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Trending | Sarasota

Participants in Friday's beach smoking ban event ceremoniously place giant cigarette butts in a trash bag, illustrating the state's enabling legislation allowing localities to prohibit smoking on the beach. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 1, 2022
No butts about it: local governments set to take up beach smoking ban

With enabling legislation going into effect last week, city and county governments are poised to implement smoking bans on public beaches

  • Sarasota
  • News
$18.1 million in facelifts are planned for Bay Haven School for Basics Plus.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 30, 2022
Three planned new schools will house 5,100 student in flourishing south Sarasota County

Two new schools in Wellen Park and a third nearby will serve the Venice-North Port area as Sarasota County Public Schools plans for growth. A historic school will also get a makeover.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
This is the best view for sunsets, but you'll be battling half of Sarasota's teen population to get a spot.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 30, 2022
Getting Away: Celery Fields

Few things can top the variety at the hill space in east Sarasota, which boasts running trails and gorgeous views.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The top-selling property in Sarasota this week was units 501 and 502 of Royal St. Andrews, 555 S. Gulfstream Ave.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 30, 2022
Cocoanut Bayou property breaks $9 million level

A Cocoanut Bayou home on Cedar Park Circle tops the week's sales at $9.18 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2022
Sarasota weather page photo: June 30

Gordon Silver took this photo of a large gator cooling off on a warm day at Myakka River State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro area ranks seventh in the nation for the number of homes authorized for construction per 1,000 existing homes, (Andrew Warfield)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 30, 2022
Sarasota metro ranks seventh in the nation for new home construction

Demographics of new residents in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton area are shifting as the area ranks seventh in the nation among mid-size MSAs in approving new home construction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Deputy Josh Sanders helps Sophia Castellanos try on a helmet at a recent open house at the headquarters of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 30, 2022
County departments seeking 116 new positions in fiscal year 2023

Flush with new property tax revenue, Sarasota County departments asked to create more than 100 new jobs needed to keep up with growth during County Commission budget heraings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 29, 2022
Former city commissioner plays taps at area events to honor veterans

From wreath laying to taps ceremonies, our traditions ensure we never forget to thank those who sacrificed for our country.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
An artist's rendering of the future ArtCenter Manatee facility. (Courtesy image)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • June 29, 2022
ArtCenter Manatee moves closer to fundraising goal

ArtCenter Manatee has big dreams for a future expansion, and several philanthropic donors have helped them make it a reality.

  • East County
  • News
From planning to design and setting up, hundreds of hours are put into making Nathan Benderson Park's Fireworks on the Lake a reality. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 29, 2022
Fireworks company adds spark to Benderson Park's annual Fourth of July show

Pyrotecnico puts in hundreds of hours to create Nathan Benderson Park's Fireworks on the Lake.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bambi Bowman Huisveld completed the OWS Triple Crown on June 14 with her Catalina Channel swim.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 29, 2022
Sarasota swimmer completes Open Water Swimming Triple Crown

Bambi Bowman Huisveld swam across the Catalina Channel in nine hours and 41 minutes on June 14 to complete the Triple Crown.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
(File photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 29, 2022
City, police union square off over compensation, anti-discrimination policy

With its collective bargaining agreement expiring this fall, the union that represents Sarasota police officers charges that the city is slow to respond to demands.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • June 29, 2022
America: We have a lot in common

Don’t let the noise fool you. As Americans, we agree on more things than you might think.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 29, 2022
50 songs to get you in the Fourth of July spirit

Celebrate your American pride with these patriotic songs.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 29, 2022
Sarasota Cops Corner: Ice, ice, baby

Police reports from around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
2
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
3
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
4
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
5
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

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