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Your Observer

Bess snacks on a biscuit laying down, which showcases the quills on his body that could shoot up at any sudden noise that spooks her.
  • By Amelia Hanks
  • May 2, 2018
Life in the sticks at the Big Cat Habitat

Porcupines sit on pins and needles as they await their new home.

  • East County
  • News
Peg McKinley accepts the County Commissioner's award from Vanessa Baugh during the meeting on April 24, 2018, now known as Palm Aire Women's Club day.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • May 2, 2018
Palm Aire's day to celebrate

Manatee County proclaimed April 24, 2018 to be the Palm Aire Women's Club Day.

  • East County
  • News
TJ Goelz and the Lakewood Ranch Mustangs have seen plenty of players recruited to NCAA Division 1 schools.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 2, 2018
New rules prevent softball players from being recruited until their junior year

Area coaches have mixed feelings on the changes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Chargers U17 player Noah LaBelle, here putting a juke on a defender, performed well during the Sarasota Cup, in front of 46 college coaches.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 2, 2018
Premier Sports Campus nets a victory with Sarasota Cup

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Lake Club home at 15903 Clearlake Ave. is listed at $1.299 million. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 2, 2018
A million reasons to buy in Lakewood Ranch

Million-dollar home market in East County gains momentum.

  • East County
  • News
Herb Field and Chamber secretary and founding member Helen Holt pose in front of a Chamber sign. File photo.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 2, 2018
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce celebrates 60 years

The charter for the Chamber was signed on May 19, 1958.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch will open in the summer of 2019.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 2, 2018
Upscale assisted living facility comes to Lakewood Ranch

Grand Living plans to open in summer of 2019.

  • East County
  • News
Ned Jewitt has repaired his seawall for years.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • May 2, 2018
Longboat residents push for higher seawalls

A proposed allowance of 1 1/2 feet in height is not enough to protect properties from intensified storm surges and predicted sea level rise.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The ODA boys tennis team won the first team title in school history. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 2, 2018
ODA boys tennis team makes history at state championships

The Thunder won the first team state title in school history.

  • East County
  • Sports
Terri Driver checks a nest laid in 2016. The Longboat Key Turtle Watch patrols Manatee County beaches of Longboat Key every day during turtle season.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 2, 2018
Longboat Key sea turtle nesting season begins

Turtles are on the way, ready to arrive as new rules come online to keep them safe.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
File/courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 2, 2018
Calling all 2018 graduates

The Longboat Observer is looking to spotlight 2018 high school and college graduates.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photos courtesy of Carol Erker
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 2, 2018
Planting Awareness

Together with the Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department, the Rotary Club of Longboat Key planted two trees in honor of Arbor Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jade Moy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 2, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Jade Moy

The Braden River sophomore talks playing shortstop and competing with herself.

  • East County
  • Sports
It's not hard to find vacation rentals online. More than 300 rental properties appear on Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway websites when searching for Longboat Key.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • May 2, 2018
Longboat Key gears up to enforce short-term rental ban

Longboat Key has long banned short-term rentals, but new websites make it difficult for the town to enforce

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Callahan Harchuck, a fourth-grader from Sarasota, balances her weight carefully as she walks across the wire.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • May 1, 2018
Giving Challenge in full swing in Sarasota

Mall at UTC hosts the Circus Arts Conservatory.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota High is trying to become the next Sarasota County school to start boys and girls lacrosse programs, and its fundraising effort begins with the 2018 Giving Challenge.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 1, 2018
Sarasota High starts Giving Challenge to raise funds for lacrosse programs

The challenge runs from noon today to noon tomorrow.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Longboat Key Fire Rescue crews recently went door-to-door giving residents CodeRED door hangers. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 1, 2018
Longboat Key Fire Rescue reminds residents about CodeRED

Registered users will be alerted of hurricane evacuations, severe weather warnings and more.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • May 1, 2018
Ziegler's fundraising exceeds Jouniari's in race for County Commission

Christian Ziegler raised $24,000 so far in his campaign for the District 2 seat. Ruta Jouniari raised $1,370.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2018
Ritz-Carlton penthouse sells for $5 million

Sale is highest for Lido Beach building.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dean Congbalay, right with friends at Harry's Continental Kitchens.
    By
  • Columnist .
  • April 30, 2018
Letters to the Editor

Readers chime in with their own takes on things.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Patterson Foundation President and CEO Debra Jacobs with Community Foundation of Sarasota County President and CEO Roxie Jerde celebrate the 2016 Giving Challenge.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • April 30, 2018
Ready, set, give! 24-hour Giving Challenge 2018 launches at noon May 1

This year's Giving Challenge starts in less than 24 hours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 30, 2018
Colony termination challenged in court

Without approval to demolish the old condo units, St. Regis developer cannot move forward with plans.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • April 30, 2018
First Presbyterian Preschool's First Roots fundraiser raises money for school

The First Roots fundraiser was held at Michael's Wine Cellar.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Paradise Center Executive Director Suzy Brenner
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 30, 2018
The Paradise Center announces moving plans

The Center will relocate to Temple Beth Israel while it continues to raise funds for a permanent home.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2018
Sale of Longboat Key penthouse tops 2018 list

Aria condominium sells for $5.4 million

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2018
Sarasota County plans grand opening for mid-county Tax Collector office

New site opens for business on Sawyer Loop Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • April 29, 2018
Physician musicians compete for Doctor Idol title

The Ear Research Foundation brought together eight bands featuring local doctors to compete in a battle of the bands.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • April 28, 2018
Siesta Fiesta celebrates 40 years

Craft show drew thousands to Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • April 28, 2018
Volunteers clean up Longboat's Sister Keys

More than 60 people gathered Saturday morning to rid Sister Keys of debris and invasive species.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • April 27, 2018
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe celebrates opening of new building

The grand opening marks the end of the first phase of a major renovation project.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • April 27, 2018
Bay Haven teacher contracted infectious disease

Sarasota County Schools assured the community Friday that this is an isolated incident and not a public concern for a community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • April 27, 2018
Longboat Key Garden Club observes Arbor Day

The club enjoyed an Arbor Day picnic and announced a special project.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 27, 2018
First sea turtle nests of the season spotted on Longboat Key

Nesting season officially begins May 1 with new awareness campaign, plans for rule-enforcement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • April 27, 2018
Ruth (Bateman) Sousa

Ruth (Bateman) Sousa, age 96, passed away surrounded by her family on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school softball teams won their respective district tournaments on April 26, in the process advancing to the regional tournament.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 27, 2018
Two area softball teams win district tournaments

Lakewood Ranch and Braden River advance to regionals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Officials say flushing unwanted medications down the drain or dropping them in the trash can lead to safety or environmental hazards downstream.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 27, 2018
Sarasota Police offers drug-disposal initiative

Getting rid of unwanted prescription medications properly is important safety issue, officials say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

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  • April 9, 2026
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  • 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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