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Your Observer

Town Attorney Mooney-Portale notified the Longboat Key Town Commission in a July 16 e-mail that a Supreme Court ruling rendered on June 18 requires sign code changes to be made in municipalities all over the country.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 5, 2015
Court ruling may relax sign code

Longboat Key’s stringent sign code restrictions could be loosened thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge. K Rodney May will review the bids 10 a.m. Sept. 8, when May will hold an all-day auction for Maloney’s judgment against unit owners and decide who is the winning bidder.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 5, 2015
$23 million Colony judgment attracts four bidders

The highest bidder for a $23 million Colony Beach & Tennis Resort judgment is a new player: Bluewater Oceanfront Investments LLC, a Windermere-based corporation formed in July.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Najee Rhodes was The Out-of-Door Academy's starting running back last season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 5, 2015
Football Preview: The Out-of-Door Academy

After dropping down to Class 2A-District 5, The Out-of-Door Academy football team looks for a turnaround season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Clayton Rosaire, an animal trainer at Big Cat Habitat, hopes the marmosets' new living quarters will help them lead happier lives.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 5, 2015
Monkey business in East County

Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary is unknowingly hosting a primates-only reality show since it recently opened Marmoset Mansion — a house for four monkeys.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 5, 2015
Calling all ghouls

face paint, costumes, props and scaring strangers on Halloween, The Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corp.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This rendering shows the future project at State Road 64 and Heritage Green Way. Rendering courtesy of the Starling Group.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 5, 2015
Shopping destinations on the horizon

Two commercial projects will bring fast food, retail and other neighborhood commercial uses to the East County community.

  • East County
  • News
River Club's Mona Jain is one of four Florida women to come up with the idea for the book.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 5, 2015
East County woman spearheads women's book project

The author even features River Club's Mona Jain as a historical figure.

  • East County
  • News
Instructor Sandy Bellino leads the class for aqua tai chi at Sarasota Memorial Hospital's HeathFit. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • August 5, 2015
News you can use from the fitness front

The latest fitness news offers an ever-increasing volume of support for Aerobic Grandma's mission to get readers to be more active.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force Vice Chair Tom Freiwald said the key to welcoming new visitors and residents to Longboat Key is continually updating the island’s infrastructure.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 5, 2015
Conversation with Tom Freiwald

Tom Freiwald, 69, stumbled into Longboat Key Town Hall politics by accident when he proposed his community, Spanish Main Yacht Club, could be a site for a cellular tower in 2010. Five years later, Freiwald is still busy doing town work behind the scenes a

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Freda Perrotta
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • August 4, 2015
Turtle Watch honors Freda Perrotta

Longboat Key Turtle Watch recognized founder Freda Perrotta on Aug. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Video footage from the Sarasota County jail showed the officer repeatedly throwing food at a handcuffed individual.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 4, 2015
Following food-tossing incident, Sarasota officer resigns

The Sarasota Police Department announced today that Officer Andrew Halpin resigned 15 minutes prior to a scheduled interview with internal affairs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Emma Rodman, 7, leads a skipping circle.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 4, 2015
Disney divas waltz into dance

Jump Dance Company's dance camp featured fairytale princess stories.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Phill Younger wants to have a garbage collection discussion in the fall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 4, 2015
Commissioner criticizes garbage pickup failure

The issue of late garbage pickup or no garbage pickup at all on Longboat Key will come before the Town Commission in the fall.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Harvey Vengroff is hopeful the city will allow him to construct more than 400 residential units designed to house lower-income individuals.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 4, 2015
Vengroff’s affordable housing project draws mixed reception

Although many people at a workshop Monday supported Harvey Vengroff’s proposed 400-unit apartment project, some questions remained unanswered.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Susan Moore submitted this sunset photo, taken from her backyard in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2015
East County photo contest winner: August 6

Susan Moore submitted this sunset photo, taken from her backyard in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2015
Longboat Key photo contest winner: August 6

Norman Weber submitted this sunset photo, taken near Big Pass.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 4, 2015
Promenade condo tops sales at $1,275,000

A condominium in The Promenade tops all transactions in this week’s real estate

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The MBC Elite 10th grade team has posted a 50-8 record this season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 4, 2015
MBC Elite posts top 10 finish

The Manatee Basketball Club Elite 10th grade team finished 10th at the 2015 AAU Boys Basketball 16U Division I National Championship July 21 through July 27, in Louisville, Ky.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Sarasota American 11-and 12-year-old All-Stars earned a berth in the Florida State Tournament after winning the Section 6 title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 4, 2015
Proving a Point

The Sarasota American 11-and 12-year-old All-Stars went 2-1 at the 2015 Florida State Tournament July 31 through Aug. 2, in Tallahassee.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Debra Lynn-Schmitz vacates the position of executive director for the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • August 4, 2015
Siesta Key Chamber searches for new director

Debra Lynn-Schmitz leaves Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce after 16 months as executive director.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Heritage Harbour South CDD supervisors hope to tonight adopt a budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 4, 2015
Heritage Harbour South CDD to budget dollars for next year

At its meeting Aug. 4, the Heritage Harbour South CDD's supervisors plan to adopt the $413,000 budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

  • East County
  • News
The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. last night.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 4, 2015
University Parkway Moe's robbed at gunpoint

The armed robbery occurred around midnight Monday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2015
East County Cops Corner 08.06.15

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Jason Fineberg carries the ball during a game against Booker before an ankle injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 3, 2015
Bouncing Back

The Out-of-Door Academy junior running back Jason Fineberg hasn’t played a full season of football since the eighth grade.

  • East County
  • Sports
Work on entrepreneur Jesse Biter's commercial complex in the 1500 block of Main Street is scheduled for completion by early September.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 3, 2015
City rejects Taco Bus pick-up window, facade proposals

As the Tampa-based Mexican restaurant prepares to open a Main Street location, city staff has ruled that two proposed amenities aren’t allowed under current regulations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 3, 2015
Manatee County School District seeks committee members

Individuals interested in the open Manatee County School District Audit Committee positions must apply by Aug. 14.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2015
County to discuss health care dilemma

The Manatee County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

  • East County
  • News
Diane Proios checks Maika Arlond’s blood pressure at the Longboat Key health fair on May 21.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • August 3, 2015
Longboat to offer deskercise class

The hour-long session will teach workers how to increase their physical activity while at work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The Longboat Key Town Commission will approve the budget on second reading at a special meeting 5:01 p.m. Sept. 28.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 3, 2015
Town recommends using $389,675 to balance budget

A 5.33% increase in Longboat Key property values generated an additional $504,051 in additional ad valorem revenue at the current millage rate of 2.1763 mills.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This home at 7122 68th Drive East has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,896 square feet of space. It sold for $570,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 3, 2015
The Reserve at Harbour Walk home sells for $1,189,000

See what homes are selling for in the East County area.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • August 3, 2015
Children carve out fun with Sand Sculpture Camp

Sand Sculpture Camp takes place at Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2015
Finding forever homes

Local rescue groups seek adoptive families at Pet Adopt-a-Palooza.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Manatee Cal Ripken baseball team advanced to the World Series after capturing the Southeast Regional title with a 1-0 victory against Glen Allen (Virginia) July 25.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 2, 2015
Local team headed to World Series

The Manatee Cal Ripken 10-and-under baseball team is headed to the 2015 Cal Ripken Baseball World Series.

  • East County
  • Sports
Photo courtesy: Susan Molnar
  • By Nancy Schwartz
  • August 1, 2015
Photo contest winners: June

Photo contest winners: June

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Four bidders, including Delray Beach-based Ocean Properties Ltd. and Orlando-based Unicorp National Development, are making a play for the coveted $23 million judgment against unit owners.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 31, 2015
$23 million Colony judgment attracts four bidders

Four companies are making a play for a Colony Beach & Tennis Resort bankruptcy trustee’s $23 million judgment against unit owners. And the one offering the most money is a new player.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 31, 2015
Rainy day diversions

The weekend forecast predicts rain.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

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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
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
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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.
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East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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