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Your Observer

Sarasota Christian midfielder Justis Mejia-Slattery battles a Sarasota Military Academy opponent for possession during a regular season match. File photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 28, 2015
Senior blazes a new path

Sarasota Christian senior Justis Mejia-Slattery will play soccer for Ave Maria University this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2015
OUR VIEW | You want affordable housing?

Like many relatively wealthy and desirable communities, Sarasota is not a place where affordable housing is easy to find. Of course, that depends on your definition of affordable.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Phil Pagano has managed the Sarasota Farmers Market since 2009. Now, he’s beginning a conversation about what the future of the market will look like. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 28, 2015
Q+A with Phil Pagano

Thanks to the success of the Sarasota Farmers Market, manager Phil Pagano is now looking toward the future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A black-bellied plover roams the remaining beach left near south Siesta Key. Photo by Alex Mahadevan
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 28, 2015
Erosion places south Siesta on the rocks

Walking from south Siesta Key to Casey Key? The walk is getting tougher due to sand loss and a new rock structure.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Little remains of two trees at this lot on Hawthorne Street, which Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association President Rob Patten says exemplifies an ongoing issue in the area. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 28, 2015
Tree troubles take root in Hudson Bayou

As bigger houses sprout up in the neighborhood, trees are disappearing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Before the city agreed to remove the concrete tables from the pavilion, Gillespie Park resident Linda Holland regularly helped clean them in preparation for the children’s reading program hosted in the park. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 28, 2015
Homeless discussion leads to Gillespie Park upgrades

After the city decided to move tables at the Gillespie Park pavilion, residents and staff were able to determine other avenues for improving the park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Margaret Roth submitted this photo of the Harbourside swan family.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2015
Longboat Key photo contest winner: May 28

Longboat Key photo contest winner: May 28

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rita Zuchelli submitted this photo of birds taking flight at sunrise, taken near Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2015
Sarasota photo contest winner: May 28

Sarasota photo contest winner: May 28

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Christina Mohr leads the graduates into the classroom for the ceremony.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 27, 2015
Lakewood Ranch Mini-Mustangs gallop to graduation

Fifteen students graduated from the Lakewood Ranch High School preschool program in which high school students assist kids in learning and interacting.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 27, 2015
Sarasota County appoints permanent fire chief

Interim Sarasota County Fire Chief Mike Regnier has accepted a conditional offer for the full-time position.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 27, 2015
Bashaw Elementary explores America for art and music festival

Artwork and music filled the halls during the festival Thursday, May 21.

  • East County
  • Schools
Although the city of Sarasota issued a permit for the $11 million Sansara condominium, and downtown seemed in the midst of a building boom, residential construction lagged in the first quarter.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 27, 2015
Building rebounds in Sarasota metro area

The North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan area saw more than 540 building permits approved in April, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Major League Football officials say Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch, with its 22 fields, nine of which are lighted, are enticing for a future headquarters site. File photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 27, 2015
New football league eyes Ranch for headquarters

Major League Football is scouting the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch for its headquarters and training facilities.

  • East County
  • Sports
Dr. Diana Greene will be the superintendent of the Manatee County School District for at least one year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 27, 2015
Manatee County School Board hires new superintendent

The Manatee County School Board, Manatee County School District chose Dr. Diana Greene as its interim, full-time superintendent May 26.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2015
We want your stories for our Fourth of July tribute!

The Observer is preparing a tribute to the Greatest Generation for the Fourth of July in observance of the 70-year anniversary of the end of World War II.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Branham with his new granddaughter, Emerson. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2015
Branham falls in love with his new cadet

Steve Branham might be a two-star retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral, but his new granddaughter Emerson Whitney Branham of Virginia Beach, Va., already outranks him.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sheila Weiser
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2015
Act of kindness prevails at Longboat Harbour

On May 23, Sheila Weiser fell while walking on the beach outside her Longboat Harbour residence, and a man and his wife came to her aid.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Diane and Terry Gans
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2015
Gans celebrates anniversary...with commission date

Longboat Key Vice Mayor Terry Gans celebrated his 46th wedding anniversary May 18 — at a commission workshop. But he gave his wife, Diane, a shout-out from the dais.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2015
OBITUARY | Jean Foley McGillis

Jean Foley McGillis, 81, of Longboat Key, died May 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2015
OBITUARY | Madelyn Humpert

Madelyn Humpert, 93, of Longboat Key and Lakeside Park, Ky., died May 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 27, 2015
OUR VIEW | More Medicaid: Federal ransom

The call of media editorialists, state senators and altruists for expanding Obamacare’s Medicaid program in Florida remains a cacophonous drumbeat of pots and pans.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 27, 2015
Budget breakdown: 2015-16 capital projects

Fiscal year 2015-16 is a big year for capital projects, which include $22.5 million worth of beach projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 27, 2015
Go out on a limb: Do you know your royal poincianas?

During the months of May and June, royal poinciana trees paint the town red.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 27, 2015
Town could establish 16 potential new residential zoning districts for multifamily residential properties

By creating 16 new districts, the town could usher nonconforming properties into modern times.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2015
News briefs

Longboat Pass drawbridge closures; Finance Department to shift ; Meetings canceled

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Two Sarasota suspects confessed to stealing $152,000 in jewelry from a Country Club Shores home this week.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 27, 2015
Police recover $104,000 in missing jewelry

Police believe a couple pawned at least $152,000 worth of jewelry from a home.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Forrest Schield with his dog, Penny, in March.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 27, 2015
Forrest Schield, 22, is cancer free and ready to resume a normal life

Nearly a year after his diagnosis with a rare skin cancer, Forrest Schield, 22, is ready to resume a normal life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioner Pat Zunz, pictured at the Longbeach Village bus stop, keeps an eye on the Manatee County School District, including the $10 million and the handful of children the town sends to it. Photo by Heather Merriman
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 27, 2015
Q+A with Pat Zunz

Longboat Key Commissioner Pat Zunz has represented District 5 for four years and previously served on the Planning and Zoning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2015
Letters to the editor 5.28.15

Raise player fees to raise funds; Third bridge is the only solution

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2015
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 5.28.2015

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
This home at 8006 Collingwood Court has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,581 square feet of living area. It sold for $830,000. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 27, 2015
Richmond Park home sells for $830,000

A home in Richmond Park tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Nature lover Joe Sidiski walks trails weekly at state parks with his wife, Bonnie. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 27, 2015
Conversation with Joe Sidiski

Joe Sidiski’s love for ponds, wildlife and all things nature didn’t start in 2004, when he moved to the Greenbrook community.

  • East County
  • News
Diane Proios checks Town Planner Maika Arnold’s blood pressure at the Longboat Key health fair May 21. Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 27, 2015
Town provides helping of healthy eating tips

The town will host a wellness program for town employees and those who live and work on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 27, 2015
Sidelines

Lakewood Ranch Gymnastics wins gold; Esplanade launches tennis program; Pirates prep for summer camp; Ellenton Ice names new coach

  • East County
  • Sports
This home at 211 Robin Drive on Bird Key has four bedrooms, five and a half baths, a pool and 6,149 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.8 million. Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 27, 2015
Four-bedroom Bird Key home sells for $3.8 million

A home on Bird Key tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 27, 2015
Sound off: Steube, Gonzalez, Gause

Reps. Greg Steube and Julio Gonzalez and School Board Chairman Bob Gause discuss top issues with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
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Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
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The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
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Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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