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Sarasota

Jim Eakle drove his son to various states to secure the badges.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 20, 2021
Sarasota Eagle Scout collects every possible merit badge

16-year-old Out of Door Academy student commits to earning all 137. And does it.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 20, 2021
Siesta city: Is it worth cost?

The appeal for incorporating Siesta Key is its residents controlling the island’s land-use destiny. A vote inevitably will come down to cost. Is the benefit worth the cost? On Longboat, it is.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Downtown merchants Darci Jacobs, Ron Soto and Harmoni Krusing Bens said they could be amenable to eventually eliminating some Main Street parking spaces — but only if the city significantly expanded the nearby parking supply.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 20, 2021
Main Street businesses protest streetscape idea

Although city officials and property owners have expressed a desire to redesign two key downtown blocks, merchants aren’t happy with the prospect of losing parking spaces.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioners suggested consulting a design firm or holding a public contest to identify possibilities for a new logo. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 20, 2021
City considers new look for logo, seal

The City Commission directed staff to explore the possibility of updating key imagery, though not everyone’s in favor of change.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2021
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.20.21

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Heidi Habhegger, president Dawn Zielinski and vice president Lisa Michel
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 19, 2021
Village Idiots cycling group participate in Ride of Silence event

Cyclists rode out for the event on May 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 19, 2021
A gemstone for St. Armands

Let the conversation begin, but perhaps this time, the ending will be happier than previous trips down this road.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sharon Carole and Chris Covelli of the he Realm Restaurant Group, which recently acquired The Bijou Café in downtown Sarasota. (Courtesy image)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2021
Landmark Sarasota restaurant sold, founders to retire

New Bijou Café owners plan to continue normal operations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In addition to featuring volunteers, a photo posted to the city’s Twitter account on March 27 showed Mayor Hagen Brody at a Van Wezel vaccination event. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 19, 2021
Mayor’s conduct causes concern among residents, officials

An argument at City Hall regarding a vaccination clinic has led to criticism of Mayor Hagen Brody’s behavior.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Signs that remind students to wear masks may be a thing of the past if an optional policy takes effect July 1. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 18, 2021
School mask policy could shift to optional July 1

Superintendent aims to hold off on changes until school year ends.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Richard Harris and Kenneth Stephens will speak to their long journeys overcoming racism. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 18, 2021
Pastors to speak on overcoming racism at Church of the Redeemer event

Richard Harris and Kenneth Stephens come from wildly different backgrounds to speak at Church of the Redeemer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • May 18, 2021
Booker Middle School hosts festival of arts at Van Wezel

The daylong arts festival was held on May 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
development group is asking the city to consider facilitating a mixed-use project featuring a boutique hotel and gourmet market on St. Armands Circle. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 18, 2021
Sarasota entertains St. Armands hotel plans

Despite concern from Longboat Key officials, the Sarasota City Commission is considering a mixed-use project proposed for the site of a public parking lot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ranger Zack Westmark helps Bill Jones of South Sarasota, a frequent biker at the park, use the new bike work station funded by Friends of Myakka River. (Miri Hardy photo)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • May 18, 2021
Myakka State Park's cycling day puts focus on nature from a new perspective

May 22 event will include a variety of special activities for cyclists at the park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Stakeholders cut the ribbon on a Legacy Trail overpass at Laurel Road in January 2019.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • May 17, 2021
First segment of expanded Legacy Trail to open in July

A ribbon cutting for segment one, which stretches from Proctor Road to Bahia Vista Street, will be held July 6.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
2
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
3
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
4
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
5
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

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