LONGBOAT
Bird backers
Observer
Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
PAGE 16
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024
VOLUME 46, NO. 36
YOUR TOWN
Flooding focus of commish Town commissioners discuss allocating funds to tackle floods in low-lying areas. SEE PAGE 5
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A photo of the dolphin evaluated on March 29 by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium staff.
SAIL ON, BOATERS
Dolphin in distress
The “dolphin in distress” that appeared in last week’s edition of the Longboat Observer Cop’s Corner swam away with a clean bill of health. According to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a call on March 29 about the dolphin stranded on Long Bar and forwarded the call to Mote’s Strandings Investigation Program. Longboat Key Police marine patrol assisted in transporting a team of Mote crew members to the scene and arrived around 11:55 a.m. The female dolphin was alert while the Mote team conducted an assessment, which showed the dolphin was breathing fine and had a healthy heartbeat. Mote crew consulted with colleagues at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Clearwater Marine Aquarium and concluded the dolphin was young and tidally stranded. She was released around 12:30 p.m. Staff later saw her swimming and feeding or playing.
Petra Rivera
More than 60 boats competed in the annual Sarasota Bay Cup regatta held April 13 on Sarasota Bay.
Sailors of the Sarasota Bay Cup ‘anchor in friendship’ at Bird Key Yacht Club. SEE PAGE 22
A+E Deep impact INSIDE
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St. Armands Circle Park will be closed until the week of April 22.
Sidewalks closed
Sidewalk repairs and general maintenance work has begun around St. Armands Circle, prompting the closure of St. Armands Circle Park, the city of Sarasota Parks and Recreation Department announced April 12. Repairs are being made to damaged sidewalks around the park. The park is expected to reopen the week of April 22, barring any weather-related delays, according to a post on the Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page. The repairs should be completed before the St. Armands Art Festival and Sidewalk Sale set for May 4-5.
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The north end of Longboat Key groin field after the placement of sand and installation.
Beach defenses in action Man-made structures help ensure LBK’s sands don’t drift away. PAGE 3