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Sarasota

James Rieser, a city resident, said he wanted to continue to build strong relationships within the community while working to ensure officers are equipped to do their jobs. Image courtesy city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 29, 2021
City appoints James Rieser as chief of police

Rieser, a captain with nearly three decades of experience, will take the top job at the Sarasota Police Department following Bernadette DiPino’s resignation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Police Department marine officer Michael Skinner and Longboat Key marine patrol officer Joshua Connors helped rescue two people whose boat hit a sandbar on Jan. 23 near New Pass.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 28, 2021
Longboat Key officer assists in water rescue of two people

The rescue happened around 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 after the boat hit a sandbar near New Pass.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Officials say the site will allow the county to administer as many as 1,500 vaccines per day.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 28, 2021
Sarasota moves COVID-19 vaccination site

The new site will be located in the former Old Navy store at the Sarasota Square Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 28, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: January 28

Gordon Silver captured this monarch butterfly among colorful flowers at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bernadette DiPino joined the Sarasota Police Department as chief of police in December 2012. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 28, 2021
DiPino resigns as Sarasota police chief

Bernadette DiPino will depart her position at the end of the week, and city administration has begun the process of selecting an interim chief.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 28, 2021
Aviva resident asks the big questions at philosophy group

At 108, Joe Newman concedes there is still a lot to learn at the discussion group he leads.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 28, 2021
Neighborhood group celebrates 30th anniversary

The Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations has grown from an informal alliance to an institution the city leans on for insights into residential areas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Uptown ArtFair in Naples, held Jan. 23-24, included public health precautions such as mask requirements and attendance capacities. Image courtesy Jeffrey Langlois.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 28, 2021
Despite pandemic, special events make a return

The city will begin issuing permits for events next month. How will organizers manage large outdoor gatherings safely?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lido Key Vacations, which operates large vacation rentals such as this one on Lido Key, has communicated with the city a desire to avoid extensive rules for registering its properties. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 28, 2021
City considers new rules for vacation rentals

Residents on the barrier islands are encouraging officials to move forward with regulations aimed at large rental properties in their neighborhoods.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Planning Board is holding hybrid meetings where a majority attends in person, but two members participate remotely. The city said access to hybrid meetings is dependent on staff availability. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 28, 2021
Advisory boards lobby for virtual meetings

The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association is also asking the governor’s office to allow the city’s volunteer boards to meet remotely during the pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 28, 2021
Cops Corner: Sarasota 1.28.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Commissioner Nancy Detert was the lone commissioner in opposition, stating the amendments don't do enough to ensure new affordable units.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 27, 2021
County amends affordable housing incentives

The changes mean developers who build east of I-75 no longer have to include affordable units, but they can opt to.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioners hope medical marijuana dispensaries do not get turned into recreational dispensaries.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 27, 2021
County aims for home rule on marijuana

Commissioners remain opposed to personal-use laws, even if legalized by the state legislature.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 27, 2021
Leave your state’s misery behind

Will people moving to Florida bring with them the habits and policies of the places they are fleeing?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Olivia Davis provides a scoring punch for Cardinal Mooney High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 27, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Mooney girls basketball elevates its play

The Cougars are primed for a deep postseason run.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
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District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
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Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
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