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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2015
OBITUARY | Thomas Shepard Jr.

Thomas Rockwall Shepard Jr., 96, of Longboat Key, died April 29.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2015
OBITUARY | Charlotte Zwick

Charlotte Zwick, 106, of Longboat Key, died May 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2015
Dining for Women

East County resident Kay Yoder says the Dining for Women organization is the area’s best-kept secret.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Twenty sea grape trees were illegally cut down at the Sleepy Lagoon beach access located at 6399 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 13, 2015
Town seeks sea grape suspect

Twenty sea grape trees were chopped down illegally on town property with a hand saw in March to create better Gulf views, causing Sleepy Lagoon residents to root for closer beach access monitoring.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Danny and Debra Palmer want to purchase Harbor Square, but they need the island’s voters to allow them to live on the third floor of the building that used to be grandfathered as a residential penthouse. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 13, 2015
High hopes for Harbor Square

Danny and Debbie Palmer believe they can inject some new life into the underutilized Harbor Square office building with a new restaurant offering and other businesses.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Stella Kelly crowns the statue of Mary. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2015
St. Mary crowns its namesake

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church held its annual May crowning ceremony following its services May 10.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2015
Sixth-graders raise $500 for Mote

A sixth-grade class at Bradenton Christian School raised more than $500 to benefit Mote Marine Laboratory’s Turtle Hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Anthony DiGiovanni, of Siesta Key Sertoma, tries to slide into home, but he was out on the tag by Southeast Bank catcher Justin Wenchen.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 13, 2015
This week in history 5.14.2015

A glimpse of the way things were from the Pelican Press archives.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Key​Proposed additional retail and office spacePreviously approved hotel, office and residential space (includes potential movie theater site)Formerly residential plans modified to include more conservation area
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 13, 2015
‘Critical Juncture’

Timing is proving a key component both for Benderson Development and Sarasota County.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2015
OBITUARY | Kathleen ‘Kay’ Mulhare

Kathleen “Kay” Mulhare, 87, of Longboat Key and River Edge, N.J., died April 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ella Coppock and her mother, Adrienne, were among more than 100 families that enjoyed breakfast treats.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2015
If you give a mom a muffin …

Children at Kiddie Academy welcomed their moms — more than 100 total — to enjoy muffins and other breakfast items May 8, during the Muffins with Mom event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2015
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photo by Mark Wemple
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 13, 2015
Q+A with Reynolds Allen

W. Reynolds Allen, a founding partner of Tampa-based Allen Norton & Blue, has represented the town of Longboat Key in union contract negotiations since 1993, when Griff Roberts was the town manager. His firm has 33 lawyers in five offices.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2015
MY VIEW | An Israeli longs for the ‘America’ he knew

I was first introduced to the “America!” brand as a kindergartner on Kibbutz Ramat Yochanan in Israel, thanks to Elazar “Luzer” Halivni, whose ceramics studio was located at the junction of the main road to the kibbutz and the path to the swimming pool.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Shelli Eddie poses with Keith Fitzgerald at her watch party at the Starlite Room.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 12, 2015
Candidates wait for results among supporters

Candidates for the City Commission race hosted watch parties through out the city to wait for results from the polls.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ocean Properties now has plans to submit a future application to the town for a 259-unit hotel, expanded meeting space with 10 to 12 meeting rooms and approximately 93 condominium/villa units that are 130 feet tall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 12, 2015
Key Club referendum passes

The first mail-only referendum vote of its kind for Longboat Key produced a record-setting turnout that’s prompting town officials to consider using the method in other elections.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The challengers emerged victorious Tuesday, with Shelli Freeland Eddie and Liz Alpert both claiming spots on the Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 12, 2015
Alpert, Eddie unseat incumbents in City Commission runoff

Challengers Liz Alpert and Shelli Freeland Eddie beat incumbent Sarasota City Commission candidates Eileen Normile and Stan Zimmerman in the runoff election Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Jordan Beckler. Photo from Mote Marine Laboratory
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 12, 2015
Mote welcomes new scientist

Mote's newest scientist, Dr. Jordon Beckler, to focus on red tides

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This home at 7502 Royal Valley Court has four bedrooms, three and a half baths, a pool and 3,632 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.24 million. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 12, 2015
Country Club East at Lakewood Ranch home sells for $1.24 million

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

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 12, 2015
Scientist bashes Big Pass dredge proposal

Save Our Siesta Sand 2 consultant Robert Young, a coastal geologist, criticized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' assertion that the dredging of Big Pass won't affect the beaches of Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Sarasota Crew won the overall points trophy at both the state and regional championships.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 12, 2015
Sarasota Crew wins regional crown

The Sarasota Crew scored a combined 1070 points to win the overall points trophy at the USRowing Southeast Youth Championships May 9 and May 10, at Lake Lanier, in Gainesville, Ga.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Existing traffic problems are exacerbated during special events weekends on St. Armands Circle — and people in the area believe that issue will extend to events on Lido Key, as well.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 12, 2015
St. Armands BID seeks more event scrutiny

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

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mail ballot returns that will be announced tonight for the May 12 mail-only ballot Longboat Key Club referendum as of Monday afternoon have set a record high for the Key’s voter turnout.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 12, 2015
Key Club referendum decision coming tonight

Mail ballot returns will be announced tonight for the May 12 mail-only ballot Longboat Key Club referendum.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Manatee County School Board may choose to end Superintendent Rick Mills' career with the district earlier than his July 31 retirement date.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 12, 2015
Manatee County School Board might end Mills' contract early

The Manatee County School District, School Board, might end Superintendent Rick Mills' contract early, after he announced his plan to retire, effective July 31, 2015

  • East County
  • News
Peyton Gray, a kindergartener, dances back to his seat after winning the All-Pro Dad Breakfast raffle for a t-shirt.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 12, 2015
Willis Elementary students and dads bond at final All Pro Dad Breakfast

Students said why they thought their dads were cool, and fathers described their proudest moments.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mrs. Turt Lee approaches the water.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 11, 2015
Mote returns loggerhead turtle to the sea

Mote released Mrs. Turt Lee on May 8.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 11, 2015
Ashton hits home run with World Series Day

Students run the bases and the event for the annual Ashton Elementary School World Series Day at Twin Lakes Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hurricane season spans from June 1 through Nov. 30.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 11, 2015
Manatee County tests hurricane preparedness

May 21, Manatee County officials will test hurricane preparedness at a hurricane preparedness exercise for Hurricane Gibson at the Manatee County Public Safety Building.

  • East County
  • News
Two neighboring Gulf-front properties on Longboat Key at 5871 and 5861 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for a combined $8,125,000 May 8.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 11, 2015
Gulf-front properties sell for combined $8.1 million

Longboat Key, Reid Murphy

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The city originally hoped to have the garage partially completed by February.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 11, 2015
State Street garage opening pushed back

As the city postpones its targeted date for a partial opening of the State Street garage, staff is still uncertain when exactly the structure will be available for public use.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 11, 2015
Police believe New College deaths are drug related

A New College of Florida student was found dead Sunday, and a University of Central Florida student visiting the school died Friday in unrelated deaths Sarasota Police believe to be drug related.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 11, 2015
Mustangs to hold basketball camp

Registration is now underway for Lakewood Ranch High’s annual Summer Basketball Camp.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 10, 2015
Longboat Island Chapel celebrates Mother’s Day and students

Longboat Island Chapel’s service on Mother’s Day, May 10, did not only honor mothers — it also recognized 18 local students by awarding them $1,400 scholarships.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Janie Barnes and her son Raleigh.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 10, 2015
A musical Mother’s Day at Selby Gardens

Families spent day enjoying brunch and celebrating moms beneath the banyans on the great lawn for Mother’s Day at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sunday, May 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Arasay Perez and Pablo Infante pose for a quick photo.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 10, 2015
Booker prom goes through the looking glass

Students spent the night in wonderland dancing with classmates for the Booker High School Prom Saturday, May 9 at Michael’s on East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students sing a long with “Style” by Taylor Swift.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 10, 2015
Cobalt dance takes students to new heights

City skylines and hints of gold transported students to the top of a skyscraper for an “urban lux” theme for the Pine View annual Cobalt dance Saturday, May 9 at The Devyn.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
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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.
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
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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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