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News

The saturated carpet in the Grand Foyer at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has been replaced with polished concrete.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 12, 2024
Purple Ribbon Committee embarks on its last phase in January

Philosophical differences emerge as members tasked to recommend repurposing the Van Wezel begin to share thoughts about its report to the City Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Retired Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown has waved goodbye to municipal government, but not necessarily to local public policy influence.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 12, 2024
After stepping back, Marlon Brown is looking to keep stepping up

Like many others, Marlon Brown has already found his retirement home in Sarasota. The former city manager is now weighing how to influence public policy from the outside looking in.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Albritton Groves Ltd. sold its property off State Road 72 to Sarasota County.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • December 12, 2024
Sarasota County closes $19M deal for former fruit orchards

The county plans to use the property, previously owned by the Albritton family, for soil to cover the nearby landfill.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan (left) and President Mark Clark (right) present Heather Hackett with the C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year award.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 11, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation awards 20 grants

At Refreshments and Recognition, the foundation also honored its Humanitarian of the Year.

  • East County
  • News
Fort Hamer road, bridge widening to cost $190.5 million
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 11, 2024
Fort Hamer road, bridge widening to cost $190.5 million

Manatee County held a public hearing to share its plans for the corridor from Upper Manatee River Road to U.S. 301.

  • East County
  • News
A Tempo Hotel by Hilton is proposed to be built on Fruitville Road from the Downtown Hair Studio to the left through the end of the block.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 11, 2024
New Tempo Hotel by Hilton planned for Fruitville Road

A 10-story, 125-room Tempo Hotel by Hilton is proposed to replace a row of one-story merchant spaces, providing multiple adjustments are granted.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A study done by the Florida Department of Transportation estimated that the current drawbridge is raised about 100-300 times a month.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 11, 2024
Mobility improvements coming to the barrier islands

Focused more on implementation, the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization plans to complete a Barrier Island Implementation Plan next year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
One of the boats that was moved from its lift near Lands End on the north end.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 11, 2024
Boat lift restrictions under review after residents experience losses

Longboat Key residents spoke up about how boat lifts under current restrictions didn’t stand a chance with the storm surge from Hurricane Helene.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Prominent national restaurateur Cameron Mitchell is opening Ocean Prime at The Quay on Dec 21.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • December 11, 2024
Ocean Prime is ready to open at The Quay

The $10 million, two-story restaurant featuring waterfront views will debut on Dec. 21.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Cafe L'Europe renovated its private and semi-private dining areas ahead of the restaurant's 50th anniversary in 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 11, 2024
Café L'Europe becomes The Café on St. Armands with new dining theme

The St. Armands Circle staple will reopen in January 2025 with a reimagined dining theme and new name following damages from Hurricane Helene.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2024
Stickney Point Bridge tests scheduled for Dec. 11-12

The bridge will be continually opened and closed between 7 p.m. and midnight Dec. 11 and 12.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The south entry of the new Selby Botanical Gardens Welcome Center.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • December 10, 2024
Selby Gardens named in 'Best of Architecture' by Wall Street Journal

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens was one of only five projects selected.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Orchestra plans to build a new music center on the 32-acre parcel at 5701 Fruitville Road.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 10, 2024
Sarasota Orchestra completes design ensemble for new Music Center

The orchestra has selected Houston-based OJB Landscape Architects to work with the design firm to create the Music Center's "sense of place."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County is putting the finishing touches on the new recreation center at John H. Marble Park, which will be opening toward the end of February 2025.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2024
John H. Marble Park prepares to reopen

The 27,000-square-foot recreation center is expected to be open by the end of February.

  • East County
  • News
Participants biked the distance of GMD during the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16, 2016.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 10, 2024
Longboat Key PD to increase public outreach on pedestrian, bicyclist safety

Officers recently completed a course designed to be an overview of state laws and best practices related to pedestrian safety, which came with a grant to allow for directed patrols.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Katherine Ceaser, Lydia Chapdelain and Jessica Armstrong
  • March 22, 2026
Art Center Sarasota brings Beaux Arts Ball back to celebrate centennial
2
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park
3
Sarasota's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs
4
Lakewood Ranch's Kathleen Flesch, Sonia Levy, Jane Imperiale and Peri Ann Aptaker dress for the Palm Royale-themed Divas and Dogs fundraiser that will benefit The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.
  • March 21, 2026
Divas and Dogs brings together fashion and animal lovers
5
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April

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