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Your Observer

Multiple SCAT Routes have been cut in Sarasota County's FY2019 budget.
  • By Bret Hauff and Cassidy Alexander
  • February 7, 2018
Longboat SCAT route cut from 2019 county budget

Sarasota County Commissioners cut Route 18, which serves Longboat Key, from its Fiscal 2019 budget, saving the county nearly $140,000 annually.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The traffic monitoring device can be moved to any on town-owned pole on the island.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • February 7, 2018
Longboat police purchase traffic monitoring device

The department hopes the technology, which measures the number of vehicles and the speed they travel, will help focus enforcement efforts

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tony Swain, Louise Wilson and James Suggs, along with Dick Reynolds, John Lamb and Al Hixon perform “When it’s Sleepy Time Down South" at last year's Jazz Sunday.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 7, 2018
Jazz Sunday to play final notes

After 25 years, the annual Jazz Sunday worship service at Longboat Island Chapel will end following the Feb. 11 service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
University Park resident Mike Sisti, developer representative Charles Varah, developer John Neal and University Park homeowner and homeowners association board member John Whyte chat after a brief meeting.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 7, 2018
University Park residents hope to buy back control

Purchase plan requires approval of a "recreation district."

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 7, 2018
Cops Corner: Time to go inside

A roundup of the week's most interesting police reports from Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 7, 2018
Survivors graduate from Selah Freedom programs

The nonprofit helped five more women get back on their feet after surviving sex trafficking.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2018
District 72 special election guide

Learn all you need to know about voting in the upcoming election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
(From right to left) James Buchanan, Alison Foxall and Margaret Good.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2018
Florida House special election candidates share their views

The three candidates in the District 72 special election give their perspectives on Florida's top issues and what they can do to help fix them.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Margaret Good, pictured here after winning the District 72 Democratic primary in December, was endorsed by former Vice President Joe Bidden.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • February 6, 2018
Biden endorses Good in District 72 race

Early voting turnout has already reached levels expected for an entire election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • February 6, 2018
$5.75 million estate lists on Lido Key

The 5,305-square-foot home includes four bedrooms, six-and-one-half bathrooms and a media room.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
This rendering shows what the residential aspect of the Siesta Promenade, adjacent to the nearby neighborhoods, may look like if eventually approved.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 6, 2018
Siesta Promenade plans incomplete again, county says

The county’s newest response to the proposal includes some lingering comments from staff.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Mosaic NEST is surrounded by 150 acres of Robinson Preserve. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 6, 2018
Education center set to open in Manatee County preserve

Mosaic NEST will offer educational programming about the environment.

  • East County
  • News
Diane Gans, event chairwoman Nancy Cohen and Sylvia Pastor and Susan Newmark
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 5, 2018
Temple Beth Israel walks the runway

Temple Beth Israel Women hosted its annual fashion show Feb. 5 at Michael's On East.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 5, 2018
Teachers to get merit-based pay increases

Negotiations that started in the summer resulted in the end of the step program, which rewarded some teachers the longer they were employed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • February 5, 2018
Dorothy Marie Reed

Our wonderful Mother, Dorothy Marie Reed, died on January 21, 2018, at the age of 86 from ALS.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Buffetts has correctly picked the Super Bowl winner for the last nine out of 11 years.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 5, 2018
Buffett again nails Super Bowl pick

Mote manatee has been right nine times in 11 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ellen Hefner and Anne Hanley
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 4, 2018
Longboat Harbour kicks off Super Bowl LII

Residents gathered for the big game and a tailgate buffet on Feb. 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 4, 2018
Longboat Island Chapel warms up for Super Bowl LII

About 50 chapel members enjoyed a pre-Super Bowl lunch following the Sunday morning service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 4, 2018
Sellout crowd hits Sarasota streets for Sarasota Music Half Marathon

Runners took off on 13.1 mile and 10K races before sunrise.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 3, 2018
The Classical Academy blossoms at gala

The fourth annual gala, which took place at Laurel Oak Country Club, benefits the school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 3, 2018
Lakewood Ranch celebrates the arts

Ovation event showcases local performance groups.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch boys soccer team didn't play its best game, but it walked away from its district title matchup against visiting Riverview High with a 3-2 win, and that's all that matters to coach Vito Bavaro.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 2, 2018
Lakewood Ranch boys soccer wins sixth-straight district title

It is the first program in school history to accomplish the feat.

  • East County
  • Sports
City officials have expressed an interest in retaining home rule over the topic of tree removal.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 2, 2018
City Commission to discuss state tree proposal

Local officials continue to voice opposition to a state bill that would restrict local regulation of tree removal from private property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Two Sarasota high schools see football staff changes.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 2, 2018
Two Sarasota high schools see football staff changes

One school makes a hire, while another will have to start looking for one.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Frank "Tommy" Arthur Jr.
    In Memoriam |
  • February 2, 2018
Frank "Tommy" Arthur Jr.

Frank “Tommy” Arthur Jr., 67, of Longboat Key, Fla. and Hickory, N.C., was a special soul, loving husband and loyal friend who never met a stranger.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • February 2, 2018
Longboat Police rule out accident, natural causes in sauna death

The 54-year-old woman's body bore signs of trauma, warranting Longboat Police's dismantlement of the sauna her body was found in.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Before being released, each turtle was fitted with passive integrated transponder tag. (Courtesy photo.)
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 2, 2018
Mote releases rehabilitated turtles

Eight of the 10 Kemp's Ridley sea turtles Mote has cared for since December were release Feb. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The organization behind the bayfront redevelopment is organizing three open houses next week.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 2, 2018
Bayfront planning group announces open house series

The Bay Sarasota will hold three open house events next week, an opportunity for the public to provide input on the redevelopment of the bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • February 2, 2018
Unloading Day kicks off Orioles spring training

The team's athletic equipment arrived in Sarasota on Friday morning after a 1,000-mile journey.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Gruters also serves in the Florida House of Representatives for District 73
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2018
Trump picks Gruters for Amtrak board

The District 73 representative was co-chair of the president's Florida campaign.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tylee Giorgio wraps a puppy in a blanket made by Girls Inc.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 1, 2018
Girls Inc. honors Nate's in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota girls group sews 113 blankets to keep animals warm at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue.

  • East County
  • News
Renee Ashby, Angela Baldino, Jules Catina and Cameron Auk practices their moves before the dance marathon.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 1, 2018
Lakewood Ranch High Mustangs dance for Shriners

Mustangs for Kids event raises more than $6,000.

  • East County
  • News
Robert Aaron Shure
    In Memoriam |
  • February 1, 2018
Robert Aaron Shure

ROBERT AARON SHURE (Bob), Aug. 2, 1931 – Jan. 14, 2018, died at age 86, of complications from a stroke in Sarasota, Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2018
Sarasota weather page photo: Feb. 1

Heather Dees photographed a dove family that built a nest near her window in Greenbrook Chase neighborhood in south Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2018
East County weather page photo: Feb. 1

Nitza De Jesus photographed these deer on a foggy morning in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2018
Longboat Key weather page photo: Feb. 1

Niki Muller photographed this bromeliad on the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
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
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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

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