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Your Observer

Kim Dellosso submitted this photo, taken at sunset on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 23, 2015
Longboat Key photo contest winner: June 25

Kim Dellosso submitted this photo, taken at sunset on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Karen Yates submitted this photo, taken at the Esplanade Golf and Country Club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 23, 2015
East County photo contest winner: June 25

Karen Yates submitted this photo, taken at the Esplanade Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ernie Ritz pointed to his renovation of the Gator Club as proof downtown buildings can be restored to emphasize their historic character.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 23, 2015
Downtown leaders call for greater historic preservation

Despite the presence of a downtown historic district, Ernie Ritz fears Sarasota’s urban core is losing its connection to the past.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photo. Carolyn Johnson was named the 2015 Boundary Crosser award by SCOPE.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 23, 2015
SCOPE announces 2015 Boundary Crosser award recipient

Carolyn Johnson will be honored with the 2015 Boundary Crosser award in September.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Manatee County School Board meets at 5:45 p.m. June 23, to discuss whether Willliam H. Bashaw Elementary School will receive renovations.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 23, 2015
Bashaw Elementary slated to receive renovations

At its June 23 meeting, the Manatee County School Board will determine whether the East County school, William H. Bashaw Elementary, will undergo more than $600,000 in campus improvements and renovations.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County homelessness consultant Robert Marbut speaks to the public during a community workshop in May.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 23, 2015
County revives homeless shelter talks

Sarasota County commissioners have asked staff to explore new alternatives for a 24-hour come-as-you-are shelter, and they plan to ask city commissioners for their input on the options.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A $2 million North Shore Road beach access project included the construction of two groins, also known as erosion shoreline control structures, to help keep sand in place on the shore.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 23, 2015
North Shore Road beach access grand opening slated for June 30

The town of Longboat Key will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for its North Shore Road beach access next week.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cooking Matters Coordinator for All Faiths Food Bank Nancy Pantano serves up macaroni and cheese for families to sample.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 23, 2015
All Faiths Food Bank showcases tastes of summer

All Faiths Food Bank expanded the summer food assistance programs to include "tasting tables" with cooking demonstrations and recipes that coincide with the food offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nicole Polivchak was one of six girls selected to represent Poland in the European Girls’ Team Championship.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 23, 2015
Par for the Course

Riverview High golfer Nicole Polivchak will compete for Poland in the European Girls’ Team Championship July 7 through July 11, in the Czech Republic.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The city believes a portion of the State Street parking garage could be open as soon as July 29.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 22, 2015
UPDATE: Following delays, State Street garage completion scheduled for July

After encountering issues with utilities during construction this month, city staff is hopeful that the garage will be open for the Fourth of July weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 22, 2015
Campers spend a week at Cat Depot Critter Camp

Children spend the week at Cat Depot learning about how to care for animals of all sizes throughout the summer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Two hatchlings were found at the excavation and were guided toward the water.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • June 22, 2015
Turtle Watch holds first public nest excavation of the season

Longboat Key Turtle Watch held a public excavation of the first hatched loggerhead turtle nest of the season on June 21.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 22, 2015
Sam Snead's building sells for $4.1 million

Two Bradenton pharmacy owners bought the former Sam Snead's American Grill and Comerica Bank building in Southside Village this month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In October, Colony Lender LLC filed lawsuits against unit owners seeking more than $5 million in damages for unpaid rent plus interest on a disputed recreational services lease that includes former Colony tennis courts.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 22, 2015
Trustee proposes $625,000 Colony rec lease settlement

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association is attempting to bury a Colony recreational facilities lease by acquiring all rights to the lease.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County consultant Robert Marbut, right, discusses homelessness during a May 28 open house.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 22, 2015
Homelessness consultant to discuss shelter options

Sarasota County commissioners will receive an update on the region’s progress in tackling homelessness from Robert Marbut Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Edna Strode gets a kiss from her two daughters, Betty Hollifield and Wilma Ellison.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • June 22, 2015
East County resident Edna Strode celebrates 100

Surrounded by four generations of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, Edna Strode welcomed her family to her 100th birthday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 22, 2015
Campers dance with joy

Girls showed off their new dancing skills with an end-of-camp performance Friday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
ODA's Desmond Lindsay signed a $1.1 million contract with the New York Mets June 19.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 22, 2015
ODA slugger signs with Mets

Despite a hamstring injury, Desmond Lindsay reported to Port St. Lucie June 22 to begin training with the Mets.

  • East County
  • Sports
Guy Vilt was named Florida District 26's Umpire and Chief in 2011.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 22, 2015
Golden Achievement

Florida District 26 Little League’s Guy Vilt was selected to umpire the 2015 Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • June 20, 2015
Bird Key Yacht Club goes Down Under

Bird Key Yacht Club celebrated like the Aussies at a poolside barbecue on June 22.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Turtle Inc. Founder Lexi Mariash and Jenny Townsend
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 20, 2015
Turtle Inc. putts for Mote

More than 100 people were in attendance for the first annual Turtle Inc. Mini-Golf Tournament Saturday morning at Evie’s Family Golf Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
10K Overall winner Danny Ching paddles along the course.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 20, 2015
SUP Championship splashes at Siesta Key

Competitors lined up along the shoreline with board and paddles in hand before racing into the waters for the Sarasota SUP Championships Saturday, June 20 at Siesta Key Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 19, 2015
FYI Friday: Longboat Key aims to silence boaters

This week's FYI Friday features news about complaints on Longboat Key about rowdy boaters, downtown Sarasota sign issues and more!

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 19, 2015
Sarasota County budget set to fall 6%

Sarasota County’s preliminary budget for next fiscal year is slated to decrease roughly 6% over the previous year, but staff have estimated a 5% increase in general fund expenditures.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores resident Jono Miller spoke about tree preservation at Wednesday's Save Our Sarasota meeting.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 19, 2015
Save Our Sarasota works to empower residents to protect trees

At the group's first meeting Wednesday, residents questioned city staff and other leaders about the ways they could help cut down on growing problems threatening tree preservation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
File photo. Broc and Kai Hudson competed in the 2014 Sarasota SUP Race Series.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 19, 2015
Weekend Best Bets: Sarasota SUP Championships

The Sarasota SUP Race Series is now a single race called the Sarasota SUP Championships. The races will still take place on Siesta Key Beach with several divisions for racers to compete Saturday, June 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kettle of Fish performed at Van Wezel’s Friday Fest on the Bay.
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • June 19, 2015
Van Wezel's Friday Fest on the Bay

Van Wezel hosted Friday Fest on the Bay featuring Kettle of Fish on Friday, June 19, at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nicole Rissler has more than 14 hers experience working with nonprofit groups.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 19, 2015
Nicole Rissler joins SANCA

The former director of sports for Visit Sarasota County, Nicole Rissler, June 18 accepted the chief operating officer position with the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Inc.

  • East County
  • News
Alex McMullen serves the ball during team competition June 11.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 19, 2015
Cougars dig into summer

Cardinal Mooney held its annual summer volleyball camp June 8 through June 11 for girls entering fourth through ninth grade.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Islandside golf course is being replaced with saltwater-resistant platinum paspalum sod.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 19, 2015
Islandside golf course undergoes renovations

This summer, the Longboat Key Club's Islandside golf course has seen a name change and is undergoing renovations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alliance Executive Director Heather Kasten and Bucs Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford chat before Ford's presentation.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • June 18, 2015
LWRBA hosts monthly Membership Luncheon

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford vamps up support for his team during Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance members' monthly Membership Luncheon.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The town of Longboat Key’s Longboat Pass dredging project made the cut for the Legislature’s final list of recommended state funding.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 18, 2015
Town receives $1.5 million for beach project

If Governor Rick Scott signs off on a state budget line item by July 1, the town will receive $1.5 million for an estimated $3.5 million Longboat Pass dredging project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Forty Carrots teacher Amanda Walker teaches students about the science behind rivers in the outdoor sandbox.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 18, 2015
Forty Carrots grows with building purchase

Forty Carrots Family Center will expand with the $277,770 purchase of a building on Floyd Street across from its current location on Tuttle Avenue. The former real estate office will be renovated in time for the 2015 school year to expand individual child

  • Sarasota
  • News
Developer Jay Tallman says the city's approval of a density increase in the Rosemary District is a boon for builders.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 18, 2015
Q&A with Jay Tallman

The developer of a major Rosemary District housing project discusses density, homelessness and the future of a burgeoning part of the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 18, 2015
Letters to the Editor 6.18.15

Mixed-use would be great option for shopping center; Tree task force will help neighborhoods retain character.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Riverview High catcher Justin Cohen signed with the Miami Marlins for a reported $540,000.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 18, 2015
Local players fulfill professional dreams

Three Sarasota area baseball players were selected during Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft June 8 through June 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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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
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.
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East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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