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Your Observer

Supplies are loaded in at one of Sarasota County's four points of distribution.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 9, 2024
Post Hurricane Milton area news and resources

Post Hurricane Milton news and resources

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the resilient shoreline portion of The Bay park Phase 2.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 9, 2024
The Bay pledges no Phase 2 overspending

Despite rising costs, Founding CEO AG Lafley told the Bay Park Improvement Board that it will not overspend the $48 million public portion of construction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lieutenant Kerri Brooks and Firefighter Paramedic Jay Gosnell demonstrate the Lucas 3 CPR device.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 9, 2024
Longboat Key Fire Rescue receives CPR device through state grant

The department recently added a LUCAS 3 CPR device to its arsenal, which is a machine firefighter paramedics use to deliver high-quality, safe chest compressions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
At 55, Kristi Dorman of Sarasota is a rookie in the National Pickleball League. She says her first year as a pro has been a "great experience."
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • October 9, 2024
Sarasota pickleballer reflects on first year on the pro circuit

Kristi Dorman says she can "play with the best of them."

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 3563 Fair Oaks Lane for $1.35 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 9, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 23-27 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Sleepy Lagoon Park home on Penfield Street tops the week's sales at $1.7 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Mall at UTC cut the ribbon during its grand opening ceremony on Oct. 16, 2014. The mall turns 10 next week.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 9, 2024
A terrific 10 years for the Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota

The Benderson Development and Taubman project has had a tremendous economic impact on the region.

  • East County
  • News
Al Ernst and Cliff Hornsby
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 9, 2024
Longboat comedian sells pencils to buy a new car due to Hurricane Helene

Cliff Hornsby, also known as "Gerry Atric," hopes to use his funny lines and unique bits to get relief after Hurricane Helene.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Senior Dale Burgess works on an animation project.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 9, 2024
Students bring ideas to life in Booker High's Film & Animation program

The program provides students with professional-grade equipment and financing to complete their own films.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lisa Hastings, Ed Murphy, Kelly Jones, Hannah Nese and Alyson Battaglia of Legler, Murphy and Battaglia were sentenced to hard labor during Alliance Gives Back.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 9, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance digs deep to give back to the community

The Alliance Gives Back program continues to grow in its mission to help nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The six amendments
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 9, 2024
The six amendments

Every four years, Florida voters face a flurry of proposed amendments to the state constitution. This year, six proposed amendments will be on the ballot.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
This was a busy few opening weeks so far
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • October 8, 2024
This was a busy few opening weeks so far

In Michael Harris' first three weeks as managing editor of the Longboat and Sarasota Observers, the area has had two hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Thierry Raynal, owner of Bonjour French Cafe, fastens a covering to a window at Bonjour French Cafe.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 8, 2024
Siesta businesses prepare for Hurricane Milton as they recover from Helene

Just two weeks after the previous devastating storm surge, business owners braced for a hurricane impact once again.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Hurricane Helene's strong storm surge wiped out the first floor of many beachfront homes.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2024
Longboaters share their Hurricane Helene stories

Residents recount where they were when the hurricane hit and how it impacted their lives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jason and Mindy Brandt catching up with friends at the Rosh Hashanah service at Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 8, 2024
Temple Beth Israel celebrates Rosh Hashanah after Hurricane Helene

The temple provided community and normalcy after many Longboaters’ homes were found in disarray from the hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Olympian Richard Thompson talks to sixth grader Lauren Otterness after he talked to Otterness and her fellow scholars about goal setting.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 8, 2024
Track and field Olympian talks goal-setting with Haile Middle sixth graders

Richard Thompson shares his success story with Advanced Scholar Program students.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Country Club East home at 7031 Whittlebury Trail sold for $1.05 million. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,407 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 8, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 23-27 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Whittlebury Trail tops the week's sales at $1.05 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Police investigate suspicious man walking barefoot on the island
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 8, 2024
Police investigate suspicious man walking barefoot on the island

A resident called to report a man walking along Gulf of Mexico Drive barefoot, but the man claimed to have his shoes stolen. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Members of the Nathan Benderson Park Breast Cancer Survivor team pose with their gold medals after winning the 200-meter final in Ravenna, Italy last month.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • October 8, 2024
Dragon boat teams win gold at world championships

Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch-area rowers thrive on competition and friendships.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brian Walton points to the water line left on some of the bird enclosures closer to the water. These are occupied by water-tolerant birds like pelicans and cormorants.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 8, 2024
Hurricane Helene floods Save Our Seabirds, results in one casualty

The nonprofit on Ken Thompson Parkway is working to recover after Hurricane Helene’s storm surge brought up to 4 feet of water throughout the facility.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Members of the congregation sing "The People Israel Lives."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 7, 2024
Jewish community celebrates hope amid the anniversary of Oct. 7 attacks

Temple Emanu-El hosted Am Yisrael Chai: A Day of Hope, while the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee hosted Be the Light: Memorial Candle Lighting.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Keith Misja, Mike Matheis, Stephen Dickmann and Kaleb Smith of Station 12, prepare a pot of chili.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 7, 2024
Annual chili cook-off helps support local fire departments

The event brought together firefighters from departments across Sarasota County and beyond.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Several beachfront properties on Longboat were severely damaged from Hurricane Helene's storm surge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 7, 2024
Longboat's early Helene assessment estimates over $170M in damages

The damage estimate is expected to grow as officials continue to assess Helene damages while Hurricane Milton is on the way.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Almost all Florida manatees have propeller scars from past collisions with boats. Complying with “Idle Speed No Wake” speed limits for boats helps protect manatees from harm.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 7, 2024
Rare manatee sightings in the Braden River

The manatees, pushed into the fresh water habitat by the Helene surge, will be moved back to brackish water.

  • East County
  • News
Barbara Grimes setting up a radio at the comfort station at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 7, 2024
Longboat Key community centers set up comfort stations

Churches and community centers barely saw anyone coming to the comfort stations.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Drew Lalor, Selah Freedom Executive Director Stacey Efau, and Pamela Lalor say Fairways to Freedom at the Tara Golf and Country Club was a big boost in spreading awareness of the Selah Freedom mission.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 7, 2024
Fairways to Freedom takes a swing at sex trafficking awareness

The benefit golf tournament at Tara Golf and Country Club supports Selah Freedom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Like other businesses on Longboat Key, Ventura's in Whitney Plaza was boarded up on Oct. 7 before Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 7, 2024
Longboat Key issues immediate evacuation order for Hurricane Milton

The town issued the evacuation order at 10:30 a.m. Monday as officials are preparing for "life-threatening impacts."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Southside Elementary hosts Go Gold Day
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 7, 2024
Southside Elementary hosts Go Gold Day

Started at the school in 2017, the event, which spreads awareness of childhood cancer, has grown to encompass other area schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Arguments lead to faulty conclusion
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • October 7, 2024
Arguments lead to faulty conclusion

Blaming government for economic woes misses the real causes behind problems.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Commissioner George Kruse says Gulf Drive is the “the single biggest infrastructure issue” left behind by Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 7, 2024
Who pays for Hurricane Helene damages in Manatee County?

Manatee County will have to tap its reserves to cover repairs while waiting on reimbursements from the state and federal governments.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County citizens should support school property tax referendum
  • By Richard Tatem
  • October 7, 2024
Manatee County citizens should support school property tax referendum

School board member Richard Tatem says passing the referendum is essential to providing a quality education.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Bowen Griffitt and Brandon Scolaro prepare to start the stein hoisting competition as Vanya Krayhova fills their glasses with water.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 7, 2024
Signature anniversary events at The Bay get underway with Park-toberfest

Held indoors at the Sarasota Garden Club due to weather, the event featured live Polka music by The DeLeon Family Band, as well as Oktoberfest food and drinks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Whitney Plaza business owner recounts his Hurricane Helene experience
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 7, 2024
Whitney Plaza business owner recounts his Hurricane Helene experience

After staying open during the hurricane, Gary Hagen of Donuts By Design got stuck in his shop with a dead phone and car.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Storm debris outside multiple stores at St. Armands Circle. Most stores have been gutted, some to the studs.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 7, 2024
Troubles pile up as St. Armands digs out from under

The city of Sarasota responds to merchants' removal pleas as decaying debris piles remained on Friday while they attempt to recover from Hurricane Helene.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ovation's Liv Holden, Morgan Kessler, Emma Mandzik, Elizabeth Nieves, Gabriella Cruz and Kila Sons, play the six wives of Henry VIII, during the sixth anniversary of Karen Medford's Sirius Day Spa.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 6, 2024
Sirius Day Spa of Lakewood Ranch celebrates anniversary

Ovation School Of Musical Theatre provided the entertainment.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County orders Level A, B evacuations
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 6, 2024
Manatee County orders Level A, B evacuations

Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida's west coast on Wednesday.

  • East County
  • News
Chris Westfall and Vivian Chester helping pack up the office building at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 6, 2024
Volunteers clean up churches on Longboat after Hurricane Helene

Churches make do to clean and prepare for services after the hurricane surge hit Longboat Key on Sept. 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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
3
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
5
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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