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Sarasota

To make way for an expansion of the County Jail, Sarasota County must move the Criminal Justice Center from location 1, and has requested the city engage in negotiations regarding its parking lot at location 2 with an option to place it at location 3.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2025
Sarasota city, county to discuss possible Ringling Boulevard land deal

Sarasota County has asked the city for possible use of a parking lot on Ringling Boulevard as a new site of its Criminal Justice Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 1501 South Drive was built in 1953 and has two bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,706 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 21, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for August 4-8 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home in Cherokee Park on South Drive tops the week’s sales at $7.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Prince Knight performs on Aug. 18.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 20, 2025
Jazz Jam SRQ lets the community play together

The free-to-attend, improvised performances, held at Selby Public Library, are being paired with education in the fundamentals of jazz.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Purple Ribbon Committee Chairman Charles Cosler presents the committee's report to the Sarasota City Commission while facilitator Jim Shirley (left) looks on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 20, 2025
Task force advises Sarasota to keep Van Wezel running optimally

With no arts group stepping up to assume operating the Van Wezel, the Purple Ribbon Committee recommends making it last five to seven years should a replacement be built.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Homeless man takes up residence in restaurant shed
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2025
Homeless man takes up residence in restaurant shed

Officers discovered a man living in a storage shed and helping himself to a restaurant's liquor bottles. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Olivia Swanson dishes up a scoop of passionfruit gelato on her last day at Settimi's Gelato before she heads off to college for a new school year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 20, 2025
Summer snapshot on St. Armands Circle

St. Armands Circle falls into an easy-going summertime pace in August, when visitors and residents take their time exploring the restaurants and shops in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Interim Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock looks on during his first City Commission meeting on July 7.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 20, 2025
Sarasota city manager search firms make their pitch

With executive search firms narrowed to three, Sarasota has received their proposals to supply candidates for city manager. A special commission meeting is proposed to discuss.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Police Department recently put up digital signs reminding motorists crossing Ringling Bridge to slow down.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 20, 2025
Police crack down on speeding near Ringling Bridge

Sarasota Police Department said it has received several complaints of people going too fast across the bridge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ana Salmon receives a demonstration from Elyse Falzone, an intuitive energy healer and spiritual mentor.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 19, 2025
Bee Ridge Florist welcomes community inside for Feel Good Fair

The family-owned flower shop, which recently changed ownership to sisters Alex Wise-Brewer and Devyn Wise, hosted the Feel Good Fair.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota man arrested on child pornography charges
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 19, 2025
Sarasota man arrested on child pornography charges

Following months of investigation by the Sarasota Police Department, Colton Berman, 29, faces 13 counts of possession of child pornography.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A conceptual rendering of the Oak Grove Garden for Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 19, 2025
Selby Gardens wins Planning Board approval for Master Plan Phase 2

Despite concerns over tree removal and mitigation plans, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens gets the green light to proceed with $61 million Master Plan Phase 2 project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Corcoran's success at New College can be attributed to low-hanging fruit
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 18, 2025
Corcoran's success at New College can be attributed to low-hanging fruit

There are many questions that remain unanswered regarding curriculum changes and total leadership, an Observer reader says.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Jose Angel Figueroa Jr. makes music in the circle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 18, 2025
Attendees live their best life in the Siesta Key Drum Circle

The event, held since about 1996, takes place every Sunday in Siesta Key, rain or shine.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Corey Vandenhoe snorkeling during the Great Scallop Search
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 18, 2025
Help scientists while enjoying a day on Sarasota Bay

Sarasota Bay Watch is hosting its annual citizen science-led survey of scallops in Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
St. Lucie County's Sara Rosenzweig and Volusia County's Copper Reynolds share a moment of excitement as they complete their 100 meter race at the Special Olympics Florida 2025 State Stand Up Paddle Competititon on Aug. 16.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 17, 2025
Special Olympics athletes stand up to the challenge at Sarasota paddling event

The Stand Up Paddle event drew 155 athletes to Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Florida Highway Patrol says it clocked this Ford Mustang GT at 142 mph on Interstate 75 late Friday.
  • June 27, 2026
Sarasota driver charged with hitting 142 mph on Interstate 75
2
The lunch and dinner buffet at Der Dutchman is available from 11:45 a.m. to close. The breakfast buffet is offered from 7 to 11:15 a.m.
  • June 27, 2026
Sarasota Amish eatery ranks as No. 2 buffet restaurant in US
3
Steve Kramer plays the cello.
  • June 26, 2026
Music Salon of Sarasota seeks to make music a community experience
4
MJ Price
  • June 26, 2026
Voices of America: How do you reflect your patriotism?
5
1000 Boulevard of the Arts will replace a portion of the former Hyatt Regency hotel and parking structure, which have been demolished.
  • June 25, 2026
A glimpse inside the new planned Hyatt Centric hotel

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