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Your Observer

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
Buffett picks the Philadelphia Eagles as his Super Bowl winner.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • February 1, 2018
Mote manatees split their Super Bowl picks

Buffett, who has picked correctly eight times out of 11, goes with Eagles. Hugh, who has six correct picks, likes the Patriots.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The County Commission approved $5.4 million in cuts on Jan. 31.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 1, 2018
County cuts $5.4 million after reframing budget discussion

County Administrator Jonathan Lewis hopes to put off some potential budget reductions until absolutely necessary.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A crowd, including 23 people who signed up to speak about the amendment, waits for the public hearing to start.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • February 1, 2018
Commission puts off Siesta Key zoning discussion

Before considering the possibility of new setback rules, commissioners ask for more guidance.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The home at 7922 S. Holiday Drive recently sold for $4.25 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 1, 2018
Holiday Drive home sells for $4.25 million

Residential real estate transactions for Jan. 15-19.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • February 1, 2018
The Promise and Pitfalls of Form-Based Codes

There are reasons less than 1% of American cities use form-based codes. They are tricky to implement and definitely not a panacea.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lido Key residents have expressed concerns about how storms could affect the island’s shoreline.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 1, 2018
City explores Lido shoreline committee

Lido Key residents hope a new group could help monitor the status of the barrier island's beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kaitlin Bockmeyer and Graham Kukla have seen the membership of Ranked Choice Voting SRQ spike since they joined in late 2016, which they see as a sign of the group’s momentum.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 1, 2018
Voters campaign for a new ballot

Ranked Choice Voting SRQ wants to finally implement a city initiative approved more than a decade ago.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Planning consultant Shawn Dressler addresses residents from the area surrounding the Bath and Racquet Club at a Jan. 25 workshop.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 1, 2018
Bath and Racquet plans remain controversial

Residents expressed significant concern about a proposal to add buildings ranging from three to seven stories to the Bath and Racquet Club property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A large show of support for a cause at a meeting can resonate with city commissioners, but it's not the only factor in the board's decision-making process.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 1, 2018
Officials offer differing perspectives on public feedback

How much weight does your voice carry with city commissioners? It might depend on how you speak out.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2018
Cops Corner: Sarasota 2.1.18

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 1, 2018
Cops Corner: The police want to talk

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Rotarian Don Weippert chokes up while accepting thanks from veteran Carl Moore, whose Home for Our Troops homes was made partially possibly by Weippert's $10,000 donation. Weippert challenged his colleagues to support veterans.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 31, 2018
Lakewood Ranch Elks host open house

Rotary, Rosedale women honor veterans

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 31, 2018
Pride is king of Nolan play

Nearly 50 students participate in "Lion King Kids."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Actor Steven Labine, as Capt. Wattage, shares his energy-saving tips with Inspector Iona Badge, played by Michaela Shapiro, during a performance at Braden River Elementary School
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 31, 2018
Capt. Wattage lights up learning

FPL performance teaches about conserving energy.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 31, 2018
Picture of health: Lori Jaress and Kenneth Rainey

In uniform or off duty, Sarasota police officers say fitness helps them physically and mentally.

  • Health
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 31, 2018
Fish vending machine removed from mall at PETA's request

No fish, no foul.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 31, 2018
Braves stadium to open later than planned

It was always a possibility: the stadium won't be open in time for the full 2019 spring training season.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A condominium at The Water Club at Longboat Key recently sold for for $1.5 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 31, 2018
The Water Club at Longboat Key condo sells for $1.5 million

Real estate transactions for Jan. 15-19.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A home in Lake Club, at 7939 Matera Court, recently sold for $1,051,200.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 31, 2018
Lake Club home tops sales at $1.05 million

Residential real estate transactions for Jan. 15-19.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort has been closed for almost a decade.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 31, 2018
The greater legacy

The Colony represents the future of Longboat Key. We urge the Silent Majority not to squander this opportunity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Dave Bullock and Juan Florensa
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 31, 2018
They set the standard

Bullock and Florensa raised the bar of public service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Florida First Lady Ann Scott reads with students. (Courtesy photo).
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 31, 2018
Your Town: Students read along with Florida's first lady

Stories from your neighbors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 31, 2018
Update: Sheriff's Office says 911 service restored

Technical issues cleared, officials said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The site of the former Colony has been condemned by the town as unsafe.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 31, 2018
The Colony developer withdrew its Longboat zoning code change. Now What?

Unicorp eased the path to approval when it withdrew its application. A lot still has to happen before construction could begin.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Thomas H Wentz
  • April 9, 2026
Thomas H Wentz
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
  • April 9, 2026
Tax reform could mean 41% hit to city revenue fund

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