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Your Observer

    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
The original Shake Shack restaurant at Madison Square Park Garden. Photo courtesy of Beyond My Ken (own work) via Wikimedia Commons.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 16, 2018
Shake Shack signs lease near UTC Mall

The location near the mall will be the first in the region.

  • East County
  • News
Dead fish washed along barrier island beaches during a red tide bloom that began in September 2016 and ended the following April.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 16, 2018
Sarasota beaches likely to avoid recent red tide bloom

The latest bloom is not expected north of Venice.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Players Centre for Performing Arts has accepted an offer on its Sarasota theater.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 16, 2018
Players Centre strikes deal to sell Sarasota theater

Players managing director says contract offer is more than the listing price of $9.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 16, 2018
Key Niners brunch with new members

The club currently has 112 members, which is the most it has ever had.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A student peers into a microscope during a Mote program. (Courtesy image from Conor Goulding/Mote Marine Laboratory.)
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 16, 2018
Community Foundation gives Mote $50,000 partnership grant

Part of the funds will support youth education and outreach programs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 16, 2018
Man charged with setting fire behind Mandeville Beer Garden

The fire damaged a phone junction box and its connecting wires, but Mandeville is still open for business.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jonathan Lewis began serving as Interim County Administrator in December.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 16, 2018
County approves contract with new county administrator

Jonathan Lewis is starting his official role as county administrator with a base salary of $195,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
1372 Harbor Drive, one of Pettingell's top sales, closed in April for $6 million.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 16, 2018
Pettingell tops 2017 real estate sales volume

The Longboat Key Realtor was the first in Sarasota County to top $100 million in a year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Fifth grader Tasman Henry started a club to get more kids, and their families, exploring nature. Photo courtesy Julie Henry.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 15, 2018
Fifth grader creates nature club to get families outside

Tasman Henry is a force of nature, and she's using her new club to get families to stop and notice what's around them.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The City Commission has prohibited medical marijuana dispensaries to date, but that could change Tuesday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 15, 2018
City Commission to consider medical marijuana regulations

A proposed ordinance would permit the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries in areas where pharmacies are also allowed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Monaca Onstad joined Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch as lifestyle director in 2016. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 15, 2018
Lakewood Ranch lifestyle director earns top honors

Home builders' council names Monaca Onstad lifestyle director of the year.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 15, 2018
Sarasota residents walk to celebrate MLK Jr., promote unity

The walk was part of the 37th annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Buckaroo Roadhouse, 16300 State Road 64 E., Bradenton, closed its doors for good on Sunday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2018
Manatee County Roadhouse closes

Packed house says goodbye on Saturday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2018
Cops Corner: Deputy takes a bite out of crime

A roundup of this week's most interesting police reports.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Jack Ogren, the Lakewood Ranch Elks' Veterans Committee chairman, and Mike Jernigan of Southeastern Guide Dogs, talk before the Paws for Patriots event.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2018
Elks' event supports veterans

Paws for Patriots expected to raise $10,000 to help pair a veteran with a guide dog.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 13, 2018
Ring of Fame gets new class

The Fredonias, Cedric Walker, Ursula Boettcher, The Ramon Espana Family — The Flying Espanas and Chuck “Chucko” Sidlow were inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame on Jan. 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 13, 2018
Manatee County Fair stuffed with fun

Manatee's 102nd fair runs through Jan. 21.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 13, 2018
Runners support Sarasota YMCA at annual Ringling Bridge Run

Now in its 15th year, more than 1,500 runners participated in the major event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo appeared at an event announcing Elite Airways' Pittsburgh route in December, but the airline is now canceling its plans.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 12, 2018
Elite Airways cancels SRQ-Pittsburgh service

Following Allegiant’s move into the market, Elite Airways is exploring other routes from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jerry and Carolyn Pujol have been an inspiration to those who see their fitness regimen.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 12, 2018
Lakewood Ranch couple still on amazing run

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 12, 2018
Orioles and Sarasota Chamber swing into spring training

The Baltimore Orioles hosted a lunch for Sarasota Chamber of Commerce trustees.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Preserve, a 12-unit housing development, will be built on the site of the former Longboat Key Center for the Arts. (Courtesy image).
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 12, 2018
Town grants final approval for The Preserve

The single-family housing complex will be built on the former Longboat Key Center for the Arts property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Harvey Vengroff doesn't know what the future holds for his property at 2211 Fruitville Road, but he says he won't be building affordable housing there.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 12, 2018
Vengroff ends plans for affordable housing project

Harvey Vengroff says fees and rising construction costs have made it impossible to build affordable apartments near downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • January 12, 2018
Designing Women Boutique rolls out program to increase education funding

GroundWorks is a way for DWB to partner with area nonprofits and provide ongoing funding to further education.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Work on the sidewalk has prompted a lane closure and contributed to traffic backups along westbound John Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 12, 2018
Ringling Causeway sidewalk work snarls traffic

The project will replace a stretch of sidewalk damaged by Hurricane Irma.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Robert Haft and Noelle Haft, the majority stockholders of Mercedes Medical, and CEO Alex Miller, break ground for the start of their business at the CORE in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 11, 2018
Mercedes Medical breaks ground in Lakewood Ranch

The laboratory supplies company is the first medical-related business to break ground at CORE.

  • 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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