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News

    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • November 20, 2015
INTERACTIVE: Sarasota’s unemployment rate continues decline

The unemployment rate in Sarasota County fell to 4.8% in October, which is the lowest the economic indicator has been since June 2007.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Julie and Tom Ciesielski of Summerfield have had a rough five months since Tom was diagnosed with leukemia. Julie now raises funds for leukemia research.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 20, 2015
Donations do make a difference

Husband's leukemia prompts wife to begin fundraising efforts.

  • East County
  • News
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has chosen Sarasota for his Florida office.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • November 19, 2015
Donald Trump to speak in Sarasota

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump will hold a rally at Robarts Arena Saturday, Nov. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"Please don't give up control of our gate for 10 years," said Country Club West resident Tom Willson. "We need the flexibility to address our safety issue at Balmoral."
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • November 19, 2015
Lakewood Ranch CDDs approve roadshare agreement

The three districts will share the costs of communal roads and gates maintenance.

  • East County
  • News
Town Manager Dave Bullock blames strong easterly winds for the arrival of thousands of dead fish floating in Key canals.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 19, 2015
Town seeks red tide fish kill cleanup

A town contractor will clean up dead fish floating on the top of Country Club Shores canals and in other waterways as soon as possible.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Selby House, Marie and William Selby’s original residence, was built in the early 1920s.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • November 19, 2015
Selby Gardens partners with Michael's on East

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens aims to reinvent its culinary offerings with a partnership with Michael's on East, which means better wedding accommodations and the possibility of a new waterfront restaurant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jesse Biter and Eric Baird pose in front of the Hollywood 20 complex. They are part of a group of investors that purchased the property on Nov. 12 for $18.1 million.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 19, 2015
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Developer purchases Hollywood 20 complex, Siesta Key man arrested for drug trafficking

A look at what's going on the week of Nov. 19, 2015

  • Sarasota
  • News
Betsy Mitchell stands at the base of the ramp, where the dock at Blackburn Point Park is partially submerged. At high tide, she said, the water reaches the spot where she stands.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • November 19, 2015
Tides turn on accessible rowing dock

A Blackburn Point Park boat ramp made the bay accessible to disabled rowers until recently.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In 2005 Mark Spreen decided to return to his alma mater to continue the legacy of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • November 19, 2015
Conversation with Mark Spreen

Riverview High School Band Director Mark Spreen remembers when he wore the plaid Kiltie uniform and tries to uphold the same traditions of previous directors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
CitySide developer Jay Tallman sat on the committee evaluating the expanded improvement district, which got a cold reception from other project representatives.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 19, 2015
Rosemary developers caution against improvement district

Representatives for three Rosemary District projects said they still view investment in the neighborhood as a high-risk proposition.

  • Sarasota
  • News
When construction closes the Osprey Avenue bridge for up to a year, the engineering firm in charge of the project hopes to mitigate traffic issues. Image courtesy Google Street View.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 19, 2015
City maps out traffic plans during prolonged Osprey Avenue closure

Construction on Lift Station 87 will require the closure of the Osprey Avenue bridge for a year. How are the project managers working to mitigate the effects of the detour?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota resident Devin Rutkowski led a campaign against the city's backflow preventer policy, but officials were unswayed by his objections.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 19, 2015
Backlash doesn't change city's backflow preventer policy

Despite pushback from businesses who think the city’s regulations are too strict, the City Commission stood behind a system it believes is protecting Sarasota’s water supply.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cheryl Walstad, pictured, and her husband, Dave, are opening their second All Star Laundry location in Lakewood Ranch and will have a third in 2016.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 18, 2015
All Star Laundry hopes to clean up in Lakewood Ranch

Firm adds Portal Crossing opening in late December, then another location in 2016.

  • East County
  • News
During her five years on the Manatee County School Board, Karen Carpenter has twice served as the chairwoman of the board.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • November 18, 2015
Manatee County School Board elects Carpenter, Kennedy as leaders

Karen Carpenter and Charlie Kennedy are the new chairwoman and vice chairman of the board.

  • East County
  • News
New IDA Executive Director Anne Ross likes to spend her free time camping and kayaking with her family. "We like to be outdoors," she said.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • November 18, 2015
Anne Ross steps up to fill Eva Rey's shoes

New Lakewood Ranch executive director plots course for the future.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
A rendering of the 12U baseball/softball fields five-plex that will be built at UMR Sports complex in East County.
  • May 23, 2026
Expansion 'gets real' at UMR Sports of Bradenton
2
Grant's Gardens has a two-bay garage at 525 Gulf Bay Road, and is proposing to build an office building on the lot across the street at 524 Gulf Bay Road.
  • May 23, 2026
Landscaping company seeks expansion in Longboat Key
3
  • May 23, 2026
New town clerk hired for Longboat Key
4
Oceane Visa, who says she has waited years to walk across the stage for graduation, is congratulated by Head of School Debra Otey.
  • May 22, 2026
Out-of-Door Academy graduates showed up for the moments that matter most
5
Leighton Paul (right), pictured here during the FHSAA Class 5A-Region 3 final May 14 against Gulf Coast, was Braden River's leadoff hitter this season. She went 0-for-3 in the state semifinals against Niceville.
  • May 22, 2026
Late rally not enough for Braden River High softball in state semifinals

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