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Sarasota

One student felt unsure about how she looked trying to play an air guitar, so Swezey grabbed one of his real ones to help her feel more comfortable. Sam Chaney
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 19, 2019
Oak Park teacher misses out on Teacher of the Year nod

Oak Park School's Shane Swezey was not selected, but is happy with being a finalist.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • July 19, 2019
Mary Lilla (Mary Elle) Hunter

Mary Lilla “Mary Elle” Hunter died July 12, 2019, in Sarasota, where she had resided for 40 years with periods of out-of-area residency in Pinehurst, N.C.; Washington, D.C.; and Bismarck, N.D.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Utilities Director Bill Riebe said the water and wastewater infrastructure citywide is badly in need of improvements — a condition that led to the city authorizing a decade of rate increases for water and sewer customers.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 18, 2019
City authorizes water, sewer rate increases

City residents’ water and sewer utility bills could increase 46% by 2030 as officials attempt to fund $377 million in infrastructure improvements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Todd Bellamy performs "The Way You Do The Things You Do," by The Temptations.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 18, 2019
WBTT emphasizes Motown history with summer program

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe ushers in a new generation of performers with Stage of Discovery.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 18, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: July 18

Jeannie Sparks captured this image of an ibis on the lookout over Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 18, 2019
A lifestyle, not a diet: Non profit community loses 774 pounds

Sarasota’s nonprofit community bands together to lose 774 pounds through Weight Watchers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Former Sailor Evan Mendoza has reched AAA in the Cardinals system. Photo courtesy Palm Beach Cardinals.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 18, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Batter up

Area baseball players are tearing up the professional ranks.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tej Atluru.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 18, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: 07.18.19

Sarasota Athlete of the Week: 07.18.19

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lotus will open next to CycleBar in The Market at UTC. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 18, 2019
Fashion retailer Lotus to open at UTC in Sarasota

Benderson Development lands fashion retailer Lotus as pop-up store for The Market at UTC in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
A lifeguard vehicle is on stand-by at the Lido Beach lifeguard tower
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 18, 2019
Sarasota lifeguards have an eye on safety

From Manasota to Lido Beach, lifeguards patrol a total of 36 miles worth of public beaches across Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Among the programs of the Ringling College Lifelong Learning Academy was a set of eight lectures presented at Longboat Key's Paradise Center
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 17, 2019
Lifelong Learning Center gets $1 million endowment

The Bernard Osher Foundation awards Ringling College.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 17, 2019
Heart Gallery captures foster children's personalities through photography

Heart Gallery of Sarasota captures foster children's personalities through photography

  • Arts + Culture
Bowden says he aims to continue supporting students from Emma Elementary as they transition to Booker Middle School
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 17, 2019
District prepares plan for D-rated school

Emma E. Booker fell among the 300 lowest-performing elementary schools in the state of Florida for 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Changes to The Bay's proposal for Phase 1 include an adjusted configuration for a pier above the water and the elimination of some parking spaces.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 16, 2019
Bayfront group continues discussion of first phase

City officials directed The Bay Sarasota to work with bayfront residents in response to concerns associated with the latest park project proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 16, 2019
Sarasota Police Department taking part in initiative to reduce speeding

“For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Work is underway at 28 N. Boulevard of the Presidents in the first phase of Tom Leonard’s plan to bring the Shore Restaurant back to St. Armands Circle.
  • May 18, 2026
Shore’s return to St. Armands underway with gutting of building
2
Sarasota County this week activated the traffic light, the first of its kind in a roundabout in the area, the county said.
  • May 15, 2026
Traffic signal added to Apex Road roundabout
3
Kayla Taylor
  • May 15, 2026
Sarasota researcher wins international STEM award
4
Officer Ryan Block and K-9 Partner Kodak have become Sarasota Police Department's second certified explosive detection team.
  • May 15, 2026
SPD K-9 team earns explosive-detection certification
5
A lane closure will affect traffic on the John Ringling Causeway during an FDOT maintenance project.
  • May 14, 2026
Roadwork will close Ringling Causeway lane at Bird Key

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