LONGBOAT
Observer
Jolly good. PAGE 6B
Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 44, NO. 50
FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2022
YOUR TOWN
New officers on patrol Police department’s most recent additions say they like the island life. PAGE 5A
Courtesy photo
Home rule heroes
Town Manager Tom Harmer and Town Commissioner BJ Bishop went to a meeting last week and left with prizes. The Manasota League of Cities on July 14 met in Longboat Key Town Hall, delivering Home Rule Hero awards to elected and appointed members of local governments on behalf of the statewide organization. The awards are emblematic of those who “consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the Legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.” Amber Hughes, senior legislative advocate for the Florida League of Cities, presented the awards not only to Harmer and Bishop, but also representatives of other local cities and towns.
Map time Artist’s hometown project attracts a following. PAGE 1B
Photo courtesy of Jeff Driver
Rare turtle pays visit to beaches A critically endangered Kemp’s ridley turtle nest hatched on Longboat Key recently despite early concerns the nest was too close to the water’s edge. There’s no way to tell how many total hatchlings emerged, but five were brought to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s hatchling hospital to be examined and released. Four more were released during a nest excavation. Mote sent a genetic sample to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for confirmation, but Mote spokeswoman Stephannie Kettle said indications are the nest was that of a Kemp ridley. About 7,000 to 9,000 nesting females are believed to exist in the world.
Lesley Dwyer
Stephanie Troxler is building a nationwide brand for herself, starting with watercolor works that she sells locally and online.
A+E
Turtle tracks LONGBOAT July 10-16 Nests False crawls
2022 99 89
2021 96 203
Totals since April 24 2022 2021 Nests 1,197 919 False crawls 1,442 1,258 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory
Courtesy photo
An aerial of the project shows progress on several fronts, with the hotel building on the left and the first of the condo buildings on the right.
Bigger, higher and sold out St. Regis resort project’s progress grows ever taller. PAGE 2A
Diving into dance. PAGE 9A