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Your Observer

Susannah Ross and Gina Ford say public input will play a substantial role in guiding a forthcoming bayfront master plan.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 7, 2017
Planners prepare to reshape Sarasota's bayfront

In just eight months, a Boston-area planning firm hopes to have a blueprint for redeveloping the bayfront that everyone can support. How will they get there?

  • Sarasota
  • News
The strict geometry of the home’s façade is enlivened by tropical plants. The home is thought to be the work of Ralph and William Zimmerman, father and son architects of the Sarasota School.
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • December 7, 2017
Checking all the boxes

A Sapphire Shores beauty offers just about everything.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 7, 2017
Cops Corner: Sarasota 12.7.17

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 6, 2017
Lakewood Ranch women dance night away

Twentieth annual event benefits three local charities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
UnidosNow Executive Director Luz Corcuera speaks to donors, staff and program participants at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County on Dec. 6.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 6, 2017
Community Foundation highlights UnidosNow program

The organizations offered donors and staff a look at its dual generational approach to student success.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 6, 2017
Garden Club cheers to the holidays

The Longboat Key Garden Club hosted its annual holiday party Dec. 6 at The Beach House Restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • December 6, 2017
Students' display a new state of mind upon return from Broadway

Lakewood Ranch theater students have bring back extra confidence after New York trip.

  • East County
  • Schools
Residents gathered at Longboat Island Chapel Dec. 5 for FDOT's latest showcase of its barrier island traffic solutions.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • December 6, 2017
Longboat residents skeptical about latest traffic study

The Florida Department of Transportation hosted a showcase Dec. 5 of its latest ideas for solving congested traffic.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 6, 2017
Chamber networks with neighbors

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members mingled with members from the Anna Maria Island and Manatee chambers of commerce on Dec. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School senior Carlos Moreno practices his solo he will perform Dec. 9 at the Young Lions Jazz Master Sessions at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • December 6, 2017
Lakewood Ranch students jazzed to perform in Clearwater this weekend

Mustangs showcase their talent at the Young Lions Jazz Master Sessions.

  • East County
  • Schools
East County’s Ashley Zalkin had discovered residents couldn’t get prepackaged Jell-O Shots.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • December 6, 2017
Myakka City resident gets her shot at success with new Jell-O shot company

East County entrepreneur launches Original Jel Shot Company.

  • East County
  • Business
This home at 444 Meadow Lark Drive recently sold for $2,175,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 6, 2017
Meadow Lark Drive home sells for $2,175,000

Residential real estate transactions for Nov. 20-24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The home at 14217 Bathgate Terrace recently sold for $868,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 6, 2017
Country Club East home tops sales at $868,000

Residential real estate transactions for Nov. 20-24.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Longboaters having fun and supporting a cause at the Lawn Party
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 6, 2017
In the end, well worth it

Every year, the Lawn Party organizers fret and worry about how they’re going to pull it off. It’s a miracle — of American generosity, volunteerism and capitalism.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 6, 2017
Dec. 7, 1941

Longboat's Pearl Harbor hero

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The $8.85 million finish tower was not built with public monies.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 6, 2017
SANCA head welcomes scrutiny from Florida legislators

Receipts show previous spending of state monies was approved, checked and reimbursed.

  • East County
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • December 6, 2017
Observer Challenge postponed

With thunderstorms and strong winds in the forecast, this weekend's tennis tournament has been postponed until January.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Masarik family — Luke, Adam, Avrie, Amanda and Tim —have participated in The Tabernacle Church's Living Nativity program for the last 18 years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 6, 2017
Christmas tradition continues in Sarasota

'Living Nativity' turns 30.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tom Harmer begins working at Longboat Key Town Hall on Dec. 11.
  • By Bret Hauff and Cassidy Alexander | Staff Writers
  • December 6, 2017
Tom Harmer prepares to take over as Longboat Town Manager

The former Sarasota County Administrator doesn't start till Dec. 11, but he's spent the last five months getting to know the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The condo at 623 Cedars Court that Longboat Key Police Department have seized.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • December 6, 2017
Longboat's pursuit of property doesn’t sit well with everyone

Some Longboat Key residents don’t like the town’s move against voyeurism suspect’s condo on Cedars Court.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Snookie and Cash Register and 48 of their Emerald Harbor neighbors took up five tables at this year's Lawn Party.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 6, 2017
Tasty tidbit

Snookie and Cash Register and 48 of their Emerald Harbor neighbors took up five tables at this year's Lawn Party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tessler said people often use the bike lane as a turn lane or construction and landscaping trucks use it as a parking spot.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 6, 2017
Cycling group rolls toward safety fixes

Two part-time residents hope this new group will increase safety on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Reindeer, a snowman and a present highlight the entrance way to Spanish Main Yacht Club.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 6, 2017
Longboat Key neighborhoods light up for the holidays

Local landscaper says holiday decorations won't permanently damage grass, flowers and other greenery.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cypress Potter, 18, and Sydney Graham, 14, collect gifts for seniors at the Shoe Box Reception. They represent Troop 441.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 6, 2017
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser benefits Meals on Wheels Plus

Shoe Box Reception and Holiday Mart collects gifts for homebound seniors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 6, 2017
Longboat Key Obituaries: Dec. 7, 2017

Patricia Ericson and Blair Wolfson died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
FIle photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 6, 2017
Observer columnist had a knack for people

Kent Chetlain II, 90, died Dec. 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Premier's Director of Sports Antonio Saviano talks about events with Manatee County Visitors and Convention Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione during the Nike International Friendlies Nov. 29.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 6, 2017
Manatee County nears Premier Sports Campus purchase

Manatee County's deal with SMR could be approved at Dec. 7 land use meeting.

  • East County
  • News
The site, located at center, is in front of the Heritage Harbour development, off State Road 64. Property representatives say the location is prime for commercial growth. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 6, 2017
Retail on the rise near Heritage Harbour

Bradenton plaza will add a Crunch fitness and other retailers along State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
Brendan Bengtsson spins around wrestling partner Chase Knopf. Bengtsson is attempting to get wrestling-ready now that football is finished.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 6, 2017
Braden River senior wrestles with lost time

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Latest rendering of the proposed development at the site of the former Colony Beach and Tennis Resort.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • December 6, 2017
Ex-Colony Lender leader says he won’t vote on new resort issues

District 5 commission candidate and former Colony hopeful developer says voting on Unicorp's proposed development would be a conflict of interest.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nancy Castro cuts the ribbon to open The Out-of-Door Academy's new practice facility.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 6, 2017
ODA hopes new practice facility helps athletic programs soar

The facility includes three regulation-sized soccer fields that can be used for football and lacrosse as well.

  • East County
  • Sports
Langley, a Florida native, has qualified for the District Five Town Commission election.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • December 6, 2017
Former Colony stakeholder qualifies for Longboat election

Randy Langley, 51, has lived on Longboat Key for 10 years, most of which he’s been involved in island developments.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ruth Hofer, asset manager for Linger Lodge's new owner Franz Hartl, says the renovations were needed to attract old and new customers and to complement upcoming renovations to the RV resort.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 6, 2017
East County Linger Lodge landmark reopens

New owners to focus on expanding RV resort as well.

  • East County
  • News
585 Halyard Lane in June, 2017
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • December 6, 2017
Yearlong height fight nearly over

It's been nearly a year since the town first considered new height restrictions: so what's taken it so long?

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2017
Esplanade parades holiday spirit in Lakewood Ranch

The Wienermobile, Crewe of De Soto help Esplanade residents celebrate holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2017
'Elfis' visits Bradenton school

Tara Elementary holiday program teaches lessons in acceptance, holiday cheer.

  • East County
  • News
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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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