• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

News

Sarasota Chalk Festival founder and Chairwoman Denise Kowal announced Monday night that a 4-1 vote by the Sarasota City Commission had potentially ruined any chance of the festival’s return for its fifth anniversary in November.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 22, 2011
Chalk Festival off, back on again

The Sarasota Chalk Festival, scheduled for Nov. 1, was in jeopardy of being canceled because of the Sarasota City Commission's grant-permitting change.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
When Gracie McMinn gets tired of walking during the Heart Walk, her dad carries her the rest of the way. Gracie loves cheerleading and is learning to play tennis.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 22, 2011
Young survivors share their heartfelt stories

Ten-year-old McLain Miller has a scar down the center of her chest. She calls it "her zipper."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The city of Sarasota already has two electric car-charging stations in the Palm Avenue parking garage. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 22, 2011
City receives jolt from new program

The city of Sarasota will be receiving six electric car-charging stations in a variety of locations from Florida Power & Light by the end of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 22, 2011
FULL STORY: City Commission approves 5.3% millage increase

Sarasota city commissioners approved on second reading Tuesday a new fiscal year budget that raises the millage rate to 2.9249 mills.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 22, 2011
DID's marketing effort progresses

City leaders and business owners gave advertising updates at a marketing meeting this week hosted by the Downtown Improvement District.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A map released by the Florida Department of Transportation in June shows tentative sites for the 10 pedestrian islands along Midnight Pass Road between Beach Road and Stickney Point Road.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • September 22, 2011
Pedestrian plan peeves public

Condominium association members and others say a Florida Department of Transportation plan to construct 10 pedestrian islands on a 1-mile stretch of Midnight Pass Road will create more problems instead of helping people cross the road more safely.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The current Gulf Gate Library opened in December 1983. File photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • September 22, 2011
Work could start before 2015 on new library

The Sarasota County Commission has agreed to the replacement of the Gulf Gate Library on its current Curtiss Avenue site and has asked staff to look at ways the project can be started sooner than the fiscal year 2015 timetable for which it has been slated.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Residents of high-rise condominiums on Siesta often are unaware of the county fire code's specifications for alarms.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • September 22, 2011
Condo residents unaware of fire code regulations

In most high-rise condominium buildings, when a fire alarm on one floor goes off, alarms also sound on just the two floors above it and the floor below it, according to the county's chief Fire Prevention Division inspector.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • September 22, 2011
School board gets news of $14 million hole in next budget year

After approving its fiscal year 2012 budget, the Sarasota County School Board Tuesday examined early projections for revenues and expenses in 2013, including a projected shortfall of $14.5 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • September 22, 2011
Chair defends board's actions

County Commissioner Nora Patterson told a Tiger Bay Club audience that although the commission could have paid more attention to signs of trouble with procurement before a scandal erupted, the board was constrained by the county charter.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2011
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • September 22, 2011
More high school students seeking free, reduced-price meals

After the Sarasota County School District Food and Nutrition Services Department made it possible this school year for families to apply online for their children to receive free and reduced-price meals, more high school students have been approved for the aid.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2011
News Briefs

Public meeting to be held on new scrap metal law; Henry promoted to Health Department administrator; Planning Board approves Siesta Drive store permit; County business taxes due by Sept. 30

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2011
Our View: This is the best we can do?

Seriously? The sign on this page is the best that Sarasota County could come up with not only to celebrate the Siesta Key Beach's top national ranking but to commemorate it for future visitors?

  • Sarasota
  • News
All other Sarasota County libraries will be open Saturday, Oct. 1 while the Selby Public Library closes that day as part of its renovation project.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 21, 2011
Selby Library closes temporarily Oct. 1

Sarasota County's busiest library, the Selby Public Library, must close temporarily Oct. 1 and will re-open Oct. 3.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC
2
Drugs, cash and a rifle bullet were among the items found by Sarasota Police in a search of a 31st Way home, resulting in the arrest of Demarius R. Jones, of Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sarasota man on probation arrested on drug, other charges
3
Rod Brogan and Rachel Moulton star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Birthday Candles."
  • April 10, 2026
Today and tomorrow take the stage in Florida Studio Theatre's 'Birthday Candles'
4
Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District
5
Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
Helga Williams

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free