LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 40, NO. 41
FREE
YOUR TOWN
Courtesy Kimberly Dyer Photography
Christine and Ben Rothberg
Whose job is it? Responsibility for failing canal, fence hard to find. PAGE 3A
ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR
In a report dated four months after the body of Lori Martin was found in a Longboat Key sauna, investigators wrote that a combination of crime-scene evidence, interviews about her state of mind, DNA and other scientific analysis aligned with a determination of a medical examiner that her fatal wounds were self-inflicted. The body of Martin, 54, was discovered Jan. 23 in the women’s sauna on the property of the Harbourside Moorings clubhouse. Without elaboration, the Longboat Key Police issued a statement in April saying the death had been ruled a suicide by the medical examiner for the 12th Judicial District. Bret Hauff
A wooden sea wall on the southern side of a canal between Bayfront Park and Longboat Key Estates, is degrading. Now the question becomes, who is responsible for its repair.
SEE DEATH, PAGE 7A
A+E
A difference of opinion Welfonder says condos worth saving. SEE PAGE 6A
Turtle Tracks MAY 13-19: Nests False Crawls
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018
Report: Interviews and science back up medical findings in 54-year-old woman’s sauna death.
Christine and Ben Rothberg were married May 12 at Roser Memorial Community Church on Anna Maria Island. Christine Rothberg is the marketing manager at Casa Del Mar Beach Resort and has closes ties to Longboat Key. Her parents live in Westchester Condominiums, which is where the rehearsal dinner was held. After the wedding, the couple celebrated with 100 guests at Zota Beach Resort and also had brunch there Sunday morning. Congrats to the newly weds!
The Longboat Observer is looking to spotlight the Class of 2018. Do you know a soon-to-be high school or college graduate who lives on Bird, Lido, St. Armands or Longboat keys? If so, contact Katie Johns at kjohns@yourobserver. com to be included in our graduation special by May 29.
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Evidence leads to suicide conclusion
Wedding bells
Calling 2018 graduates
Kids’ TV was more than fun and games. PAGE 1B
2018 2017 24 40 19 45
YEAR TO DATE: 2018 2017 Nests 36 58 False Crawls 26 60 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory Data for Longboat Key
Chuck Whittall
Manfred Welfonder
FST spotlight. INSIDE