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Sarasota

Woman leaves two downtown restaurants without paying her tab
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 17, 2025
Woman leaves two downtown restaurants without paying her tab

After skipping out on tabs at two restaurants, a woman is banned by police from both establishments. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota Director of Finance Kelly Strickland talks fiscal year 2026 budget with the Sarasota City Commission as Budget Manager Tyler Harris looks on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 17, 2025
Sarasota approves budget for fiscal year 2026 with millage increase

The Sarasota City Commission has given final approval of the $303 million fiscal year 2026 spending plan that includes money earmarked to rebuild fund balance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Attendees including Carissa Marsh (right) paint the walkway at The Harvest Sarasota on Sept. 14.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 16, 2025
Volunteers paint Pride crosswalk at Harvest Sarasota church

The rainbow walkway at The Harvest Sarasota was created in response to the recent pavement art ban by the Florida Department of Transportation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joel Morris poses for a photo during a Sept. 16 practice. The senior is a dual-threat quarterback for Booker football, and put on a dominant display in Week 4.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 16, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Joel Morris

The senior quarterback tossed four touchdowns in a big-time Week 4 victory for Booker football.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The damage to Bayfront Park from hurricanes Helene and Milton is estimated at $1.15 million.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 16, 2025
Sarasota signs contractor for hurricane-related paving repairs

The Sarasota City Commission approves a $7.5 million agreement with Ajax Paving Industries for recovery work related to the 2024 hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Allan Knight resigned as Cardinal Mooney head volleyball coach after a 6-5 start to the 2025 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 15, 2025
Knight resigns as Cardinal Mooney volleyball coach

Allan Knight held the position for just over a year before stepping down as Leah Mihm takes over in interim role.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is opening its SEA site in early October.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 15, 2025
New Mote SEA facility will open in early October

Members get first views on Oct. 6-7 and public on Oct. 8 at its aquarium located near University and I-75 in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
For the serious cyclist, staying in top condition is the best reason for why they enjoy the type of extreme exercise.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • September 15, 2025
The exercise you choose should be about pleasure, not a chore

It's important to find a physical activity you like or at least don’t hate and pursue it with pleasure.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Sarasota couple arrested on child neglect charges
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2025
Sarasota couple arrested on child neglect charges

Found day drinking outside and testing positive for narcotics, SPD and state investigators arrest couple after finding a child locked in a room.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The damage to Whitaker Gateway Park from hurricanes Helene and Milton is estimated at $1.5 million.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2025
Sarasota launches park recovery update website

Sarasota's new website allows residents to track the progress of storm damage repairs at 14 coastal parks and assets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bradenton photographer Jimmy Chadsey hangs a painting on the wall.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 14, 2025
Artists showcase unique creations at St. Armands Art Festival

The festival with craft marketplace brought an assortment of puzzles, NASA photos and even unzipped rocks..

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Columbia Restaurant’s fourth-generation owner Casey Gonzmart Sr., believes that passion and fun are essential in running a restaurant empire.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 14, 2025
Family legacy at Columbia Restaurant carries to next generation

Casey Gonzmart Sr. is passing the torch to family members as he steps down as chairman of the board of the 1905 Family of Restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Lido Key is among the highest trending fall vacation rental in the country, according to vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 13, 2025
Lido Key ranks among top trending fall vacation destinations

With online searches more the tripling the year prior, vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo rates the Sarasota barrier island sixth in trending growth.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wilkinson Elementary operates at about 50% capacity, prompting school officials to consider closing it and sending students to three other under-capacity schools.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 13, 2025
Wilkinson Elementary closure part of broader plan, Sarasota superintendent says

By November, the Sarasota School Board could decide on closing the school and moving central office there.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Nearly 300 grams of cocaine, or about 10.5 ounces, was seized from a home in Sarasota, authorities said.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 12, 2025
Manatee, Sarasota agents make cocaine-trafficking arrest

Raids at locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties resulted in seized cocaine and the arrest of a Bradenton man.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
2
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
3
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables
4
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 Sarasota park draws major collegiate softball tournament
5
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

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