Mark Bergin's reporting for Observer Media Group
![]() Longboaters concerned about U.S. 41 roundabout construction
Aug. 19, 2021 The Florida Department of Transportation began a new traffic pattern in downtown Sarasota as roundabout construction began at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue. It prompted frustration among drivers trying to navigate the area. ![]() Beach, interrupted: Owner of unique Longboat property ends public access
Aug. 18, 2021 Beach enthusiasts have had the run of Longboat Key’s nearly 11 miles of Gulf of Mexico shoreline, which up until the summer included a 209-foot stretch of privately owned seawall on one of the town’s most iconic properties. ![]() We Nuzzle pet care app makes Longboat Key home
Aug. 27, 2020 We Nuzzle plans to launch its on-demand pet-care services app by fall 2020 in parts of Florida. The Longboat Key-based company will compete with Wag and Rover. ![]() Longboat Key man's drainage dispute with lasts a decade
Aug. 6, 2020 Ross Toussaint lives next to Christ Church of Longboat Key on General Harris Street. Toussaint has been in a legal dispute with the church for the last 10 years over drainage which he claims is damaging his property. ![]() Father and son bond over basketball in Longboat Key
June 23, 2020 A basketball trainer and his son were vacationing in Longboat Key. They found the facilities at Bayfront Park. It marked the first day the park’s facilities were open since March 22, 2020. ![]() Shuttle service proposed between downtown Sarasota and St. Armands Circle
Aug. 26, 2020 Leaders throughout the Sarasota area have continued to examine the possibility of adding micro-transit to take people back and forth between downtown Sarasota and St. Armands Circle. |
![]() Photo Gallery: New Longboat Key fire station to open in August
July 29, 2021 Firefighters on the south end of Longboat Key had to operate out of a temporary trailer from June 2020 until August 2021 while the town finished building its new $4.25 million fire station. The Observer got a behind-the-scenes tour of the new facilities. ![]() Manatee County drone program helps Longboat Key monitor red tide conditions
Aug. 6, 2021 Manatee County crews go out twice per week to monitor red tide conditions. The county provides the town of Longboat Key aerial drone footage to help track the conditions. ![]() One more vote for St. Regis Longboat plan
Oct. 6, 2021 The Longboat Key Town Commission provided initial approval of a series of proposed changes that Unicorp wants for its condo and five-star resort plan. ![]() Singles play resumes at Longboat Key Tennis Center amid coroanvirus pandemic
May 8, 2020 The Tennis Center had been closed from March 22, 2020-May 8, 2020, because of concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the Tennis Center’s safety restrictions abided by recommendations set forth by the United States Tennis Association. ![]() Sewage break prompts Longboat Key resident concerns
July 17, 2020 The town of Longboat Key was required to submit materials to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection about June's sewage break. A few residents expressed their concerns about the break. ![]() Gulf of Mexico Drive home sets sales record...by $1
July 9, 2020 A Longboat Key home that sold for $13,000,001 set the record for the highest single-family home purchase in Charlotte, Manatee and Sarasota counties. |