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News

The Observer Group publishes six weekly newspapers in Florida.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
The Observer Group wins 17 awards in editorial contest

The Observer Group won 17 awards in the 2011 Local Media Association Editorial Contest. Diversions, The Observer's arts and entertainment section, won first place in its division for the second year.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • March 29, 2012
Giving Challenge totals $2.4 million

The 36-Hour Giving Challenge resulted in 10,705 donations totaling more than $2.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
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Students in Kirsten Hazelton's 2nd-grade class at Southside Elementary School used their magnifying glasses to watch their freshly released ladybugs get to work patrolling their vegetable garden at the school.
  • April 8, 2026
Support your passion project through Giving Challenge 2026
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Angelina Goesch and her mom, Ana Goesch, founder of Dogs of Lakewood Ranch, pose with Ana's 4-year-old Golden retriever, Maple.
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The Dogs of Lakewood Ranch club allows canine lovers to network
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This year the Sarasota Opera House is turning 100. To celebrate, the Sarasota Opera is holding a special concert and dinner on April 11.
  • April 8, 2026
Sarasota Opera fetes Opera House on its centennial
5
The original Owen's Fish Camp in Burns Court defines the quintessential "cottage."
  • April 8, 2026
Local cottage-core cafes offer a cozy escape

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