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Your Observer

    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 30, 2016
For the love of the game

Dolores Levy started a tennis group about six years ago, but it's turned into something bigger than she planned.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Zander, 5, Tara, Roger and Kian Ley, 8 at the 2014 Holiday Night of Lights
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 30, 2016
Your Calendar: Holiday Night of Lights

Check out upcoming events on Longboat Key and surrounding areas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jeff Laughlin, Mary Lou Johnson and Frank Cona at last year's lawn party.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 30, 2016
Lawn Party ups the ante with return of 50/50 raffle

The 50/50 raffle has been renamed the "Edith Barr Dunn 50/50 Memorial Raffle" in honor of the late Kiwanis member.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michael Saunders. Arnold Simonsen and Ronda Montminy at last year's Aging in Paradise Gala.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 30, 2016
Longboat Key resident donates $2.5 million to Salvation Army

Arnold Simonsen's donation will help fund the organization's QLife Initiative

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Police Detective Robert Bourque.
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • November 30, 2016
Holidays mean open season for scamsters on Longboat Key

Longboat Key Police Detective Bob Bourque said keeping the ho-ho-ho in your holidays means paying attention at a time of multiple merrymaking distractions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 30, 2016
Help The Observer spread holiday cheer

Have you seen spectacular holiday lights around town? If so, share them with us.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 30, 2016
Spread the gift of holiday cheer

Two locations on Longboat Key are accepting donations for Toys for Tots.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Karen Fehr. (Photo via University Park Country Club).
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 30, 2016
East County High 5 Moments: 11.30.16

East County High 5 Moments: 11.30.16

  • East County
  • Sports
Natasha Wanjohi said her goal is to get her max clean and jerk up to 150 pounds in six months.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 30, 2016
Veteran coach starts uplifting club at YMCA

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
Maria Ross believes her forehand to be her best shot.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 30, 2016
Out-of-Door senior prepares for major college tennis

She'll be a Boston College Eagle next year.

  • East County
  • Sports
The park is more passive in nature, meaning it will have walking trails, open fields and other amenities.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 30, 2016
Plans for new park shift into drive

Construction on 40-acre park expected to begin in a month.

  • East County
  • News
Robin Hartill
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • November 30, 2016
MY VIEW: Observations from a decade of memories

Longboat Observer, Sarasota Observer, Longboat Key, Robin Hartill

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Myakka City's Charles Cole, 39, holds one of his racing pigeons at home in the pigeon loft.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • November 30, 2016
Myakka City man, not-so-empty nester

Charles Cole crows about his pigeons when it comes to racing.

  • East County
  • News
Tom Briggle, director of internet marketing; Mary Kay Ryan, director of customer care, Roger Pettingell; Stephanie Ruzgis, executive assistant; Saleemah Stanley, listing/marketing assistant. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 30, 2016
Pettingell’s sweet tradition continues

Real estate agent Roger Pettingell gave out 130 pies for Thanksgiving this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 30, 2016
That's the ticket ...

The top match-ups from around East County this week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Suzanne Atwell pointed to decisions in which the commission overruled city staff as the impetus for her decision to step away from the board.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 29, 2016
Atwell declines to seek re-election to City Commission

After eight years on the board, former Mayor Suzanne Atwell will not run in next year's commission race, citing frustration with the direction of city government.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Siesta Key Association will host Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as “Dr. Beach,” this week.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • November 29, 2016
‘Dr. Beach’ to speak on Siesta Key

The Siesta Key Association will host Stephen P. Leatherman, who named Siesta the No. 1 beach in the U.S. in 2011, at its holiday meeting Thursday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Judy Blair and Rose Tomason
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 29, 2016
Garden Club welcomes back members

The Longboat Key Garden club gathered for a welcome back luncheon at Marina Jack.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The former El Pescador building on the North Trail in Sarasota sold for $850,000 this month.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • November 29, 2016
Tex-Mex restaurant planned for North Trail

The owners of Wicked Cantina in Bradenton Beach this month bought the former El Pescador for $850,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Manatee County Commission meeting will be held at the county's government offices, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 29, 2016
Gate issue resurfaces for Riva Trace

Manatee County commissioners will consider an access issue at their land-use meeting Thursday.

  • East County
  • News
Jennifer Ahearn-Koch has been an active member of her North Trail neighborhood association for 15 years.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 28, 2016
Neighborhood leader enters City Commission race

Jennifer Ahearn-Koch, a former member of the city’s Planning Board and president of the Tahiti Park Neighborhood Association, is running for an at-large commission seat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 28, 2016
Mote to release snook into Phillippi Creek

The release is part of Mote’s partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and a Fisheries Conservation and Enhancement Initiative at Mote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Elks Lodge members Randy Volkart and Darrin Simone look over design blueprints for their new lodge.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 28, 2016
Lakewood Ranch Elks break ground on new lodge

$2 million facility will house an expanding membership.

  • East County
  • News
courtesy photo
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • November 28, 2016
C’est La Vie expands hours at downtown location

The popular downtown French restaurant will now be including dinner.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • November 28, 2016
Longboat Key Chamber plans holiday bash

Harry's Continental Kitchen will provide free hors d'oeuvres at the annual event.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • November 27, 2016
Santa Claus arrives on Siesta Key for Light Up The Village

Residents line Ocean Boulevard to welcome in the holiday season with parade.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The wolfpack operation will focus on Interstate 75 and major state and county roadways.
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • November 25, 2016
FHP DUI wolfpack to search Manatee, Sarasota county roads

The wolfpack operation will focus on Interstate 75 and major state and county roadways.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A trolley service would supplement Sarasota County Area Transit service on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • November 25, 2016
Siesta Key trolley slated for 2017

Sarasota County is accepting bids for a six-month trolley service, which would connect Siesta Key Village and Turtle Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota's JB "Brad" McCourtney takes aim in the Bowls USA 2016 US Open.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 25, 2016
US Open shows how fun lawn bowling can be

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The city issued the stop-work order because workers were painting a sign on the property without a permit.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 24, 2016
City halts work on Cask & Ale

Although the Main Street bar is at the center of a legal battle, the city's stop-work order stems from unpermitted work on the site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parker Shanahan.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 24, 2016
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 11.24.16

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 11.24.16

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Madison Pack.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 24, 2016
Sarasota basketball star uses smarts to her advantage

She will play at Columbia University next season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Michele Ozkan
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • November 24, 2016
Tatum Elementary teacher remembers Packers glory days

Tatum Ridge Elementary teacher Michelle Ozkan never planned to be a professional cheerleader. It was just meant to be.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 24, 2016
That's the ticket ...

The top match-ups from around Sarasota this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • November 23, 2016
Ministerial Association hosts annual Thanksgiving luncheon

Sarasota Ministerial Association hosted local officials and people experiencing homelessness for its 16th annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Darryl Strawberry will speak at The Source church on Dec. 4.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2016
Former Major League slugger to speak in Bradenton

East County's The Source church hosts Darryl Strawberry

  • East County
  • 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
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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
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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.
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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