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Results for:

Sheriff Kurt Hoffman says his department is annually happily surprised that the response gets bigger and bigger.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • November 8, 2025
Sarasota Sheriff's Office kicks off toy drive Dec. 1

The toy drive benefits Teen Court of Sarasota, the All Star Children's Foundation the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and other organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Diners sit outside at Lazy Lobster. Owner Michael Garey said business really starts to ramp up in February before March, April and May, the busiest months of the year for the restaurant.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • March 4, 2026
Seasonal upswing back to 'normal' on Longboat Key

As spring break approaches, Longboat Key business owners are optimistic that business will continue to ramp up.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jeanne Larranaga in a costume she will wear during Sunset Boulevard. Courtesy of John Larranaga
  • By Josh Siegel |
  • January 9, 2013
Showstopping career: Jeanne Larranaga

A January performance as Norma Desmond in 'Sunset Boulevard' at The Players Theatre in Sarasota will be the latest in a storied community-theater career for East County resident Jeanne Larranaga.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ringling College President Larry Thompson outlines the location of the city block-sized film complex the school plans to build. Photo by David Conway
  • By David Conway |
  • September 25, 2014
Ringling film expansion shoots for economic growth

Ringling College believes a multimillion-dollar, 30,000-square-foot soundstage and post-production studio in Newtown will help bolster the economy countywide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kelly Shrout, one of the main coordinators of the Friendship Garden at Longboat Island Chapel, takes a look at one of the butterfly plants in the garden. Volunteers recently helped spruce up the community garden that holds the memories of many residents who have contributed to rebuilding since hurricanes Helene and Milton.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 14, 2026
New year brings renewal to Friendship Garden

The overseer of the community garden at Longboat Island Chapel shared her pride in seeing it flourish post hurricane with residents' support.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Despite their 30 year age difference, Marge DeSimone and Courtney Barr have become great friends and share a deep love for Nikki, Barr's 7-year-old Bordoodle. They compete in dock diving to keep all of the "Three Musketeers," as Barr said, active and engaged.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • November 26, 2025
Dock-diving dog helps two single women form a bond of friendship in Myakka

Marge DeSimone, 88, acts as a releaser for border collie-poodle mix Nikki, who has made a positive splash in her life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hurricane Ian made landfall Sept. 28, 2022.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • July 18, 2023
Town officials: Prepping for peak hurricane season should be underway

Longboat Key officials and workers share insights into how to prepare for the 2023 hurricane season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • November 21, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: iNeed help

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Chuck Whittall, president of Unicorp,  fields questions from Key residents.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • February 17, 2017
Letters to the editor for Longboat 02.23.17

Sarasota resident praises Longboat planners

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Executive Director Suzy Brenner said progress on converting the Northern Trust building into a medical and wellness center are proceeding well.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • April 1, 2019
Longboat Key's Paradise Center plans moving ahead

Engineering plans for former Northern Trust building's new use are underway.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rotarian Don Weippert chokes up while accepting thanks from veteran Carl Moore, whose Home for Our Troops homes was made partially possibly by Weippert's $10,000 donation. Weippert challenged his colleagues to support veterans.
  • By Pam Eubanks |
  • January 31, 2018
Lakewood Ranch Elks host open house

Rotary, Rosedale women honor veterans

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Giselle Ucciferri, Bradenton's Megan Yost, east Bradenton's Corina Geiger and Summerfield's Betsy Young are honored during the half time of Lakewood Ranch High School's pink out football game.
  • By Liz Ramos |
  • October 7, 2021
In-person Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk returns

Afflicted Lakewood Ranch residents look forward to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

  • East County
  • News
Since May 2020, Erin Hurter has offered free yoga classes on Tuesday evenings at Bayfront Park in Sarasota.
  • By Mark Bergin |
  • February 17, 2021
Bayfront yoga classes provide haven during COVID-19 pandemic

Older adults have boosted their fitness routines since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

  • Health
Michael Moore shows the group the mock-ups of what the four-story aquarium will look like.
  • By Nat Kaemmerer |
  • June 11, 2021
Mote delivers aquarium update to Kiwanis Club on Longboat

Members heard a progress report on the new project planned for Benderson Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Stacey Volpe, the administrative coordinator for Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, and Rebecca Blitz, the nonprofit's executive director, showcase some of the items EquiElite Boutique donated for the tack sale.
  • By Liz Ramos |
  • May 12, 2021
SMART chance to meet herd in east Bradenton

Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy hosts open house in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Kurt Schultheis |
  • January 8, 2010
UPDATE: Loeb CEO testifies

New York-based Loeb Partners Realty chairman and CEO Joe Lesser called The Longboat Key Club and Resort a long-term asset for his company's portfolio Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lorraine Corners N.W. is located at the intersection of State Road 70 and Lorraine Road.
  • By Pam Eubanks |
  • May 9, 2012
Eateries sweeten Lorraine Corners

The Ranch Grill and the Memory Lane Ice Cream & Sweet Shop are the newest businesses to open in the Lorraine Corners N.W. shopping center.

  • East County
  • News
Will squak for food! Here’s Alan during feeding time.
  • By Mallory Gnaegy |
  • June 5, 2012
Not so ugly ducklings

One of the first things I learned about my responsibilities in covering Longboat Key was that I'd be writing updates on the resident swan population. Little did I know that once nesting season started, swan updates, from swankeeper David Novak, would be my most highly anticipated emails.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Staff |
  • September 7, 2011
News Briefs

CDD 1 launches contractor search; County holds pet adoption special; Local deputy fire chief earns international honor; Buchanan launches state drug database

  • East County
  • News
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 5, 2012
April Fools' stories elicit community responses

The Sarasota Observer's April Fools' edition seemed to have resonated with many readers this year, based on the feedback we have received.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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