LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
New playground honors brothers. PAGE 17A
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 40, NO. 37
FREE
WISH LISTS ROLL OUT
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THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018
YOUR TOWN
Town leaders hear what residents and groups have to say. PAGE 3A
Katie Johns
Susan Mauntel models upcycled jewelry by Fran Nikolich
Plymouth Harbor celebrates Earth
GREEN THUMBS
On April 23, Plymouth Harbor hosted its third annual Earth Day celebration. The event, a brainchild of the conservation committee that resident Isabel Pedersen began, educated residents on water usage, recycling and showcased upcycled jewelry and more. “I think this population as a whole is more interested in recycling,” she said.
Can you stop summer hunger? Here are the week’s donation totals for All Faiths Food Bank’s Campaign Against Summer Hunger, which runs through May 15. To donate, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org. Goal: $1.3 million matching challenge Amount raised to date: $982,000
Katie Johns
Sue DiNatale, Joan Sandlin, Michael Atassi and Ken Sandlin of The Shore Condominiums, which collected a beautification award.
Longboat Key Garden Club awards grants and scholarships. SEE PAGE 1B
A+E
Dressed In absurdity INSIDE
Condo fire damages four units Losses could exceed $500,000, chief says. SEE PAGE 6A
FDOT recommends fixed Cortez bridge Drawbridge replacement could help ease traffic. ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR
State officials recommend a fixed-span structure with a 65-foot clearance to replace the aging drawbridge between Bradenton Beach and Cortez. Design is scheduled to begin this year, and right of way acquisition is funded in fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Construction costs of about $72 million have not yet been budSEE BRIDGE PAGE 4A