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News

The Sarasota County Fire Department blocked off a segment of the 1500 block of State Street as it responded to the alarm Friday afternoon.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 9, 2019
Carbon monoxide alarm causes downtown building evacuation

A van running a generator on State Street near The Mark construction site triggered the alarm, the county said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 9, 2019
In her own words: Dora Walters

A few samples of what Dora had to say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Most everyone who has worked with Dora Walters at the Observer reveres her.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 9, 2019
Observer staff remembers Dora Walters

There is no shortage of stories about the former Longboat reporter.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dora Walters on duty in the Longboat Observer newsroom.
  • By Nathalie Kaemmerer and Sten Spinella
  • August 9, 2019
Dora the Explorer: A Longboat legend (1927-2019)

The spunky, beloved longtime Longboat Observer reporter has died at age 92.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Police Department is waiting for officials to fix the gas leak.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 9, 2019
UPDATE: Orange Avenue reopens following gas leak

A segment of the road between 19th Street and 25th Street was closed as authorities responded to a gas leak.

  • Sarasota
  • News
From left, Mona Jain, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee mascot Rocky the Bull, and School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders pose for a photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 8, 2019
Opening of Mona Jain Middle School in Lakewood Ranch stirs emotions

Community honors Mona Jain during ribbon cutting for the new middle school in Lakewood Ranch named after her.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 8, 2019
Proposed budget ready for commissioners in September.

$17,189,514 spending plan delivered on Aug. 1; public hearings begin when commissioners return from summer break.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A photo of former Longboat firefighters in front of a long-gone truck.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 8, 2019
Longboat Key Fire Department looks to strengthen tradition

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi is trying to assemble historical displays of the department's past.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
VPA director Rebecca Abrahamson and VPA Theatre Chairman Scott Keys stand about where the lobby will be expanded to.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 8, 2019
Booker VPA to see $4 million renovation

School officials hope investment into the theater facility will shine a brighter light on student artists.

  • Sarasota
  • News
R. Dan Nolan Middle School Principal Scot Boice said the changes should improve traffic flow at arrival and dismissal times.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 8, 2019
Lane changes aid arrival, dismissal at McNeal Elementary and Nolan Middle in Lakewood Ranch

McNeal Elementary, Nolan Middle have new car rider paths for parents to navigate.

  • East County
  • News
The size of a proposed 500-space, five-story parking garage with a rooftop restaurant has been central to the controversy over Selby Gardens' master plan.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 8, 2019
State scrutinizes Selby Gardens plans

FDOT officials questioned the scope and impact of a redevelopment project, but gardens officials stand behind the proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ken Shelin thinks it's possible to reach a simple, agreeable solution for changing building regulation on South Palm Avenue, but residents are initially sharing opposing perspectives on the best path forward.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 8, 2019
Palm Avenue residents, owners at odds over zoning

Can neighbors with opposing perspectives find room for compromise on building rules?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lieutenant Brandon Desch shows off the Longboat Fire Department's night vision monocular. Photos by Sten Spinella.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 7, 2019
New equipment improves vision for Longboat Key Fire Department

Even in the night, firefighters can see as clear as day.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gianfranco Santagati pictured in the dining room of La Norma. Photos by Sten Spinella.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 7, 2019
La Norma brings Sicilian spirit to Longboat Key

The Italian restaurant has settled into its tenure on the island after opening several months ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Taylor Lawson, April Costello and Chris Lawson say Colton Lawson, front, is a typical active boy, who loves to run and play, adores superheroes and is obsessed with trucks and tractors.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 7, 2019
Myakka boy still ready to race after traumatic limb loss

Myakka boy still ready to race after traumatic limb loss.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
District 3's Jack May is a write-in candidate in the District 1 commission race.
  • August 11, 2026
Write-in candidates close two Manatee County Republican primaries
2
At the 2025 FHSAA Class 4A boys swimming state championship, then-junior Andrew Malaj earned silver in the 400-yard freestyle relay and bronze in the 200-yard freestyle as the Sailors won the team title. He recently competed for the Sarasota Tsunami at the USA Swimming Futures Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee.
  • August 11, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Andrew Malaj
3
John Guerrasio and Laura Gardner star in "The Last Romance," which runs at Florida Stuudio Theatre through Aug. 16.
  • August 11, 2026
The best things to do this weekend in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat
4
Paxon Hermann placed sixth for pole vault at the 2026 FHSAA Class 1A track and field state championship in May. That was far from the only discipline he worked on this summer.
  • August 11, 2026
ODA student-athlete dives into decathlons
5
Gary Hagen, owner of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor, died Aug. 3.
  • August 11, 2026
Owner of Hollywood-centric Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor dies

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