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Results for:

Kelli Smith began her tenure Monday as Longboat Key’s new police chief. She has 29 years of law enforcement experience.
  • By Mark Bergin |
  • October 26, 2020
Conversation with Kelli Smith, Longboat Key's new police chief

Smith has 29 years of law enforcement experience, including roles with the police departments of North Arizona University and the University of Central Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Terri and Jeff Driver are active members of the LBKTW, Rotary and the Green Team. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • July 13, 2022
The do-gooding duo driving change on Longboat Key

The Drivers work, play and volunteer around their new home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Code Enforcement Officer Chris Elbon and Keep Manatee Beautiful Executive Director Ingrid McClellan. Courtesy
  • By Observer Staff |
  • October 29, 2014
Longboat Key keeps it clean

We're still reeling from Longboat Key's exclusion from Movoto's '10 Sexiest Small Cities in America,' which named Sarasota and Bradenton the first and third sexiest small cities, respectively.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The community center was designed by Victor Lundy, a leader in the Sarasota School of Architecture style of post-war modern design. It was built in 1956.
  • By Brynn Mechem |
  • June 24, 2021
Historic South Gate property could be turned over to county

South Gate residents will vote on whether to sell the community center to the county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • August 2, 2022
Volunteers excavate turtle nest on Longboat as dozens watch

About 200 people, hoping to see hatchlings head to sea, instead learn that more than 100 of them successfully waddled into the surf.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tidewell volunteers Lynda Anderson, who works in patient support, and Phyllis Scarff, who works as a host, stand outside the entrance to the Lakewood Ranch facility. Anderson couldn't do patient support for more than a year.
  • By Brendan Lavell |
  • June 16, 2021
Tidewell Hospice welcomes back Lakewood Ranch volunteers

Tidewell Hospice also seeks new volunteers after losing more than one-third of its volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
Carlos E. Haile Middle School students and teachers can opt out of wearing masks in the classroom.
  • By Liz Ramos |
  • August 25, 2021
Lakewood Ranch-area parents uncertain of how the school year will progress

With COVID-19 spike in the School District of Manatee, parents clash on proper direction.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By Spencer Fordin |
  • May 24, 2022
This Week in A+E: May 26 to June 1

Art galleries have a number of events in Sarasota this week, and the arts and entertainment scene is further enlightened by theater, dance and live music.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • April 16, 2022
Eggstravaganza egg hunt puts families in the Easter spirit in Sarasota

More than 1,000 families gather at the Mall at University Town Center for egg hunts and live entertainment.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Amanda Sebastiano |
  • November 30, 2014
Main Street merchant saw slight uptick on Small Business Saturday

Lakewood Ranch Main Street merchant Joan Ayersman saw a little more foot traffic during Small Business Saturday Nov. 29.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Mark Bergin |
  • November 18, 2021
Sarasota County dispatchers tour Longboat Key

The purpose of the tour was to help Sarasota County dispatchers learn the unique parts of Longboat Key for when someone calls 911.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Ryan Kohn |
  • September 16, 2022
Riverview football gets first win of the season against Lehigh

The Rams blew a 21-0 but eked out a 31-28 win thanks to a 48-yard field goal from senior kicker Stone Springman.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The town of Longboat Key’s public beach parking is set to reopen Oct. 1. It has been closed since June 30.
  • By Mark Bergin |
  • September 22, 2020
Longboat Key's public beach parking set to reopen in October

The public restrooms at Bayfront Park and Joan Durante Park are also set to reopen.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tables available for $20 per seat will be lined up along Sarasota Bay at Bayfront Park for the town's 60th anniversary party Nov. 14.
  • By Kurt Schultheis |
  • October 7, 2015
Longboat Key at 60: Get ready to party

The free event will have no admission at the door and will foster community spirit by allowing residents to bring blankets and their own food and beverages. Cost for the town? $13,765.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse has said the development of a master trail system has been one of his top priorities since taking office.
  • By Scott Lockwood |
  • January 4, 2022
Manatee County approves funding toward design of trail system

Commissioners earmark $1.5 million for the design of trail system that would link Sarasota and Hillsborough counties. The money is part of the $78.3 million the county is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act.

  • East County
  • News
Lorraine Road will be widened between State Road 64 and 59th Avenue East.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 12, 2022
Plans altered to widen Lorraine Road in Lakewood Ranch

A revised series of plans calls for new acquisitions of residential land to build stormwater retention ponds.

  • East County
  • News
Annemarie Graff of Bank OZK and LWRBA CEO Heather Kasten put some sweat equity into Nathan Benderson Park.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • October 10, 2018
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance volunteers stack up against the best

Hay maze at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota among the nonprofits helped by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce President Gail Loefgren with 2018 Small Business Person of the Year (11 or more employees) winner John Horne, third place winner Taylor Coan and second place winner Lynn Horne.
  • By Nat Kaemmerer |
  • October 14, 2019
Small Business Week to announce winners on Oct. 15

The event has been going on all week.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
11-year-old Charlie Rayner practices riding with the help of his mom, Erin Rayner, the owner of Opportunity Farm. Charlie Rayner is riding 18-year-old Popcorn.
  • By Brendan Lavell |
  • January 27, 2021
EYE ON BUSINESS: New opportunities in East County

Riders of all ages jump at Opportunity Farm in east Bradenton

  • East County
  • News
Morgan Lavenstein (as Jane Berman) an Jake Fallon (as Mordy Berman) star in The Burdens. (Courtesy photo by Dylan Jon Wade Cox)
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • November 10, 2022
Urbanite Theatre brings family drama to the stage in 'The Burdens'

'The Burdens' plays a game of digital telephone in Urbanite Theatre’s latest dark comedy.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
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