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News

At the workshop, Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight and his staff revealed Siesta Key beach statistics for 2011 that showed only 0.3% of the 2.4 million estimated beachgoers that year were arrested on alcohol related charges.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
County takes no action on beach alcohol issue

The Sarasota County Commission discussed ways to combat public drunkenness on its beaches with the Sheriff's Department Tuesday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Photo courtesy of Sarasota Opera
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • March 29, 2012
Sarasota Opera ranked second most popular Sarasota attraction

According to TripAdvisor.com, Sarasota Opera is the second most popular attraction in Sarasota. The first was Siesta Key Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The existing Publix store on Longboat Key opened in June 1980.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 29, 2012
Longboat Publix to close April 7

The Avenue of the Flowers store will close the Saturday before Easter in preparation for the new store's construction.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The photo above is one proposed idea of how the Extreme Rapid Transit People Mover could look. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
Downtown to move at fast pace

APRIL FOOLS - On the heels of a proposed pedestrian walkway comes the next step in bayfront connectivity - the Extreme Rapid Transit People Mover system, which reaches speeds of 38 mph.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
City bets on slot machines

APRIL FOOLS - The Sarasota City Commission will take a gamble on a downtown pilot program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Simon and his Isaac Group Holdings development company call Sarasota the perfect recipe for future development when the economy comes back.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: John Simon

There's nothing like downtown Sarasota, according to developer John Simon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's homeless population will be treated to a life of luxury in a new city-funded shelter.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 29, 2012
City to convert police headquarters into homeless shelter

APRILS FOOLS - Plans are in the works to turn the Sarasota Police Department into a state-of-the-art homeless shelter.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
City promotes downtown detours

APRIL FOOLS - The city of Sarasota has unveiled a variety of new detour routes for downtown motorists that might take longer to travel than main routes but completely avoid construction zones and downtown traffic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City officials recently approved an offer from LEGOLAND to begin the construction of a Legoman Land theme park on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 29, 2012
Legoman Land lands on Siesta

APRIL FOOLS - Sarasota County officials approved construction of a new Legoman Land theme park on Siesta Key Beach, due to the success of LEGOLAND Theme Park, in Winter Haven.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Doggie sunglasses will be available for purchase at the Siesta Key pavilion. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 29, 2012
Siesta Beach goes to the dogs

APRIL FOOLS - In their Wednesday meeting, Sarasota County commissioners agreed to put into effect a pilot program that would allow dogs on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 29, 2012
MTV to hold 'Siesta Shore' casting call

APRIL FOOLS - If bunking with seven off-the-wall personalities on Siesta Key is your idea of a good time, you won't want to miss the auditions for MTV's newest reality series, 'Siesta Shore.'

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
News Briefs

APRIL FOOLS - Pocket park to become dog park; Siesta bridges to close for maintenance; Merchants needed to assist with upkeep

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
Sarasota County will construct parking garage on Siesta Key

APRIL FOOLS - Parking has always been a hot topic on Siesta Key, and with the new Legoman Land set to come to the island soon, Sarasota County officials have been discussing numerous ways to accommodate the influx of visitors.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Some Laurel Park residents are concerned with large development that can be built on lots just outside the community’s boundaries on Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
Laurel Park residents divided

Some Laurel Park residents want more input on nearby future development, while others believe the extra input would deter future development.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
Downtown attracts new clothing store

A J.McLaughlin clothing store is opening next to Eileen Fischer this summer on Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Staff at the 12th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program sort through the delivery of presents for children up to 18 years of age.
  • December 22, 2025
Gift donations break record at Sarasota Sheriff's Office
2
Cindy Ritchell, Ann Quackenbush, Brenda Korthauer, Beverly Sutton and Kit Torchia all lend a helping hand in packing seeds to send internationally to farmers who need them. Quackenbush is a driving force behind Hope Seeds, a charitable ministry through Christ Church of Longboat Key.
  • December 22, 2025
Longboat's Hope Seeds nears 10 years of giving back
3
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo
4
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County
5
The library will be constructed on the light green area depicted on this map within Longboat Key's Town Center Green. The entire library would be around 11,230 square feet with the possible enhancements.
  • December 22, 2025
Buchanan's $1 million donation formally accepted for library

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