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News

Drone footage captured Aug. 5, 2021, by Manatee County crews shows the Gulf of Mexico's red tide conditions right across from Longboat Key's Bayfront Park. The darker areas tend to show where concentrations of the red tide algae may be present.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 14, 2023
Local experts search for red tide answers

Red tide blooms are like chili: Everyone’s recipe is different, said one panel member at the "Red Tide in the Gulf Coast" discussion.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home of author Glenn Cooper at 749 Freeling Drive on Siesta Key is listed at $6.95 million.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 14, 2023
Bestselling author's Siesta Key home listed for $7 million

The 6,827-square-foot residence sits on a canal with bay and Gulf access.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
El Melvin on Main Street has in the past opened its folding glass doors late at night, drawing complaints from nearby residents of loud music. That practice would be classified as a nightclub under proposed zoning changes.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 14, 2023
What makes a bar a nightclub? The City Commission seeks answers.

Restaurant and bar zoning changes need more digestion, Sarasota city commissioners tell staff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Man sentenced to 15 years for 2021 Sarasota vehicular homicide
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 13, 2023
Man sentenced to 15 years for 2021 Sarasota vehicular homicide

Jordan Schopfer of Bradenton pled guilty for striking and killing a motorcyclist on North Beneva Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Gulf Islands Ferry is expected to be running by the end of 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 13, 2023
Gulf Islands Ferry launches Nov. 20, with potential for Longboat stop

The ferry will take its first trip on Monday, Nov. 20, and county officials are already looking at ways to improve the service in the future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Man died while in custody of Sarasota Police Department
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 13, 2023
Man died while in custody of Sarasota Police Department

The death of a man in custody of the Sarasota Police Department early Sunday morning is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch library is located at 16410 Rangeland Parkway.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Library aims for January opening

Forty-two pallets of books have arrived in anticipation of the library opening in January.

  • East County
  • News
A generic concept of a complete street with dedicated bike lanes and center median, similar to plans for 10th Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 11, 2023
Public input sought on making downtown streets more bike friendly

Residents can share their thoughts via surveys for 10th Street and Boulevard of the Arts conversions as design work moves to the second phase of the complete street project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Teri Hansen, at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's 103rd annual meeting Oct. 27, 2023, is president and CEO of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 11, 2023
Barancik Foundation awards more than $5 million in grants

In addition to several nonprofits, the foundation is investing in its own workforce housing initiative.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Whitney Plaza Community Center would be located at 6810 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 10, 2023
Contracts, full remodel needed for Whitney Plaza Community Center

A few pieces still need to fall into place before the remodel and opening of the Whitney Plaza Community Center on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Affordable housing cannot be produced for over 40% of Sarasota County households, says Gulf Coast Community Foundation Director of Community Investment Jon Thaxton.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 10, 2023
Sarasota's affordable housing crisis dissected at business summit

Most respondents to a Sarasota Chamber of Commerce survey said their ability to do business has been negatively impacted due to a lack of housing for workers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Connie Lyke-Brown in 2022
    By
  • James Peter
  • November 10, 2023
Sarasota woman sets NYC Marathon record

Connie Lyke-Brown, 80, has run 44 consecutive New York City marathons and won her age group this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The new Selby Gardens Welcome Center will include a ticketing pavilion, welcome gallery and welcome theater.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 10, 2023
Selby Gardens will debut new facilities in January

New features from Phase 1 of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' master plan include an open-air welcome center, a parking structure and a plant research center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 9, 2023
Two stops added to Bay Runner trolley route

Suspended service resumed at Golden Gate Point, and a new stop was added at Bird Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Luke LaGorin (yellow shirt) and Frank Martinelli tie off one of two Private Custom Charters boats at Nora Patterson Island Park on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 9, 2023
Whose parking space is it anyway at Sarasota County public boat ramps?

With limited parking at Sarasota County parks' public boat ramps, commercial charters come under scrutiny from the County Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Longboat Key Police Department.
  • December 26, 2025
Show off your cars, enjoy coffee at LKPD community event
2
The pool in Taylor Morrison's Esplanade at Azario development in Sarasota's Lakewood Ranch community.
  • December 26, 2025
Builder to bring 1,200-home community to Lakewood Ranch
3
Riverview High baseball player-mentors pose for a photo on Dec. 9 with their kindergarten mentees at Southside Elementary School. Danielle Sobolewski, a kindergarten teacher at Southside, asked for some silly faces.
  • December 25, 2025
Riverview High baseball mentors next generation
4
Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2 Learning Pavilion Interior rendering.
  • December 25, 2025
Selby Gardens' renovations add to appeal while keeping mission in mind
5
The Unit 111 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail was built in 2000 and has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,186 square feet of living area.
  • December 25, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 8-12 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

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