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Your Observer

Laurel Park residents say some drivers are failing to stop along Osprey Avenue as they detour around a closed downtown intersection.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 18, 2018
Laurel Park targets cut-through traffic

Residents of the downtown-adjacent neighborhood are concerned about the uptick in traffic associated with a nearby roundabout project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
BBC Main Plaza, the Hollywood 20 ownership group that includes entrepreneurs Eric Baird and Jesse Biter, is interested in an expanded Downtown Improvement District.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 18, 2018
Downtown group considers expansion

The Hollywood 20 property owners want the Downtown Improvement District to expand to U.S. 301, but it’s unclear whether others support the idea.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • January 18, 2018
Cleaning house

Proceeds from the sale of public property should be used to pay down debt, not finance budget shortfalls.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 18, 2018
Cops Corner: Man finds gun on the beach

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 18, 2018
Cops Corner: You can't sleep here

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Longboat Key Fire Rescue's new ambulance cost the department $270,000.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 18, 2018
New ambulance will soon get to work on Longboat Key

The department bought a new ambulance to replace a 15-year-old truck, the oldest vehicle in its fleet

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 17, 2018
Seaplace sings to cabaret night

About 100 residents gathered for a cabaret concert on Jan. 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 17, 2018
Beachplace cheers to new season

About 100 residents gathered for a welcome back party on Jan. 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Josylyn Chapman, 12, completes math homework at her GreyHawk Landing home. She likely will be redistricted to attend the North River High School when it opens.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 17, 2018
Manatee School District prepares to move attendance lines

East County residents voice concerns about new Parrish high school.

  • East County
  • News
School officials are asking for suggestions on a name for the new school.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 17, 2018
School District asks public input for new middle school's name

The new school in Lakewood Ranch is set to open next to B.D. Gullett Elementary in 2019.

  • East County
  • Schools
Juan Florensa has worked as the public works director on Longboat Key for than 17 years.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 17, 2018
Longboat's outgoing public works director remembers 17-year tenure

Juan Florensa has had significant impact on Longboat Key in the nearly two decades that he lead the town's public works department.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
State Sen. Greg Steube has filed legislation revoking municipalities' right to regulate short-term rental on private property.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 17, 2018
Longboat residents oppose Florida Senate short-term rental bill

A bill filed in the state legislature by Sarasota County Senator Greg Steube ignites fears over unwanted short-term visitors in residential Longboat neighborhoods.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 35 S. Washington Drive recently sold for $2.72 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 17, 2018
South Washington Drive home sells for $2.72 million

Residential real estate for between Jan. 1-5.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The home at 4519 Blue Marlin Drive sold recently for $775,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 17, 2018
Riverdale Revised home sells for $775,000

Residential real estate for Jan. 1-5

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 17, 2018
Make Longboat special

They’re back, and doing it again. Longboat Key’s ardent anti-development, anti-traffic forces are stoking their constituents to kill Unicorp National Development’s latest redevelopment proposal for the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort property.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Rosedale's Chad Cox flies one of his five drones over O'Brien Family Farms to do a crop analysis.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 17, 2018
Drone company has sky-high business goals in Lakewood Ranch

Pilots hope drone business takes them to new heights.

  • East County
  • News
University Place's Shirley and Kristen Griggs say Special Olympics has been an important part of their lives for 35 years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 17, 2018
Special Olympics gives a winning effort

The competitions create a better life for a University Place athlete.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Evelyn Townsend said she spends hundreds of hours working on her quilts.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 17, 2018
Lakewood Ranch quilter recognized at Florida Quilt Competition

Central Park resident's artistry honored at prestigious show.

  • East County
  • News
A sign-in sheet at Bayfront Park's pickleball court has caused confusion among residents who believe the well-used court can be reserved.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 17, 2018
Pickleball problems: Longboat residents unsure about usage rules

What residents have said they interpret as conflicting signage has caused confusion about who can play when at the well-used Bayfront Park pickleball court.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Zenobia Restaurant co-owners Majdi Ismaile and Yasser Moussa are eager to share cuisine from their native countries with the East County area.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 17, 2018
Lakewood Ranch dining scene gets a fresh look

Zenobia offers flavors of the Mediterranean in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Business
Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson laughs while talking with fans at the United States Flag and Touch Football League National Championships.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 17, 2018
Celebrity flag waves at Premier Sports Campus

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophomore defender Anthony Sablan bodies a Braden River forward and prevents him from advancing.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 17, 2018
'Phenomenal' Mustangs defense stymies opponents

Lakewood Ranch soccer's back end might be the key for offensive-minded Mustangs to win a state title.

  • East County
  • Sports
The trio is hoping Viento Kitchn & Bar can become a go-to spot for locals.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 17, 2018
Zota's food and beverage team cooks up own flavor

The trio aims to make Viento Kitchen & Bar a culinary retreat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Warren Roberts, a retired professor, walks the beach every day.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 17, 2018
Warren Roberts walks through challenges

In 2013, Roberts was hit by a bus while riding his bike. Then, two years ago he had a stroke. Despite these setbacks, he continues to stay active.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Veshosky, Nancy Rozance, Carol Erker, Sydney Turner, Mike Purdum and Jack Rozance Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 17, 2018
Cleanup Crew

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key picked up 50 pounds of trash from Gulf of Mexico Drive over the weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
East County student Casey Rose, 18, programs a robot during class at Manatee Technical College.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 17, 2018
MTC receives historic grant

Governor presents first Florida Job Growth Grant Fund award to East County technical college.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 17, 2018
Longboat Key Obituaries: Jan. 18, 2018

Dorothy Hale Johnson, Lawrence Paul Libertore, Sharon Lothes, Ida M. Mason, Gabrielle Miller and Shirley Peterson died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lt. Alan Jenkins received the Officer of the Year Award and Tina Adams received the Chief's Award. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 17, 2018
Heroic rewards granted to Longboat firefighters

Lt. Alan Jenkins received the Officer of the Year Award; Dawn Dunkum was presented with the Firefighter of the Year award; and Tina Adams received the Chief’s Award.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lynn and Steve Blackledge and Carol and Richard Elliott started the Oasis program in June 2016.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 17, 2018
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church members provide oasis

Since June 2016, the church doors have been open every Saturday for runners and walkers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Stuart Ullman thinks adding more to the Cooper Creek area is "irresponsible" and will only add to traffic, pollution and other problems.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 17, 2018
Cooper Creek plan raises concerns

Nearby residents question whether growth will compromise quality of life.

  • East County
  • News
Town Manager Tom Harmer is said he's hoping his presentation circuit will give him an opportunity to introduce himself to residents.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 17, 2018
Longboat plans outreach for referendum questions

Town Manager Tom Harmer is hoping his meetings around town will help residents get to know what they'll vote for or against this March.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The proposed St. Regis Hotel includes 166 rooms, 102 condominiums and a 10,000-square-foot ballroom.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 17, 2018
Longboat commission workshop moved for talk of Colony density plans

Commissioners suggest a larger venue for their January workshop in anticipation of a larger-than-usual turnout.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chase Maasdorp.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 17, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Chase Maasdorp

The ODA senior talks Chris Paul and the importance of leadership.

  • East County
  • Sports
Damien Gordon.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 17, 2018
East County High 5 Moments: 01.18.18

East County High 5 Moments: 01.18.18

  • East County
  • Sports
    A time to celebrate |
  • January 17, 2018
Just Married: Shawn Sanders and Rachel Palladino

The couple had their perfect day on Nov. 10 at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 16, 2018
Nick Adams addresses the Republican Club of Longboat Key

Longboat Key Town Manger Tom Harmer also introduced himself to the club.

  • 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
5
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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