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Your Observer | All

Maj. Jim Lilly, of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, has led a transformation at the Sarasota County Jail that has kept the inmate population 44% below a 2005 estimate. Photo by Yaryna Klimchak.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • September 5, 2013
Jail debate sees commuted sentence

Diversion programs at the Sarasota County Jail have led to smarter incarcerations, smaller inmate populations and saved the county the cost of building a new jail - for now.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parking has been free for a year-and-a-half at the Palm Avenue garage, but the city will soon begin to charge those who park there for more than 90 minutes in an attempt to generate revenue for the city’s parking division.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 5, 2013
Paid parking approved for Palm

The City Commission narrowly approved the reinstitution of paid parking at the garage in an attempt to offset the parking division's budget deficit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Flooding occurred after a short rainstorm Wednesday, Aug. 28, on U.S. 301, just north of Fruitville Road. Photo by Leslie Gnaegy.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 5, 2013
Officials address flood of concern

In addition to the steady, heavy rain Sarasota has seen over the past few weeks, other natural conditions are contributing to the area's frequent flooding.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tigers are one of a variety of big cats and other exotic animals housed at the Big Cat Habitat, located at 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • September 5, 2013
Big Cat Habitat issues 'claw' for help

Flooding at the Big Cat Habitat, a popular area tourist attraction, has been on Sarasota County's radar for three years, but owners say little has been done.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The proposed structure for 5242 and 5238 Ocean Blvd. will include three transient accommodation units on the second floor, along with a ground-floor retail space. Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • September 5, 2013
Retail and rentals on tap for the Village

Plans for a combination retail-rental building on the former site of Napoli's restaurant in the Siesta Key Village have hit a snag.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 5, 2013
NEWS BRIEFS

SKVA meeting wrap-up; Sarasota City Commission meeting wrap-up

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • September 5, 2013
Sarasota Military Academy seeks charter approval for middle school

The School District is reviewing a charter application for Sarasota Military Academy Prep, a military-based middle school that would prepare students for military high school.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • September 5, 2013
Village Association praises plans for Siesta Key trolley

The SCAT-operated trolley service for Siesta Key will run seven days a week in 30- and 60-minute intervals.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioners agreed to raise the property tax rate for the first time since 2010, when the commission raised the tax rate 25.8%, from 1.5 mills to 1.8872 mills.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 5, 2013
Sept. 4: Daily Headlines

Today's Stories: Commission approves 10% millage increase; Brenner won't seek another term; Masked man robs Sarasota McDonald's; Sarasota Police seek robbery suspect

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 5, 2013
Cops Corner

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 5, 2013
Our View: The economics of homeless

True story: A prominent commercial real estate broker told us this week he is representing a successful, nationally known retailer who wants to open a store in Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • September 5, 2013
My View: Sadly, Americans are apathetic again

Doesn't anyone care anymore about our soldiers still fighting against a savage and determined enemy?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 5, 2013
Letters to the Editor

Opponents of the recent federal overhaul of the U.S. health-care industry should not call it "Obamacare." The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was a longtime coming. There are two reasons why we should not refer to by its colloquial name. One is that it is wrong, and one is that it diverts valid opposition.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Nate Strawderman
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 5, 2013
Signal Callers

Booker, Sarasota and The Out-of-Door Academy all have new faces under center this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 5, 2013
SIDELINES

ODA swimmers open season with victories; Sarasota Christian cruise to victory; Liberty Edge League registration under way

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Lakewood Ranch's Harper Fraser, 7, Jack Fraser, 5, and their mom, Melissa Fraser, test out the Royally Cosmic photo booth at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
  • July 5, 2026
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Jonathan Hande, senior avian hospital technician with Save Our Seabirds, demonstrates how NOT to hold a brown pelican when bringing it in for assessment at the bird rescue organization. Anyone handling an injured pelican should keep an ideally gloved finger between the bird's beak to keep the bird restrained without inhibiting its ability to breathe.
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Lucy Clark and Carlin and Ellie Mackintosh, granddaughters of Longboat Key artist May Lou Johnson, help release the first of 250 butterflies at Freedom Fest. The Fourth of July festivities also included a parade, canine costume contest, rededication of Bicentennial Park and family activities.
  • July 4, 2026
Longboat Key pulls all the stops for special Freedom Fest
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The Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton performs on the second stage.
  • July 4, 2026
Nathan Benderson Park goes big for Fireworks on the Lake
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The 1,475 square foot Udermann house has been partially raised using about 50 hydraulic jacks in The Village in Longboat Key. It currently sits 4 and a half feet up and will eventually be raised to 12 feet.
  • July 4, 2026
Town may encourage home raising through code amendment

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