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Your Observer

A speed detecting camera sits in front of Tara Elementary School.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 12, 2025
School zone speeding cameras rev up criticism in Manatee County

Commissioners limited the ticketing hours and made the speed limits uniform following complaints.

  • East County
  • News
From left to right, these are the newly installed leaders of the Women's Club: Kathy Matheson, Joanne Byrne, Sue Pace, Stefanie Fine, Shirley Driskill, Susan Braunstein, Kathy Stewart and Susan Francisco.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 12, 2025
Women's club mixes fun with philanthropy

The Women's Club at Cascades of Sarasota fosters camaraderie by raising money for local nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Florida Studio Theatre Arts Plaza will be built next door to the current building on First Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 12, 2025
Challenge match reached to name Florida Studio Theatre expansion

Still undergoing staff review, Florida Studio Theatre reaches capital campaign goal to name its multi-use expansion McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Boy hides in a dryer to avoid bedtime
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 12, 2025
Boy hides in a dryer to avoid bedtime

A juvenile calls 911 from the confines of a dryer drum where he tried to avoid bedtime and a frustrated father. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Steve Branham (left) and Deborah Murphy (right) speak at the election forum held on Feb. 9.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 12, 2025
Town Commission candidates gear up for contested 2025 election

At an election forum hosted by Miracle on the Key and the Men’s Club of the Temple Beth Israel, the candidates had an opportunity to discuss their positions on Longboat Key issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Executive Chef Michael Decorcie from Drift at Lido Beach Resort showcases his arancini special.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 12, 2025
Upcoming Longboat foodie festival to help hurricane recovery

Taste and Tunes of the Keys returns on Feb. 27 with a dozen eateries.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 61 S. Washington Drive has seven bedrooms, nine-and-two-half baths, a pool and 8,691 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 12, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 27-31 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A John Ringling Estates home on South Washington Drive tops the week’s sales at $5.45 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Tom and Sue Reese discuss their plans for dinner parties and other social activities once their home is rebuilt.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 12, 2025
Community finds ways to 'bounce forward' from hurricanes

As 2025 has gotten underway, Longboat Key residents have pushed to find new ways of moving forward from the hurricanes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Maggie Yull has been a dominant presence on the girls varsity soccer team this season, leading the team with 11 goals.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 12, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Maggie Yull

The sophomore forward has been the offensive engine for the Out-of-Door Academy girls varsity soccer team this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota High senior Oliver Boyle drives to the basket during the Sailors 66-28 home win over the Imagine School at North Port in the district semifinal Feb. 5.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 12, 2025
Sarasota basketball teams compete for district titles

Recapping how Sarasota's teams fared in their respective district tournaments.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota County's OnDemand service debuted in 2021.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 12, 2025
Islandwide OnDemand extension in Longboat Key records solid first year

Despite hurricanes disrupting service for about a month, Sarasota County Transit said utilization and response from the islandwide rideshare service was positive in its first year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Deaths rose under Bondi
  • By Adrian Moore, Jacob Rich
  • February 12, 2025
Deaths rose under Bondi

Fewer Americans are drug addicts, yet more people are dying from drug use. Law enforcement’s crackdown on opioids just caused users to shift to fentanyl.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Participants biked the distance of GMD during the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16, 2016.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 11, 2025
Longboat Key PD increases cyclist, pedestrian safety patrols

Officers will focus extra patrol efforts on high-risk areas on the island aimed at ensuring motorists, cyclists and pedestrians follow road safety rules.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Half a dozen models strutted the runway for the Beth Israel Women fashion show.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 11, 2025
More than 100 people turn out for BIW fashion show

Attendees embraced the "Breakfast at Tiffanys" theme for the 2025 fashion show.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Town Manager Howard Tipton and Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman speak to Kiwanis Club members.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 11, 2025
Longboat Kiwanis Club talks proposed changes

Kiwanis Club members heard from town leadership about proposed changes, including an underwater sewer line.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Implementation of moratoriums are crucial to District 5
  • By Robert McCann
  • February 11, 2025
Implementation of moratoriums are crucial to District 5

Manatee County Commissioner Robert McCann explains his views on moratoriums.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Scott Antritt can't help but smile after missing a tricky putt at Calusa Country Club during the first Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Charity Golf Scramble Monday.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 11, 2025
Calusa hosts first Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Charity Golf Scramble

Lennar donates 100% of proceeds back to the community foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Concession home sold for $3.75 million. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,428 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 11, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 27-31 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Ganton Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.75 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Sarasota Polo Club's Interscholastic Polo Team from left to right: Head Coach Stuart Campbell, 15-year-old Hazel Hill, 13-year-old Jayda Link, 15-year-old Ainsley Mulligan and 12-year-old Gregory Shepard.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 11, 2025
Youths have a shot at polo success in Lakewood Ranch

The Sarasota Polo Club team of four started in fall 2024.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Republican Club of Longboat Key hosts a dinner on April 11, 2023 at the Longboat Key Club.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 11, 2025
Republican Club of Longboat Key ready to kick off 2025 year with first event

After a brief hiatus, the club is looking to return better than ever, starting with its first event on Feb. 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Two 'suspicious' cars determined to be neighborly visitors
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 11, 2025
Two 'suspicious' cars determined to be neighborly visitors

The responding officer’s brief investigation found the two cars parked on the street belonged to people visiting nearby. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A rendering of High Line, planned for the intersection of Main Street and Osprey Avenue.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 11, 2025
More multifamily coming to Sarasota's Main Street

A 142-unit mix of condos and apartments is planned for the site of the former Michael Saunders offices at Main Street and Osprey Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A preliminary plan for the 32-acre site of the new Sarasota Orchestra Music Center off Fruitville Road near I-75.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 11, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra receives $50 million gift

An anonymous donation of $50 million will help the orchestra realize its goal of building its new Music Center on Fruitville Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Historian Susan Benjamin previews her upcoming talk on musician Paul Simon.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 11, 2025
Historian to illustrate legacy of musician Paul Simon

The works of an American folk singer/songwriter are set to come to life on Sunday with a lecture and live music.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Celebration of Life to honor former Bradenton vice mayor
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 11, 2025
Celebration of Life to honor former Bradenton vice mayor

Saundra Rahn served the community for more than 20 years as an elected official.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Michael Saunders & Company
  • February 10, 2025
For Sale: 560 Harbor Point Rd, Longboat Key

Exquisite Palladian-Style waterfront estate located on the serene shores of Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Enzo Frascone, 4, asks Debby Alexander to help him identify a shell.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 10, 2025
Shell show provides education and shell spectacle

The event, hosted by the Sarasota Shell Club, combined artistic and scientific displays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The new roundabout at Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place is an example of a traffic calming device to slow speeds and reduce points of conflict.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 10, 2025
City hosts traffic calming plan town hall

A town hall meeting is the first phase of public input as the city of Sarasota develops a new plan to slow down traffic and improve safety.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sisterhood for Good founder Angela Massaro-Fain says many who attend the nonprofit's All That Jazz, Cabaret for a Cause Feb. 21 will dress to the jazz age of Chicago during Prohibition.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 10, 2025
When it comes to philanthropy, Sisterhood for Good can dress the part

All That Jazz: Cabaret for a Cause will raise thousands for Lakewood Ranch-area nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mark Sumegi, 4, sorts fish into different colored bowls, as Violet Moore, 3, watches.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 10, 2025
Storybook Street brings storybooks to life to encourage reading

Numerous organizations came together for the event, held by the Early Learning Coalition, to help provide experiences tying in with free books.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Philly fans cheer on the Eagles on Sunday at Guppy's Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 10, 2025
Longboat residents celebrate Eagles' Super Bowl win

Philly-themed bar Guppy's raises support for Save Our Seabirds in a win-win for fans.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Attendees cut the ribbon for the official opening of Lo' Key Island Grille on Feb. 7.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 10, 2025
Relaxed restaurant throws open doors to families, furry friends and all visitors

An idea, entrepreneurial spirit and years of industry experience lead Courtney Rossler and Kevin Pass to officially open Lo' Key Restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Donors can bring a 25-year vision to life
  • By Jeffrey Lenobel
  • February 10, 2025
Donors can bring a 25-year vision to life

A new library will be a Longboat Key hub for technology and a gathering spot for the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Pictured from left to right: Buchanan staff member Mike Jackson, Interim Police Chief Frank Rubino, Fire Lieutenant Kerri Brooks, Officer Gregg Pescuma and Officer Dallas Troyer.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 10, 2025
Buchanan’s office delivers valentines to veterans serving Longboat Key

Handmade Valentine’s Day cards made by local students put a smile on the faces of veterans serving the Longboat Key community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former librarian and East County resident Pamela Gibson recalls her 2018 travels to Spain with the Voyagers Program.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 10, 2025
Manatee County Library patrons invited to explore Morocco

The Voyager program introduces residents to different countries, but flying is optional.

  • East County
  • News
The parking lot at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport could jump from 2,700 spaces to as many as 4,400 because of anticipated growth.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 10, 2025
Parking plan proposed for future SRQ airport growth

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority hears near-term parking expansion could cost more than $220 million, even more for long-term growth.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
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
2
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
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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