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Sarasota

Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • May 12, 2026
Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College

The fate of USF Sarasota-Manatee depends on the Legislature's special budget session. It will decide whether to shut down the college and transfer the buildings to New College.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Costello’s Neighborhood Pizza owner Kenny Palin takes a pie out of the oven at the Longboat Key branch of Costello’s.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 12, 2026
Owner rebrands Longboat, Gulf Gate pizza joints to Costello's Neighborhood Pizza

As the franchise contract reached expiration, owner Kenny Palin decided to personalize his two pizzerias with a family name.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ed Hill (left) receives the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals Professional of the Year Award from Noel Martinez of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2026
Chamber executive wins top statewide professional award

Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ed Hill was honored with the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals Professional of the Year Award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 11, 2026
Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75

No one else was hurt in the Sarasota County incident, FHP says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Spring break helped bring an year-over-year increase in tourism to Sarasota County in March.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 11, 2026
Tourism sees increase of visitors in March

March 2026 brought an increase in tourists, but not spending, to Sarasota County compared to the year prior.

  • Sarasota
  • News
William Gensmer and Zaeta, of The Tilt, perform on stage.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 10, 2026
Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest held at Selby Five Points Park

The event hosted by the Fabulous Arts Foundation showcased LGBTQ+ artists and connected community members downtown after making its return there last year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joseph Sprouse created costumes based on "Tron" that he and his sister Isabel Sprouse wore to the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 10, 2026
SiestaCon continues to bring a comic con experience to Sarasota

The event, held at Robarts Arena, returned for its third year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The update of the Sarasota City Plan includes the Recreation and Open Space chapter.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2026
May 11 city plan update open house canceled

Three chapters of the Sarasota City Plan were to be discussed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Il Panificio is now open at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 9, 2026
Il Panificio opens new downtown Sarasota restaurant

The pizza restaurant now has two locations on Main Street and one on Siesta Key.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
School district demands repayment of tax fees
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 8, 2026
School district demands repayment of tax fees

The Sarasota County Commission votes to resume paying the tax collector's 2% commission fee and questions the fee itself.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mason Hull has more than 300,000 followers on TikTok.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2026
Sarasota TikTok influencer arrested on child-pornography charges

Because of the 18-year-old suspect's digital presence, the Sheriff's Office is reaching out to the public for additional information.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Wendy Feinstein now divides her time between Longboat Key and Carbondale, Colorado.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2026
American Jewish Committee names new regional president

Wendy Feinstein, a Longboat Key resident, previously served the AJC as regional vice president.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Work will soon begin on replacing anbd raising 1,500 linear feet of seawall at the Bayfront Park marina.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 7, 2026
Bayfront Park marina seawall to be rebuilt

The Sarasota City Commission has approved a nearly $5.6 million contract to rebuild the seawall at the marina section of Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tammy King talks with fourth graders Dylan Amador-Guerra and Knox Smith about their journals.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 7, 2026
Program helps elementary students explore who they want to be when they grow up

The Students With Amazing Goals (SWAG) program at Alta Vista Elementary serves fourth and fifth graders, and soon middle school students, in goals that include career aspirations.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ben Milliken is the all-time leading passer in program history for Sarasota Christian football. Now, he's the first Blazer headed to an NCAA Division I program.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 7, 2026
Sarasota Christian quarterback caps legacy with history-making commitment

Ben Milliken, who originally signed with Southeastern University, flipped to Furman and became the Blazers' first Division I commit.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Costello’s Neighborhood Pizza owner Kenny Palin takes a pie out of the oven at the Longboat Key branch of Costello’s.
  • May 12, 2026
Owner rebrands Longboat, Gulf Gate pizza joints to Costello's Neighborhood Pizza
2
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ed Hill (left) receives the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals Professional of the Year Award from Noel Martinez of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.
  • May 12, 2026
Chamber executive wins top statewide professional award
3
Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75
  • May 11, 2026
Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75
4
Spring break helped bring an year-over-year increase in tourism to Sarasota County in March.
  • May 11, 2026
Tourism sees increase of visitors in March
5
William Gensmer and Zaeta, of The Tilt, perform on stage.
  • May 10, 2026
Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest held at Selby Five Points Park

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