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News

Friends Laura Salata and Melissa Monoki are preparing to open a brand-new BODYBAR Pilates studio in Lakewood Ranch on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 26, 2024
New Year's resolution leads to new Lakewood Ranch Pilates studio

Two friends mix community and exercise with new Bodybar Pilates location.

  • East County
  • Business
The Dallas and Elizabeth Dort Residence Hall is among the buildings on the New College East campus adjacent to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2024
2024: Sarasota by the numbers

From hurricane damage to government legal fees, here are some of the most notable figures in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A mini-park is a key feature of The Bay park Phase 2 Cultural District.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 22, 2024
Update on The Bay becomes object lesson in resilience

Bay Park Conservancy's AG Lafley tells County Commission native Florida outperforms the built environment as The Bay park never closed after Hurricane Milton.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paid parking on St. Armands and Lido keys, including the St. Armands Garage, will resume on Jan. 2, 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2024
Paid parking to resume on St. Armands, Lido keys

Suspended since back-to-back hurricanes, the paid parking program on the barrier islands will resume Jan. 2, 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Waffle Stop owner Dolly Hollinger, seen here in December 2020.
    By
  • Mark Gordon, Louis Llovio
  • December 20, 2024
The Waffle Stop, Sarasota 'Elvis Ate Here' restaurant, to close by end of 2024

A Sarasota institution, The Waffle Stop, is closing after 74 years.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
2024: Longboat by the numbers
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 20, 2024
2024: Longboat by the numbers

From hurricanes to high ticket sales, here are some of the numbers that defined the year on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Video taken from a doorbell camera shows two people allegedly stealing packages from a Lakewood Ranch home. The Manatee County Sherif's Office has made two arrests in the case.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2024
Suspected Lakewood Ranch porch pirates arrested

The Bradenton suspects were seen on doorbell video, deputies say.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 19, 2024
City reveals vision for reimagined Main Street

Wider sidewalks, less parking and greater streetside activity are among the priorities as the city develops plans for a cohesive Main Street through downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A member of the SPD Underwater Search and Recovery Team, whose identity is concealed, with the recovered firearm tossed into Whitaker Bayou by a fleeing teen arrested in connection with a string of e-bike thefts.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2024
Two arrested in string of e-bike thefts

Two juveniles were taking into custody on Tuesday during an undercover operation to recover a stolen bike, one on a weapons charge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Athletics and Aquatics Center at Premier Sports Campus North is expected to be complete by summer 2026.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 18, 2024
Swim and pickleball center at Premier North nears groundbreaking

Manatee County expects the facility to break ground by February and to be finished by summer 2026.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering by SB Architects of the west (right) and east towers proposed to replace the Hyatt Regency hotel adjacent to The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 18, 2024
Hyatt Regency redevelopment wins critical Planning Board adjustment

To accommodate its planned two towers with a single motorcourt access, Kolter Urban needs to move the access point eastward off Boulevard of the Arts for its redevelopment of the Hyatt Rregency site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Spanish Main Yacht Club in Longboat Key is comprised of 212 units and is situated on Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 18, 2024
Spanish Main Yacht Club almost recovered from hurricane damage

Two months after hurricanes Helene and Milton, residents of the condominium community are still unable to live in their units, but the board said the recovery effort is turning a corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bike theft scam on the rise in Sarasota
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2024
Bike theft scam on the rise in Sarasota

The Sarasota Police Department reports a rise in thefts of e-bikes and dirt bikes during online marketplace transactions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota City Commissioner Kyle Battie.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 18, 2024
Resident declines appeal of Battie defamation lawsuit ruling

Kelly Franklin informed her attorney of her decision to not appeal a court ruling favoring Sarasota City Commissioner Kyle Battie in her defamation suit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota ranks second in US in GoFundMe giving
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2024
Sarasota ranks second in US in GoFundMe giving

More than 500 active fundraising campaigns are active in this area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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1
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
  • December 18, 2025
New north county park draws major collegiate softball tournament
2
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
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  • December 18, 2025
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Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 18, 2025
Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds
5
The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays

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