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Sarasota | News

Beginning June 1, 2026, parking fees will be enforced in all city parking decks, such as the St. Armands Circle garage, 24/7.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 7, 2026
Paid city parking hours extended and fines for violations increased

To achieve solvency in Sarasota's Parking Division, the City Commission extends enforcement hours and increases fines with changes beginning June 1, 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County Commissioner Tom Knight on Tuesday raised the issue of a fee charged by the Tax Collector's office on money raised by the school district's optional 1-mill property tax.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 6, 2026
County Commission reverses stance on paying school-tax fee

Sarasota leaders vote 3-2 to open the door to reassuming the responsibility for paying Tax Collector commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 6, 2026
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers

Currently, 136 teacher roles are unassigned in the district.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Stickney Point Road property contains commercial condominiums, 700 feet of bay frontage and 390 feet of canal/boat basin access.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 6, 2026
Nearly $21M Stickney Point project moves forward

Sarasota County commissioners authorized the acquisition and loan to finance the property purchase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Circus Trail currently runs along the east side of Circus Boulevard before crossing over the road to the east and then back again.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 6, 2026
Circus Trail envisioned to connect Fruitville to 17th Street Park

The Sarasota City Commission has authorized FDOT to design a realignment of Circus Trail into and through Bobby Jones Golf Course and Nature Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The John Ringling Causeway connects Sarasota to Bird Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 6, 2026
Recent projects show the new era of Sarasota-area bridges

In the latter half of the 21st century, drawbridges were the preferred method to bridge barrier islands to the mainland in the Gulf Coast, but that doesn’t mean they’re a relic of the past.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Traffic was rerouted around a water-main repair site on Tuttle Avenue.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2026
Water advisory posted after Sarasota pipe break

Traffic is rerouted on Tuttle Avenue near Floyd Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bicyclist killed crossing US 301 in Sarasota
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 4, 2026
Bicyclist killed crossing US 301 in Sarasota

The 51-year-old was not wearing a helmet and wasn't in a crosswalk, police say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Shoreline damage at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is among the nearly $40 million in city recovery expenses left behind by the 2024 hurricane season.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 4, 2026
City staff to hold budget steady for next fiscal year

A fund balance shortfall of $4.3 million has prompted Sarasota officials to instruct departments to trim operating costs and suspend capital purchases.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kelly Kirschner is the son of the late Kerry Kirschner, who led the Argus Foundation and also was mayor of Sarasota.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 3, 2026
Former Sarasota mayor joins race to fill Buchanan's Congressional seat

Kelly Kirschner, 51, was elected to the City Commission in 2007.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Police arrests, fires probationary officer
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 1, 2026
Sarasota Police arrests, fires probationary officer

Gabriel Ornellas-Victorio, 38, has been arrested and terminated by the Sarasota Police Department after investigation of simple battery against a 16-year-old girl.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is preparing its 5-year Transportation Improvement Program to submit to FDOT.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2026
MPO accepting public input for transportation improvement program

The Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is accepting public input as it prepares its five-year project priority list for submission to FDOT this summer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Damage to the shoreline of Ken Thompson Park at City Island following the 2024 hurricane season.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 30, 2026
Waterfront park to receive $3 million in hurricane repairs and resilience

The money will help make 2024 storm-related repairs and shore up the shoreline at Ken Thompson Park on City Island.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Analysts at SPD's Real Time Operations Center monitor multiple cameras, sensors and other devices spread throughout the city.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 30, 2026
Annual crime rates in Sarasota continue to decline

In presenting the annual Sarasota Police Department crime report, Chief Rex Troche said the department is "just right" to be effective.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hurricane Milton at 8:05 p.m. Oct. 9, 2024.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 29, 2026
Climate Adaptation Center predicts fewer storms this hurricane season

The annual forecast by the local nonprofit predicted a total of two major hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest in Sarasota

1
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
2
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'
3
Among the proposals for the Main Street complete street project includes converting dozens of angle parking spaces to parallel parking.
  • May 14, 2026
What should Sarasota's Main Street look like in 20 years?
4
The home at 507 Casey Key Road was built in 2008 and has five bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,595 square feet of living area. It sold for $4.75 million in 2019.
  • May 14, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 27-May 1 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
5
Vance Freeman became the 10th different state champion in Sarasota boys weightlifting program history May 7. The senior hit all three of his lifts in the bench press to secure gold.
  • May 14, 2026
Sarasota High lifter crowned at state championship

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