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Sarasota | News

Sarasota County this week activated the traffic light, the first of its kind in a roundabout in the area, the county said.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 15, 2026
Traffic signal added to Apex Road roundabout

Sarasota County hopes to alleviate busy-time traffic backups at the Lakewood Ranch Boulevard intersection.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Officer Ryan Block and K-9 Partner Kodak have become Sarasota Police Department's second certified explosive detection team.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2026
SPD K-9 team earns explosive-detection certification

Officer Ryan Block and K-9 partner Kodak have completed a rigorous 300-hour certification program for explosive detection certification.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A lane closure will affect traffic on the John Ringling Causeway during an FDOT maintenance project.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2026
Roadwork will close Ringling Causeway lane at Bird Key

One westbound lane expected to be shut down after 7 p.m.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Karie Friling makes brief comments to the Sarasota City Commission during her visit to the May 4 commission meeting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 14, 2026
New city manager calls career in public service 'most noble of professions'

Karie Friling has made several fact-finding visits to Sarasota in preparation for assuming her new role as city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Among the proposals for the Main Street complete street project includes converting dozens of angle parking spaces to parallel parking.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 14, 2026
What should Sarasota's Main Street look like in 20 years?

The public will get its first look at proposed design concepts for the Main Street complete street project at a May 21 workshop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Retired Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo's name is now emblazoned on the airport loop road at SRQ.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 13, 2026
Airport roadway named for former SRQ president and CEO

Airport Circle at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has been officially renamed Rick Piccolo Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of 1899 Fruitville from the corner of North Osprey Avenue and Fruitville Road.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 13, 2026
Fruitville apartment plan to replace cottages makes second appearance

Multiple comments remain as block-long apartment development on Fruitville Road requires third submittal to the Sarasota Development Review Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Schools Superintendent Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon in April.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 12, 2026
School-tax fee reversal slated to come before county commissioners next week

Sarasota is ready to reassume responsibility for paying the tax collector's 2% commission, but question remains on whether it should be charged at all.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Costello’s Neighborhood Pizza owner Kenny Palin takes a pie out of the oven at the Longboat Key branch of Costello’s.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 12, 2026
Owner rebrands Longboat, Gulf Gate pizza joints to Costello's Neighborhood Pizza

As the franchise contract reached expiration, owner Kenny Palin decided to personalize his two pizzerias with a family name.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The update of the Sarasota City Plan includes the Recreation and Open Space chapter.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2026
May 11 city plan update open house canceled

Three chapters of the Sarasota City Plan were to be discussed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 11, 2026
Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75

No one else was hurt in the Sarasota County incident, FHP says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Spring break helped bring an year-over-year increase in tourism to Sarasota County in March.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 11, 2026
Tourism sees increase of visitors in March

March 2026 brought an increase in tourists, but not spending, to Sarasota County compared to the year prior.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Il Panificio is now open at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 9, 2026
Il Panificio opens new downtown Sarasota restaurant

The pizza restaurant now has two locations on Main Street and one on Siesta Key.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
School district demands repayment of tax fees
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 8, 2026
School district demands repayment of tax fees

The Sarasota County Commission votes to resume paying the tax collector's 2% commission fee and questions the fee itself.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mason Hull has more than 300,000 followers on TikTok.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2026
Sarasota TikTok influencer arrested on child-pornography charges

Because of the 18-year-old suspect's digital presence, the Sheriff's Office is reaching out to the public for additional information.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest in Sarasota

1
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
2
Kayla Taylor
  • May 15, 2026
Sarasota researcher wins international STEM award
3
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
4
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
5
Karie Friling makes brief comments to the Sarasota City Commission during her visit to the May 4 commission meeting.
  • May 14, 2026
New city manager calls career in public service 'most noble of professions'

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