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Your Observer

Alaina Ray has held the director job in Longboat Key since early 2014.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 9, 2017
Longboat Key's building, planning and zoning director resigns

Alaina Ray is moving to new job in Loudoun County, Va. Her last day is Oct. 6

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Residents in the orange evacuation zone are included in the voluntary evacuation. Map courtesy Sarasota County.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 9, 2017
Update: Sarasota issues voluntary evacuation for Zone B

The county continues to encourage residents to seek shelter as needed with Hurricane Irma approaching.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Tringali drills boards over the windows of Zanne Gordon's Lido Key home Friday afternoon.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 9, 2017
Lido Key residents evacuate as Hurricane Irma approaches

With the barrier islands under a mandatory evacuation order, Lido Key is preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Zone B in Manatee County is under a voluntary evacuation.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 9, 2017
Voluntary evacuations for Zone B in Manatee County

Residents are urged to find their shelter Saturday with brunt of Hurricane Irma expected Sunday.

  • East County
  • News
The National Hurricane Center forecasts Irma making landfall in south Florida this weekend. Map courtesy National Hurricane Center.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 8, 2017
Sarasota County under hurricane warning

Southwest Florida is now likely to see sustained hurricane-strength winds when Irma passes through the area this weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Crea, owner of Survive Anything, is extending store hours leading up to — and potentially during — Hurricane Irma. Photo by Mark Wemple
    By
  • Niki Kottmann
  • September 8, 2017
Survive Anything store extends hours due to Hurricane Irma

Owner of the survival essentials store, Mike Crea, says he will remain open Friday and Saturday, and will be open Sunday if conditions allow.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 8, 2017
Sarasota shelters prepare to take in evacuees

If you're thinking about going to one, you probably should, Superintendent Todd Bowden said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Katie Johns and Ryan Butler
  • September 8, 2017
Longboat Key packs up ahead of Hurricane Irma

On Sept. 8, a mandatory evacuation order was implemented for barrier islands in Sarasota County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County's Emergency Operations Center was bustling on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 8, 2017
Manatee County issues mandatory evacuation for low-lying areas

Those living in mobile and manufactured homes also told to evacuate

  • East County
  • News
Emergency officials from each municipality and from the county give an update Friday on preparations for Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 8, 2017
Sarasota County issues mandatory evacuation orders

Residents in evacuation zone A — including Sarasota’s barrier islands — have to evacuate between 2 p.m. today and 8 p.m. Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue will be loaning out dozens of their crates today to those who plan on taking their pets to an emergency shelter.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 8, 2017
Nate's Honor Rescue to loan out animal crates

The animal shelter will provide a limited supply of crates today at 1 p.m. for those who plan on bringing pets to an emergency shelter.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • September 8, 2017
ODA prepares Siesta Key campus for Hurricane Irma

School staff and students spent the morning fortifying doors and entrances with sand bags.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office released this photo of a suspected bank robber.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 8, 2017
Bradenton bank robbed

Man takes undisclosed amount of cash, flees in van

  • East County
  • News
A two-property deal including 7858 Sanderling Road sold for $9 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 8, 2017
Two Siesta Key properties sell for $9 million

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 28 to Sept. 1

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
This home at 15007 Camargo Place in Lakewood Ranch tops all residential real estate transactions this week.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 8, 2017
Country Club East home tops sales at $872,000

Residential real estate transactions for Aug. 28 to Sept. 1.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • September 8, 2017
Sarasota Sheriff donates to Hurricane Harvey relief

With Hurricane Irma slated to make a Florida landfall over the weekend, the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office contributes to Harvey relief.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 8, 2017
Florida Highway Patrol reports traffic 'flowing'

FHP suggests residents monitor Emergency Operation Center reports.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane briefs media daily on what residents can expect. On Wednesday, Sheriff Tom Knight, Superintendent Todd Bowden and County Administrator Tom Harmer joined him.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 8, 2017
Sarasota County issues voluntary evacuation for Zone A, barrier islands

Brookside Middle is the only shelter that's open, but more should be opening later Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 7, 2017
Sarasota High football sails past Booker High

The Sailors' Battie brothers combined for 285 offensive yards.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The forecasted path of Hurricane Irma has tracked slightly westward in the latest National Hurricane Center model.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 7, 2017
Sarasota County under hurricane watch

The National Hurricane Center issued the alert for a segment of Florida's west coast as Hurricane Irma continues to head toward the state.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Two local schools walk away from Thursday night with big wins.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 7, 2017
Sarasota football roundup: 09.07.17

Two local schools walk away from Thursday night with big wins.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • September 7, 2017
Community Foundation assesses nonprofit needs

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has opened two relief funds and is working with local and statewide partners to assess needs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key residents wait to see what type of impact Hurricane Irma is going to have on the island they call home.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 7, 2017
Update: Siesta Key under mandatory evacuation orders

County officials expect storm surge from Hurricane Irma may lead to evacuations from the Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Steve Wernet secures a plastic covering over an alter reredos at the Church of the Redeemer on Sept. 7.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • September 7, 2017
Downtown churches prepare for Hurricane Irma

Many downtown churches have already announced closures while others wait and see.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • September 7, 2017
Update: Longboat residents ordered to evacuate

Longboat Key is under a hurricane watch that begins at Anclote Island and covers the southern half of Florida to Sebastian Inlet on the Atlantic Coast.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 7, 2017
Sarasota weather page photo: Sept. 7

Jeannie Sparks photographed this black bird at Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
More than 60,000 sandbags were distributed by Manatee County on Wednesday.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 7, 2017
Manatee County issues voluntary evacuation

Those in low-lying areas and mobile homes urged to seek shelter.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 7, 2017
East County weather page photo: Sept. 7

Carole Sullivan photographed this sunset at River Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County can expect bad weather from Hurricane Irma on Sunday.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 7, 2017
Sarasota County considers voluntary evacuations, shelter openings

Officials continue to monitor Hurricane Irma's path, and are preparing to make changes if the storm changes course.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 7, 2017
Longboat Key weather page photo: Sept. 7

Elizabeth Neupert photographed this rainbow on Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Police responded to the shooting on Siesta Key on Tuesday.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 7, 2017
UPDATE: Man charged in Siesta Key Village shooting incident

The man shot a pellet gun out of an apartment above Big Olaf Creamery during an argument with a man on the street, deputies say.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Longboat Key and St. Armands places of worship are canceling weekend services. File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 7, 2017
Longboat Key congregations cancel weekend services

A few congregations have canceled services and will close for the weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The county is working with local, state and federal partners to prepare for Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 7, 2017
Sarasota County declares state of emergency

The city of Sarasota has also declared a state of emergency, which enables more effective coordination in advance of Hurricane Irma, officials said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
On Sept. 6, residents waited in line for sandbags for hours. On Sept. 7, only sand was available.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 7, 2017
Despite bag shortage, county continues sand distribution

The county is running low on bags for the public, but residents can still fill their own bags with sand at three locations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 7, 2017
Town of Longboat Key offering sand to residents

Residents should bring proof of residency to the Broadway Street beach access.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • September 7, 2017
Sarasota resident sets her sights on research to fight cancer

Childhood cancer is rare, but to Laura Gilkey it doesn’t feel rare.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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