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Your Observer

Will a referendum that asks if the town’s electorate wants to fund the burying of overhead power lines and utilities on Gulf of Mexico Drive fail?
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 29, 2015
Undergrounding: Too little, too late?

The town of Longboat Key will hold workshops beginning in September to educate residents about the Nov. 3 GMD utilities referendum. But some wonder if it’s time enough to get the word out before the vote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Human Resources Manager Lisa Silvertooth has worked to create a new merit-based incentive increase program for Longboat Key general employees in the last year.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 29, 2015
Town wagers on merit pay

Not all Longboat Key general employees are due to make the same wage increase. A new system doles out cash based on performance in the past fiscal year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Catcher John Schroeder and his teammates have only allowed two runs in five games.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 29, 2015
State Bound

The Lakewood Ranch Little League 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars will compete in the Florida State Tournament July 31 and Aug. 1, in Tallahassee.

  • East County
  • Sports
Toby Madison works with Lakewood Ranch freshman Matthew Dugan on ball handling during a private lesson.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 29, 2015
Scoring Range

Lakewood Ranch High JV boys basketball coach Toby Madison started Mid-Range Game to offer offensive skills camps and clinics to local players.

  • East County
  • Sports
Justin Norwood, with his daughter, Bekah, worries approving the Lakewood National/Bridgewater East development will compound traffic problems on State Road 70.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2015
Lennar plans Lakewood Ranch expansion

Panther Ridge residents worry the company’s plans for nearly 2,000 homes east of Lorraine Road will further compound traffic woes on S.R.70

  • East County
  • News
“I think a lot of people do research, but I feel I’m really doing something helpful,” says Lakewood Ranch Country Club resident and researcher Cecile Lengacher. “Each new study we find out (more).”
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2015
East County researcher combats 'chemo-brain' with focus

Cecile Lengacher believes casting worries aside can help memory and concentration in cancer survivors. Now, she's going to prove it.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall's operations department is testing out three LED light tones at six streetlights near the intersection of River Club and Lakewood Ranch boulevards.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2015
Town Hall asks residents to LED the way

As Lakewood Ranch prepares for a LED street light conversion, it seeks input from the community.

  • East County
  • News
Construction signs show the project will start Aug. 1.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2015
Edgewater signal installation begins

Manatee County will begin work Aug. 1.

  • East County
  • News
Kevin Ingle, major reconstruction design engineer for FDOT District 1, answers questions from attendees as they view maps of the project July 23.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2015
'Ultimate' configuration begins

FDOT starts work Aug. 3 on the diverging diamond concept for University Parkway and I-75.

  • East County
  • News
Cliff Kaplan, president of the Lakewood Ranch Dog Park, and his dog, Travis, regularly walk around Greenbrook Adventure Park. At the request of Town Hall, Kaplan's asking fellow dog park members to share the road when they drive to the park.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2015
Drivers asked to share the road

CDD 4 seeks improved safety leading into Ranch dog park.

  • East County
  • News
Angie Stringer sits with a group of kindergarten and first-grade girls at a summer program. The girls had a fairy tale day and dressed up like princesses.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 29, 2015
Conversation with Angie Stringer

The new executive director of Girls Inc. isn't new to the organization.

  • East County
  • News
Before coming to Longboat, Gail Loefgren served as mayor of Rochelle, Ill., an experience that helped her prepare for being the face of Longboat’s chamber.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 29, 2015
Conversation with Gail Loefgren

Q&A with Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce President Gail Loefgren

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Corey Murphy tees off at Bobby Jones Golf Club — a municipal-owned course to which the city is attempting to attract more visitors.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 29, 2015
What does the future hold for Bobby Jones Golf Club?

Amid privatization talks, the committee tasked with mapping out a plan for the long-term viability of Bobby Jones is keeping all its options on the table.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Marine Patrol is working to call a service department to have the boat removed from the beach Wednesday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 29, 2015
Old boat washes ashore Tuesday morning

A boat registered in Portugal that’s covered in barnacles and full of water and sand washed ashore Tuesday morning behind the Water Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nina Taylor
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 29, 2015
Nina Taylor Pet Salon to take over Alicia’s Grooming

The grooming salon to open Sept. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Video footage from the booking shows the officer repeatedly attempting to toss pieces of what appears to be food into a man's mouth.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 28, 2015
SPD officer under investigation after tossing food at arrestee

The Sarasota Police Department has placed an officer on leave after becoming aware of his treatment of an individual at the Sarasota County jail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"There's a difference between a row of houses and a community," said Dave Fox, a Tara Preserve resident who participates in the water volleyball group . "(These groups) build a sense of community."
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 28, 2015
Tara CDD affirms support for resident activities in community pool

The board dismissed a complaint about a resident volleyball club excessively using the facilities.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 28, 2015
Riverview alum wins silver medal

Hunter Leeming, a 2011 graduate of Riverview High won a silver medal in the Men’s Eight at the 2015 World Rowing Under 23 Championships July 22 through July 26, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 28, 2015
In Bloom: Director of Botany for Selby Gardens

Director of Botany Bruce Holst recalls his 20 years with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Marine Patrol is working to call a service department to have the boat removed from the beach today or tomorrow at the latest.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 28, 2015
Old boat washes ashore overnight

A boat registered in Portugal that’s covered in barnacles and full of water and sand washed ashore behind The Water Club early this morning on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jay Price
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 28, 2015
Plymouth Harbor announces newest board member

Jay Price will serve as a member-at-large trustee for the Plymouth Harbor Foundation Board.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Sheriff Brad Steube will have completed 40 years with the sheriff's office when he retires.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 28, 2015
Manatee sheriff announces retirement

Brad Steube will retire in January 2017 when his term expires.

  • East County
  • News
Rudy Vazmina won four medals at the 2015 National Senior Games.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 28, 2015
Masterful Stroke

Sarasota resident Rudy Vazmina won four medals at the 2015 National Senior Games July 4 through July 9, in Minnesota.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Henry Schneiderman, Chuck Dillin and Leslie Hall pose with Officer Sean Gleason and K-9 Officer Hixon.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 28, 2015
SPD K-9 unit receives bulletproof vests

Three ballistic protective vests were donated to the Sarasota Police Department K-9 unit Tuesday from the Retired Law Enforcement Association of Southwest Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Concession sold 20% more home sites year to date from 2014.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2015
East County community tops land sales numbers

Compared to the first quarter of 2014, The Concession has sold 20% more home sites this year.

  • East County
  • News
Alliance Chairman David Fink, Meals on Wheels PLUS CEO Maribeth Phillips, LWRBA Executive Director Heather Kasten and Susan Goldstein, and Meals on Wheels PLUS's Kristen Theisen pose for a photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 28, 2015
Alliance stamps out hunger

Members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance used their July membership luncheon to help local children.

  • East County
  • Business
Mia Vazquez turned 1 year old July 10.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 27, 2015
Your Towns

First birthday bash; Laverne and Shirley and designer revamps home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Manatee Cal Ripken 10U baseball team beat Glen Allen (Virginia) 1-0 to win the 2015 Babe Ruth Southeast Regional Tournament.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 27, 2015
Manatee wins Southeast Regional crown

The Manatee Cal Ripken 10U baseball team went 5-1 to win the 2015 Babe Ruth Southeast Regional Tournament July 22 through July 25, in Glen Allen, Va.

  • East County
  • Sports
An Artspace project — such as the Sailboat Bend lofts in Fort Lauderdale — could be managed in perpetuity by the nonprofit organization to ensure it remains affordable.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 27, 2015
Arts Alliance readies Artspace fundraising push

In need of $40,000 for the next stage of a possible artist live/work housing project, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is asking the public to help chip in.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 27, 2015
CYD appoints new board members

Community Youth Development alumna among announced members of board of directors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 27, 2015
Manatee County Commissioners to receive transit progress report

The report lists highlights of past fiscal years and future needs.

  • East County
  • News
Paula Perkins, Bené Hunter and Megarie van Sickel helped reopen operations July 27 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 27, 2015
Red Cross move builds on East County presence

Many East County residents are surprised to learn there's a Lakewood Ranch location of the Red Cross. But a recent consolidation could give new blood to the facility.

  • East County
  • News
The home, at 552 S. Spoonbill Drive, has five bedrooms and five full and two half baths.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 27, 2015
Bird Key house for sale for $6,250,000

The home, at 552 S. Spoonbill Drive, has five bedrooms and five full and two half baths.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Courtesy photo. Friends and family were aboard for the ribbon cutting ceremony for TNT Freedom Fishing Charters.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 27, 2015
TNT Freedom Fishing Charters launches

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new business took place on Friday, July 24th.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Turtle Watch reported lounge chairs that blocked a nest and the ability for sea turtles to make it to the Gulf July 15.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 27, 2015
Beach furniture ordinance questioned

A Longboat Key commissioner has asked the town manager to add a beach furniture discussion item to a future workshop agenda.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Olivia Vafeas and Claire Steiner dance before the fashion show.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 27, 2015
UTC hosts Sunday Soiree

American Girl doll fans and their mothers attended a fashion show and tea party July 26 at The Mall at University Town Center.

  • 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
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
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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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