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Sarasota

County Commissioner Tom Knight on Tuesday raised the issue of a fee charged by the Tax Collector's office on money raised by the school district's optional 1-mill property tax.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 6, 2026
County Commission reverses stance on paying school-tax fee

Sarasota leaders vote 3-2 to open the door to reassuming the responsibility for paying Tax Collector commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 6, 2026
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers

Currently, 136 teacher roles are unassigned in the district.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Charles Edward Githler
    In Memoriam |
  • May 6, 2026
Charles Edward Githler

Charles Edward Githler was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 29, in Sarasota, Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The Stickney Point Road property contains commercial condominiums, 700 feet of bay frontage and 390 feet of canal/boat basin access.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 6, 2026
Nearly $21M Stickney Point project moves forward

Sarasota County commissioners authorized the acquisition and loan to finance the property purchase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dick Vitale, even amid his battle with melanoma, kept the focus of his 21st annual gala in Sarasota on helping kids fight — and beat — cancer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 6, 2026
Dick Vitale reminds us, once more, pediatric cancer research matters

The $21 million raised at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala represents a major victory for an ever-important cause.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Circus Trail currently runs along the east side of Circus Boulevard before crossing over the road to the east and then back again.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 6, 2026
Circus Trail envisioned to connect Fruitville to 17th Street Park

The Sarasota City Commission has authorized FDOT to design a realignment of Circus Trail into and through Bobby Jones Golf Course and Nature Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 6, 2026
Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat

Believing she was texting with the famous action star, a woman gives bank information to "Keanu Reeves" in extortion scam. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The John Ringling Causeway connects Sarasota to Bird Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 6, 2026
Recent projects show the new era of Sarasota-area bridges

In the latter half of the 21st century, drawbridges were the preferred method to bridge barrier islands to the mainland in the Gulf Coast, but that doesn’t mean they’re a relic of the past.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?
  • By Adrian Moore, Nicole Shekhovtsova
  • May 6, 2026
Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?

Legislators are passing laws to verify the age of social media users — but does it inadvertently require these sites to keep more data than necessary?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Traffic was rerouted around a water-main repair site on Tuttle Avenue.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2026
Water advisory posted after Sarasota pipe break

Traffic is rerouted on Tuttle Avenue near Floyd Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Noelle Tenaglia is headed to the FHSAA Class 4A track and field state championship May 9 at Jacksonville's Hodges Stadium alongside relay teammates Kenna Borras, Ella Dabringhaus and Madison Muller.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 5, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Noelle Tenaglia

The senior led Riverview's 3,200-meter relay team to victory at the FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bicyclist killed crossing US 301 in Sarasota
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 4, 2026
Bicyclist killed crossing US 301 in Sarasota

The 51-year-old was not wearing a helmet and wasn't in a crosswalk, police say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Shoreline damage at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is among the nearly $40 million in city recovery expenses left behind by the 2024 hurricane season.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 4, 2026
City staff to hold budget steady for next fiscal year

A fund balance shortfall of $4.3 million has prompted Sarasota officials to instruct departments to trim operating costs and suspend capital purchases.

  • Sarasota
  • News
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase

The annual exhibition of new and classic cars supports honor flights for veterans in Southwest Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kelly Kirschner is the son of the late Kerry Kirschner, who led the Argus Foundation and also was mayor of Sarasota.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 3, 2026
Former Sarasota mayor joins race to fill Buchanan's Congressional seat

Kelly Kirschner, 51, was elected to the City Commission in 2007.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75
  • May 11, 2026
Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75
2
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
3
Joseph Sprouse created costumes based on "Tron" that he and his sister Isabel Sprouse wore to the event.
  • May 10, 2026
SiestaCon continues to bring a comic con experience to Sarasota
4
The update of the Sarasota City Plan includes the Recreation and Open Space chapter.
  • May 9, 2026
May 11 city plan update open house cancelled
5
Il Panificio is now open at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota.
  • May 9, 2026
Il Panificio opens new downtown Sarasota restaurant

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