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Your Observer

Photo courtesy Joe Volpe
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 18, 2018
Python found behind Siesta Key home

According to the animal rescuer, the 12-foot snake had a slight head injury and was smaller than it should have been.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 18, 2018
Downtown businesses thank first responders

January was designated the second annual First Responders Appreciation Month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino stands alongside photos of the city's previous chiefs. She is the first female to lead the department.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 18, 2018
Q&A with Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino

After five years leading the department, the chief talks about SPD's accomplishments, challenges and plans for the future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Town commissioners will hear testimony from Unicorp National Developments at the Resort at Longboat Key Club Monday, Jan. 22.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • January 18, 2018
Developer's zoning amendment request to be heard at Longboat Key Club

Staff chose the John Ringling Room for its size and feasibility for live streaming the meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Markus Black challenges his team during a timeout.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 18, 2018
Tornadoes back on top through hard work

Markus Black returned to Booker to 'shake the foundation' of the boys basketball program. He's done so this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota Christian coach Brett Mitchell watches his team's game against Southeast High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 18, 2018
Blazers soccer team cares more about development than its record

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kelsey Drummond.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 18, 2018
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kelsey Drummond

The Sarasota High junior talks balancing school and sports, and keeping life fun.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kelly Brown.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 18, 2018
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 01.18.18

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 01.18.18

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 1738 Floyd St.recently sold for $1.8 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 18, 2018
Midwood Manor home sells for $1.8 million

Residential real estate transactions for Jan. 1-5.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Anne Bryant and Georgia take a walk at Arlington Park, one of several city-owned, county-operated parks that may lose funding as Sarasota County considers how to reduce its budget.
  • By Cassidy Alexander and David Conway
  • January 18, 2018
County may cut city parks funding

Facing a budget crunch, the county is preparing to withdraw support for city parks and negotiate a new deal with its municipalities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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
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Latest News

1
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
2
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
3
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
4
  • April 9, 2026
Tax reform could mean 41% hit to city revenue fund
5
The home at 3621 San Remo Terrace was built in 2025 and has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,461 square feet of living area.
  • April 9, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 23-27 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

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