25% of the trolley's operating costs. FDOT and a federal grant will pay for the rest.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Traffic is blocked on the north end of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • May 8, 2018
Gulf of Mexico Drive reopens after Longboat Key fatality investigation

Fatal crash on Longboat Key near Whitney Beach prompts police to close Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • May 7, 2018
Sarasota Veg Fest celebrates eco-friendly living

Solutionary Events brought first ever Veg Fest to Sarasota on May 5.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • May 7, 2018
Stanford R. Boster

Stanford R. Boster, 88, passed away April 28, 2018.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • May 7, 2018
Longboat Rotary Club throws second annual celebration for first responders

Firefighters, police officers and their families enjoyed a picnic and beach day at Bay Isles Beach Club presented by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota police released this security video image of the man they say fired shots into an unoccupied Main Street condo unit.
  • By Bret Hauff and David Conway | Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2018
Sarasota shooting suspect's donation to Longboat police paid for cameras, laptops

Ryan Flanzer, who allegedly fired three rounds into an empty condominium Saturday, had donated more than $200,000 to the Longboat Key Police Department in February

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • May 7, 2018
Seagrass Survey and Festival celebrates the Sarasota Bay

The fourth annual Sarasota Bay Seagrass Survey and Festival brings volunteers to study the bay at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • May 7, 2018
Corvettes on the Circle revs up St. Armands

Corvette owners showed off their rides at St. Armands Circle for the 22nd annual Corvettes on the Circle

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
An armed man robs the Waffle House in Bradenton.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 6, 2018
Armed man robs Waffle House in Bradenton

An armed man robbed the Waffle House in Bradenton on Sunday.

  • East County
  • News
FDOT proposed a similar project in 2017 for a installing third lane along the southern part of Gulf of Mexico Drive near the entrance of Country Club Shores.Â
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • May 6, 2018
Turn lane proposed for Gulf of Mexico Drive

The town of Longboat Key could begin a project to regrade and widen, adding a third turn lane to, Gulf of Mexico Drive within the next few years, but first it needs a nod from the Florida Department of Transportation first.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
One woman was killed and two people are in critical condition after an accident on Lockwood Ridge Road.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 6, 2018
One killed, two critical, in Lockwood Ridge Road accident

Female passenger, 69, killed in two-car crash in which driver turned into oncoming traffic.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kayleigh Omang
  • May 5, 2018
Amateur sand sculpture contest creates more than just castles on Siesta

The 46th annual contest was held May 5 at Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Niki Kottmann
  • May 5, 2018
Temple Beth Israel hosts last Shabbat dinner of the season

Temple Beth Israel congregants enjoyed a Cinco de Mayo-themed meal for its last Shabbat dinner for several months due to the end of season on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Police Department shared this image, reportedly of Ryan Flanzer at the 1350 Main condo building today.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 5, 2018
UPDATE: Downtown condo shooting suspect turns himself in

The Sarasota Police Department said Ryan M. Flanzer barricaded himself in a bayfront hotel before surrendering.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Niki Kottmann
  • May 5, 2018
Longboat Key Turtle Watch celebrates the start of tortuga season

Cinco de Mayo came early for Longboat Key Turtle Watch supporters and volunteers who attended the organization’s May 4 fundraiser, Fiesta de las Tortugas, at Cedars East Tennis Resort and Club on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 5, 2018
Track and field championships: Day two

Four champions highlight a strong final day for Sarasota and East County athletes.

  • East County
  • Sports
The giveaway starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 4, 2018
County offers free comic books at libraries

On Saturday, as part of Free Comic Book Day, all Sarasota County libraries will give away comic books while supplies last.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • May 4, 2018
Main Street entrance to courthouse closed as restoration is completed

The closures will last an estimated eight weeks, but the building can still be accessed via Ringling Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

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Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
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2
Thomas H Wentz
  • April 9, 2026
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3
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
4
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
5
The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
  • April 9, 2026
Senior public housing expansion remains $4 million short

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