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Your Observer

Julia Butler shows off her handmade butterfly accessories.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
Of butterflies and becoming bigger

All God’s Children voluntary pre-K students spent weeks caring for caterpillars and watching their transformations within the classroom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 20, 2015
Just the stats: East County 5.21.2015

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Suncoast Storm ’02 team earned berths to both the ASA Nationals and USSSA Select Elite 12U National Championships slated for July.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 20, 2015
Taken by the Storm

The Suncoast Storm ’02 softball team has won four of its last six tournaments in the 14U division.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rundown and dilapidated Colony Beach & Tennis Resort units should be repaired, according to a recent court order. File photo
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 20, 2015
Judge orders Colony board to fix units

A Sarasota County court order mandates the moldy and rotting Colony Beach & Tennis Resort units be fixed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 20, 2015
Dezzi feels heat from contract comments

Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi is still the town’s fire chief. But he is no longer part of the town manager’s contract negotiation team.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Residents and businesses expressed concern about traffic and parking leading up to the Paragon Art Festival, pictured, in April. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 20, 2015
St. Armands BID seeks more event scrutiny

With two new art festivals scheduled on Lido Key during the height of season in 2016, Circle leaders are concerned about the events’ impact on traffic in the area.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longboat Key Public Tennis Center was built in 2003. File photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
Letters to the editor

Letters to the editor

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
OUR VIEW | Tennis Center Dilemma

If the public tennis center is to be subsidized on par with other parks, what is the right amount? You cannot deny this: Longboat Key is a tennis town, and the supporters of the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center are probably the most passionate, united

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
News briefs

SCAT station on drawing board; County plunges into water park negotiations; Beruff appointed to healthcare commission

  • East County
  • News
Tom and Holly McAndrew gather with their children Thomas, 11, Merritt, 2, two foster children, center, Owen, 9, and Scarlette, 3. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2015
Always enough love

A homemade welcome mat leading into the McAndrew home reads, “Welcome to our loud, crazy, fun, happy home.” With six children under one roof, the noise begins at 6:30 a.m. It doesn’t stop until nearly 9 p.m.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 20, 2015
The Hall way

Don Hall’s career gave him a lesson on overcoming adversity. His new role will put him to the test.

  • East County
  • News
Aubrey Grimwood cruises through the 2014 parade.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2015
Tribute to Heroes parade marches down Main

This year’s event includes a post-parade street party.

  • East County
  • News
Jorge Fernandez meets Pope Francis in 2013. Fernandez stayed as a guest at the Vatican for one week, where he and the pope discussed Cuba. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 20, 2015
Jorge Fernandez works to restore U.S.-Cuba relationship

The Longboat Key resident will make his 18th trip to his homeland since 1998 in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 20, 2015
P&Z still has familiar faces

The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board was reduced from nine to seven members Monday. Stephen Madva is the only new member.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 20, 2015
Town commission wants permanent peacock fix

As the peacock population rises again in the Village, commissioners want town staff to investigate how to fix the problem for good.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 20, 2015
Police nab kayak theft suspects

A kayak theft led to multiple charges for two suspects who are now in the Manatee County Jail.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This home at 7033 Brier Creek Court has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,836 square feet of living area. It sold for $845,000. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 20, 2015
Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch home sells for $845,000

A home in Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Connie Hilwig, Carole McMahon and Ruth Strauss. Back: Jack McMahon, Amy Roth and Carolyn and Joel Mangel. Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 20, 2015
Bookworms

Library volunteers highlight their summer favorites.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
When combined, two neighboring Gulf-front properties at 5871 and 5861 Gulf of Mexico Drive make up one of three properties on the Key with approximately 200 feet of Gulf-front width. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
Business briefs

Two properties sell for $8.1 million; Keller Williams opens Key office; Businesses to celebrate military

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
News Briefs

Emergency helicopter landings to disappear; Town prepares for health fair; Summer workshops canceled

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2015
Waterlefe settlement seeks to build bridges

Waterlefe boards reach a crossroads as they seek an agreement on a long-disputed bridge.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2015
County gears up for speed changes

Manatee County commissioners may soon propose changes to make county roadway speed limits more consistent.

  • East County
  • News
File photoODA senior Austin Hoppe was named MVP for football and baseball as well as the Thunder’s male athlete of the year.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 20, 2015
Sidelines: East County 5.21.2015

Local sports news.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
Lakewood Ranch grad completes U.S. Naval Academy

Alec A. Bacon, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate, successfully received his Bachelor of Science in systems engineering and a minor in Spanish from the U.S. Naval Academy May 22.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This home at 6111 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $2.9 million. It has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,599 square feet of living area. Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 20, 2015
Three-bedroom Sleepy Lagoon home sells for $2.9 million

A home in Sleepy Lagoon tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Photo by Tara Tomlinson Photography
    A time to celebrate |
  • May 20, 2015
Just Married: Tom McKean Thomas Jr. and Lauren Elizabeth Pritchard

Tom McKean Thomas Jr. and Lauren Elizabeth Pritchard were married Dec. 27, at The Founders Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
Leanne Ibsais has a hard time deciding which coach to slime. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 20, 2015
Jump for fundraiser

Robert E. Willis Elementary School takes a giant leap forward with its Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 20, 2015
Tennis Center’s net benefits trump revenue

Commissioners are willing to overlook a mostly revenue-neutral tennis center operation because of its popularity with residents and visitors.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 20, 2015
Q+A with Sandi Henley

Sandi Henley has been the town’s budget analyst since 2008 and an employee in the Longboat Key’s Finance Department for 20 years next month.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 20, 2015
Conversation with Chris Culp

Chris Culp has been a youth services librarian at Braden River Public Library since 2010.

  • East County
  • News
NFL player and social activist Tim Tebow stresses the importance of living a meaningful life, which he defines as one that focuses on helping others. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 20, 2015
Bayside gets Tebow time

NFL player Tim Tebow tackles the importance of living a life that matters.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 19, 2015
Teens create recycled clothing for Manatee County fashion show

From Coke cans to paper plates, everything can become a garment at the Recycled Dreams Fashion Show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 19, 2015
Spice & Tea Exchange falls in Amore

The Spice & Tea Exchange held its monthly chef series at Amore by Andrea on May 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2015
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 5.21.2015

Cops Corner: Longboat Key 5.21.2015

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
In addition to the 150 hotel rooms, the Kimpton proposal included a first-floor restaurant with frontage on Main Street and Washington Boulevard.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 19, 2015
County to revisit options for planned Kimpton Hotel site

After the developer of a proposed Kimpton Hotel failed to close on a sale agreement, the county plans to remarket land at the corner of U.S. 301 and Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 19, 2015
Calling all graduates!

The Longboat Observer is looking for graduates living on Longboat, Lido, St. Armands or Bird keys

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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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
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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.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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