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Your Observer

    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 7, 2018
Whitney Beach looks back on 50 years

In 1968, Gordon Whitney sold his Whitney Beach property to Paul Neal. Fifty years later, the community is thriving.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Richard Gonzmart is nominated for "Outstanding Restaurateur." File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 7, 2018
Restaurant rewards

Richard Gonzmart of The Columbia Restaurant Group is nominated for "Outstanding Restaurateur."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Harmony at Lakewood Ranch is just one of many East County communities under development. Impact fees for new homes vary by the size of the home.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 7, 2018
Manatee County Commission set to vote on impact fees

Lower impact fees would result in $2 million less annually.

  • East County
  • News
VFW Post 12055 Chaplain Ernie Freedman serves up hot dogs to fellow post member Charlie Busack.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 7, 2018
VFW offers flame-broiled thanks

VFW serves firemen lunch in appreciation of being allowed to use their facility.

  • East County
  • News
Dashwood Payen performed in the marching band at Lakewood Ranch High School. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 7, 2018
Lakewood Ranch community mourns teen's death

Popular teen heralded as great trumpet player.

  • East County
  • News
Riana Rawson flips pancakes at last year's breakfast.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 7, 2018
Breakfast of Champions

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's annual Pancake Breakfast will be held on March 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lauren Walker.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 7, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Lauren Walker

The Braden River High third baseman talks hitting home runs and "Siesta Key."

  • East County
  • Sports
More than 70 people attended the more than eight-hour meeting Monday.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • March 7, 2018
Longboat commissioners advance plan to build St. Regis hotel

First vote goes 5-2 in favor of Unicorp in plan to remake former Colony. Second vote planned for March 16.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 7, 2018
Cops Corner: Fix my storm damage, already

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Pickleball players on both sides of a Bayfront Park tennis court enjoy their game on Thursday, March 1.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 7, 2018
New lines, nets expand pickleball options at Bayfront Park

Tennis court space can be used for both sports now.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden Wood's Susan Tannebaum listens to public comment on the MSTU.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 6, 2018
Manatee Commission delays MSTU vote

Commissioners hope to to reduce assessment amounts.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 6, 2018
St. Armands residents gather for annual meeting

The St. Armands Residents Association hosted the annual dinner March 6 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The town hopes to finish the undergrounding project by 2021.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • March 6, 2018
Longboat gets court approval for neighborhood utilities project financing

Legal OK protects the town from lawsuits in its projects to bury overhead wires in Longboat neighborhoods.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 6, 2018
Lord's Warehouse walks the runway

The "Once is not Enuf!" Fashion Show took place at Longboat Island Chapel March 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The city will continue to research its ability to create wider sidewalks in key areas.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 6, 2018
City Commission talks setback, sidewalk rules

The city might be able to enforce bigger setback requirements, but that won't necessarily lead to bigger sidewalks along pedestrian corridors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
USF's Rocky D. Bull crosses the finish line. Photo by Conor Goulding/Mote Marine Laboratory.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 6, 2018
USF’s Rocky D. Bull claims victory at Mote’s mascot race

Mascots get revved up for Mote's Run for the Turtles.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 6, 2018
Manatee schools offer open enrollment

School choice for elementary schools runs through March 16.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • March 6, 2018
Dr. Robert Kromer

Dr. Robert Kromer, 90, formerly of Sandusky, Ohio, and Longboat Key, passed away Jan. 22 at St. Vincent Medical Center in Jacksonville.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • March 6, 2018
Longboat arts, cultural and education center plan approved

The Town Commission approved what it now calls a conceptual plan for the Arts, Cultural and Education Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sofia Pimentel gets her face painted.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 5, 2018
Fruitville Grove bends over backward for berries

The Berry Festival returns to Sarasota's Fruitville Grove.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 5, 2018
The lucky life of author Michael Lewis

Michael Lewis, the author of "Moneyball," "The Blind Side" and "The Big Short," shares the experiences that jumpstarted his career at the Ringling Town Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rebecca McCullough, the daughter of farm owner Gabby Herrmann, offers a sugar treat for a job well done.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 4, 2018
Lipizzans reign during Myakka City benefit

Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions helps raise funds for Myakka City Historic School House.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 4, 2018
Walk to Defeat ALS makes strides towards finding a cure

Teams of walkers marched together to raise funds towards ALS research

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarah Dussault helps her team win the Female Platoon Exhibition class.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 4, 2018
Pirates in control

Braden River drill team wins district title.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 4, 2018
Siesta Key Association members gather for annual breakfast

Big topics get discussed over a big breakfast at SKA’s annual meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 4, 2018
A day of Dr. Seuss

Elementary school students celebrate diversity and reading through Dr. Seuss.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Summerfield's Jonathan Leatt, an 11-year-old McNeal student, soars above the ground as he wins the overall 5K race in 18:28.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 4, 2018
Take Stock awareness rises in Lakewood Ranch

Benefit runs help students reach the academic finish line.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 4, 2018
Project 180 begins its fifth annual Strong Voices/Strong Subjects lecture series

This year’s lecture series explores the impact of prisoner reentry on the home and family.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 4, 2018
Garden Club blossoms at Home Tour

Five homes throughout Longboat Key were on display for the 42nd Annual Home Tour March 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 3, 2018
Longboat showcases town offerings at open house

Longboat Key departments including fire rescue and public works were on site to talk with residents and visitors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brendan Bengtsson is all smiles after winning the the Class 2A heavyweight state title.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 3, 2018
Braden River High wrestler takes gold at state tournament

Lakewood Ranch High also had a wrestler finish on the medal stand.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High School freshmen James Archibald and Reid Zimmerman pass out stickers so people can mark their hometowns on a giant map.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 3, 2018
Festival raises funds for children

More than 3,000 people turn out for beer, food festival.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 2, 2018
Riding the storm: Tornadoes basketball advances to final four

A bucket with less than three seconds left put Booker High on top.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cheryl and McCord Fraser and Barbara and Tim Liggett
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 2, 2018
Christ Church kicks off enrichment weekend

The Rev. Andrew Purves will present throughout the weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 2, 2018
Teen Court encourages young women to make HERstory

In celebration of Women's History Month, Teen Court of Sarasota hosted its second annual Making HERstory panel discussion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 2, 2018
Customers rummage for riches at St. Mary's annual sale

The sale continues at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, March 3, at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
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2
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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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