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Results for:

Both police and firefighter positions were requested to be included in Longboat Key's 2026 budget.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • June 25, 2025
Longboat proceeds cautiously on new hires in 2026 budget proposal

Mayor Ken Schneier urges the town to focus on "needs, not wants" when considering expansion of staff.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Asolo Rep on Tour performs an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland at Waterside Place Oct. 17.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • October 18, 2025
Asolo Rep turns Waterside Place into a Wonderland

An adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland" was the latest offering from Lakewood Ranch's Sights and Sounds series.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kirt F. Bopp (1950-2025)
  • In Memoriam |
  • December 8, 2025
Kirt F. Bopp

Kirt F. Bopp, 75, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in an accident while cleaning his windows at home—a task so characteristic of the care and pride he took in everything he touched.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The School Board of Sarasota County at a July 2025 meeting.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • July 31, 2025
Sarasota School Board votes to change discrimination policy language

The changes to the student code of conduct remove specifically enumerated protections for categories that include race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's offensive line prepares to snap the ball against Bayshore during its Oct. 30 regular-season finale. The Mustangs still have yet to notch back-to-back winning seasons since 2010-11.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • November 4, 2025
Braden River, Lakewood Ranch football programs still searching for key to success

Both the Pirates and the Mustangs finished 2025 with losing records.

  • East County
  • Sports
B. D. Gullett Elementary's Erin Devriendt, Bennett Carney, Michael Serrano and Jackie Stark are kicking off their second year together in a co-teach classroom with two full time teachers.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • September 30, 2025
Co-teach program at Gullett Elementary allows for extra academic support

In each grade level for first to fifth, there is a classroom with two full-time instructors teaching approximately 30 students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jack Dean, left, of Jack Dean Flooring is among the three nominees up for a lifetime achievement awards at this year's Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Awards.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • October 7, 2025
Longboat chamber releases its list of yearly award nominees

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce is bringing in nonprofit and town partners to this year's celebration.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Emma Burke |
  • December 14, 2025
Eat, drink and be merry like you're in a 'Home Alone' movie

Here are local versions of the memorable food and beverages featured in the classic Hollywood holiday film franchise.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch's Karen and Tom Eckert work as master gardener volunteers with the University of Florida to educate the public about gardening, plants, landscaping and more.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 15, 2025
Master gardeners plant seeds of wisdom at Lakewood Ranch Library

Lakewood Ranch's Karen and Tom Eckert are among the experts who teach important gardening techniques.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kay Kochenderfer, president of the Women's Guild, and Bonnie Schneider said holiday-seekers have plenty to explore at this weekend's Christmas bazaar at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • November 13, 2025
St. Mary Catholic Church to host Christmas bazaar

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church is hosting a Christmas bazaar this weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • August 18, 2025
Public hearings scheduled in September for Longboat Key budget

The recommended budget for fiscal year 2026 is a decrease from 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tiffany Ranieri and 10-month-old Eli White patrol for mischief-makers during his first time trick-or-treating on Halloween at Fright Night on St. Armands Circle.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • November 2, 2025
Fright Night makes robust return to St. Armands

Trick-or-treaters said they were overjoyed to see Fright Night on St. Armands make a triumphant return.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Todd Mathes of Benderson Development explains the company's plans for reimagining of the former Sarasota County Administration Center site during a December 2025 community meeting.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • December 23, 2025
Laurel Park residents question plans for Sarasota County's former base

A community meeting brought many questions about Benderson Development's upcoming request to rezone 1 acre of the Ringling Boulevard property downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of Adagio as viewed from the northeast.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • October 6, 2025
Adagio condo project remains on hold with review committee

The 172-unit mixed-use development needs to come back to Sarasota's to Development Review Committee for a fourth submission and is advised to hold a voluntary community meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Legislative Delegation members meet with residents during the 2023 public meeting.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • August 17, 2025
County delegation meeting set for Nov. 13 in Venice

The Sarasota County delegation is seeking public input prior to the 2026 Florida Legislature session.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Buttonwood Harbour in Longboat Key was one of many residential communities that experienced significant storm damage in Manatee County from 2024 hurricanes. Manatee County’s Local Mitigation Strategy explains the threats facing the county and unlocks state and federal funding for participating municipalities like Longboat Key, which passed a resolution in October to renew its participation.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • October 8, 2025
Mitigation plan unlocks state, federal funding for Longboat Key

Storm-proofing buildings, raising roads and stormwater enhancements are among projects eligible for federal mitigation funding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Florida Department of Transportation crews had removed the Gulf of Mexico Drive sign from the intersection at Bay Isles Parkway.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 29, 2025
2025: Longboat Key by the numbers

2025 was an eventful year on the 11-mile island, with much higher numbers dominating headlines.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2 Learning Pavilion Interior rendering.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • December 25, 2025
Selby Gardens' renovations add to appeal while keeping mission in mind

Resilience, education and preservation are the prime objectives as the second phase of its master plan reinvention take Marie Selby Botanical Gardens closer to achieving its "potential."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates delivers the central sermon at the 45th interfaith Thanksgiving service hosted by St. Armands Key Lutheran Church on Nov. 18. She was joined by SAKLC's Rev. Kenneth Blyth, Longboat Island Chapel's Rev. Brock Patterson, Christ Church of Longboat Key's Rev. Julia Piermont, All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church's Rev. David Marshall and St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church's Fr. Robert Dziedziak.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • November 19, 2025
Religious leaders across faiths celebrate unity for Thanksgiving

Leaders on Longboat and St. Armands keys have been working to unite community members at Thanksgiving for 45 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Russell Mernagh, Haley K. Clay and Andrew Leggieri star in Florida Studio Theatre's tribute to contemporary crooners, "Feeling Good," which runs at the Court Cabaret through February 2026.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • September 23, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Sept. 25-Oct. 1

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
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