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Your Observer

Holly Rolls and Shane Catts own and operate Happy Paddler. File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 26, 2017
Happy Paddler officially open for Bayfront business

The company was selected to serve as Bayfront's Park non-motorized watercraft vendor in May.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
On July 21, Donna Spencer retire from the Town of Longboat Key after more than 26 years on the job.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 26, 2017
Happy Retirement, Donna!

On July 21, Donna Spencer, office manager for the Public Works Department, retired.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Fire Chief Paul Dezzi reminded the audience that the fire station is open 24/7. Residents should never be afraid of inconveniencing emergency responders.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 26, 2017
Aging in Paradise steps up to prevent falls

The resource center hosted its first Falls Risk and Prevention Forum on July 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Joseph Gregorzek Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 26, 2017
Longboat Key Obituaries: July 27, 2017

Joseph Gregorzek, Phyllis Klapman and Elio Martina died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Library memberships are $25 a year. Nonmembers are able to purchase books through the Wonderful Wednesday book sales.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 26, 2017
Longboat Library books summer reading list

The library has adjusted hours for the summer as well.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 26, 2017
Name a Nest

For $25, you can name a Longboat Key turtle nest.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Children and families gather to peruse books after a science program July 20 at the Braden River Library. A upcoming library expansion will create more space for children and youth.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 26, 2017
Library project not yet an open book

Long-desired Lakewood Ranch library heads toward fruition.

  • East County
  • News
Nancy Janus received her tricycle with help from the Kelly Brush Foundation.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 26, 2017
River Club woman gets chance to reclaim cycling passion

She was hit by a car while riding her bike in 2012, leaving her with an incomplete spinal cord injury.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Chargers Zitaly Salinas, Bond Barone, Annalise Miller and Taylor Schwenk stand with the U.S. Paralympic team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 26, 2017
U.S. Paralympic Soccer Team inspires at Premier Sports Campus

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 26, 2017
Postscript on Harmer's hiring

We erred

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Ava Krug. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 26, 2017
East County High 5 moments: 07.26.17

East County High 5 moments: 07.26.17

  • East County
  • Sports
The Barrier Islands Traffic Study is an examination of how to improve the flow of traffic to, from and on Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island and Lido Key.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • July 26, 2017
Island leaders want better communication in area traffic study

The Sarasota/Manatee Barrier Islands Traffic Study will be completed in three phases. Phase two is underway.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner!
    By
  • John McGuire
  • July 26, 2017
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 7.27.17

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner!

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Demolition of the Longboat Key Center for the Arts began this month.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • July 26, 2017
Longboat arts center demolition begins

The Longboat Key Historical Society is working to relocate two cottages from the construction site.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chuck Whittall submitted a new plan for the former Colony Beach & Tennis Resort on Monday, July 24.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • July 26, 2017
Colony developer has a new plan for the shuttered Longboat resort property

Chuck Whittall has submitted a new proposal for the site on Monday, July 24. This one includes a big-name luxury flag.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 25, 2017
Longboat Key Chamber hosts Business After Hours

The networking event was held on July 25 at the Bridge Tender Inn and Dockside Bar

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • July 25, 2017
Residents react to 'Siesta Key' reality show

While a vocal majority are worried about the show's potential impact on the Key, a strong few have compelling arguments in favor of the show.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota Bay Cup Race Chair 2018 Jon Turner, Vice Commodore of Bird Key Yacht Club Bob Williams, President & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory Dr. Michael P. Crosby, Sarasota Bay Cup Race Chair 2017 Bill Jacobs Photo courtesy of Mote
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 25, 2017
Mote receives $10,000 donation from Sarasota Bay Cup

Mote Marine Laboratory was the first beneficiary of the Sarasota Bay Cup.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This rendering shows the future University Station, which is currently being developed. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 25, 2017
New Whole Foods' plaza fully leased

First tenants expected to open in fourth quarter of 2017.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • July 25, 2017
Dora's back in print

The retired Longboat Observer Senior Editor Dora Walters released her newest book in June.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
MSC realtor Julie McClung (left) stands alongside Red Cross Major Gifts Officer Kristin Burke (second from left), MSC realtor Bobbie Bannan (second from right) and Jewish Family & Children’s Services CEO Heidi Brown.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • July 25, 2017
Michael Saunders Foundation grants aid 50 local causes

The $56,000 awarded will go to help local nonprofits.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key is one of four florida municipalities situated in two counties.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • July 24, 2017
Next steps in Longboat's one county discussion include website, straw poll

Since May, town officials have been discussing the possibility of incorporating the town into a single county.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Between state and city funding, $445,422 is going toward improvements to the Federal Building.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 24, 2017
State issues historic preservation grant for Federal Building

The city received nearly $300,000 in state funding for improvements to the downtown building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The state grant will go in part to further Embracing Our Difference's annual art display in downtown Sarasota. Photo courtesy of Embracing Our Difference.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • July 24, 2017
Embracing Our Differences receives latest grant

The Sarasota nonprofit received $20,000 to further its art education programs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Andreas Leonardo Montilla-Monsalve
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • July 24, 2017
Man stabbed after argument in night club, deputies say

After two men knocked over the victim's drink, he was later hit in the face and stabbed in the back, according to a release from deputies.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Event hosts Sue and Burt Borgelt
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 24, 2017
Christ Church congregates for dinner

Members gathered at a Lido Key home for the catered dinner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The county is searching for a contractor who can provide maintenance and landscaping to the Siesta Key Village, but finding a company is proving difficult.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • July 24, 2017
Search for Siesta Village maintenance contractor stalls

The current contract ends Aug. 26, leaving county staff with about a month to find a new maintenance contractor for the area.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Lido Pool, located at 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive, is temporarily closed for repairs.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 24, 2017
Lido Pool remains closed following lightning strike

The pool is likely to remain closed for at least the rest of the week as the city works to repair the damage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marie Pelicano photographed these birds flocking on the shore of Lido Key. Shorebirds’ lives depend on healthy coastal features such as beaches, water and dunes.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 24, 2017
Your Florida birds

These are a few bird-centric photos submitted by readers to our weather and nature photo contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Snooty died on Sunday at the South Florida Museum. File photo.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 23, 2017
Snooty, world's oldest known manatee, dies at 69

South Florida Museum attributes famous manatee's death to an accident.

  • East County
  • News
Ava Krug won the USTA Girls' 12 Clay Court Championships doubles title with Tsehay Driscoll. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 22, 2017
ODA student wins USTA clay court doubles title

The 12-year-old partnered with Tsehay Driscoll in the tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • July 22, 2017
City rededicates, renames Pineapple Park for Paul Thorpe

The park will now be called Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park .

  • Sarasota
  • News
Officials from the Sarasota Police Department and Florida Department of Health speak at a press conference July 21 following the arrest of Ronald Wheeler.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • July 21, 2017
Sarasota doctor arrested for practicing without license

Ronald Wheeler was arrested July 20 after having his license revoked in April.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • July 21, 2017
School Board to lower millage rate

The millage rate for fiscal year 2017-2018 is down and the taxable property value is up.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The county is recruiting volunteers now to have on deck in case of an emergency.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • July 21, 2017
County looking for volunteers to help after disasters

The July 26 training session is part of a county effort to prepare for harder times.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Patsy McLaughlin, Pat Johnson, Clarice Schetter
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 21, 2017
Longboat Island Chapel hosts summer barbecue

Congregation members gathered July 20 in the fellowship hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
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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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