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News

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche reported a double-digit drop in overall crime rates for the second straight year in 2024.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 26, 2025
Sarasota crime rate drops 40% in two years

Police Chief Rex Troche attributes the downward trend in overall crime — a reduction of 22.2% in 2024, not including the homicides — to continued advancements in using technology.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bottles of wine line a shelf in Sugar Champagne Bar.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 26, 2025
Sugar Champagne Bar prepares for Friday opening

The luxury reservation-only bar, with a minimum tab of $150, will hold its grand opening Friday, March 28 in downtown Sarasota.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Susan Phillips will leave her position as assistant to the town manager at the end of March.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 26, 2025
Susan Phillips leaves behind a legacy of dedication to Longboat Key

Phillips spent 27 years taking on a heap of responsibilities as the town manager's assistant and has the stories to prove it.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An aerial view of the park space proposal pitched by developer Quay 1 and 9, for which it would donate Quay Block 9 to the city if Kolter Urban would agree to donate what is now the former Hyatt Regency employee parking lot.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 26, 2025
Kolter declines Quay developer's overture for park space

The developer of One Park extended an offer to give Block 9 in The Quay to the city if Kolter Urban would donate a connecting portion of the Hyatt redevelopment site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Summerfield Bluffs' Angela Abrams was trying to save old family photos while determining what was salvageable after Hurricane Debby engulfed her neighborhood in water.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 26, 2025
FEMA offers tips to prevent flooding

Experts will answer questions at Lowe's in Creekwood Crossing.

  • East County
  • News
The town of Longboat Key had to go back to the drawing board to redesign a potential roundabout at the intersection of Broadway Street and Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 26, 2025
FDOT to assume larger responsibility for Broadway Roundabout project

The Florida Department of Transportation agreed to manage the project for the town of Longboat Key to get the Broadway Roundabout underway after a series of previous delays and hurdles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Members of VFW Post 12055 Lee Waters, commander Dave Daily and quartermaster Bob Talan present Amy Towery with the check to Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 25, 2025
VFW Post 12055 donates $10,000 to Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee

Lee Waters, a VFW Post 12055 member, wanted to help Meals on Wheels continue to feed the hungry.

  • East County
  • News
Firefighter paramedic Richard Traugott uses the Hurst Jaws of Life to pry the front door frame apart.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 25, 2025
Longboat Key Fire Rescue teams practices vehicle extrication techniques

Crew members spent an early afternoon walking through a simulated vehicle crash to get hands-on training with extrication equipment like the Hurst Jaws of Life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering by Humphrey & Partners Architects of Fruitville Gateway, planned for Fruitville Road between East Avenue and Washington Boulevard.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2025
New apartment development on horizon for Sarasota's Park East area

Fruitville Gateway will have 274 apartments, 30 priced affordable.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Alan Anderson Architect's rendering of the McGillicuddy Arts Center at Florida Studio Theatre.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2025
FST Arts Plaza expansion advances toward staff approval

Winning partial DRC sign-off on its third submittal was the Arts Plaza expansion of Florida Studio Theatre.

  • Sarasota
  • News
1000 Boulevard of the Arts will include the Hyatt Centric Harborside hotel and 117 condomiums on the current site of the Hyatt Regency.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 24, 2025
Developer announces new hotel on Hyatt Regency site

The new hotel at the 1000 Boulevard of the Arts site will be branded Hyatt Centric Harborside.

  • Sarasota
  • News
District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams became Longboat Key's new vice mayor on March 24.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 24, 2025
Williams sworn in as new Longboat Key vice mayor, Schneier remains mayor

Debra Williams will serve as the town’s new vice mayor until 2026 after taking over the title as Mike Haycock reached his commission term limit.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jazz vocalist Synia Carroll died on March 14 after a short illness.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 24, 2025
Connecticut schoolteacher Synia Carroll found her voice in Sarasota

Jazz vocalist Synia Carroll, who died March 14 at age 67, helped build musical bridges in the Tampa Bay area.

  • Arts + Culture
CareerEdge offers a no-cost HVAC technician training program.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 24, 2025
CareerEdge Funders Collaborative releases 2024 impact report

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce initiative added $1.3 million to the two-county economy, according to the 2024 report.

  • Sarasota
  • News
90-year-old man dies in SR 70 crash
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 20, 2025
90-year-old man dies in SR 70 crash

FHP says the Lakewood Ranch man went against a red light on River Club Boulevard to pull in front of an SUV.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Lakewood Ranch's Karen and Tom Eckert work as master gardener volunteers with the University of Florida to educate the public about gardening, plants, landscaping and more.
  • December 15, 2025
Master gardeners plant seeds of wisdom at Lakewood Ranch Library
2
Jason Bond and his mother, Donna DeLuca, have been hard at work renovating the space for the new Longboat Key Provisions, the latest addition to The Centre Shops.
  • December 15, 2025
Newest addition to The Centre Shops offers sophisticated picnic supplies
3
The World of Chucko photo-bombs Dana Dalpra, Lauren Hersh and Tami and Phillip Lanham.
  • December 14, 2025
Sarasota Art Museum steps into Style Moderne for annual Art Bash
4
Joni Hill, Cate Douglas and Gaby Hayashi make their way across the beach.
  • December 14, 2025
Holiday spirit gets moving at Sandy Claws Beach Run
5
  • December 14, 2025
Eat, drink and be merry like you're in a 'Home Alone' movie

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