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Your Observer | All

Demolition of Sarasota Square Mall is underway in preparation for a mixed-use redevelopment.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 21, 2025
Sarasota Square Mall demolition begins

Developer Torburn Partners begins tearing down Sarasota Sauare Mall for a redevelopment to include up to 1,200 apartments and 690,000 square feet of commercial space on the South Tamiami Trail site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lee Whitehurst was named chief of the East Manatee Fire Rescue District in 2017.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 21, 2025
Fire chief prepares to pass the torch of public safety

Lee Whitehurst's passion to become a firefighter was kindled as a teenager. Five decades later, with retirement looming, he remains devoted to the craft.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mike and Katie Emmons founded the Taylor Emmons Scholarship fund in 2010.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 21, 2025
Taylor Emmons' legacy lives on through Out-of-Door Academy scholarship

Grieving parents turned their son’s tragic death into a sustainable charitable endeavor that has paid for more than a dozen teenagers to attend a private high school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bagpipe players lead the dogs in the Lucky Dog Parade at the 2024 Irish Celtic Festival.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2025
The best things to do in Lakewood Ranch this spring

From live music to classic cars, the Lakewood Ranch area has events for everyone.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Rangsook Yoon, Saoirse Ibarguen, Peggy Daiteh and Suzy Farbman
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 20, 2025
Guests solve murder mystery at SAM's Unconventional Evening

Sarasota Art Museum presented an interactive whodunnit for participants of the annual fundraiser.

  • Black Tie
General Director Richard Russell with Larry and Carol English
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 20, 2025
Sarasota Opera patrons revel in Moonlight & Melodies dinner

The second of the opera's dinner series transported guests to a Viennese feast worthy of Mozart.

  • Black Tie
The $31.5 million Crystal Waters estate on Siesta Key is at 8501 Midnight Pass Road.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 20, 2025
Siesta Key estate hits the market at $31.5 million

"Crystal Waters" is a custom-built West Indies-style mansion on 2.7 acres and 217 feet on Little Sarasota Bay.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2025
Ringling Bridge lighting schemes restricted by FDOT

New policy specifies all state-owned facilities, including the Ringling Bridge, will be illuminated only for government holidays. Red, white and blue will be default colors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Arts scene serves up ample opportunities to dive into our collective experience
    By
  • Su Byron
  • February 20, 2025
Arts scene serves up ample opportunities to dive into our collective experience

Spring is the season of renewal, rebirth and reinvention. The area art scene is no exception.

  • Arts + Culture
A classroom at Dreamers Academy, a dual language charter school in Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 20, 2025
Sarasota School Board approves charter school contracts, textbooks

The school board approved contracts for three existing charter schools and approved science textbooks for all grades.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarasota's Cesar Garmendia delivers a pitch against Riverview in a county rivalry game on Feb. 14 at Sarasota High School.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 20, 2025
Sarasota prep baseball players to watch in 2025

Don't miss these game-changing players on the diamond this spring.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota City Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 20, 2025
Sarasota begins drafting the next two-year strategic plan

Meticulous wordsmithing of the mission and vision statements sets the tone for the list of project goals for city's 2026 blueprint.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 2004 S. Osprey Ave. was built in 2014 and has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,598 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 20, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 3-7 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A McClellan Park home on South Osprey Avenue tops the week’s sales at $2.95 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Jaydyn Boucher has been fishing since she could hold a fishing rod.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • February 20, 2025
To find the best fishing holes, you have to ask the locals

With its many lakes, Lakewood Ranch offers prime fishing spots that invite anglers to cast a line amid serene surroundings, whether they're seeking a quiet escape or the thrill of reeling in the catch of the day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The National Basketball Association named Rick Barry one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 20, 2025
Has age softened NBA star Rick Barry? Ask his pickleball opponents.

This part-time Lakewood Ranch resident was one of the most prolific scorers and accurate free throw shooters in basketball’s history.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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  • April 7, 2026
Kentucky Derby Party
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Ernie Els reads the green at The Concession during the 2023 World Champions Cup. He's No. 6 on the PGA Tour Champions money standings, as of April 6, and will be active at the Senior PGA Championship.
  • April 7, 2026
The PGA Tour Champions could use a jolt of charisma
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The Tingley Library in Bradenton Beach, pictured in October 2025, is in need of repairs estimated at $230,000.
  • April 7, 2026
Tingley Library makes plea to community
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A rendering of the Mira Mar building set against the backdrop of Mira Mar Residences, the project that will provide revenue to fund the $25 million to $30 million restoration of the historic structure.
  • April 7, 2026
Construction permit issued for downtown Sarasota historic restoration project
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Once again, what's the best bridge?
  • April 7, 2026
Once again, what's the best bridge?

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